Meet a True North Graduate: Vera Powles, UK

Name: Vera Powles
Nationality: Portuguese & British
Age: 35
Were do you live? Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (North East of England)

With so many yoga teacher trainings to chose from, what made you chose TNV's 200 hour teacher training? I knew I wanted to teach yoga as a part of my professional career so the focus that TNV puts on educating their students on sustainable yoga careers and entrepreneurship alongside key skills required to be of service to my own students was a deciding factor.

Lisa and Elin's careers and fields of expertise, as well as their guest teachers, inspired me and gave me the confidence that I'd be in the best hands during my training. I wanted to feel that I was using every second of my 200hr YTT to build my skills and knowledge and with TNV I've got that and so much more! 

What was the training like for you and what were some skills and qualities you left with?
I loved every second of the training; The location and venue are outstanding - I felt comfortable, well looked after and nourished all the way through.

All the teachers are incredible knowledgeable, approachable and friendly. I didn't feel that we have spent time doing anything that wasn't valuable or productive. Every day was a challenge and I felt out of my comfort zone many times but found my growth through that. Elin and Lisa's message to "not play small" still echoes in my mind and heart whenever I'm struck by impostor syndrome.

TNV has this special way of attracting like-minded people so I fostered friendships for life and gained a network of recent graduates which has been so supportive! I worked hard during the YTT but also don't remember ever having laughed so much.

Overall it was the experience of a lifetime and something I'll never forget. Professionally I gained all the skills I needed to start teaching to a very good level. Personally, I overcame many limiting beliefs and learn so much about myself.
 
What's your journey been like since the ttc? 
I started teaching the month after I completed my training and for the last 9 months have been building my own yoga community. I've launched a new website including an online wellness membership and recently hosted my first day-retreat.

What's your best advice for new yoga teachers wanting to get started teaching? 
Before anything else, take time to sit down and identify your values, your teaching style and class description. These will be your compass for everything that you do and you'll feel more aligned as a teacher. Talk to everyone you know and meet about your passion for yoga and your vision and you'll see unexpected partnerships and opportunities manifest into your life.

Do you teach, if so where? What format? What are your offerings? 
I'm an independent teacher so I host weekly vinyasa classes in a beautiful lifestyle shop called Mascara Studio, which is local to me. I also host monthly Yoga Socials in a really cool brewery, Full Circle Brew Co. where yogis have the change to meet and chat over a coffee or craft beer after the class. Recently I've hosted a day retreat which included yoga, meditation, pranayama, journalling and other mindful activities, a soundbath and lots of yummy healthy food. My biggest project at the moment is my online membership which I create weekly content for.
 
Instagram: manaliving.co.uk

Website: https://manaliving.co.uk