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How Long Should I Study Before Yoga Certification?
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Vredinka

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August 19, 2009 - 5:12 pm
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I was checking out your certification courses and was wondering if I'm diving in too soon to become a yoga teacher. I had success with most poses in "intermediate" and complete variations with no blocks/straps whatsoever (I am very flexible). I also practiced basic headstand and can probably stand with no wall support for 3 to 7 seconds. I have 2 DVDs so far - basic and power vinyasa yoga and another one on the way (morning, afternoon and evening 20 min workouts). I am also receiving yoga journal which has a lot of valuable information and some in-depth description of some poses. Considering all of that - will camp-in-a-box will be appropriate for me? Or should I keep practicing for at least a year or so? I thought about doing Yoga as a stress free career. I currently have a good paying job but the job that I am not satisfied with and way too stressful (at 22 my eye is twitching often). It is a managing position in construction field. In addition to the career of Yoga teacher, I wanted to get into massage and cosmetology (as in skin care). Does anyone else find a knowledge of massage (and maybe skin care) beneficial to yoga instructors knowledge?

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mtnsol

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August 19, 2009 - 8:47 pm
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Namaskar Vredinka,

I would suggest you have two years of foundational experience before taking a yoga teacher program. I am an Aura graduate yoga teacher and cannot speak for what Paul would say, but I'm sure he would agree with me. Yoga isn't just an exercise and teaching isn't just demonstrating. If you've been practicing for a short time you need more time to study and practice before entering into a level 1 yoga teacher training course. It's a matter of being fair to yourself about your practice / study time and learning about all that yoga encompasses. On top of that, you want to teach students safely. Aura does have a basic 200-hour level for teaching yoga classes.

You could also benefit a great deal from the hot yoga course. Yoga asanas (exercises) are covered, but so are the Yoga Sutras, The Eight Limbs of Yoga, and the value of yoga as therapy. The Eight Limbs Of Yoga are: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.

Any massage course would be helpful in learning anatomy. Hatha Yoga and massage work to release toxins from the body. These two healing sciences compliment each other. Best of luck in your search.

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Vredinka

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August 19, 2009 - 10:23 pm
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Thank you for your reply! I'll sure try to look for as much information on my own before I start getting into the course. I just noticed another similar post from few years ago. I also enrolled for a semester of yoga classes at local community college (twice a week for 3 hours). I was just wondering if it was ok to start this program while continuing learning and maybe taking a whole year to thoroughly study it and complete it. Maybe starting January 2010? I don't know if I should mention doing transcendental meditation (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) for few years at least once a day. But then I read and heard a lot of information about it being a scam (I was born outside US - Eastern Europe).

PS: I read a lot of posts on this site.

PPS: Can you use CYT after you complete course?

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mtnsol

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August 20, 2009 - 2:35 pm
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Namaskar Vredinka,

Quote:
"I was just wondering if it was ok to start this program while continuing learning and maybe taking a whole year to thoroughly study it and comple it. Maybe starting January 2010?"

That sounds like a great idea. The yoga teacher training staff at Aura would encourage you to use outside sources, while studing to become a yoga teacher. Giving yourself time to gather all the information is all part of the process of yoga certification.

Quote:
I don't know if i should mention doing transcendental meditation (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi) for few years at least once a day. But then i read/heard a lot of information about it being a scam (I was born outside US - Eastern Europe)

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has a good approach to meditation. The only point I disagree with is that transcendental meditation isn't the best form. The best form of meditation is the one that works for you. It might be transcendental meditation for one person and Vipassana Meditation for someone else. There are so many types of meditation that nobody can claim "the best."

About the "cycles class teacher trying to get the CYT asap, without even knowing that you can get hurt during yoga practice. (I wonder if she ever completed the program)?"

I don't have that information, but I guarantee she learned alot about yoga, if she took a Aura yoga teacher course. The point being you learn exercises, but you would also learn anatomy, philosophy, pranayama, practical applications, and how to help people who aren't as young or flexible as we are.

Can you use CYT after you complete course?

You sure can!

Peace

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Elurgedrierge

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August 20, 2009 - 5:47 pm
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We all have to start from somewhere. Every yoga teacher knows what it is like to be a student. We have all been there. When is a person ready? If you listen to some people it might be never. Others will tell you: right now. You (Vredinka) are aware that safety precautions must be made. The students you teach may be quite stiff in comparison to yourself.

It would be wise to learn from teachers in your area too. Some teachers will be good examples. Other yoga teachers will be not so good. This is good for you to see with open eyes. If you see a teacher who is safe stay. If you see a teacher who is careless it is wise to leave.

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Vredinka

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August 20, 2009 - 11:15 pm
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Thank you all for your reply s!
I was laid off today, so i am ready for a new career! Feel kind of relief!
already enrolled in some classes and can start new path of my life, i think if it was not for yoga - i would not feel that joy!

thanks for all advice! I have purchased Yoga introduction course so will be starting soon!

PS does anyone know if i can get that covered by unemployment benefits?
Thank you all again.

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Inspirit

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August 21, 2009 - 3:10 pm
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Hi Vredinka,

I'm familiar with the introduction to teaching yoga course. I took that one first because I have a Reiki / Massage practice. Many of my clients wanted to start yoga, but no classes we close by. Well, my clients were happy when I had about 15 eager students and now I have over 100. I later got ahold of a Camp in a box and that was a project but I was ready from the intro course. I'm so happy with the results of taking courses with Paul & Aura.

About unemployment benefits - it seems like the state wants people to take the same old kind of job. That's what my clients and family tell me. If anyone knows different let me know, but I don't hear about help for education or training.

Om Shanti

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dcalvert

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July 31, 2010 - 8:50 pm
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If someone has previous yoga training as a student, he or she has fundamental knowledge to move forward. One intern may have 20 years of formal training and no confidence. A young athlete may have no formal study but be full of confidence. Personalities, knowledge, self-confidence and internal drive are factors in deciding to become a yoga instructor. Should a young aspirant wait forever because an old student never had the confidence to enter a yoga teacher training? I think not, but not every young aspirant has the common sense to be a yoga teacher. This creates a complex but delicate balance for all of us. Is it confusing? Yes, but without some internal fortitude you'll never be a yoga instructor.

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CB

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April 1, 2012 - 3:23 pm
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I think Yoga is an ongoing, life long learning process and everyone has their physical strengths and limitations. It can be overwhelming to think "well, I'm not good at this pose or I'm not good at this pose, how can I be a teacher?" ... but bottom line is you can only teach what you know. So You can teach beginners when you have the foundation and have knowledge of how to teach safely. As individual practice grows you can teach more advanced classes if that is your preference. The key is to know your area of expertise and honor that. The best Yoga teachers I have had made an impression on me not by teaching me postures or exercises, but more about life and taking "Yoga off the mat". I think its good to question "am I ready?" The only way to "become ready" is to start the learning process and develop a Yoga practice. Then we "finish" our course and realize we are "ready to keep learning" LOL :) That is from my experience anyway...

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Mila

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April 2, 2012 - 8:29 pm
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One yoga teacher course is a good start toward more courses down the road. The first course I attended in Oregon was good but I knew there was more to learn. As I kept teaching yoga, students asked for more services This made me study again, and again. Kerry said, "life long learning process." I totally agree.

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jassmeet

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August 4, 2014 - 1:34 pm
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Love this thread. I can remember a student of 20 years who had no ability to communicate what he learned. At the same time, I have seen a student with six months experience be able to explain complicated details.

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