Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Namaskar Nelson,

A reputable yoga training program will help your personal practice and increase your knowledge. Many yoga teacher training programs have minimum requirements within their own style for teacher interns. One possible requirements is that you have practiced for several years within that exact style, which is taught at the facility you train at.

Aura's program allows students from any style without dogma. You don't have to chant, perform gymnastic maneuvers or change your religious thinking. You don't have to kiss the Guru's feet and you still learn enough to become a competent teacher. Plus Aura's website is an online yoga learning center with many courses to expand your mind and free materials to take with no obligation.

Many teachers go to this forum, the blogs, and the old newsletters for research. I was just talking to an Iyengar teacher last week who constantly reads the Aura newsletters for new ideas about sequencing, anatomy, and working with students who need special care. Do you know of another site with this much information?

One more point to make in Aura's favor. Most teachers start by running a few classes per week. At the same time this is a tough economy no matter where you live. So most new teachers work a full time job too. Now I ask do you want to pay four thousand dollars for a course that doesn't give you any ideas about where to find work? The required books, travel and lost wages are hidden costs, and may add up to thousands more in your expenses.

Maybe you are wealthy but even then it makes no sense. Yoga certification courses are often priced too high. Their excuse is propaganda - they meet standards for registration by the Yoga Alliance. Who cares??? Registration means NOTHING except to a few egotists who missed the point of what yoga is really about.

Yoga isn't about being part of an elitist club. You don't have to be registered and there isn't a benefit to being registered except to pound your chest about it. for those who will listen. Read the news and you'll see the Yoga Alliance does nothing for teachers.

Om,