Posts Tagged ‘how to become a yoga teacher’

How to Become a Yoga Teacher – Self-Study

Saturday, December 25th, 2010

Yoga Teacher Training Center on the water - AsiaBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Where does one begin the journey of Yoga teacher training? Does Yoga instructor training start in a course, an intensive, or through years of practice with a Swami? The calling to teach any subject; stems from learning enough about the subject, to be able to guide others who wish to know more.

The first requirement of advanced training, in Yoga, is to be willing to know one’s true self. This internal study makes Yoga unique, in comparison to some subjects, which require us to study how a particular subject is related to external matters. Yogic self-study requires hours of research, practice, and modification.

To see one’s true self may be difficult because the ego is a great deceiver. The ego’s primary objective is more often related to self-protection than deceit. The Yogic practice of withdrawing the senses, and focusing on the inner self (Pratyahara), is a method for finding the truth. At the same time, Pratyahara helps the Yoga practitioner expel emotional damage.

There are many good, quality books for the study of Yoga; but the “Yoga Sutras,” by Maharishi Patanjali, and the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” by Swami Swatmarama, are excellent foundational references. There are many interpretations from Sanskrit to English, so it may take some cross-referencing to reach a state of clarity in reading the above-mentioned classics, however, the time is well worth it.

There are many forms of Yoga; some are not well known outside of India. Although Hatha Yoga has reached worldwide fame, it is necessary for teachers to understand the differences and similarities in the main Indian Yoga systems. After investing time in study and practice, we realize that Yoga is a complete holistic system, which allows us to understand ourselves on the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual planes of existence.

When direct sensory perception (Pratyaksha) becomes a difficult method for finding the truth, meditation, mantra, and objective listening, may also be useful tools. Objectively listening, or reading the opinions of others, requires patience, as there are many different points of view. When we absorb opposing opinions, and rationally consider them, we may likely come to a third point of view, which is some form of a mutual agreement.

Mutual agreements and compromises are not for the selfish. Arbitration and resolution are the result of higher forms of thinking. Reconciliation is very difficult, if we cannot put the ego aside, see ourselves, and think logically.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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

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

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How to Become a Creative Yoga Teacher

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

There comes a day when each of us “takes up the torch” from the preceding generation. For some of us, this event may happen in our family life, at work, with the passing of one’s Guru, or after a Yoga teacher training course has concluded. We learn valuable lessons from the generation ahead of us. Then, we initially tend to copy the ways of our teachers, before we become creative Yoga teachers.

Build a Yogic Foundation

It is good to have a solid foundation of knowledge before we become innovators. On the other hand, some restless souls cannot wait to “reinvent the wheel.” Creativity is a wonderful thing, but who wants to spend years creating something that was created hundreds of years ago? For this reason, each Yoga teacher should spend time researching the classic texts.

Let the Gurus of the past be your guides, through their writings and your independent research. Let the written works, and videos of today’s most innovative Yoga teachers, be your path toward becoming the best you can be. There is no need to travel the teaching path alone or to recreate what has already been created.

Remember the saying: “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Why should any of us spend time creating a solution to something that has been solved years ago? This is why education, research, and building a foundation of Yogic knowledge, is so important for all Yoga instructors. Yet, there are many written works by Yoga teachers from the past and present. In fact, the book shelves contain more literature than a lifetime of reading could consume.

Social Networks for Yoga Teachers

At this time, there is no need to teach Yoga without peer support, unless you choose to. There was a time when teachers visited their Guru, and it was a great journey. It may have required a pilgrimage, mountain climbing skills, or traveling by ship half way around the world. At his point in time, we have teacher networks, air travel, and Internet Yoga teacher communities.

If you live on a secluded island, but have Internet access, you can trade ideas with Yoga instructors from any part of the world. When answers cannot be found within, it is time to look outside for fresh ideas. At the same time, it should be noted that not every new idea may be applicable to your classes or students. Each Yoga school is unique, and the same can be said for the students within a given school.

It is always best to test new methods and see which methods are a good fit for the greater body of students. When absorbing and testing new methods in your Yoga classes, it never hurts to network with related fields. Chiropractors, physicians, nurses, holistic healers, physical therapists, and personal trainers have practical knowledge in regard to safety and methods from within their professions.

© 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 Teacher Training Practical Exam Questions

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

anahata1. 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

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How to Become a Yoga Teacher

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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How to Become a Yoga Teacher – From Dream State to Reality

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

SukasanaBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Is it really possible to become a Yoga instructor or anything we desire? Many ideas run through our minds. Even when we sleep, our minds are dreaming and processing random thoughts. Most of our thoughts could be classified as a “dream state.” This includes waking thoughts that come and go.

Most of us take this random dreaming lightly and we rarely act upon any of our thoughts. For a rare few, these thoughts become “fuel” for action. To navigate through one’s imagination can be very difficult. We have dreams, but we also have deep rooted fear of the unknown, anxiety, stress, and anger.

During sleep periods, there are no guarantees as to whether dreams will be good, bad, or make any sense. If you keep a log of your dreams for a month, you will notice your mind mixes time, location, and theme, with no rhyme or reason.

Unfortunately, some of us suffer from this thinking during our waking hours, as well. In Yogic and Eastern philosophy, the mind is often compared to a monkey. Some of us may feel a constant background of mind chatter. These random thoughts are the creations of an undisciplined mind.

Yoga is one of the few disciplines, which can train the mind to become your greatest asset. The sorting of dreams, fears, and anger can be replaced by focused thought. The fact is: Some of your dreams are worth acting upon and some of your dreams should be discarded.

Not everyone wants to become a Zen master or a Yoga teacher, but everyone wants to maintain control of their mind. Losing control of the mind is also another great fear. Yet, many people let the mind run on autopilot. They wake, eat, drive cars, and work without much creative thought.

Some employers would prefer that employees keep their creative thoughts to themselves. This forces the innovative thoughts, within the minds of whole work forces, into dormancy. The familiar mantra within many companies is “Do your thinking on your own time.”

The problem is what to do when you see a reasonable solution to a problem, but your help is not wanted. The answer is to focus your creative energy, where it can help others or be appreciated. This requires each of us to take action when it makes sense to do so.

To ignore a realistic opportunity, that can only have good results, is a waste. Whether you want to teach Yoga classes, or study toward something else, do not waste time ignoring opportunities.

© 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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