By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Traditional Yoga teacher training requires years of direct face-to-face study with a competent Guru. An essential part of learning how to teach Yoga is to maintain a bond with one’s Guru for life. Within many Yoga schools, the Guru has the final say in most matters. He or she decides when a student is ready to ascend to Yoga teacher.
The Guru’s competence level is never in question, because it is accepted that he or she is always right. If one seeks to become a Yoga teacher, by studying under the most accomplished Guru, this process could take years to be recognized as a formal student.
This step of formal Yoga study is taken, before consideration is given to any aspirations of teaching, on the part of the student. Due to the many social changes around the world, and within India, the traditional process of teacher training has evolved over time.
In fact, what we westerners might label “traditional” today did not exist 60 years ago. One did not study a form of Yoga for a month, with a Guru we never met before, learn a few dozen postures (asanas), become a certified Yoga instructor, get back on a jet, and open a teaching practice at home.
The study of Yoga is a much deeper process. A teacher of Yoga is a student for life. Some of us spend hours studying, practicing, and networking with other Yoga teachers – every day – for life. To safely teach students with different health profiles is not accomplished, unless we see the value of continuing education.
There is nothing wrong with the evolution of teacher training, but the traditional form of training took many years and is much less common today. There are many reasons for this. Family, work, and financial obligations, often top the list. Travel to India, to live in an ashram, may also tax one’s pocketbook and time.
With a variety of Web 2.0 tools, applications, and technologies, the ability to enhance one’s education has expanded opportunities for Yoga enthusiasts, students, and teachers – worldwide. No matter how far you live from the nearest town, you can find high-speed Internet access via satellite.
While some may criticize online Yoga training, it should be noted that many respected institutions and colleges have Internet-based education programs. To spread education worldwide, can only help humanity. People are learning more about languages, history, science, and many other subjects.
Therefore, the volume of Yoga education, training, and information will continue to grow in the future. It is almost a magical experience to see the present and future opportunities available for the education of humanity.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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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, Paul
By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Many Yoga instructors have years of teaching experience; but no matter how many years of training we have, there will always be a unique ailment that we are not so familiar with. Not every Yoga teacher is familiar with creating a modified lesson plan for a student with Scoliosis, Multiple Sclerosis, or Rheumatoid Arthritis.
You could take a specialized Yoga teacher training intensive for each ailment, a group of ailments, or take an online course. If you have the time to leave work for a specialized continuing education course, you have no worries, but what if your employer is not very understanding about taking time off?
Should you tell a cover story to receive time off? After all, how many employers will endorse your continuing education in a field that has nothing to do with your job? This is just one of many reasons why Yoga teachers from around the world are taking Yoga courses online.
Even if you teach Yoga full-time, you may not currently have the flexibility in your schedule to take off a week, or a month, to attend an intensive. You could read books and watch DVDs at home, but an online Yoga teacher course will guide you toward key points in your training.
Online Yoga teacher courses tend to operate in a number of different ways. Some of them use the Internet to send you all of the materials, and then you send your assignments back by Email. Practical exam videos can be sent back by streaming video.
Some online Yoga courses will send you a combination of books, DVDs, CDs, and e-Books. They might also have online videos, podcasts, and resources, which you can research any time of the day or night. The main purpose of online Yoga courses is to make learning a stimulating experience.
The rewards of online Yoga teacher training are convenience, significant savings, and the ability to apply newfound knowledge to a constructive purpose. When you have students who need help, they could possibly hang for your next Yoga vacation, but online courses allow you to assimilate knowledge, as quickly as possible. Technology enables Yoga instructors to help students in need, when they need help.
Knowledge gathered from online training courses will allow Yoga teachers to enrich all of their classes. This ultimately helps each student, who attends classes – from the young athlete to a senior who may be in a wheelchair.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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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, Paul
By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
Why would someone choose to teach Yoga classes? There are many events in life, which just seem to happen, but deciding to go through Yoga teacher training is not one of them. Whether you choose to teach, or your teacher suggests it, there are many different factors to consider if one decides to become a Yoga teacher. The following are thoughts to consider when Yoga students become teachers.
Teaching others to improve their lives is sharing the gift of Yogic knowledge. All practitioners reap the reward of steady practice. Imparting this knowledge, to a group of students, improves their lives and the lives of everyone they know. Inner peace is like a candle in the darkness. Each candle lights up a corner of the earth. Yoga enlightens humanity in the same way.
Showing people of all ages, to have fun and enjoy their lives, is part of teaching any form of Yoga. Through Yoga practice, children learn skills that will last a lifetime. Teens build self-esteem and learn how to prioritize peer pressure. Adults learn to relax and practice Yogic stress management techniques during their working years. Seniors socialize with their peers in chair Yoga classes, and learn how to maintain health on all levels.
There are many choices for becoming a Yoga specialist. Some instructors prefer to teach prenatal, mommy and me, or chair Yoga classes. It’s really a matter of where each of us feels we are needed. Some of us may only be interested in training athletes, while some of us may choose to help students who seek Yoga to reduce pain. When you consider the needs of groups, within your area, there are unlimited possibilities.
Teaching Yoga allows each of us to make a positive difference in our communities. How many people do you know who are making a difference in your community? There are always a few, but most people are struggling financially in a good economy or a bad one. Their life priorities are to pay the bills and put food on the table.
There is nothing wrong with surviving for a better day. Many of us have some experience at surviving a few storms. Yoga is valuable for the survivalist, and it gives us direction in the worst of times. To maintain one’s sanity, during life’s ups and downs, is no accident. Counselors of all kinds know the value of applying Yoga, relaxation, and meditation, to daily life. Our sanity is a priceless gift, and Yoga allows us to keep it at all times.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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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, Paul
By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
There are so many styles of Yoga that it can be confusing to anyone, who is taking the first step of beginning the practice. Not long ago, the only way to learn Yoga was through the student and teacher relationship. There are ancient writings and books, but Yoga, in all of its forms, was usually carried by the teacher to the student.
In the 21st century, you have many new choices for discovering wisdom, which took thousands of years to gather. Thanks to electricity, the computer age, and new technology, many of us can learn the answers to the mysteries of life in minutes. Will this make the art of teaching obsolete? Never!
Here is why the art of teaching will never be replaced by technology: People love the personal interaction with mentors, Gurus, and Yoga teachers. The Internet can produce a huge amount of information in minutes, but we often read, hear, or see differing opinions, which seem to have equal weight. If one has a competent teacher, he or she may be able to present a focused view of differing opinions.
If you visit a web site that states, “High blood pressure is always the fault of the patient.” Who is the author? What hard data is this opinion based upon? Upon further investigation, you discover that the author of the article has no knowledge or education in medical science. It is barely acceptable to make such claims after a study has been performed, but some opinions are not based on research, testing, or studies.
In Hatha Yoga, there seems to be two basic schools of thought. One is that the student should fit the requirements of the style or the requirements that a teacher has designed as a basic requirement. One good example of this would be to require every student to perform Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) without the use of a prop, such as blocks, stools, or chairs.
The only problem with this approach is that a student will eventually show up to class, who has limited range of motion for a variety of reasons. These reasons could be the age of the student, trauma, skeletal limitations, or a neurological disorder – such as, Frederick’s Ataxia. In such cases, the teacher has limited knowledge and discourages a student from attending his or her classes.
The opposing viewpoint is seen in therapeutic Yoga classes, where the style can be modified to suit the needs of every student, who manages to come through your doors. This requires Yoga teachers to embrace continuing education. When Hatha Yoga is therapeutic, it meets the needs of everyone.
There comes a point in life when we begin to realize that we are mere mortals. No matter how strong, tough, or arrogant, we think we are – one illness or automobile accident can suddenly change our lives. For any Yoga teacher to become the best he or she can be, we must continue to evolve with compassion as our guide.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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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, Paul
1. If I give “cueing and modifications” for those with high blood pressure, lower back problems, limited range of motion and pregnancy.” Do I need to give modifications for all of the postures in my lesson plan?
A: A “blanket warning” at the beginning of class will suffice. This is one of those things where no teacher wants to injure a student. Some students do show up to class pregnant or with high blood pressure, and don’t tell their instructors. If all of your students are in great health, any modifications shown are more for “extra credit.”
2. Should I have the camera pointed at me as I face my students? Of course I, demonstrate Yoga techniques on my mat, but I also walk around, observe, and make physical assists. I am just worried that I will not be able to get all of my students and myself in the video at all times.
A: The best spot for the camera is a rear corner of the room that catches you facing your students. In this way, we see you and the students in that view most of the time. I realize that you will make assists and walk around the room. Some cameras have a wider view than others and I’m never going to take points off for videography or equipment.
3. When I complete the Aura Yoga certification course, and am ready to take the test, what are the requirements to pass the practical test?
A: The Practical Exam is a video of you teaching Yoga to one student, or more, for at least 60 minutes. It should demonstrate you teaching asanas, pranayama, modifications, assisting a partner on alignment, and meditation or a relaxation sequence.
In our Yoga teacher training course you will learn to create lesson plans. You will learn many techniques and how to organize them into your own lesson plan. There are no specific techniques required. All we ask is that you choose what you do well.
4. If for some reason someone did not pass this practical exam, what would happen to their training? Would they be able to try again, with the same course, as long as it is within the year time limit?
A: It is always best to think positive about exams. However, if for some reason you did not pass this test, you could re-test for no charge, and there is no limit to the number of times, within your one year period. If you go beyond one year, you can always apply for an extension.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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, Paul
