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April 27, 2015
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I was involved in yoga at a very young age. Now since a past few years I have done sort of drop in sessions with a yoga studio nearby. I am not very flexible and not really in shape. i'm not overweight though. I have always wanted to get back to yoga the way it was for me when i was a kid. My interest is to teach yoga. I do yoga at home with my daughter. Even she knows some poses. though my practice is not regular at all. my sessions are really spread apart.
Though i'm always looking for yoga teacher training, because i feel this is the best way for yoga to be a part of me forever. I subscribe to the yoga journal i have a few yoga dvd's and a couple of books. since past few weeks my practice has become regular.
do you thing this is right for me? my interest in yoga is not for money. i live in a town full of retire people and i would love to just teach yoga for free. i even have done a small session with a couple of friends. just a few poses that i'm comfortable with.
i still really want this course offered on this website. what do i do? how long will it take me? i definetely want to become a yoga teacher. but should i start the training now? or should i just go and practice yoga on regular basis 1st?
someone has asked me to have a small yoga session a couple of months from now in front of a large crowd. i do have the confidence in my self. but i dont want to sound uninformed about yoga and uneducated. i can read my books and practice my dvd's. i'm too confused. plz help
April 27, 2015
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Namaskar Geeet,
If you are going to teach Yoga you will become consistent in your Yoga practice. No one can teach Yoga without constant practice. It sounds like you have the experience, but only you know if you really want to become a Yoga teacher or not.
Flexibility really has little to do with teaching Yoga as there are so many styles of Yoga that do not require extraordinary flexibility. You mention that you have many elderly where you live, they do not require a super flexible teacher. Chair Yoga requires knowledge, compassion, and creativity.
In the end only you know if you want to work toward your goal of instructing Yoga, but the course on this site will prepare you to become a Yoga teacher.
Om Shanti,
Priyah
April 27, 2015
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thank you priyah for you encouragement. I need the drive to practice more yoga.
I think i will definately start practicing yoga at a regular basis become more energetic and strong then take the leap into taking a teacher training course. right now i get tired easily and dont have much stamina but i think it will come in time.
how much yoga should i start doing right now? one hour a day? will i be able to do more then that since i havent done it much at all lately? how should i start?
how far apart should my sessions be to give my body rest inbetween?
April 27, 2015
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Namaskar Geeet,
You should practice gentle restorative Yoga postures to gain your strength. You could practice asanas on your back and work on your pranayama. It sound like you may be feeling tired from fatigue or over work. If this is so, you also need to get enough sleep and eat a nutritionally dense diet. If you are really run down, you may need to see a doctor.
Once you establish a regular routine of Yoga practice, good diet, and enough sleep, you can then expand your Yoga sessions to one hour per day. If you miss one don't worry about it. Just make sure you come back to your Yoga practice.
If your goal is to become a Yoga teacher, Paulji's Yoga teacher course will help create the fire inside to pursue your dreams. Think of it this way, nothing will happen if we wish, but when we take action everything is possible.
Om Shanti,
Priyah
April 27, 2015
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Geet - I would also encourage you to pursue becoming a yoga teacher. Your motivation is certainly coming from the heart and you have prior experience in Yoga. I would recommend focusing on developing a solid daily practice and from this perspective moving towards becoming trained as a yoga teacher.
Namaste
-Don
April 27, 2015
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About energizing when you have low energy: Supine Yoga postures will help, but you may want to see a Ayurvedic doctor. This could be dietary and you may want to be sure the food you eat matches your dosha.
April 27, 2015
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Pranam Geet,
It is Agreed that primary motive for teaching should not be money. Yet, western Yogis have taught me money is useful for good causes. Money is not evil, but the use of it can be in question.
About your interest in teaching of Yoga - have you reached any conclusions?
OM SHANTI
April 27, 2015
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Pranam to All,
There have been many thoughtful responses on this thread, but there is one issue to consider. Motivation is the prime ingredient in making a decision to become a yoga teacher. The truth is it takes effort, study, and work, to teach classes. That being said, many people have a dream, but they do not take action.
This is not meant to slight anyone, but how many of you have given your hearts and souls to make a student understand the benefits of Yoga? All of you have, because the effort to teach yoga is a labor of love. Do yourself a favour and listen to a word for the wise, as you age, you will not want to exhaust your efforts on those who refuse to help themselves.
Life is too short to waste on people who do not know what they want. At this point, I only want serious students who are committed to the study of yoga. They must project their passion for the practice. Without this there will be no self realisation. Without self realisation there is no presence in the practise.
Just some food for thought.
Om
April 27, 2015
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Namaskar Everyone,
Another good point. Many master level martial arts teachers practice this same philosophy. Working with serious students makes life a lot easier on Yoga teachers, as well.
However, should we take the path of least resistance? If our teachers worked with advanced or serious students only, they would not have shared their knowledge with us, until we practiced complete foundational study. Some people feel that 10 years of study and practice makes one a serious student. After all, there is always a measurement of some sort for status.
Granted, there are students who waste your time. They claim to have the disire to make a life change for a week, and then decide to go on a fat burger diet for life. After all good health is pictured as torture. 
If Yoga teachers refuse to work with beginners, until they go through a litmus test, are we becoming arrogant? Egotism has no place in the classroom, especially if it is the teacher, who puts it into practice.
Om Shanti,
Paul
April 27, 2015
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Namaskar Guruji,
I understand the deeper implications of what you are getting at. If we teach from our ego, we are no longer giving lessons about Yoga practise. The only example we would set is one that should not be seen. That being "a selfish Yoga teacher."
But what should a Yoga teacher do, when he or she is in the presence of insincere students? Surely, students who waste a Yoga teacher's time will make themselves apparent before they go back to drinking, smoking, taking drugs, or some sort of self-abusive diet.
After giving so many hours of Yoga instruction one tends to recognise these common qualities found in charming, but thoroughly insincere students. My concern is the time wasted on people who have no intention of a life change. In fact, they are playing at Yoga, because they do not carry any of the principles into daily life.
Maybe they show up once every two weeks and expect to see a change. They talk a good show, while they are in class, but they change, like a chameleon, once they have left the confines of our Yoga centres.
I look forward to hearing any opinions on this, even those of insincere students.
Om Shanti,
April 27, 2015
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Pranam,
This has evolved into an interesting thread, because it started with someone who had difficulty deciding whether to be a yoga teacher or not. This is something to consider: How can we measure sincerity? We can go by past performance, but no two people are alike. So we decide based upon a combination of senses, inluding intuition.
Should we tell a student to leave, because of intuition? How do we know who will become a serious student of yoga? So far, it has been my experience that yoga teachers cannot be seen when they are students. The person who quitely sits in the corner, without drawing attention is just as apt to go for yoga certification as anyone else.
Peace,
April 27, 2015
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Namaste,
This is a good discussion, because Yogananda has made a point that has been missed. Some people are time bandits. I have people talk on the phone about how they want to make a life change. We set up an appointment for a conference and an assessment. Then they don't show up. This happens to personal trainers too!
Everybody's time is worth something. I have things I can do besides hang around the studio waiting for a student who decides to ignore an appointment with me. Let's be serious, we are supposed to practice non-judgment, but how can you do that if someone fits a profile in your mind.
Example: If I eascape from a serial killer and a few days later see someone in an alley with a big knife, should I go shake his hand?
We learn life lessons from our experiences. We can't help but store the information. It may save our life in the future. I have to remember to look both ways before I cross the street.
One thing I have learned, if someone offers you a deposit on private yoga lessons, take it. They will come back again to practice. When I first started teaching Yoga a student put $200 on my desk to reserve some appointments. I told her to put it back in her pocket book, she could pay as she visits.
Guess what? It was the last time I ever saw her. But I would have seen her at her appointed time, if i took the payment. Here is a lesson for everyone: Money separates the talkers from the doers.
If you are teaching yoga to practice good karma - God bless you. Sorry, my kids need the extra money. My ex never gave a dime of child support, but yoga and a steady job are putting food on the table.
Finally, they have decent clothes and shoes for school. My kids help me clean the house and the yoga space at a local fitness center. We are now saving to open a small yoga center with friends and students.
I can't afford to waste time on people who don't know what they want, either.
Sincerely,
Parell
April 27, 2015
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Hi Parell,
Got to love your honesty. You have my deepest respect as a role model, a mom, a woman and a yoga instructor. If Geeet is out there, I hope she decided to become a yoga instructor.
Past experience ds influence future action and Yogananda has a point. On the other hand, Paul and Hamed made points about not making judgments of our students based upon a gut feeling.
How many times have you met someone who was dressed a little odd or looked a bit scary, only to find out this person has a heart of gold. I guess we have to walk the gray area between two viewpoints.
We can't keep giving time away to people who see no value in our time. On the other hand, we can't tell people to buy in two minutes or shut up. There must be a balance.
About should I teach Yoga: Yes, I better. Two classes are scheduled this evening with my name on them, so the show must go on. It's funny, but anyone can do anything they want, but they have to keep walking the same path toward the same goal.
Namaste,
Steph
April 27, 2015
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Namaskar,
Don't take this wrong, but you have to know what you want to do with yourself. About deciding to become a yoga teacher: Why ask why? If you don't know, maybe you're not ready to teach yoga classes at this time.
You should have a very clear understanding of your life purpose and what draws you to teaching yoga. Your life purpose should always be your guide. Get solid training in how to teach yoga classes. This is the foundation of a good quality yoga teacher training course.
Peace,
Hamed
July 3, 2010
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Namaskar!
I have to agree. If you are confused about whether to become a yoga instructor or not, do something else. Yoga needs teachers who know what they want. Yoga certification courses can be very costly. Why do it half hearted, when you can come back to it later? If you're confused about life do seva and find your path. The Peace Corps or the BP oil spill clean up in the Gulf of Mexico is a place to help and find yourself.
April 27, 2015
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Doctors are referring patients to Yoga for treating their ailments and living a healthier life. An increasing number of people are joining yoga classes for achieving a healthier mind and body. As a yoga teacher you can maintain a healthy lifestyle for yourself while sharing the benefits of Yoga with others and earning money in the process.
After taking a certified Teacher Training program you can start your career as a Yoga teacher. To go into the business - All you need to do is inform your community about your yoga classes by advertising your classes. You could be an independent contractor or you can approach the high profile clients, who prefer to take classes at their own business or residence.
This way you can also save the investment that is required to rent a studio and continue teaching Yoga without actually investing a penny from your pocket. There are several such high-end clients who would love to learn Yoga from someone with Yoga Instructor Certification. You can approach your friends and family to refer you name to their colleagues and friends and kick-start you career.
Yoga Certification programs conducted online have gained a momentum in the last decade. As increasing number of people are now heading to Yoga for numerous health benefits the demands of certified Yoga instructors is growing tremendously.
Yoga is a traditional form of exercise that includes certain postures and movements. Two most important advantages of practicing are prevention of disorders and ailments and maintenance of health and fitness in daily life.
The yoga certification programs conducted online are in huge demand across the country. Owing to the increasing demand of certified Yoga teachers and the bright career prospects, Yoga Instructor Certification courses are attended by numerous individuals wanting to learn and teach Yoga. Those who have completed a Yoga Teacher Training program can setup a successful career by teaching Yoga to the public. While teaching Yoga to your students, you still practice some of the postures if you are not assisting.
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