New Teachers Holly + Mati

Whether you’ve been practicing yoga for a short time or many years, at one point or another the idea of Teacher Training has probably crossed your mind.

If you belong to a studio that offers the training you’ve probably witnessed some significant transformations take place or noticed the reappearance of yogis who’ve trained elsewhere returning with an air of reverence, an aura of something special.

For some the thought is quickly dismissed as not for me, or tucked away as an hmm, maybe. For others the seed is planted the minute they get on the mat and becomes a case of when, not if, a natural progression of their yoga development.

Recent graduates Holly McClune and Matilde Fabbri initially decided to commit to a 300-hour residential teacher training course in Bali for quite different reasons, but it led to them teaching their first class together back in Auckland.

They met last year when their teacher encouraged everyone to introduce themselves to the person next to them. Although Mati remembers Holly as being quite reserved at first it didn’t take long before they were taking more classes together at different studios and indulging their love of smoothies.

“I was inspired by her handstand to drop back into Urdhva Dhanurasana,” says Mati. “As we started to support each other in yoga we realised we had things in common and as our practice was getting stronger so was our friendship.”

“I love that a small interaction intended to foster community at our studio resulted in an amazing friendship and [on to] teacher training together,” said Holly.

Yoga came into Mati’s life during a surf trip in 2010 when studying in the UK while Holly was in her teens when she first went along to class with her mother. After experimenting with different styles they found Vinyasa resonated with them both.

“I fell in love with the creativity, freedom and breath,” says Holly.

Mati agreed. “I discovered that every time I stepped on my mat it was always different.”

I’d ‘met’ Holly and Mati through Instagram and went along to support them for that first class at their studio, Yoga Tech. The large room was packed with family and friends and the two of them more than delivered in their first teaching role. And, yup, they made us work!

If you’ve ever wondered about the teacher training experience and are looking for that impetus to make it happen, here’s a little inspiration from Holly and Mati’s journey –
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On the decision to become yoga teachers:
(Both Holly and Mati also work full-time, Holly in public relations and Mati as a Naval Architect)

Holly: Yoga has helped me realise that it’s impossible to control everything. [It has] helped me learn to accept, breathe and work towards loving what is, on and off the mat. As a new teacher I’m inspired to play just a small part in encouraging people to practice. Yoga is never far from my mind.

Mati: At first I only wanted to do teacher training to deepen my knowledge of yoga and improve my own practice. It was during the training that my mind started to shift and I realised that I was enjoying teaching. The radical change happened when Holly and I taught our first class together. The joy, happiness and sense of wholeness I felt from sharing what I love with the students and realising they were enjoying the experience is something I’d never felt before. Even now when I think about it I get gooseflesh! I understand that there is no better job than helping someone, through the gift of yoga, and this is what I want to do!

Teacher training:

Holly: On the training website there is a warning that says, ‘if you are after a leisurely yoga retreat or holiday, this training is not for you’. This is so accurate. There were three days (non-consecutive) of juice fasting and silence. Matilde and I shared a room and it took some discipline not to talk and even more discipline not to laugh.

Mati: I tried to go there with no expectations, setting myself the intention of living in the moment and experiencing everything that was presented to me. The first few days were overwhelming, meeting lots of new people, having to deal with the strict schedule and rules, and getting used to the heat and the food. Two of my biggest concerns were the hour-long meditation and Noble Silence that we had to embrace every morning and all day Thursday, along with a day of fasting. Being Italian I like to talk and make contact with everyone, although I discovered that I actually enjoyed the silent days because I would listen to myself and focus on my thoughts and the surrounding nature.

Holly: The first week was equal parts exciting and overwhelming. I found myself in some challenging and new situations. Some of it was uncomfortable, but through the discomfort I saw potential for growth, just taking each new challenge day-by-day.

Mati: Saying that it was intensive and life changing doesn’t do it justice. We had more than just one breakdown, but we stayed strong together and supported each other. We also had lots of fun and little adventures and we met some incredibly beautiful people. I discovered things about myself I didn’t know and learnt not take everything too seriously in life, to take a big breath in, let it all go and smile again at whatever has to come.

From a technical viewpoint, I learnt so much that I would probably need a year to process it all [reinforcing] that in yoga we never stop learning and that’s why I love it!

Holly: I loved the experience. It was totally immersive in every respect – yoga from dawn ‘til dusk, raw food, philosophy, personal development and spending time with like-minded people against the backdrop of the Bali jungle. Idyllic!

A typical day:

Mati: The alarm rang at 5.30am every morning and Holly was already up, afraid we would be late for meditation starting at 6am sharp! We had Noble Silence until after Yoga Asana practice at 9am.

Holly: For the remainder of the day we had lectures, discussions, practicum and technique.

Mati: After dinner from 7-9pm there was more! Anything from yoga related movies, to personal development exercises, Kirtan, Yin yoga or guest lectures.

Holly: On our Wednesday evenings off we’d go into Ubud to make the most of the abundant raw food cafes, restaurants and Balinese massage. Sometimes we’d go by scooter – Mati always driving and me always thinking we were going to crash.

Teaming up:

Mati: We got the idea to team up for our first class when we were still in Bali, during one of our adventures! We just thought it would be fun since we shared the training experience together. Also it was less intimidating because we had each other! Most importantly we wanted to share the story of our friendship, brought together through our love of yoga, with everyone else. For sure there is the intention to teach together again. Stay tuned!

Holly: We’d been through training together so it seemed completely natural to teach our first class as a duo. That first class was so special. Some of my most admired teachers were there along with people who had never stepped foot in a yoga studio before. I still can’t believe the support. I’d love to teach with Mati again. I’m sure we will soon!

The future:

Mati: A yoga related business is certainly an achievable dream. As is the desire to inspire people to cultivate a healthy lifestyle, staying active and sporty. I will always be open to new possibilities!

Holly: I’m focussed on developing my style and voice as a teacher and just enjoying being part of it all. It’s inspiring to be a new yoga teacher at a time when the Auckland yoga community is completely coming into its own.

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Mati and Holly are grateful for the support from Steve White of Yoga Tech.
See here for their class times.
They trained at the Radiantly Alive school in Bali.

Check out new teacher training opportunities on our Events page or ask your studio for further information.
And, of course, my helpful list for all newly graduated teachers is here.

– Jane

© The Yoga Connection 2015