Posts Tagged ‘Yoga education’

Anatomy Education for Yoga Teachers

Saturday, January 28th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The study of Hatha Yoga involves many different aspects. Yoga teacher interns should study the history and philosophies of Yoga, the poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), meditation techniques, teaching methods, ethics, and guidelines for student safety. Anatomy and Kinesiology are also important areas of study for Yoga instructors. The study of human anatomy encompasses the placement of the body’s bones, and the specific systems within the body. Since every aspect of Hatha Yoga involves the mind and body, the study of anatomy makes sense for a well-rounded Yoga education.

When you are teaching a Yoga class, you must be able to help your students safely adjust into, or out of, poses, as necessary. Many of your students will come into class with prior injuries, health concerns, or other health issues. It is the Yoga instructor’s responsibility to ensure the safety of each student, as he or she learns the most about each technique. A competent Yoga teacher will need to accommodate the student by offering advice on modifications for a multitude of techniques. Therefore, a Yoga instructor will need to be extremely knowledgeable about each area of the body and how it will be affected by each technique.

Yoga teachers are often faced with a diverse class full of students. Some people are beginners, attending their first Yoga class ever, while some are quite experienced and quite comfortable in class. A teacher must be familiar with the limitations of every body type, ailment, and experience level. A study of Yoga, for human anatomy, will help the instructor understand how our muscles, joints, bones, and body systems work at all levels of physical fitness.

An understanding of human anatomy is a crucial piece of the puzzle of Hatha Yoga. Physical forms of Yoga involve moving and stretching the body, as well as increasing blood flow within the body. A study of Yoga anatomy covers the study of the body’s muscles, joints, tissues, membranes, cells, and more. It is important for all Yoga instructors to understand what is occurring within the body to increase the blood flow to each muscle, and how this will affect the body.

Many Yoga students like the way they feel after a good session of practice. They often feel light, loose, and invigorated. It is probably enough for the student to feel that way without knowing why, but a Yoga instructor must know what is causing these feelings within the body and mind. Many students have questions, and it is the instructor’s responsibility to answer those questions knowledgeably. In order to gain the respect of students, the teacher must present himself, or herself, as an informed source on the aspects of the human body related to Yoga.

© 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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Yoga Education is an Economic Solution for World Health

Friday, February 11th, 2011

Yoga Instructor on the beachBy Gopi Rao

Thanks to the Internet, Yoga education is now available for everyone with a computer. Online Yoga teacher training courses are helping anyone to become able to self-manage his or her health. Yoga continues to increase in mainstream popularity, as the ancient wisdom of a Yogic lifestyle becomes known to more and more people.

Scientists are researching and studying the various aspects of physical Yoga. Meanwhile, the medical community is impressed. Doctors are beginning to recommend therapeutic Yoga as a method that helps to alleviate mental and physical ailments.

Physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage, acupuncture are being prescribed in record numbers to combat crooked, tired, aching, knotted bodies across the globe. This is a time when a safe Yoga practice could be done at home to promote self healing and prevention of health problems.

Displacement of any part of the skeletal frame causes the nerves and nadis to suffer disease. Any of the following common symptoms result when the body expresses disease: High blood pressure, headache, backache, chronic pain, anxiety, and many more. All of these ailments can be alleviated with regular Yoga practice.

As the body compensates, adjusting to accommodate new pain in an affected area of the body, it shifts away from proper alignment, and creates awkward movements and poor posture, which create more new aches and pains. Proper functioning of the nerves, organs, and joints, are at risk to suffer a chain effect of injuries that result from the original problem.

Yoga promotes deep full body stretching techniques from which the muscles are able to release and relax. The soft tissues throughout the body expand the space between the bones and joints. This creates a natural cushion of space for the joints and organs to move freely, while our blood flow circulates from head to toes.

Ayurvedic medicine makes us aware there should be space for the nadis (nerves) to carry vital energy (prana) through open space in between the joints and ligaments. The body is better able to circulate vital life force into any blockages that may remain. Soft and compliant now, the body is able to function optimally as every organ, muscle, and bone functions with ease. Thus the body is healthy and supple, while pressure within the body is released.

© Copyright 2011 – Gopi Rao / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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The Evolution of Yoga Certification Online

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Yoga CertificationBy Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

The education, and continuing education, of Yoga teachers, through web 2.0 applications, has its proponents, but technology is not favored by everyone. There have been timeless arguments against technology. People have argued against almost every modern convenience.

Although we have no reference to it, the first humans to control fire must have met resistance from their fellow tribal members. With this in mind, one may say reading about Yoga is not practicing it. Yet, how often do we refer to classic scriptures and texts? The truth is: We refer to books all the time – whether they are old, contemporary, or e-Books.

Even though universities use them, one may argue against the use of Yoga DVDs, video tapes, or online videos. The argument is that the teacher in the video cannot see the quality of your techniques. This is true, but we are training Yoga teachers – not novices.

Meaning no disrespect toward novices – we all started at the beginning, but most DVDs address Yoga practice as if you have pre-existing teaching knowledge. There is room for error here, if you practice along with a video and have no working knowledge of Yoga.

In the hands of a Yoga teacher, a DVD is a powerful resource. How often would you like to rewind a live discourse, lesson, or lecture from the past? While viewing is not practicing, DVDs and online Yoga videos are valuable learning tools. What is even more ironic is: almost every Yoga teacher training course has books and DVDs that compliment the course.

So, why do we have a debate over the tools of education? As we age, there is resistance to change. I still attend meetings with a notebook and jot down notes. The ritual of writing and drawing on paper gives an idea, or a concept, more meaning.

Unfortunately, that feeling does not happen when I use a lap top, but it is also a valuable learning tool; and most of us can type faster than we can write with much more clarity. The point being: We can learn from technology, without having it take over our lives.

The convenience of integrating technology into our Yoga education should not be resisted, but we cannot allow technology to control our lives. We have all witnessed technology change courtesy and manners. Cell phones and text messages can interrupt precious and sacred moments.

Worse than this is that talking on cell phones, and text messaging, causes a fair number of traffic accidents and fatalities. Once again – moderation, in all matters, is a crucial key to a quality life.

© 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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Posted in Yoga Teacher Training | 1 Comment »

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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Posted in Yoga Schools, Yoga Teacher Issues, Yoga Teacher Training | No Comments »

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