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Teaching

from the

Heart

Lessons on Developing Character, Confidence, and Leadership as a Yoga Teacher

Foreword by ROLF GATES

Now available online: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Walmart, and more!

ABOUT THE BOOK

The book Teaching from the Heart: Lessons on Developing Character, Confidence, and Leadership as a Yoga Teacher chronicles the author's journey into teaching yoga, starting at a pivotal moment in her life—the passing of her mother. Faced with the challenges of grief and life changes, the author turns to yoga as a source of solace and strength. For over twenty years, Sandy Raper has become a dedicated yoga teacher and mentor, sharing the practice with others around the globe.

The book aims to serve as a valuable resource for aspiring, new, and seasoned yoga teachers, offering guidance, encouragement, and inspiration. Reflective exercises accompany each lesson in the book to help readers apply and absorb the teaching methodologies, approaches, and techniques shared. Ultimately, the book encourages yoga teachers to share the practice of yoga from the heart, fostering a sense of purpose and service.

BOOK LESSON TOPICS

  • Establishing your role and identity as a yoga teacher.

  • The importance of teaching in a variety of locations.

  • Imposter syndrome and competition with other teachers.

  • Building relationships with the yoga community.

  • Effective communication and leadership skills in cueing and instructing yoga classes.

  • How to develop a highly effective yoga teaching methodology.

  • Cultivating a growth mindset.

  • Understanding the learning process applies to creating longevity as a yoga teacher.

  • How to develop "keystone habits" for success and growth.

  • How to overcome the biggest obstacle for a yoga teacher...and more!

a blurb from the book

"Stepping out to lead others as a yoga teacher requires vulnerability and authenticity. With over two decades of experience teaching yoga, author Sandy Raper provides a motivational and relevant collection of lessons and reflective exercises in 'Teaching from the Heart' for anyone seeking to create longevity as a yoga teacher. Each lesson serves as a resource to empower yoga teachers to develop the technical and relational skills needed to serve and connect with others through the practice and teachings of yoga. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting your journey, this book equips you with the essential tools and resources for your teaching path."

Now available online: Amazon, Barnes & Noble,

Books-a-Million, Walmart, and more!

Teaching fro the hart bok cover
Sandy Raper headshot

about the author

Sandy Raper is an esteemed and devoted yoga teacher with an illustrious career spanning more than two decades. Her unwavering commitment to the field has positioned her as a fervent advocate for fellow yoga teachers. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in the training, equipping, and mentoring of teachers on a global scale.

Sandy Raper’s credentials and certifications are a testament to her extensive and diverse training background. Ranging from foundational certifications to advanced training in therapeutic applications, her expertise runs deep and reflects a profound understanding of the intricacies found within the practice of yoga.

 

Sandy's notable contributions lie in her active involvement in creating comprehensive course curricula for equipping and training yoga teachers, including at the college level. She has also been a featured presenter at educational conferences, including two appearances at the Yoga Medicine® Innovation Conference. Additionally, Sandy has offered various continuing education workshops and training sessions to further enhance and elevate the skills and knowledge of yoga teachers.

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Beyond her accomplishments as an educator, Sandy Raper is deeply invested in the evolution of the yoga practice while seeking creative methods for teaching and sharing.  She brings a unique perspective to the yoga community, blending tradition with contemporary insights. Sandy Raper is not only an expert in the theoretical aspects of yoga but also a practitioner committed to embodying the principles of the profound wholeness one can experience through the application of the practices of yoga. 

 

Driven by a strong passion to inspire, encourage, and equip yoga teachers further, Sandy Raper took an accelerated step in 2020 by creating the Beyond Yoga Teacher Training Podcast and Mentorship Program. Beyond the yoga classroom, Sandy Raper resides in North Carolina, where she enjoys serving her community and local church, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. She lives her yoga off the mat in balance as a wife, mother of three, and caretaker.

ADMIRATION FOR TEACHING FROM THE HEART

Teaching from the Heart: Lessons on Developing Character, Confidence, and Leadership as a Yoga Teacher by Sandy Raper

Reading Teaching from the Heart was a delight superseded only by getting to know Ms. Raper personally. She is an experienced and self-reflective teacher, and these qualities echo throughout her book.

There are countless books in the marketplace about practicing and teaching yoga. It is refreshing therefore to read a book that elucidates the foundational aspects shaping the art and profession of yoga teaching.

Read this book not only to educate yourself but also to feed your growth as a teacher and a person.

- Judith Hanson Lasater, PT, Ph.D., has been a yoga teacher since 1972 and is the author of 11 books, the latest of which is Teaching Yoga with Intention.

Teaching from the Heart - Lessons on Developing Character, Confidence, and Leadership as a Yoga Teacher by Sandy Raper offers a profound exploration of the deeper qualities that define a yoga teacher beyond the technical aspects of the practice. 

Raper's personal journey, shared in the introduction, sets the tone for an inspiring and insightful read. With chapters dedicated to character development and the exploration of one's motivation and intention, this book provides aspiring, new, and seasoned yoga teachers with invaluable guidance and reflective exercises. Raper's emphasis on service and connection as the core of teaching resonates throughout, making it an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to teach yoga from the heart.

- Stephanie Spence, yoga scholar and teacher, practitioner, and award-winning author of Yoga Wisdom: Warrior Tales Inspiring You On And Off Your Mat

Sandy has thoughtfully curated a collection of lessons that covers so many important and often overlooked aspects of being a sustainable & impactful yoga teacher. Teaching yoga in our modern world has so many layers and can easily leave many teachers overwhelmed & burned out over time but this easy-to-read book provides the support and inspiration for teachers looking to be more potent in their teaching and more purposeful in their lives. An excellent resource for yoga teacher training programs to use to support their programs.

- Tiffany Cruikshank, L.Ac., MAOM, Founder of Yoga Medicine

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