Posts Tagged ‘yoga instructor’

The Need for Corporate Yoga

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

yoga teacher training courseBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga has been proven as an extremely effective way to relieve stress, strengthen the body and mind, and improve overall health. Those who practice Yoga, on a regular basis, understand just how powerful the effects can be. Over time, the body seems to crave the feelings of strength and limberness a Yoga session brings. Yoga also provides a feeling of peace and well-being to the mind. Employees with high stress levels can benefit greatly from regular Yoga routines. Employers who offer corporate Yoga will also see positive results, including higher productivity, fewer sick days, and a more positive attitude among employees.

Many corporate employees spend their entire day sitting in front of a computer screen. Over time, this causes problems within the body. Employees face issues like sore or injured backs, carpel tunnel syndrome, weight issues, or overall stiffness in the body. The body was not really designed to sit for that many hours in a row, and excessive sitting does have negative effects. Productivity, creativity, and motivation can also begin to waver as the day wears on. Yoga, and its associated breathing exercises, increase blood flow to the brain, which jump-starts the brain and gives it the necessary strength to finish the workday.

Corporate Yoga can take on a number of different forms. Often times, a company hires a certified Yoga instructor to lead a series of scheduled classes throughout the day or week. Yoga classes can be held in a board room, break room, or other common area. Some facilities have separate exercise and workout rooms available. Employees can then choose when to attend a Yoga class. Corporations, who are short on funds, but want to offer Yoga benefits to employees, can call in a certified Yoga teacher to give a seminar. Employees can learn some basic poses and their benefits. Then, employees can choose when to implement a Yoga break throughout the day.

Whether employees block out an hour at a time to practice Yoga, or opt for several five-minute breaks throughout the day, the benefits will begin to show. Yoga is rewarding to learn and practice. Yoga poses can be adapted to suit every person, without discrimination. Even employees, who are currently dealing with injuries or other health issues, can reap the benefits of Yoga. It makes sense to implement Yoga into the workplace.  With proper guidance, everyone can do it, and it requires little equipment. Yoga can bring any company’s employees the health and prosperity they deserve.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

How Important is Sanskrit When Teaching Yoga?

Saturday, January 21st, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 

Yoga has been around for centuries; its roots founded in ancient India.  As time and progress have brought Yoga to other parts of the world, it has evolved into many different things. It has become a way for people to maintain proper levels of physical fitness, a way to release stress and anxiety due to day-to-day life, and a way to find a deeper mind-body connection. While many of these philosophies and goals existed in ancient Yoga, the modern conveniences of our lives have changed it dramatically.

In order to fully understand anything, it is crucial to get all the necessary background information. Sanskrit is the language in which Yoga originated. It is, therefore, an integral part of the deeper study of Yoga. When a teacher studies Yoga, it is extremely important to understand where it came from, as well as how it has changed. Yoga teachers should study and learn the Sanskrit names of all the postures and breathing exercises they intend to teach. This helps when you cross- reference with other Yoga teachers.  Many of the Sanskrit names have deeper meanings, which enlighten us further as to the original purpose of each posture, technique, or breathing exercise.

Although Yoga teachers need this essential knowledge, whether or not they choose to teach their students the Sanskrit names of all the poses is a personal choice. Some students may object to Sanskrit for religious reasons and some never seem to adapt to second languages. When faced with a diverse class of varying levels, a class of beginners, or a specialized class, perhaps they are not interested in the history behind Yoga. In that case, it might be better to use words in your native language to avoid confusion. You might mention the Sanskrit name in conjunction with the native word of your student’s first language, or offer to speak with anyone after class if they are interested in the Sanskrit names. Teaching Sanskrit is up to each individual Yoga instructor’s discretion.

If you choose to delve into Sanskrit with your students, make sure you are pronouncing the words correctly, and giving correct knowledge about their meanings. This may require a bit of extra effort on the Yoga teacher’s part, but it is important not to give misinformation to the students.

Sanskrit will always be an important part of Yoga, since Yoga would not exist outside of India if it did not make the eventual transition from Sanskrit to other languages. It is an integral piece of the puzzle of Yoga, and should not be overlooked by those seeking to really study the deeper concepts and philosophies of Yoga.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Value of Compassion in Correcting Yoga Students

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

yoga teacher training courseBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 

There comes a time in every Yoga instructor’s practice where they must learn how to correct others in a way that is tactful, informative, and gentle. Forming a good technique for correcting others takes time and practice. It is often helpful to watch more experienced Yoga teachers in action. Inexperienced teachers should mimic how more seasoned Yoga instructors interact with students, correct form, or guide them into proper positions. You can learn a lot by watching master teachers in action.

Showing compassion means drawing from your inner patience and understanding. When a Yoga student is floundering in a pose, or perhaps talking too much during class, or giggling about positions that seem a bit foreign to them, remember that you, too, were once a beginner. You struggled with poses, thought your body was not capable of certain stretches, and you probably hoped your Yoga instructor would find the compassion to treat you well. Compassion is an important part of the Yogic philosophy, and it is important for students to see it modeled by their teacher.

Remember that Yoga is a very personal experience on many levels. Although you are leading a group of students, each person must determine what feels right and good for his or herself. If a student chooses to ignore your help in a pose, allow them to press on. You can give constructive  advice, but you cannot change a student’s mind.  Each student is coming to you with a unique set of background information, and life circumstances. You cannot possibly know that the man in the third row had a terrible day, the woman near the back almost did not make it to Yoga class because the babysitter was late, or the older lady who never misses a class just found out her grandson is in trouble. What you can do, though, is treat all students with kindness, respect, and compassion.

Compassion can be learned when you make a conscious effort to be compassionate toward your students, as well as yourself. Remind yourself before, during, and after class to treat your students well. When you correct a student, do it in a manner that is respectful and helpful. Also, remember to treat yourself with compassion. Each of us is often our own worst critic.  With that said, it is important to allow yourself the leeway that you give to your students. Do not expect perfection from your students, and you will find you have a group of students who greatly respect your teaching methods.  Yoga practice is “a work in progress” for all of us who live in an imperfect world.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Teaching Yoga: Demonstrating Yoga Techniques

Friday, January 13th, 2012

yoga teacher training courseBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The difficulty and complexity of Yoga techniques can range from quite simple to potentially complex. One of the tasks of a Yoga instructor is to simplify the process of executing the postures. It takes a bit of practice to be able to lead the students into a more complex pose or pranayama technique, step-by-step. You want the movements to be smooth and easy, the verbal cues to be concise, and your physical demonstration to be accurate.

When you demonstrate Yoga techniques to your students, it is often beneficial to give a bit of background information, such as the history of the technique, the purpose of a posture, or defining the precision of a pranayama technique. It is also important to let your students know about the benefits of each technique, as well as the potential risks or concerns. When introducing new Yoga poses or pranayama techniques, let the students watch you first, as you verbally explain it. Then, let them try it while giving verbal cues. Practice new Yoga poses a few times before adding them into a specific sequence or flow of poses.

Liability is part of the responsibility of being a Yoga instructor. In order to make sure each of your students is safe, you must know your students. Yoga teachers need to be aware if a student has a health problem, injury, or some other area of concern. When you know your students, you can give specific advice, props, and modifications to them for postures that may pose a risk. It is also beneficial to break down more complex Yoga poses into steps. Demonstrate each step, and how to progress to the next step, until the posture is complete.

Make sure you are easily visible to all of your students. This can pose a challenge when you are teaching a large class, with limited space. When the instructor is at the front of the room, facing the students, this could limit visibility for students on the fringe of the class, or students in the back. Avoid potential problems by setting up the class in a way where mats are staggered, or by forming a semi-circle around you. Be aware of the students who might not have the best visibility, and communicate with them to make sure they are with you during the entire class. You might also change the position of your mat from time to time, if it will give the students a better view of the pose.

Demonstrating can also be difficult, when you are walking around the room making physical assists and adjustments. When you are walking around the room, there are times, when it is best to briefly demonstrate in an area where students who do not usually have the best angle can see you. As your Yoga classes expand in size, it is wise to have other teachers in the room to help with adjustments. This extra attention from an assistant provides each Yoga student the optimum learning experience.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Teaching Yoga: The Best Methods for Observing Yoga Classes

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

Good yoga teaching encompasses a wide range of skills and knowledge. The best yoga teachers are often “naturals,” having an innate ability to reach students in a positive, uplifting manner. However, many important teaching skills and methods can be learned. The most successful teachers are constantly self-evaluating, observing peers, and continually striving to make themselves more effective. Observation in itself is somewhat of an art, with different methods appropriate for various situations. When evaluating other yoga instructors, it is important to focus the observation on a particular skill or method.

For beginning yoga instructors, it is beneficial to sit in on a class with a particularly experienced instructor to get a feeling for how he or she runs the class as a whole. During initial observations, it is okay not to have a specific goal in mind, but to just absorb the atmosphere, structure, and flow of the class.

Once new instructors find a mentor, or study another yoga teacher’s methods they admire, it is appropriate to observe a number of times. Determine one specific piece of the yoga class to carefully observe, and take notes as necessary. Perhaps you might focus on the flow of the postures, noting the order of the poses and how they flow into each other. Observe the yoga instructor’s interaction with the students. How does he or she welcome the yoga students, explain postures, note possible modifications, or give cues throughout class? Stay focused on the determined area of observation, while noting any questions that come up during class.

After observing, it is important to talk to the yoga instructor about what you observed. Perhaps he or she can give you some more specific information about the particular teaching methods used, or you can discuss any specific situations that arose during class and how they were handled. Do not be afraid to ask any and all questions that came up for you during class. If a yoga teacher has no time to answer questions, do you really want to learn from him or her?

Take some time after observations to journal about what you saw, noting the methods that you can see yourself using in your own future yoga classes. Personal reflection is important as you begin a yoga teaching career, and should be implemented throughout, as you grow and learn through teaching.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Kundalini Yoga for Beginners

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Faye Martins

Kundalini Yoga is an ancient Yoga practice that originated in India. It is a tantric branch of Yoga and is known by its practitioners as the mother of all Yoga practices. Practitioners of all levels are welcome in a Kundalini Yoga class. A Kundalini Yoga class usually begins with a dedication or intention for your practice and the singing of sacred mantras and scriptural verses. A Kundalini Yoga class will be comprised of a balanced set of yogic techniques that include physical postures, breathing exercises, chanting and specific meditation practices.

According to the philosophy of Kundalini Yoga, there is a dormant energy that lies coiled at the base of the spine called the Kundalini Shakti. When this energy is awakened, the Kundalini Shakti rises up through all seven chakras and ultimately penetrates the seventh chakra in the crown of the head. As the energy rises, each chakra is activated and purified.

The regular practice of Kundalini Yoga strengthens the nervous system, harmonizes the endocrine system, purifies the blood and strengthens the physical body. The breathing exercises also increase lung capacity and may lower blood pressure. Kundalini Yoga is an incredible set of practices that work on every level of a yogi’s body and mind. Kundalini Yoga is an accessible practice for anyone at any level of physical fitness.

It is best to learn Kundalini Yoga techniques from a certified Kundalini Yoga instructor. It is a very specific set of practices, so you should inquire about your teacher’s certification and make sure that he or she is certified in Kundalini Yoga. For your first class, wear comfortable, loose clothing. It is also helpful to dress in layers so that you can take off a layer or two as you warm up during class.

You also may want to buy a yoga mat at a yoga studio, sporting goods or discount store. A quick insider tip is that a pilates mat is actually thicker and more comfortable than a traditional yoga mat, and it is made out of the same material as a yoga mat. A yoga mat and a pilates mat are also about the same price. Make sure to buy a mat that is long enough for you to lie down on.

Most importantly, remember to enjoy your practice! Do not get too worried about doing everything perfectly. In time, you will become very adept at the strengthening and purifying techniques of Kundalini Yoga.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

 

Yoga and Christianity: What’s the Controversy?

Friday, November 11th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Clyde Granger

Yoga in the United States has been distanced from its roots by its geographic location, the language differences and the intent of the practitioners. But does this make Yoga secular, and if so, is it appropriate for dedicated Christians? These questions have been addressed- and answered differently- in such mainstream Christian publications as “Christianity Today,” and “Today’s Christian Woman.”

John MacArthur, a pastor in a California megachurch, called Yoga a “false religion,” while Pat Robertson refers to chanting during Yoga as “really spooky.” What is the basis for these religious leaders’ fears?

The supposed incompatibility of Yoga and Christianity stems from the understanding of Yoga as a religious practice itself. The purpose of Yoga is defined by some as a spiritual discipline, which allows the body to channel the divine. Christianity, on the other hand, does not view the human body as divine; that is reserved for the Savior. Christians are called upon by their practice to listen to the Word of God, not themselves and their bodies. Southern Baptist Seminary president Albert Mohler says, “We are not called to escape the consciousness of this world by achieving an elevated state of consciousness, but to follow Christ in the way of faithfulness.”

What if the postures of Yoga are separated from its spiritual components and teachings? After all, many American Yoga teachers do not speak Sanskrit and may not even own a passport. There are branches of Yoga which would seem entirely divorced from spirituality (Dog Yoga comes to mind.) This seems to be the heart of the controversy for most Christians. Those who agree that being a good Christian and doing Yoga is possible, say that the physical movements and opening of the mind can be directed towards Christ as easily as towards anything else. Those who disagree, say that Yoga without the spirituality is merely stretching exercises, and that Yoga’s promises of spiritual enlightenment for every follower are at odds with God’s plan to accept only his chosen followers.

Left mostly unpublished in Western media is the viewpoint of Hindus. Is the separation of spirituality from physical practice in Yoga disenfranchising them, as the co-founder of the Hindu American Association, Aseem Shukla, writes in the 2010 Washington Post article, ” The Theft of Yoga”? He calls upon devotees to “reclaim the intellectual property of their spiritual heritage [and] not sell out for the expediency of winning more clients for the yoga studio down the street.”

Understanding the controversy, regardless of which side of the debate one falls on, can help make one a better Yoga instructor.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

Is Prenatal Yoga Safe?

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

prenatal yogaBy Kimaya Singh

Research suggests that Prenatal Yoga is safe and effective for women who want to stay in shape while preparing for their babies’ arrivals. Everyone is different, though, and all mothers-to-be should talk with their doctors before undertaking any new exercise routines. Safety is relative, and what works for one person may not necessarily be good for another.

Once a woman has medical approval, she should look for classes taught by a certified Prenatal Yoga instructor. Pregnancy is a time of great change, and teachers need specific prenatal training in order to provide classes that give students the most benefits and the fewest risks.

Pregnant students also have a responsibility to follow their own intuitions when it comes to caring for their bodies. The more knowledge they have, the better the choices they make. Talking to potential prenatal Yoga teachers before taking classes gives most people an idea of what to expect. The guidelines for prenatal exercise published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists can provide the answers to many questions about what pregnant women should or should not do.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Prenatal Yoga is not only safe; it alleviates many of the discomforts that pregnant women experience, as well. The results of Yoga classes for pregnant students include the following benefits.

• Greater flexibility of the muscles used during labor

• Better sleep

• Relief of pain and discomfort, such as backaches and swelling of the ankles

• Lower anxiety levels

• Less likelihood of hypertension, slow growth of the baby, or early delivery

Nevertheless, every woman should consider some of the following factors before trying Prenatal Yoga.

• Whether the Yoga classes will influence student health insurance coverage

• If the style of Yoga involves intense postures or heated rooms

• Health history, such as miscarriages or high blood pressure

• Length of the Yoga sessions

• Kinds of Yoga poses to avoid

• Which breathing techniques are unsafe

• If the teacher is trained to teach Prenatal Yoga

In the end, every woman must trust herself enough not to do anything that feels wrong to her – no matter what someone else says. There are situations and conditions when a pregnant student should not take Yoga classes.  Good judgment and a well trained teacher are the keys to a safe Prenatal Yoga practice.  The entire purpose of prenatal Yoga is the have a safe delivery and a healthy child.  If a mother-to-be finds there is a certain amount of risk involved when attending prenatal classes, this is completely unacceptable and no doctor would advise it.  Why would any mother put her child in harm’s way?

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

The Problem with Teaching Yoga Fitness Classes

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Sanjeev Patel, CYT 500 

“Whiz, zing, whoosh!” Those three little gibberish words sum up the pace of life these days. In fact, most people seem to be addicted to speed and things that work quickly always seem to win out – including high-energy, maximum-loss exercises classes.

In other words, if you’re a yoga instructor looking to engage students’ in both the physical and spiritual aspects of practice, you may have a tough time attracting students.

These Days, Speed Trumps Patience 

Our cultural commitment to efficiency has definitely led to valuable, groundbreaking discoveries; but it’s also made us less patient as a whole. Today, people expect results – pronto. And sometimes that “need for speed” presents a problem for yoga instructors. After all, working with fitness-minded students who don’t care about mindfulness and just want to keep slim can be frustrating.

Evangelizing On Behalf Of “Mom”

While hatha yoga is an exceptional form of exercise, you won’t see considerable weight loss in the first two months – a fact which many beginners find frustrating. After all, many of today’s “fad” diets, like Atkins and South Beach, boast of dramatic results within the first couple of weeks! And let’s not be coy, nowadays, in popular culture, the terms healthy and skinny – for better or worse – are nearly synonyms.

There’s also the issue of yoga’s sometimes-languid pace. Between spinning and step classes, kickboxing and Zumba, today’s exercise trends, just like our lifestyles, tend to be of the high-energy variety.

For the Yoginis out there: Remember when you were younger, and your mom wanted you to take ballet, but you really wanted to twirl it up in jazz? In many ways, yoga instructors are still fighting mom’s battle. So in a society that values the quickest route from A to B, it’s tough for constant reminders of mindfulness to compete with hip-hop music and rapid-weight-loss workouts.

More than ever, yoga has established itself as a standard in the exercise milieu. The job of introducing yoga to westerners is complete, and now it’s time for instructors to shape their personal teaching styles. Which way will you go? To keep up with the ever-increasing pace of life, will you focus on “power”  or fitness yoga styles? Or will you incorporate some of the more esoteric aspects of practice in the hopes of guiding students to a more mindful – and often slower paced – workout? The choice is yours; the only requirement is a genuine belief in your methods.

© Copyright 2011 – Sanjeev Patel / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

 

About Becoming a Yoga Instructor

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Faye Martins

On a global scale, the field of job opportunities for yoga instructors has recently opened up, and the many new “fusion” styles of yoga offered provide teachers with even more material to cover. Considering this, the question of how long and what it takes to become a yoga instructor is on the minds of many.

Yoga is a diverse, polyglot, and a multinational phenomenon, so to define standards for yoga in totality would be impossible. Around the world there is no single body that regulates yoga. Some forms of yoga are good for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. Some styles focus on only one of the four aspects, while others focus on two or more.

Many Hatha Yoga styles provide a basic framework for yoga teacher training, which suggests that a teacher complete a minimum of 200 hours of training. The training should be made up of hours, spent in observation, writing, researching, and other activities. Beyond this minimum, teachers may be certified at higher levels (such as the 500 hour certification) and in specialties, such as prenatal yoga or children’s yoga. Yoga teacher training programs offered through various institutions for 200 hours of training usually last about three months.

Similar to martial arts, and many forms of alternative healing, yoga is a unique field with many aspects. For the most part, there is no mandate for teachers to have the student background suggested by some of the ashrams and certifying bodies. Anyone studying yoga may choose at any time to begin teaching. Online courses and other correspondence courses of yoga teacher training, offer curriculums lasting an average of three months to a year.

If you wish to become an instructor in a specialized subset of yoga, such as a hot or power style, training is usually proprietary. Bikram teaching must be handled directly through Bikram’s Yoga College of India, which owns the trademarked name. Such training is nine weeks long and offered all over the world.

Others studying yoga choose to receive training in India, where many schools cater to English-speaking yoga teacher trainees. Training at a yoga center in India lasts from one to four months on average. Although the plane ticket may be prohibitively expensive, the training itself is quite affordable, with some courses costing as little as an online yoga instructor certification course.

Research several options, because very few training programs will teach you how to find a yoga teacher position or how to start your own business. While a solid foundation in yoga, and how to teach, can launch you on your career path for years to come; it is important for teacher trainees to know where the jobs are and how to get them.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!