Fitness

New Yoga students should be made aware that there will be positive side effects from their Yoga practice. Their mind and body will function in true harmony as a result of daily practice. Students of Yoga often develop a newfound love for life, and they usually think more clearly than ever before.

When you consider any activity, or drug, there are usually some side effects, over long-term use, but how often are the side effects negative? Maybe more than half of the time, we anticipate a negative side effect. Consider this: There are only positive side effects, which occur from Yoga practice.

Stress becomes manageable, internal conflicts are reduced, and you develop complete clarity through Yoga practice. The most valuable aspects of Yoga are enhanced mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Meditation is one the most important Yogic methods, because this practice eliminates confusion, frustration, and internal or external conflicts. The Yoga practitioner, who meditates on a regular basis, finds a state of bliss and a newfound self-awareness. Meditation is a complete “tune up” for the emotional and mental planes of our existence. Regular meditation sessions will yield a sound mind.

A balanced mind will function in harmony with the body. With the emotional, mental, and physical planes of existence working smoothly, a Yoga practitioner will be more likely to achieve spiritual growth. Some will ask, “Does this mean Yoga will make you better than everyone else?”

In answer to that question - Let’s say: As a result of Yoga practice, you should live a longer, happier, and healthier life. To claim superiority to others; would defeat the true purpose of the Yogic way of life. If we have the desire to truly help others see the value in Yoga, we must be humble examples of our lifestyle.

The moment the ego takes control of our actions, we are not present for our practice. If we are truly “in the moment,” we can feel inner peace and tranquility. Your optimum mental state of tranquility can be felt by any other person who comes into contact with you.

On the other hand, the ego fuels arrogance, which will not enable us to help others. It is not possible to be diplomatic and arrogant at the same time. Please remember that every form of conflict is a choice. If we let the ego run our lives, we are not living much differently from a dog who proudly displays his or her tail high in the air.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Article Source: Populate.net

Sometimes, all of us need to be reminded to stay on course. After becoming a certified Yoga instructor, some of us become quite comfortable at the front of a class, but there are more than a few teaching mistakes to avoid. Here are some examples of the many pitfalls to avoid, when teaching a Yoga class.

When a student asks you a question, it is wonderful to answer it, but you want to avoid digressing, lecturing, and talking about yourself. Your students have taken the time to come to your classes because they have needs. As teachers, it is easy to get wrapped up in answering, by telling a story.

This is fine, to a point, but make sure it is a short story. Most of the class wants to progress in their practice, has a personal reason for being there, and may not appreciate our personal opinions. We want to focus on the lesson plan, at hand, and subjects related to Yoga practice.

Anything else is a distraction, which will prevent our students from becoming present for their practice. The last thing we need to do is create a diversion, within the Yoga classes we are teaching.

Avoid over correcting: Most students need a little help seeing, hearing, or feeling the right technique. This is fine, but some students begin to feel they cannot do anything right in our classes; especially, if they are the first one we constantly assist after we have demonstrated a technique and cued the class.

This is not an easy call. Yoga teachers tend to assist the person who needs the most help first, but we have to show attention to the entire class. Each time you enter the class, remain impartial, and move around the room.

Do not become conditioned to constantly hovering over a student who seems to struggle with concepts. Instead, spread your attention out and praise the good technique of a student beside the one who struggles.

Sometimes, Yoga teachers spend so much time correcting, that most students feel they are not worthy of the time spent in class. If we are verbally beating any student’s ego down, is he or she receiving the best possible Yoga instruction?

This does not mean to ignore poor technique, but students should feel better about themselves after leaving our classes. If Yoga teachers appear impossible to please, dedicated students will find a different place to practice.

Therefore, one of the guidelines every Yoga teacher should remember is to encourage students to achieve their personal best, but never discourage them. Always be prepared to create a modification. This will be enough to help a student reach the next horizon on the Yogic path toward better mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Article Source: Populate.net

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While there are no set regulations on what level of training is necessary to teach yoga, choosing to pursue teacher certification, demonstrates a commitment to yoga. CYT certification reveals that a yoga instructor has pursued a certain level of education in yoga techniques.

There are many different programs offering certification to yoga instructors, and it is up to individual organizations to decide what the appropriate professional requirements are. Globally, there is very little regulation of yoga. There are some registries, in different countries, which work to set standards for yoga teachers and the public.

It is important to understand the difference between being certified and being registered as a yoga instructor. You may teach yoga as either a CYT or an RYT. The difference comes from being registered with the Yoga Alliance after a certain level of training has been completed, according to their requirements.

The Yoga Alliance publishes their requirements for the RYT on their website. As of this writing, they are the only recognized association in the United States that registers yoga instructors. The main difference between these two acronyms comes from the RYT designation, which is a registered trademark by the Yoga Alliance.

To become a CYT, or certified yoga teacher, one goes through an educational program with a yoga teacher training school. Certification is evidence to students that you have pursued an active education in your yoga practice. Certification, as a yoga teacher, allows you to teach yoga classes and start your own practice.

The principal elements of yoga: asana, breath, meditation, mantra, and more, are focused on, in certification programs. Additionally, learning to modify poses for beginners, knowing the fundamentals of posture and alignment, how to explain a pose verbally, and correct common mistakes, is crucial to becoming a certified yoga teacher.

Many training programs set their standards the same as the Yoga Alliance, so that when the certification is completed, graduates move forward and can become registered. Other schools are extensive in their training and offer certified graduates the opportunity to gain higher credentials, in other ways, to reach their training goals. They may choose to register after further teaching.

A minimum of 200 contact (face-to-face training) hours is required by the Yoga Alliance to be considered a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). The framework of these training hours is broken down into five categories of techniques, training and practice, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy and ethics, teaching methodology, and practicum. The aim of this program is to have a deep understanding of yoga, as well as a comprehensive ability in teaching others.

Holding CYT, or RYT, status is an indication that you are committed to Continuing Education (CE) hours to maintain the status. Continuing your education, as you teach, is the best way to grow, while adding expertise as a yoga practitioner and a teacher. Possessing a Certified, or Registered Yoga Teacher certification, will provide comfort about competency to students seeking you out.

Consider your training to become a yoga instructor as part of a lifelong learning experience, yet one that has steps and levels to attain. Much like any other profession that requires a progression of degrees, the practice of yoga instruction begins with becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Article Source: Populate.net