Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Namaskar to All,

It is with restraint that I will answer these questions. It's very fair of the organizers of this forum to allow so many diverse opinions without editing or scolding us over our differences.

1. Beyond basic Yoga teacher certification, do you see an advantage in have more enhanced credentials?

None. For the longest time I taught Raja yoga without a credential. My lineage gs back to Swami Vivekananda's "Vedanta Society of New York". We didn't think paper credentials were worth much then and I still have my doubts now. But I did finally sell out and get a yoga teacher diploma.

2. What are you looking for in a Yoga teacher association?

Honesty. Yoga teachers are frightened into thinking they have to join registries. They think there is no choice. I read a site that insisted Yoga Alliance established the rules and guidelines of all teacher training. That is a bold untruth. Who established guidelines for yoga teacher certification now and before the Yoga Alliance (YA) was created in 1999? The masters, gurus, and swamis did.

3. What do you dislike about Yoga teacher associations?

In order to gather members to their flock, yoga teacher associations pretend to be an arm of the government (BWY). YA originally said they would protect teachers from the government. Now they misinform with elitist air head teachers who should be named "YA Cheerleaders." Their chant: "We are better" dsn't fit yoga well.

4. What is your concept of an ideal Yoga teacher credential?

I'm still trying to understand this credentialing "concept." As I said, I was swept up in this certification thing too, but I needed it for classes that take place outside my school.

5. What is your concept of an ideal Yoga teacher association?

We have it right here. You can share, learn, and share more with other yogis and without obligation. Paulji has set this up much like a public trust. And he asks nothing in return. Yes, he has yoga courses and all that. But teachers have to learn more any way.

Blessings to all of you.

DILIPJI