By Paul Jerard Niyamas are the ethical observances of Yoga. Yoga teachers should know them by heart; they do not conflict with any law or religion. Shaucha: To put it simply, be clean in hygiene, diet, and behavior. Hygiene and a Sattvic diet can become a daily ritual, but avoiding unhealthy or unclean thought is [...]
By Paul Jerard Yogic Methodology: When thinking about Yogic Methodology there are two kinds that come to mind. One is the application of Yoga techniques to daily life and the other is Yoga teaching methodology. Competent Yoga teachers should thoroughly know both. When considering the application of Hatha Yoga techniques to daily life, we know [...]
By Paul Jerard Competent Yoga teachers should have enough knowledge to work with special populations. This includes handicapped students, seniors, and many more specialized groups with physical limitations. The reason is that Hatha Yoga is a health maintenance system, but some people only look at the superficial aspects. If a Yoga teacher is only capable [...]
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP Pranayama is possibly the most overlooked aspect of Hatha Yoga. Every Yoga teacher training course includes a significant segment about Pranayama. Although B.K.S. Iyengar wrote detailed works on the subject, some Hatha Yoga teachers barely scratch the surface on the subject of cultivating vital energy through breathing. Why [...]
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Hatha Yoga teacher ethics should be thoroughly covered in all Yoga certification programs. With the current laws about harassment, all Yoga teachers, and anyone who works with the public, should beware. The less said, in your Yoga class about trivial matters, the better. Just like Yoga teachers often say to [...]
By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500 Traditional Yoga teacher training programs still exist, but traditional programs often last years. Not so long ago, the concept of an intensive face-to-face training, for a month, seemed like a new idea. All you had to do was schedule your time, and you could combine your training, with a vacation, [...]
Please research objective resources before making any judgments about meditation. Roman Catholic priests, brothers, monks, and many Christian ministers also meditate. This practice has been going on for centuries. In fact, meditation has been a part of Christianity since the beginning. Christian meditation consists of prayer, chanting, (For example: Gregorian Chanting) and scripture study. In [...]
Some, but not all, of the different safety issues are covered in your first two books. For example: contraindications are mentioned in the first book in preparation for your written exam. There is also a continuing education text in your third module, (if you are on the Multi-Payment Option Plan), that touches on these points. [...]
Cueing skills are developed by copying your past Yoga instructors, video tapes, and repeating the directions you have read in your texts. Once you have finalized your lesson plan, try it out on a friend. Practicing your cueing technique will develop your skills. If you want to critique yourself objectively, run a tape recorder and [...]
You don't have to; you can practice with a local Yoga teacher, with the videos in your kit, with additional videos, with friends, or visit us for an inexpensive Yoga teacher training intensive.