By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
The more we know, the more we realize how much more there is to learn. In Yoga, and in life, each day is a new lesson. Some interns think that, the material they learn in a 200 hour Yoga teacher training will be the “end all” to their education.
After a month into teaching, most of us of us develop a method for expanding our continuing education. The following five tips will help any Yoga teacher gradually reach maximum potential, while living a multi-faceted life.
1. Determine your exact direction. This may depend on the needs of your students or your own quest for personal growth. Whether you are considering training toward the 500 hour level, or becoming a Yoga teacher specialist, you want to draw up a plan to stay on course – without getting “side tracked.”
2. Move forward with purpose. Do you think you can make a habit of studying Yoga for one hour per day? It seems reasonable enough. Imagine how much you could learn in one year. After one year, you will have 365 hours of independent study – in a direction that you can apply toward your student’s needs, your personal growth, or both.
3. Take a realistic look at the pace of your progress. Even when we have a deep passion for Yoga, we must realize that independent study is not a race. Not everyone can study for seven hours per week. Some will study more, but most will study less. It is best to set a steady pace and enjoy life along the way.
4. Reflect back on your progress. It is easy to start a journey, but many can become discouraged along the path. Stop to think about how much you have accomplished. If we invest just four hours of study per week, we have 52 hours of study after three months. Your own continuing education program is a big help to students who depend on your knowledge.
5. Make continuing education a regular part of life. Education, in a subject that we find fascinating, is stimulating, and makes life worth living. As Yoga teachers, we realize that we are students for life. There are many benefits that come with a Yoga teaching position. The lifestyle is healthy. The continuing education stimulates your mind. Your students adopt a less stressful lifestyle. You feel the rewards of watching your students improve their lives.
© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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Tags: 200 hour Yoga teacher training, a Yoga teacher specialist, Becoming a Yoga Teacher, best yoga teacher, yoga teacher, Yoga Teacher Training, yoga teachers
Paul! its a very good article…everything you mentioned is so very important for a teacher and practitioner …your teaching is reflected by your learning and practice. I believe there is no time and age obstacles for learning, it never ends, it keeps me fresh, up to date and well informed….Regards.. Samina
I was so happy to read the terrific advice in your article. Upon reading this, I felt even more confident that I’m heading in the right direction. Not sure if this can be considered Jnana Yoga at least to some small degree, but I find myself continually researching different types of yoga, various health conditions and yoga poses that help such conditions, meditation (one of my favorite subjects right now), information on other renowned yoga teachers and individuals who make a difference in our world, the Sutras, etc.
This experience has been so wonderful and Aura Yoga Wellness continues to be a wellspring of valuable information and continued education. Thank you.
Namaste!
Lissa
This is so true. I’ m doing as assignment about action research and it’s really helping me to learn from my own experience.It’s giving me the chance to observe and think more on what i’m doing and the most important thing is to act upon my observations.This is only a part of continous learning.Thanks for keeping us updated about important things we need to do!
Dear Samina, Lissa, and Nathalie,
Namaskar!
Thank you for your very kind words. You have made my day. I am so thankful to you and everyone who takes part in this Yoga teacher community. It’s hard to believe that this site once started with just five pages, but it is our intention to make every possible resource and tool available to assist you in enhancing your teaching skills.
OM Shanti,
Paul
Namaskar!
Paul Jerard
The philosophy of Life support really entails a life journey work out in order to enjoy the inner contenments & should a person be committed to those rules on daily basis.
Thanks a lot Paul.
M.Qadan
Paul, The yoga courses purchased from you served as a stimulus to push me over into a deep study of yoga for the past six years. I see no end to the subject. I have learned much from many masters. I have so much more I care to know. I doubt one can ever learn it all. One thing leads to another. Dr. Rita is a wonderful teacher too.
Namaste Paul and Rita
I feel really enlightened on reading ur articles. it enhances my teaching skills and refreshes my memory. Indeed there is no age for learning which is a continous process. I get overwhelmed with the wealth of knowledge yoga science has to offer. Thanks you ever so much for the wealth of information from AWC…
marcellene
Thank You for all ur emails
Excellent article and extremely important advice. Yoga is a lifetime journey and you are absolutely correct, yoga teachers have a responsiblity towards their students and the learning never stops with the end of the course! Your article actually challenged me to take a look at how much time I actually put into the study of yoga during the week and encouraged me to study more!
Namaste
Connie
I am also very happy having the opportunity to join this study. Like it was said: the more one knows, the more is need to learn further. I have a diploma as yoga teacher since fifteen years, I am permanently active in teaching, but the joy for improving my knowledge is still there. Going deeper and deeper, yoga becomes inseparable part of my entire living and I keep enriching my experience as far as possible. Thank you for all the advices, looking forward for the next reading.
Namaste
Amritpuri