The YTA’s Mentoring System
What’s it all about?
Introduction:
One of the bonuses of having membership of the Yoga Therapy Association is that you will have access to a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight through our mentoring network.
On our website there is a list of ‘Available Mentors’ who are willing and able to offer advice, support and general reassurance to any of our members who ask for it.
Each mentor lists their area of expertise, contact details and region that they are based in. It is up to each mentee to choose which mentor best suits them and to get in touch.
Who’s it for?
If you have recently qualified as a yoga therapist and you are just starting out on your new path, it can be very daunting getting your head round all the different issues that you have to tackle.
You might be armed with a vast amount of knowledge relating to the theory of yoga therapy, but you probably have considerably less experience of the practical application of things. Real life clients can be complex and challenging at the best of times and very often have more than one issue that needs tackling.
Getting the support of a mentor can be a really good way to gain confidence and develop a firmer footing whilst you get your yoga therapy career up and running.
“A good mentor can help their mentee become more effective in their work, learn new skills, develop greater confidence, and make better decisions for their overall experience and career growth.”
It is not just a system for the newly qualified, however. The Yoga Therapy Association, “encourages all Yoga Therapists to take advantage of mentoring at any stage in their professional career…”.
No matter how long we have been practicing we can sometimes get stuck or jaded in what we are doing. Discussing issues with a mentor might be the way to infuse added enthusiasm back into your work. It can help support you and see you through difficult challenges. It can also act as a bit of a sounding board or second opinion whether dealing with clients or your business.
“Often the mentor will guide and support the mentee in determining their goals, give advice on professional development and work-life balance, along with supporting the therapeutic work of the yoga therapist.”
How does it work?
How can I get involved?
If you feel that “you have experience that others can learn from,” and have a minimum of 3 years’ experience, post graduation, you can apply to become a mentor. Your details will be put on the list of ‘Available Mentors’ on the YTA website once your information has been reviewed.
If you are looking for a mentor, simply go to the YTA website, scroll through the list to find the yoga therapist that best fits to your needs and contact them.
Conclusion
Mentoring is a really useful, and valuable tool that can be accessed through your YTA membership. Mentors that I have contacted are enthusiastic and wanting to share their knowledge and expertise. Currently it is an underused resource but is one that can be accessed by any members whenever they need the support.
If you are new to yoga therapy, and the Association, it is a great way to build and develop relationships. Mentors have experience that you can learn from; why don’t you give it a try.
For full details visit the website: https://www.yogatherapyassociation.org/mentoring