Posts Tagged ‘Yoga Teacher Training’

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The Optimum Yoga Teaching Style

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

yoga certificationBy Faye Martins

Teaching Yoga requires knowledge and awareness about the practice, including the principles behind it and how it has evolved. Yoga is many things to many people. It is a form of exercise, a way of life and a way to help people enhance their lives and bodies. Yoga provides a sense of calm for some people and offers a way to stay in shape for others. The optimum Yoga teaching style is often a mixture of many different influences joining together in order to provide knowledge and awareness for both teacher and student.

Many practitioners of Yoga find their practice tends to change and grow over time. Some people that practice on a regular basis find themselves doing the same routine; others like to change it up. A Yoga teacher’s style must always seem natural and should be an extension of his or herself. If not, the teacher can risk alienating students. It is important to be able to dispense advice and lead the class without seeming condescending. If you are teaching a gentle flow class, care should be taken to make sure your instructions and guidance are strong yet relaxing.

Students that are taking a more physical type of Yoga class also seem to respond to strong yet encouraging guidance as you lead them through the poses. Many students like to be told the names of the poses and the areas of the body those poses affect. Of course, there is also plenty of time for silence as poses are being held. Your style should reflect your knowledge but at the same time must be flexible enough to handle the unique challenges that some students will represent. A Yoga teacher should be able to encourage his or her students to go places (mentally, physically or emotionally) that they might not otherwise get to – all without seeming harsh or over the top.

The practice of Yoga entails much more than knowing how to execute poses and direct students on proper breathing techniques and body placement. Knowledgeable yoga teachers are aware that learning is a journey that is truly never ending. Finding the optimum Yoga teaching style can be accomplished by gathering knowledge through practice and then sharing that knowledge and awareness with others around you in a relatable manner.

Over the years, I have met many different instructors who reflected nothing more than the initial indoctrination of their guru or a specific type of yoga teacher training. Some people call these teachers parrots or clones. They don’t do diligent independent research and they refuse to look outside the dogma of their leader.  The optimum yoga teaching style is think and solve problems based on reliable research and common sense.  There has to be a logical reason why one yoga technique works and another one doesn’t.

Food for Thought

If a guru taught you to lock the knee in a balancing pose, openly accept people on high blood pressure medication into a hot yoga class, and to ridicule students who have difficulty with learning yogic principles; you should do some research before teaching one more class. If a yoga teacher doesn’t see the dangers of the above-mentioned scenarios, he or she should enroll in a continuing education course for anatomy or common sense. All Yoga teachers are obligated to be kind, safe, and learn for life.

© 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 Teacher Training and Internet Technology

Monday, January 30th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Bhavan Kumar

Internet technology has made it possible for many more Yoga practitioners to participate in a Yoga teacher training program in their own homes, at their own pace and in an affordable fashion. Traditionally, Yoga teacher training programs required the dedication of a substantial amount of time and money. An aspiring Yoga teacher may even have traveled to India to study with a Yogacharya such as B.K.S. Iyengar or Patti Jois, one of the founders of Ashtanga Yoga, for a substantial length of time.

With the advent of Internet technology, a Yoga practitioner may engage in learning the art of teaching Yoga in their own home. With all of the obligations and commitments we all juggle on a daily basis, it may not be possible for an individual to take time out of his or her life to participate in a residential Yoga teacher training program of thirty days or longer. It may be even less possible to travel outside the country for an extended stay in an ashram or monastery to learn the finer points of Yogic philosophy. Internet technology, including video and audio classes and conferences, makes it possible to engage in the study and practice of Yoga teaching from any location throughout the world with Internet access.

The utilization of Internet technology in venue of online Yoga teacher training programs also makes it possible for a Yoga practitioner to study the art and science of teaching Yoga at his or her own pace. Every individual who is aspiring to become a Yoga instructor has a unique story. This story may be one of great physical training and prowess or profound physical challenge. Regardless of an individual’s level of physical mastery of the asanas, studying to become a Yoga instructor through an online program will allow that individual to perfect the asanas within the context of his or her own life and physical ability.

Residential Yoga teacher training programs can also be quite costly. The tuition alone may be several thousand dollars. When the tuition and the fees for room and board are combined, the cost of a residential program may be beyond the means of many aspiring Yoga teachers. The use of Internet technology to disseminate ancient Yogic teachings to aspiring Yoga teachers allows many more individuals to pursue a Yoga teacher certification. In combination with some weekend workshops at a local Yoga studio and student teaching hours, an online Yoga teacher training program will give you a firm foundation to begin a career as a teacher.

© 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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Ethics Education for Yoga Teachers

Friday, January 27th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Ethics training is an important component of any career. Business students must learn how to ethically do business, when dealing with finances, accounts, and employees. Doctors must understand the ethics of healthcare and serving patients in a way that fulfills a moral obligation. Service providers must be willing to follow a code of conduct to ensure the trust of their clients. When it comes to teaching Yoga, ethics are no exception. Yoga instructors must adhere to certain lifestyle choices, and stick to a code of ethics for teaching.

When you are a teacher of anything, you tend to end up living in a fish bowl of sorts – where everyone watches and judges your actions in and out of class. When there is a contrast in behaviors from what people see inside the classroom, as opposed to outside of it, questions of character arise. Who is this person, really? A Yoga instructor, seen guzzling beers every Friday night at the local bar, for example, will be looked upon differently when teaching class. Yoga teachers, who date their students, are opening up many potential problems. Of course, Yoga teachers are people too, and perfection is not the expectation. However, Yogic philosophy encompasses certain principles for living a balanced life, and it is important for Yoga instructors to make those principles inherent to their lifestyles.

The ethics of Yoga include – treating students with respect, honoring other Yoga teachers, and welcoming all students into the class. Yoga instructors must practice truthfulness in their relationships. They should live a life of integrity and honesty in the classroom and the community. Those of us who choose to become Yoga instructors are obligated to make healthy choices in all aspects of life. Teaching Yoga is more than a job; it is a way of life. It means embracing Yoga’s philosophies at all times.  In fact, it is not that difficult to “walk the talk.”  Teachers should have no difficulty understanding the Yamas and Niyamas.  The Yamas and Niyamas are the guidelines for ethical behavior of all Yoga practitioners – especially teachers.

Ethics education for Yoga teachers makes perfect sense.  Whether we like it or not, Yoga students tend to judge their teachers, or have certain expectations for us, to display ethical behavior. When a Yoga teacher meets students’ expectations, it puts students at ease. When a Yoga instructor says or does things that do not meet students’ expectations, they are at risk of losing the respect of students. Ethics education is a crucial component of a Yoga teacher training program. It helps produce well-rounded Yoga instructors who know the importance of living an authentic life.

© 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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Advice for New Yoga Teachers

Friday, January 20th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Sanjeev Patel, CYT 500

When all the training and preparation is complete, the final step to becoming a full fledged yoga teacher is to successfully teach that first class. Even with all the groundwork laid out, the first classes can be daunting. Paulji once told me, “Embrace this moment, soon you will be so busy teaching your students that you will forget to be nervous.”

The first thing is to keep the focus on the students, not you. At the end of the day it’s not about you; it’s all about them. By keeping the right attitude and paying the utmost attention to being of service to others, a lot of pressure to perform perfectly is eliminated. This leads to classes that are satisfying and fulfilling for the students that will hopefully make up your long term clientele.

In addition to always keeping your focus on being of service to others, also strive to be genuine. There are lots of yoga classes out there and the thing that’s going to set yourself and your class apart is the unique perspective and style that you as an individual yoga teacher have. No one sees your students in quite the same way as you do, and for some people your insight and perspective is going to fit their physical, spiritual and emotional needs perfectly. Not everyone is going to find your own personal brand of yoga to be a good fit for them, and that’s okay. You want to attract a clientele of students who are like minded and share the same goals and style as you do. You can’t make a class fit everybody, and if you tried, your teaching style would be generic and uninspired. Be yourself, and let your students do the same. This builds up a clientele that’s like a supportive community!

As a new yoga teacher, you may feel like you need to always have all the answers all of the time. Instead, view teaching as a learning opportunity for yourself as well. Looking at your time with each student as an opportunity for learning keeps teachers from becoming rigid and makes them more open minded. It also makes the teacher seem more confident and capable as well, because only those who are confident and self-possessed will be open to learning from their own students. You might be all nerves inside, but your students will see you as a confident and capable instructor who is self-assured and secure in their knowledge. Talk about getting off on the right foot!

Completing your yoga teacher training is not the end of your educational experience by any means, and as a new yoga teacher your first classes will be rich opportunities for learning and growth as an instructor. This part of your career only happens once, so be sure to live in the moment and enjoy it! If you’re having a good time, you can bet your students are too.

© 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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Benefits of Distance Learning Yoga Courses

Friday, January 13th, 2012

yoga distance learningBy Faye Martins

After practicing Yoga and seeing its benefits, students often want to become Yoga teachers. Unfortunately, the cost and location of training sometimes make it hard for prospective instructors to achieve their goals. Like traditional education, however, there are online options that offer very affordable, with high-quality courses for dedicated students.

Around the world the minimum number of hours for Yoga teacher training is different. It seems common to see training centers providing Yoga certification through 200-hour and 500-hour programs. Although traditional onsite Yoga instructor training usually starts around $3,000, it can range as high as $15,000 and is not available in all areas of the world. For those unable to pay high fees or travel extensively, online certification is a good option; and tuition starts at less than $1,000.

Is Yoga distance learning for everyone?

While anyone can study online, successful Yoga teacher interns must be motivated and self-disciplined. Most schools have strong support available by phone or computer, but time-management skills are, nevertheless, a necessity.

What are the advantages of Yoga distance learning?

• Yoga Teacher interns have the flexibility and convenience of studying at any time or place they choose, making responsibilities like work, traveling, or parenting easier to manage.

• Most Yoga schools are located in urban areas. In rural or remote locations, instruction is unavailable or limited. Studying online not only makes certification possible; it also increases the student’s options.

• Schools that provide online instruction for Yoga teachers usually have telephone and email support from faculty and peers. Forums and chat groups can expose students to an even greater range of views and ideas than many small schools. Some include students from around the world.

• Self-paced lessons allow students to focus on areas they need to learn without spending time on skills they have already mastered.

• Computer curriculums are easier to update than textbooks, allowing the most current knowledge.

• Online Yoga study is very budget-friendly, saving money on necessities such as travel, childcare, books, housing, and tuition.

• Yoga teacher distance learning programs should have a community that is vibrant. These communities should contain reliable information and interaction with other interns and trainers. Blogs and forums

Yoga teacher training centers may provide a choice of on-site intensives or virtual learning, or a combination of both. Aura Wellness Center offers a variety of distance learning Yoga certifications and upgrades, such as Power Yoga, Chair Yoga, and Yoga for Kids. Preparatory courses for students without a strong background in Yoga are also available. With a little research, teachers can now find high-quality, convenient instruction at prices they can afford.

© 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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Distance Learning for Experienced Yoga Teachers

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Gopi Rao

Distance learning programs for experienced Yoga teachers is a fantastic avenue for pursuing continuing education credits and specialist training in the art of teaching Yoga. Experienced Yoga teachers should already have completed a minimum basic 200 hour Yoga teacher training program. Refining and expanding your skills and expertise as a Yoga instructor by taking online Yoga teacher training courses will deepen your understanding and repertoire of teaching techniques.

In order to maintain a Yoga teacher certification with your original teacher training organization, a Yoga instructor should re-certify his or her diploma every so many years.  Some schools have you go through recertification every year, while some give as much as five years.   Part of the renewal process to maintain a current diploma is to engage in a specific number of hours of Yoga teaching and 10 hours of continuing education credits over the course of each years. According to many organizations,  continuing education credits may be garnered through taking online courses related to Yoga as part of a non-contact continuing education requirement. This policy is within the ball park of most of the world’s Yoga teacher training organizations.

A distance learning program for experienced Yoga teachers will help to meet this requirement and will also keep you abreast of new information and innovative Yoga teaching techniques. A distance learning program will also offer a variety of optional courses in different categories related to the art of Yoga instruction. For example, you may wish to learn more about the sequencing of poses, modifications for working with special populations, Yogic philosophy or specific pranayama exercises.

A distance learning program for experienced Yoga teachers will offer you many of these options as well as the convenience of a correspondence course or an online program. You will be able to structure your online class participation to fit your scheduling needs. You will also be able to study and integrate the course material into your Yoga classes and personal practice at your own pace. Since you will have already mastered many of the elements of teaching Yoga, an online course geared specifically for experienced Yoga teachers will allow you the flexibility to customize your learning process.

These are some of the benefits of participating in a distance learning program for Yoga teachers. With ease, you will be able to fulfill many of the non-contact hour requirements for maintaining your Yoga teacher diploma through the organization that certified you. Maintaining a current Yoga teacher certification with your trainer is an important professional credential for teaching Yoga in a reputable Yoga studio, health club or community center. You will also continue to expand your understanding and appreciation of the depth of wisdom and knowledge that Yoga offers to students and teachers of all levels.  At the same time, it must be remembered that your valid Yoga teacher diploma proves that you are active in your training and continuing education.  This is very important to insurance companies.  It is doubtful a Yoga instructor would be covered by liability insurance if his or her diploma has expired.

While the cost of recertification can vary drastically, Yoga instructors can sometimes transfer credentials to another certifying body.  There for it may be wise to compare organizations.  For example: Let’s say you have two world recognized Yoga teacher organizations.  Organization A charges an average of $1000.00 per year, while organization B charges an average of $25 per year.  It might be wise to compare these two organizations and transfer over to organization B before organization A raises their prices.

© 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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Online Yoga Teacher Education

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Kimaya Singh 

The mind and body benefits of yoga are great, often leaving participants feeling as though they want to share it with others. If yoga is one of your passions, perhaps you have considered studying yoga as a profession, to impart knowledge to others, or just to earn extra money on the side. Becoming a yoga teacher today is as easy as ever, with the Internet offering many different online certification courses. The courses are designed for students to be able to work at their own pace, anytime day or night. Upon completion of the program, students receive yoga teacher certification which will allow them to teach yoga anywhere in the world. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who has a little extra time and desire to study yoga right from the comfort of their home, and then market their skills to the community.

Aura Wellness Center, based in Attleboro, Massachusetts, offers many online training courses for yoga teacher certification. The original course, called “Yoga Teacher Training Camp-in-a-Box” was so successful it led to more specialize training courses including courses in Restorative Yoga, Kid’s Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Chair Yoga, Meditation, and more. The programs have taken on a life of their own, with many students having had great success at becoming yoga instructors and opening their own yoga teaching centers or businesses. Visit one of the Aura Wellness Center’s blogs to understand about the positive  experiences from online and distance learning yoga teacher training classes.

One unique aspect of Aura’s yoga teacher training package is that they provide the knowledge and skills to open your own yoga business. Not only will you learn the important yogic philosophies, the poses and how to teach them, but also the valuable skills needed to market yourself and your business. The yoga teacher training courses are well-rounded packages that include all the information needed in order to make a successful living by practicing and teaching yoga. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced yoga practitioner or a beginner; Aura Wellness Center offers a course to suit many individual needs.

Decide if any of the yoga teacher training courses are right for you by joining Aura’s free community of yoga teachers. You can ask questions and talk to others who have taken the course, and get a feel for what the programs of study are really all about. Signing up for the community is is super easy, just enter your name and email address and you will be connected to a vast network of yoga experts and students.

© 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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Is Yoga Teacher Training Right for You?

Monday, December 12th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Jenny Park

Maybe you have a passion for yoga, and you’re considering making a career out of it with yoga teacher training. It takes more than an appreciation of yoga to become a good yoga teacher. What sets some people apart as exceptional yoga teachers?

A love for people is central to being a happy, successful yoga teacher. Most teachers need to love people, but for some a great appreciation of the subject they specialize in will suffice. Yoga is so focused on people that it’s absolutely essential for a yoga teacher to be comfortable around others. The more passionate you are about helping and teaching other people, the better. Take a step back and look at how you are with people in your everyday life, and consider asking the opinion of a few trusted friends as well. Are you comfortable with meeting new people on a daily basis, or does it take a while for you to warm up to others? Are you bold and outgoing, or shy and reserved? Do you think that you could be happy with having a lot of contact with people on a daily basis?

It’s also helpful to be comfortable with physical contact. There is always the occasional student who can’t understand a verbal correction to an improperly done asana, and these students will need to be guided in a physical manner. Having a tolerance for this sort of thing is extremely helpful for a career as a yoga teacher.

Having a great passion for people can go a long way in making up for deficiencies in other areas, but good communication skills are certainly helpful in passing ideas and concepts on to students. If you can express yourself clearly in a positive, encouraging manner that motivates others, that is a huge asset.

Beyond those basics, having good physical conditioning and a love of yoga itself is also essential. Do you love yoga enough to commit to it as a career or would you rather teach part-time? You don’t have to be the most flexible or the strongest person in the world, but you do have to have a strong devotion to the practice to be successful as a teacher. There is no substitute for passion.

If you find that yoga teacher training is right for you, go for it! Yoga teachers make the world a better place through their patience, insight and caring for people. There is no better feeling than leading a life of service to others.

© 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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Online Yoga Teacher Education

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Jenny Park

Sometimes, a yoga enthusiast might think to themselves how wonderful it would be to truly make yoga the center of their lives through the path of becoming a yoga teacher, but then reality sets in as they realize that they won’t be able to pack up for India or the nearest large city anytime soon. The internet may be the answer for these passionate individuals. Distance education in every field has improved dramatically in the past 10 and 20 years, and now it’s possible to get a comprehensive education in yoga from truly anywhere in the world.

The first concern prospective students often have is that they will miss out on the connectivity and community feeling of a face to face course as opposed to an internet based program. Nothing could be further from the truth, and in many cases there is better communication and connection between students and instructors in an online setting. Quality online yoga teacher training programs will provide virtual areas for students and teachers to message and interact with each other, and the best part about this type of setup is that it’s not tied down to a specific schedule. Everyone jumps in and responds to a discussion at the time that’s right for them. In this way, groups of people from all different walks of life from all over the world can come together in a spirit of learning, encouraging each other when needed. Bringing people together is what yoga is all about, so this is actually an ideal setting!

Another concern potential online students have is that there will be a stigma associated with having earned their credentials online. That might have been the case even a decade ago, but not now. There are far too many bright, skilled individuals who have earned credentials and degrees online for it to be much of a consideration these days. With skill based disciplines like yoga, it’s unlikely to even come up at all. All your future students will care about is your knowledge and what you can do for them.

The future of yoga education is online, and you can be a part of it today. If you have a passionate desire to reach out and touch the lives of others through the power of yoga, a world class yoga education is just a click away.  Many experienced yoga instructors take online courses for continuing education credits.  Regardless of the reason, online yoga teacher training is a good solution for today’s schedule.

© 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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The Risks of Pushing Yoga Students Too Far

Friday, December 9th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Hatha Yoga provides many wonderful benefits, usually leaving students craving more because they feel so good. It leaves muscles feeling long, lean, and strong. Yoga relieves common aches and pains associated with everyday stresses within our bodies. Additionally, Yoga provides a healthy outlet for releasing anxiety, stress, nervous energy, and worries.

As Hatha Yoga students progress, they often feel eager to reach the next physical level, taking stretches deeper, holding them longer, and trying more advanced poses (asanas). This is all fine and good when both student and teacher are aware of the limitations and concerns each person has. When a teacher pushes a student too far, asking them to go to a place they may not be ready for, there are a multitude of risks.

Yoga teachers are greatly responsible for the well being of their students, making sure they understand the rewards of practicing Yoga in a safe manner. This responsibility includes explaining the benefits and risks of each pranayama technique and Yoga pose.

It is part of our responsibility as Yoga teachers to offer modifications of techniques for people with unique needs. We should be explaining the importance of listening to your body. It is appropriate for Hatha Yoga teachers to encourage students to take the stretch a bit deeper, hold it slightly longer, or breathe into each pose with intent. However, when the teacher’s role of an “encourager” becomes more demanding, he or she could be pushing too far.

If one’s Yoga teacher training did not cover the need for compassion, it is time to think “outside the box.” If a master trainer taught you to verbally abuse students, you should visit some classes that are outside your root Yoga style to observe compassion in practice.

The risks of pushing Yoga students too far include injuries, both minor and major. When muscles are stretched too far, they can strain or even tear. Overused or strained tendons can result in bursitis or tendonitis. When students push too hard on ligaments or cartilage, these too can become injured. Pre-existing spinal injuries, like herniated discs, are common in life.

Depending on the exact location of a herniated spinal disc, there may be pain, but it is also possible not to have pain. Some people have an existing herniated disc and do not feel any pain. If any one of us teaches a class and a student has a bad physical reaction to it, a pre-existing injury can become a “Yoga-related injury,” as far as the public is concerned.

When Yoga instructors push their students too far, forget to warn students of risks, fail to give pose modifications, refuse to offer props, or encourage them to try poses that are uncomfortable, they are risking the health of their students.

Yoga teachers should always teach students to listen carefully to their own bodies, reminding them often to stop if something doesn’t feel right or is painful. Students who are pushed too far might also become discouraged with Yoga, causing them to miss out on all the benefits a safe practice will provide.

© 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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