Archive for the ‘Yoga Schools’ Category

What Should a Yoga Studio’s Waiver Form Ask and Tell?

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Jenny Park

Yoga offers many benefits, but as with any exercise program, there are always potential risks. In order to protect themselves from potential liabilities, responsible yoga studios need to develop a waiver form for clients. Appropriate waiver forms should include specific information about each client.

Personal Information

The first section of a waiver form should include a place for clients to fill in personal information. Start with the basics: Name, address, contact information, emergency contacts, and phone numbers. Then, include a “Risk Assessment,” where a list of specific ailments is noted, and clients are asked to circle those that apply to them. Include items like heart disease, high blood pressure or cholesterol, breathing issues that require an inhaler, joint, muscle, or bone pain, abnormal resting heart rate, diabetes, and tobacco use. Leave space for clients to fill in additional medical information as necessary.

Physical Activity

The next section should include questions about the client’s current level of physical activity. Ask them to list activities they do on a regular basis, or provide a list of common forms of exercise to circle. Get a general feel for the amount of time the client spends on physical activities. Make it easy for them by asking them to estimate the amount of time spent each day. Include another section to list any current medications the client takes.

Agreement

After the client lists all personal information, the waiver needs to state an agreement to which the client must agree and sign. Create a statement saying that the client agrees to participate in yoga knowing the potential risks associated with it, and they claim all responsibility for potential injuries even when associated with negligence on behalf of the yoga studio. They must also agree that they are in good physical condition, are willing to accept the responsibility of self-monitoring and stopping any activity that doesn’t feel good.

If yoga classes are held outside or near a street or other traffic area, include an agreement stating the client is aware of the potential risks associated with the busy street, or to follow all traffic laws. If clients use yoga mats, blocks, or other pieces of equipment belonging to the studio, include a statement vowing to use and return all equipment in good condition.

Payment Information – Optional

Add a section laying out the payment requirements for your yoga studio. Include the formats of payment that are accepted, when they are expected, and the consequences for not paying, or for late payment.

Make sure to include a line for a signature and a date at the bottom of the waiver.

© 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!

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Reasons for Yoga Studio Safety Guidelines

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Faye Martins

One of the most attractive aspects of running a yoga studio is the relaxed atmosphere that they are expected to have. Yoga studios have one of the best working environments imaginable. For this reason many studio owners shy away from the idea of complicating things by coming up with a set of yoga studio guidelines. In truth a well-written set of yoga studio guidelines will help a studio maintain a constantly pleasant atmosphere for teachers and students alike.

The number one reason to have a set of yoga studio safety guidelines is for the safety of the students themselves, though they tend to save a lot of time for teachers as well. For most yoga teachers, the well being of their students is their number one priority and adhering to a set of well thought out safety guidelines makes students safer automatically. For example, all yoga studio safety guidelines should include a rule stating that all students must report new or preexisting medical conditions to their teacher. Many individuals tend to be private about their health but this information is extremely important for a teacher to have in order to keep the student from performing any contraindicated poses, which could cause serious problems.

Students tend to be happier and more confident when they know exactly what’s expected of them. Having a set of guidelines to follow will assure students that they have done everything necessary in order to properly prepare themselves for a class. In addition, studios that take themselves and their work seriously are perceived as being professional and of high quality. A set of studio guidelines will actually serve to attract more students rather than deter them from joining.

Another reason to have your own set of yoga studio guidelines is the fact that no two studios are exactly the same. The way studios are run can vary wildly, so a set of predetermined guidelines can be quite helpful for students transitioning from one studio to another. If these students don’t like what they see in your guidelines, perhaps your studio is not a good fit for them. Better for these individuals to realize this beforehand to save everyone valuable time. For example, some studios are quite lax with requirements for attire while others view proper attire as essential to safely performing even a beginning yoga class. By having guidelines, everyone knows where they stand. Clarity is always a good thing.

Having a generic set of guidelines that everyone must follow is a great way to passively provide guidance without singling anyone out individually. This prevents students from personalizing and taking offense to friendly advice given to them by their yoga instructor for their safety. From the teacher’s standpoint it’s also a lot easier to hand out a pamphlet than it is to address issues in the middle of a class. For these reasons, yoga studio safety guidelines are an essential part of running an efficient studio.

Taking the time to write out a set of yoga studio safety guidelines is very worthwhile and serves to address problems before they even start. When writing out the safety guidelines don’t worry about thinking of every potential issue; the guidelines may be constantly updated as teachers see fit in response to issues and needs that come up later on down the road.

© 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!

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Yoga Certification Online or Traditional Training

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

Baddha Konasana - Bound Angle PoseBy 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

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

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Selecting the Right Yoga School for Your Needs

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009

Selecting the Right Yoga School for Your Needs

Written by Holly McCarthy

Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years due to many different factors. Whether you are looking into yoga for its physical benefits, spiritual benefits, or a combination of the two, there are several different factors you will need to consider before selecting a yoga school to develop your skills. Take a look at the following article for some things to consider before making your final selection.

Teacher

Probably the most important factor in the selection of a yoga school is the credentials of the instructor. Where has he or she trained? How many years experience does this individual have? Do they teach the type of yoga that will suit you and your goals, physical and otherwise? Yoga instructors are generally more than willing to share this information with you and should have no problem doing so.

Reputation

Another factor that can ultimately help you to make the right decision when it comes to selecting a place to learn yoga is its reputation. This is very easy to do with the internet. Simply use Google and you will more than likely find reviews, blog posts and plenty of information from actual clients of the studio to inform your final decision.

Cost

Not all schools are created equal. Some may simply focus on the physicality of yoga and leave the spiritual side of the discipline out of classes; others may place a heavy emphasis on the spiritual nature of yoga. After narrowing down your choices based on teacher and reputation, cost of classes may help you to arrive at a final decision. Unlike other things in life, you are not always going to get what you pay for. Sometimes, yoga classes at upscale studios charge a hefty sum and achieve the same results as a more affordable counterpart.

Trust Your Instincts

Yoga is a discipline that will require some hard work and will challenge you physically and emotionally. You want to participate in this activity in an environment where you are comfortable above all else. Eliminating as many barriers as possible will help to ensure that you get the most out of your yoga training in the end.

By-line:
This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of trade school. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com

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