Posts Tagged ‘hatha yoga instructor’

How to Become the Best Yoga Instructor

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

There are different paths to becoming the best Yoga instructor possible. There are also a variety of skills sets that you can focus on developing, in order to become a great Yoga teacher. One area that is not often addressed is the area of a positive inner attitude and the cultivation of divine virtues. Obviously, a competent Hatha Yoga instructor must be well versed in the areas of asana alignment, modifications, and anatomy. The inner attitude and cultivation of dharmic or divine virtues is not as visible, but just as critical to becoming one of the best Yoga instructors possible.

Many Yoga teacher training programs teach the basic skills necessary to leading a class of students through a balanced and safe asana practice. New Yoga teachers will have a good understanding of anatomy, physiology, the alignment of the asanas, and working with students with pre-existing injuries or other physical limitations. However, the Yoga teacher training programs that new teachers attended, may not have addressed the areas of a positive inner attitude and the impact of uplifting thoughts, behavior and speech, while teaching a group of students.

If a Yoga instructor does not integrate these beneficial qualities, such as patience, a positive regard for his or her students and joy, into his or her mind and heart, the Yoga asana practice may become dry, or even lifeless. The students may also feel that they are not truly appreciated or supported in achieving their highest potential. In order to be a really great Yoga teacher, it is important to address the inner landscape of your own mind and heart as you enter into the arena of instructing classes.

The inner attitude of a Yoga instructor towards his or her students is a core element to becoming an amazing teacher. It is necessary in any educational endeavor to see your students reach their highest potential. If you believe that your students can, or will, be able to eventually reach their full potential, they will make far better progress in your class than they would if they trained with someone who sees them as less than perfect and has no patience for anything except perfection.

The term, “education” means to “bring into wholeness.” A Yoga instructor is in a very unique position to truly support his or her students to move into balance and wholeness, on every level of the body, mind and spirit. The dedication, commitment and belief in the power of a regular Yoga practice, including meditation and breathing practices (pranayama), is a core component to becoming a great instructor. If you believe it works, your students will believe it works. If you believe they can do it, they will believe they can do it! This is one of the most critical inner keys to becoming the very best Yoga instructor you can be.

© 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/

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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!

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Five Reasons to Become a Yoga Teacher

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Yoga Teacher TrainingBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Some Yoga teacher training interns have no intention of teaching, while others cannot wait to get their business cards printed. Some want to give, and others want to open a business as an independent contractor or own a Yoga studio.

There are as many reasons to become a Yoga teacher, as there are to attend a class. Below are five of the most common reasons why students decide to become a Yoga instructor.

Yoga Teacher Training as a Life Quest: Some interns are looking for a challenge. The type of challenge could be physical, mental, or emotional. A competent Hatha Yoga instructor should learn mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional self-discipline from his or her foundational training.

Giving back to the Community: Social workers, counselors, nurses, physical therapists, chiropractors, and school teachers commonly study Yoga to give their students, clients, and patients the gift of Yogic knowledge for self-maintenance.

The above-mentioned professions attract “givers.” These are people, who help or guide others, to self-manage their lives. Yoga, in all of its forms, will guide a practitioner to a life with less suffering. As simple as it sounds, less pain and suffering is a blessing.

Self-Mastery: Some teachers make the claim that Yoga is not a self-improvement system. Yoga is an art, science, practice, lifestyle; and every modern self-improvement system has borrowed Yogic techniques. If Yoga is not a self-improvement system, it is the mother of all self-improvement systems.

Healthy Lifestyle: Yoga gives us a realistic view of holistic health. It is really hard for us to be perfect. Diet and exercise can challenge us every day, if we set unrealistic goals. Have you ever met a person who was irritable because of a demanding diet? Hatha Yoga offers a path of moderation for exercise and diet.

Teaching Yoga as a Craft: Some graduates cannot wait to work for themselves. Maybe they had employers, who did not appreciate their talent, experience, or intelligence. Some Yoga instructors teach two classes per week, while others teach more than one class per day.

Conclusion:

Yoga gives us a better quality life, and we decide to share this knowledge with others.

Whether a teacher identifies with one of the above-mentioned categories, or not, is unimportant. If a Yoga teacher’s heart is in the right place, that is all a student could ask. Safe Yoga classes, led by one who demonstrates loving kindness, patience, compassion, and tolerance, is the ultimate objective of the teacher trainer.

© Copyright 2011 – Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

In February, we will be introducing our New Yoga Sutras course with 7 CDs, 336 page workbook, 51 cards, instructions, and a bonus 89 page e-Book.

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

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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Three People Most Unlikely to Become a Yoga Teacher

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Who fits the profile of a future Hatha Yoga instructor? Do you envision a perennial spiritual seeker, a specific body type, or an athlete for life? Yoga teachers come from all walks of life, with a variety of life experiences and the desire to help others. The three following examples are not the most likely, and their names have been changed for their privacy.

Joe the Yoga Teacher

This is not “Joe the Plumber” from the 2008 US Presidential Election. Joe had a challenging childhood, grew up in poverty, and fell through “the cracks of society.” In his teens, he became a homeless drug addict. After years on the city streets, he became acquainted with Hatha Yoga, while going through drug rehabilitation.

Joe states: “Up to the point where I began to study Yoga, I never considered having anything like a life purpose. My life was full of painful memories and all I wanted was my next fix.” The change from drug abuse to Yoga enthusiast was not instant; but during this visit to drug rehabilitation, his life direction changed. Now, Joe teaches Yoga to people in his old neighborhood, who are seeking a better life.

Jayne the Yoga Instructor

Jayne is a single mother of three, who was exposed to Yoga in a corporate fitness center. She began to practice independently with books, magazines, DVDs, and while searching the Internet for more information. Although she has limited funds, she found affordable methods for studying and for obtaining her Yoga certification.

At the same time, she also taught her children Yogic values. Jayne said, “Meals are healthy, we eat together, we practice together, and we study together. My children are able to prioritize, see improvements now, and look to a brighter future.” Not surprisingly, on nights when Jayne teaches, Jayne’s children can be found in a Yoga class or studying in the waiting area.

Ben the Yoga Instructor

Ben lived a middle-class childhood, went directly to college from high school; his parents will have their 50th wedding anniversary next year. Ben worked in business management after college, continued to attend college part-time during evening hours, and life seemed like a stream of financial success. Suddenly, the 21st century arrived, and the job market squeezed him into unemployment four times in eight years.

Ben practiced for 16 years, with three different teachers, but never considered Yoga teacher training. He states: “I was always too busy with my job, working toward my master’s degree, or spending time with my family, to think about teaching Yoga classes.” The last time Ben found himself unemployed, he decided to become a Yoga instructor. Now, he teaches full time as an independent contractor.

Who really fits the profile of a Yoga teacher? It all depends on where we are in life, and what we consider to be important. One common thread is that, every person who teaches Yoga classes, has the desire to make a difference - by helping others become aware of a better way of living.

© Copyright 2010 – 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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Yoga off the Mat – Reduce Your Stress at Work

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Head StandBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Whether you are a Yoga teacher, or student, it is worthwhile to learn the art of Yoga off the mat. In Hatha Yoga classes, many of the daily benefits are believed to happen only within the confines of the class. It is time for students to discover the benefits of Yoga during daily life.

If you are a student, take the time to talk to your Hatha Yoga instructor about stress reduction techniques that you can practice at work and home. You should learn a daily routine of meditation, posture, relaxation, breathing, and more, which can be practiced when you need them most.

You do not need a Yoga mat to sit, stand, or walk, in good posture. The same is true for deep and slow breathing techniques. Most of us can be quite challenged by remembering to sit up straight, and breathe properly, throughout the day. It seems we have to constantly remind ourselves about basic maintenance.

Yet, the rewards of healthy living are many – especially when you factor in stress reduction. Stress can be stimulating, but when we are overwhelmed by it, we can experience pain in the back, head, and chest. This is only the “tip of the iceberg.”  High levels of stress and anxiety can become lethal.

If you teach Yoga classes, you know how many people come to class for stress management, but do you teach them how to compensate for “trying times?”  We know that stress is a killer and a drain on the medical industry.

We also know that Yoga, in all of its forms, can reduce, or neutralize, daily stress. If you research statistics about work-related stress, in any country, there are some alarming signs. In many countries, worker’s compensation claims, due to extreme stress, is on the rise.

The term: “Developed countries” comes to mind. At one time, supposedly developed countries were full of opportunities, with employment in manufacturing and service industries. Times have changed, as many employment opportunities in manufacturing industries were exported for less expensive labor abroad.

Some niche industries remain, but one worker may be expected to perform the work of two or three employees. The end result is overwhelming workplace stress. It is debatable whether some employers care about work conditions. The employer’s objective is to remain in business at all costs. Companies of all sizes, and from every industry, close their doors after a finite number of consecutive losses.

What is the solution? Making any form of Hatha Yoga available for employees, and the management, will help everyone reduce stress. Yoga will collectively clear the mindset of a company, resulting in innovative employees, who work together to make stronger companies and vibrant economies.

© 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

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