Welcome to our latest blog post on MysticMag, where we delve into the innovative world of The Mazé Method, pioneered by the renowned yoga instructor, Noah Mazé.
His unique approach to yoga, inspired by significant shifts in his professional life and a deep reevaluation of traditional teachings, blends age-old yoga principles with modern, practical teaching methodologies. In this interview with MysticMag, we explore how Maze’s journey away from Anusara yoga led to the birth of his distinct method, driven by his insights and the needs of his students.
Discover how traditional and contemporary elements harmonize in The Mazé Method to foster a comprehensive and adaptable yoga practice.
What inspired you to create The Mazé Method, and how does it blend traditional yoga principles with modern teaching techniques?
The Mazé Method, inspired by my last name, plays on the word “maze,” suggesting multiple meanings and interpretations. My journey began with Anusara yoga, where I taught until 2012. A series of events within the Anusara community prompted me to step away, which in turn sparked a resurgence of creativity in my teaching.
Initially, I was content to simply call my classes “yoga” without any specific branding. However, my students, and their students in turn, needed a more defined method, which I initially resisted because I viewed my approach from an inside-out perspective. My wife and business partner, Tracy, helped me see the importance of a brand from the marketplace’s perspective—an outside-in view.
This realization allowed me to step back and recognize that there was indeed a distinctive method in my teaching. The combination of stepping away from a branded style and embracing my own voice led to the creation of The Mazé Method in 2012 and 2013. It was through this process of reevaluation, refinement, and transformation that our distinct school of yoga was born, blending traditional yoga principles with a modern approach to teaching.
Can you explain the structure of your 200-hour and 300-hour Teacher Training programs and what makes them unique?
Absolutely. Due to COVID, much of our training transitioned online. We launched a comprehensive 200-hour training online, which was a significant project during the early days of the pandemic. Our training offerings now include online, in-person, and hybrid formats.
The 200-hour program is designed as entry-level training, catering to both beginners and those with prior yoga experience. It provides a solid foundation in yoga, without necessarily aiming to prepare everyone for teaching. We emphasize teaching skills because teaching others can profoundly enhance one’s understanding and mastery of yoga.
In contrast, the 300-hour training is structured into six intensive modules, each focusing on a specific area such as functional anatomy, mythology, and philosophy. This approach allows for a deeper and more focused exploration of each topic. The 300-hour trainees are typically more experienced, often already professional yoga teachers, which shapes a more advanced learning environment.
Each module in the 300-hour program is designed to dive deeply into its subject matter over six days. For example, one module may focus entirely on anatomy, while another explores mythology and storytelling. This structure contrasts with the 200-hour training, where content is distributed in manageable daily installments across various topics.
Overall, our programs are distinguished by their adaptability to online formats and their depth, providing varied and deep engagements with yoga’s many aspects depending on the level of training.
How do you incorporate continuous learning and professional development into your mentorship programs?
In our mentorship programs, continuous learning is facilitated through online support and supplements that participants engage with between live sessions, whether these are in-person or online. We assign practical homework and teaching application tasks, particularly in the 300-hour training, encouraging participants to apply their learning directly in their teaching environments. We then review these applications in subsequent sessions, offering feedback and facilitating peer teaching in small groups.
For professional development, we conduct sessions throughout and after our training, led by my wife and partner, Tracy Silver. Tracy, who is not a yoga teacher but a lawyer and businesswoman, brings a wealth of knowledge in business principles and professional development. These sessions cover a range of topics, from setting personal goals and understanding business communication to marketing and advertising strategies, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
We also emphasize the importance of ongoing professional engagement by inviting all graduates from our 300-hour training to participate in future professional development sessions. This helps maintain a continuous learning environment and provides support as they advance in their professional careers.
What are the core principles that guide the curriculum and teaching style at The Mazé Method?
The core principles of The Mazé Method are centered around making education as experiential as possible. We engage the whole body, not just the mind, and incorporate various learning styles to ensure the knowledge is accessible to everyone. This includes visual aids, worksheets, and interactive components to accommodate auditory, visual, and kinesthetic learners.
Another fundamental principle is our educational approach, rather than advocating for a specific style of yoga. We provide a broad perspective, exploring various methodologies and enabling each individual to make informed choices based on their understanding. This approach ensures that our method is not prescriptive but rather exploratory, allowing for personal adaptation and flexibility in teaching.
We emphasize the importance of understanding the rationale behind different yoga practices, rather than simply instructing on ‘the best way to do it’. Our goal is to empower students through education, giving them the tools to choose and adapt their teaching style according to the needs of the moment and their personal teaching context.
Additionally, we cover different styles of teaching throughout the training. For instance, although it’s not exclusively a vinyasa training, we include segments on vinyasa to develop specific teaching skills relevant to that style, as well as alignment-based yoga and thematic, experience-focused classes. This diversity prepares our trainees to competently handle a variety of class types, adapting their teaching to the specific style and theme of the class.
How has the transition to offering online courses and training impacted your approach to teaching yoga?
The transition to online teaching was relatively smooth for us, as I had experience teaching online since the late 2000s. This early engagement with online platforms was beneficial when everything shifted online due to COVID-19. We already had a substantial online presence and a library of content, which made the transition easier.
Teaching online presents unique challenges, especially when trying to engage both in-person and online audiences simultaneously. For instance, teaching strategies that work well in person may not translate directly to an online environment where participants might be easily distracted in their home settings. To address this, I focus on maintaining engagement and pacing the class to keep participants involved and focused.
Online teaching also limits our ability to interact with and observe students closely. While platforms like Zoom allow some visual interaction, it’s still not comparable to the direct observation possible in a physical classroom. As a result, I find myself demonstrating poses more actively during online sessions to guide the practice, whereas in person, I would spend more time walking around, observing, and adjusting students.
The in-person experience naturally fosters a collective focus and accountability that is hard to replicate online. The physical presence of a teacher and the shared energy of a group significantly enhance the learning and practice environment, making it more potent. Overall, while online teaching has expanded access and flexibility, it changes how we connect with and guide students, necessitating adaptations in teaching styles and methods.
Can you share a success story or testimonial from a student who has significantly benefited from your programs?
Here’s what our students have to say about their transformative experiences at our yoga programs. Their testimonials reflect the profound impact and personal growth achieved through our comprehensive training courses.
Yoga Classes
“I’m still pretty new to yoga, but I have struggled to find teachers online or in real life who get into the real nitty gritty of how to get the most out of each pose. The two videos of yours I’ve come across have not only kicked my ass and left me sweating, but I feel like I had to send you a message of thanks because you fundamentally changed my relationship to my own body (especially hips and pelvic floor, parts of me I’d never given much if any thought to previously). Thanks for taking the time to really explain these concepts, movements, and sensations in a clear and accessible way. You’re an excellent teacher!” – Dave
200-hour YTT
“This experience truly was life-changing! Not only have I grown in my knowledge of yoga and how to teach it, but I have also grown in confidence and commitment to the practice and feel so ready to step out into the world with the tools I need to not just instruct a yoga class, but to teach it and guide others in deepening their own practices. My definition of yoga has changed since I ventured out on this journey and I feel so blessed to have had this opportunity. The instruction was so consistent and in-depth and I learned so much.” – Meredith
300-hour YTT
“This experience calls you to dig deep and bring your best self out into the light. I honestly believe I was transformed in the process. My life mirrored this evolution and learning process in unexpected ways, as I went from teacher to studio owner. This program gave me the tools and confidence to take on this challenge in leadership. I now find myself in a position where I can utilize all of the skills I have acquired during training. This program is not just about becoming a skillful teacher but becoming a leader. I am truly grateful to have been a part of this training. I simply cannot imagine what my life would be like without this experience. Thank you for making me a better person!” —Veronica
500-hour YTT
“Noah’s teacher training is education-based, and designed to create an authentic foundation for a lifetime of studying yoga and learning to teach it skillfully. In my opinion, 200 hours (and honestly even 500 hours to some extent) of yoga teacher training seems rudimentary. Make no mistake, Noah’s training will definitely allow one to start teaching yoga straight away. Creating a basis and methodology for continuing study, however, I believe is the strength of the program. Noah’s training is born of his extensive and diverse background in all of the major systems of yoga as well as the underlying philosophy from which it comes. His training is non-dogmatic, and his style of teaching is both dynamic and supportive in a manner that pushes students in a reasonable and compassionate manner. His training invites and inspires students to establish a methodology for ongoing study and deepening of teaching skills. Three days into my initial 200-hour training, I enrolled for the whole 500-hour program, as Noah’s knowledgeable, direct, and kind teachings were perfect for me.” —Mark
Find out more at: www.themazemethod.com
