5 More Questions to Ask Yourself Before Going for Teacher Training

Teacher training is a time and money intensive task. However, it just doesn’t end there. Yoga teacher training also means emotional and physical transformation. While everyone looks forward to the physical transformation, not all are ready for the emotional transformation. Therefore, before you invest your time, money and emotions into teacher training program, here are some more questions you should ask yourself.

What are you looking for in the teacher training experience?

Teacher training means different things to different people. For some it’s just a certificate to go out and get a yoga related job, for some it’s the urge to know more and go deeper in their yoga practice, and for others it is purely for academic purposes - learning different asanas and methods of teaching them.

There is nothing wrong with any of these purposes, although the first one may not help one become a very successful teacher. However, what is more critical is to decide the purpose and then plan on searching for  a training program that  will help fulfil that purpose.

What is your yoga philosophy?

This is in same vein as above. You need to identify your yoga philosophy and then ensure that your training program resonates it. If not, then you may find yourself uninterested in the program.

What is your learning style?

Every individual has his or her own learning style. Some prefer to go all out and are able to memorize everything they are taught. Others prefer to take it slow, in digestible bites. If you prefer the latter style, then going for a program in your local area, where you can extend your training program will be better than going for a 3-4 week stint in a faraway place. Even number of people in the learning group makes a difference. If you are someone who feels alienated in a large group or are hesitant to ask questions and seek clarifications then it will be best to go for a program that takes in lesser number of students and gives individual attention.

Do you plan to learn alone or with a partner?

This is a critical question. There are many couple retreats where yoga instructors teach to couples only. If you are looking for something like that then maybe you don’t need to opt for teacher training at all. Until of course, your partner too wants to become a teacher. Else, you can opt for a good yoga retreat in Goa or Bali or any other popular yoga hub and learn yoga together.

Are you and your teacher comfortable with each other?

Although many feel that they can only answer this once they join the course however, that’s a wrong approach. It is always advisable to meet your teacher online or in person to understand their teaching style, their philosophy of yoga and their overall personality. Understand how he or she teachers and make sure you are comfortable. For example, many teachers prefer to let the students discover the right way of doing the pose themselves, while others will drill it down into their students. Another aspect is that while some teachers focus on internal transformation through yoga, others seek perfection in poses. You need to decide what are you looking for and what you want in your teacher and choose accordingly.

3 Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know

There is more to yoga then just practicing different postures. As one becomes more and more involved in the process, true meaning behind the yoga teaching starts to become apparent. Especially if you are on your way to become a yoga teacher then your awareness towards yoga is meant to elevate.

The teaching of yoga is simple, however, when we start to delve into its spiritual meaning then there are chances that students may not comprehend some notions in the way their teachers want them to. And if the message is not received in the manner in which it is delivered the whole learning process starts to become ineffective.

When you are spending lots of time and money on your yoga teacher training, you simply don’t want any misconception to obstruct your learning. Even when you are learning yoga to deepen your practice at a local studio, or have joined yoga instructor couples’ retreat you would want to try anything possible from your side to enhance the experience of learning, which is only possible when your instructor can build mutual suggestibility between you and him/her.

To help you out , there is list of things given below that a yoga teacher wants his/her students to know so that the every message can be received in the same manner in which it has been delivered.

Don’t Overdo It: It is a natural feeling to spend more time practicing yoga once you start to observe all the positive changes in your body and life. While doing it for longer certainly expedites the results but crossing a limit will eventually leave you in exhaustion. Besides concentrating on the process, you also need to maintain the balance between the calories you take and calories you burn.

Difficult Postures are not Necessarily Better: When you do your research for a yoga retreat, it is inevitable to see some pictures with practitioners doing impressive poses. Your actual yoga training may or may not contain these difficult postures depending upon the form you are learning. You should not feel distressed if such poses are absent from your daily routine. Mostly, advanced practitioners can do very difficult poses and you need to trust your teacher to introduce them to you once you are ready. Also, if you try them without much practice, you might end up hurting yourself.

‘To Feel Better’ More Than ‘To Look Better’: Most people practice yoga to improve their appearance. But to have a good physique doesn’t always equate to having good health. The sole purpose of practicing yoga is to feel better, calm and relaxed at the end of the day, since the beauty within is the purest and highest form of beauty.

To become a yoga instructor is not difficult, but to become a true teacher, you need to build insights within. Many people even fly to distant places and learn yoga in Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh, Bali and other such yoga hubs to experience yoga in its pure form. This, however, will only happen when you trust your teacher and give your complete focus to yoga training.

3 Tips to How You Can Prepare Yourself for Yoga Teacher Training

Learning something for the sake of knowledge is one thing but learning something to teach others is an entirely different notion where you can’t afford to have even a single misconception. And especially if you are learning to become a yoga teacher you need to be extra cautious about what you learn and how you learn it.

Preparing for your yoga teacher training in a residential yoga retreat is a time of great excitement and anxiety. It is almost the same experience as going for a summer camp vacation as a kid. However, there is lot more involved in this case. You have to prepare yourself for your yoga teacher training not just materially, but physically, mentally and spiritually as well. Going abroad for teacher training, like to a Goa yoga retreat in India or in Bali, can be a big commitment and you wouldn’t want to leave any room for doubt in your preparations if you are already enrolled for the course.

Here are a few tips to how you should prepare yourself before you start your yoga teacher training so that it can become one of the most pleasant experiences of your life.

Read Some Yoga Literature: To feel at home from the very first day of your training you should have some background knowledge of the practice so that it will be easier for you to get along with the daily routine. Through yoga literature, you will learn yoga terminology and names of different asanas and pranayama, so that when your teacher pronounces the Sanskrit name of an asana you can instantly recall it and start practicing it. In addition, through literature you will develop better awareness towards the spiritual teachings of yoga.

Get in Touch with Recent Graduates: For most of the people, decision of getting yoga teacher training at a distant retreat is the result of a suggestion made by a friend who has taken the course before. If you have such a friend, then ask him or her about the place, schedule, class structure, teachers and other things that concern you. Alternatively, you can ask your retreat to provide you alumni contacts so that you can talk to them and collect valuable information that can help you in your preparations.

Practice Asanas Beforehand: It is good to start doing some asanas before the actual training begins as it will help you to get used to of taking the physical strain so that you wouldn’t feel tired during the actual training sessions. It will also help you in learning different postures quickly so that you can spend more time in practicing them instead of learning during your one month’s stay.

Life in a residential yoga retreat is a unique experience whether it is a Goa yoga retreat beside the beautiful beaches or in the refreshing mountains of Himalayas. And when you are well prepared for your training with all the gears and positive attitude it becomes a pleasant and life changing experience.

Advantages of Getting Yoga Teacher Training at a Residential Retreat

Teaching is most effective when it evolves from your personal experiences. And if you want to become a yoga teacher then there is nothing better than opting for residential yoga teacher training. A residential yoga retreat gives you a chance to live with like-minded yoga practitioners, which is an experience worth having. With the help of your instructors and fellow practitioners, you learn in a spiritually stimulated environment; and share and learn with people who have similar goals as yours.

There are other formats as well, available for yoga teachers training in which practitioners get to stay in their homes and learn to be a yoga teacher at a local non-residential retreats. However, people getting yoga teacher training in residential retreats find their learning more effective and full of rich experiences as they get to share, not only a couple of hours of practice sessions but a whole month of their lives with fellow practitioners, instructors and esteemed yogis.

Here are a few points to why receiving yoga teacher training in a residential retreat can be much more advantageous than getting the training from a non-residential retreat.

Better Discipline: When you enroll for a residential yoga teacher training program, you get to see and learn from the disciplined lives of yogis that inspire you to not only to maintain discipline in the couple of hours practice session but also to bring the same discipline in your life. Bringing discipline in one’s life is a tough deed and the only way to maintain it is to have a source of inspiration, of which you could never be deprived of while living in the yoga retreat.

Better Environment: By sharing your experiences with fellow yogis and learning their experiences, you become more and more involved in the process. A kinship develops between all the practitioners and you feel the positive vibe in every single moment, which not only makes you move with the flow but also motivates you to try harder in your practice.

Better Relaxation: Without the stress and worries of everyday life, at a residential yoga retreat your mind becomes more relaxed and helps you in concentrating at your practice. After an exhausting session, you can relax as long you feel like, while at a non-residential retreat you always have the overhead of getting back home, which makes you rather tired instead of being calm, and relaxed. Only in the absence of distractions, can you build a focus towards your learning and become a good student, which eventually opens the doors to becoming a good teacher as well.

Regardless of the form of yoga you want to master or the location of your yoga retreat, learning yoga while living with the yogis is always a unique experience. Whether you are taking a hatha yoga teacher training course in Virginia or have opted for Iyengar

yoga teacher training in India, getting training in a residential yoga retreat is always an augmentation to your learning.

9 Ways Yoga Helps You Stay Fit

It is no secret that practicing yoga on regular basis improves health and lifestyle. You start to sleep better and feel more relaxed in your actions and inactions. Some changes that you feel are obvious and easy to define, and some are subtle and you can only feel them.

However today, with researches and keen observations, scientists have provided concrete deductions to how practicing yoga can improve a being - mentally, physically and spiritually; and has found the ways to explain the inexplicable.

Although, yoga helps us in improving our lives in many ways, but here we have pointed out nine most commonly observed positive changes in people who do yoga regularly.

Improved Flexibility: When you begin to practice yoga, you may find yourself unable to perform simple physical feats like touching your toes. But as you stick to it, gradually, you start to build flexibility in your body and almost every single day you find yourself doing something that you weren’t able to do the day before.

Greater Strength: As you perform several asanas your muscles get strong, which not only provides you good looks but also builds up stamina and strengthens your immunity system.

Better Body Alignment: With all the stretching during the yoga practice, your body alignment starts to improve, which is helpful in keeping back, neck and other joint problems at bay.

Improved Bones Strength: Some asanas require you to lift your own weight upward or downward repeatedly and it is well known fact that weight-bearing strengthens bones.

Better Blood Circulation: Blending breathing patterns with physical postures results in better flow of oxygen into our body, which improves the blood circulation and reduces the risk of clot formation in blood vessels.

Relaxed Mind: With meditation and deep breathing, you become able to keep stress out of your mind; and after each session, you find yourself more calm and content.

Maintained Weight: With every yoga session you shed lots of calories, so even if your diet includes a big portion of fat, your weight remains balanced, however, on regular practice you naturally develop the habit of having a balanced diet.

Improved Brain Functioning: On regular practice of yoga, your brain develops a habit to avoid mental distractions which results in better memory, better concentration power and even improves your problem solving skills.

Lengthen Lifespan: Yoga brings peace to your mind. You mind learns to diminish the effects of frustration, anger, fear, desire and more. When you learn to quiet your mind, the chances of having diseases like insomnia, high blood-pressure, and heart attack that are caused by these negative emotions, start to vanish altogether.

Regardless of the place you do yoga at, most of the observed changes remain the same, however, the more closer you get to nature with your practice, the better you feel. Many practitioners visit India every year to learn or simply practice yoga in Himalayas, which gives a new dimension to their experience. For the purpose, many retreats have been opened to teach yoga in Dharamshala and other areas of the Himalayas, where practitioners feel more closer to nature.

Difference between Power Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga

With time different forms of yoga have evolved, each with a unique set of benefits. Mostly the forms differ from each other on the basis of what poses and breathing techniques are involved and the style of performing them.

One of the most recently developed forms of yoga is Power yoga in which an energetic and fitness focused approach is followed to do Vinyasa yoga. However, the approach taken in power yoga is similar to Ashtanga yoga; hence, power yoga is often confused with Ashtanga. However, unlike Ashtanga in which a single routine of postures is followed, in power yoga the routines vary significantly and solely depend upon what the instructor chooses to include in accordance to the needs of the practitioners.

Both of these forms have certain similarities and differences and are equally beneficial in their own respective manner. However, sometimes for practitioners it becomes important to clearly understand the differences between the two forms so that they do the style they need to do in accordance to their requirements.

Below are mentioned some common differences between power yoga and Ashtanga yoga that can help practitioners to distinctly identify one from other.

•    Ashtanga yoga follows a set series of postures that remains same each time, and every practice session has the exact same routine. Having the same routine helps practitioners to do the whole session in one flow and without much thought, to master a well thought out series of postures.

In Power yoga, each and every session brings something different to its practitioners. Introducing new poses every single time helps practitioners to learn new postures and makes them habitual of facing new challenges.

•    Ashtanga yoga translates the Patanjali yoga sutra’s eight limbs of yoga through its routine that includes the learning of postures, meditation, breath control, self-awareness, control of senses, universal morality, self-observance and union with the divine.

Power yoga mainly incorporates the physical postures and links them with different breathing techniques. Although, power yoga have many postures carried from Ashtanga yoga but the order and pace at which they are performed differ from Ashtanga yoga. In comparison to Ashtanga yoga, power yoga involves more movement and its sessions proceed at relatively quicker pace.

When yoga practitioners move towards becoming yoga teachers, knowing the subtle differences becomes more important. While power yoga is mostly practiced and taught in United States, where the style was first introduced, Ashtanga yoga is among the most practiced forms in India. Aspirants from around the globe take their Ashtanga yoga teacher training in India. However, people more interested in power yoga can also begin their journey by learning Vinyasa yoga in India, which will be helpful in learning power yoga.

Therefore, before you decide to opt for a yoga course, it is advisable to know the demands of each form and the benefits accrued so as to make an informed decision and enjoy the learning process.

3 Levels of Transformation after Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga teacher training not only gives a new dimension to your knowledge of performing different asanas but also brings a higher level of consciousness of your body, mind and spirit. Not only does it alleviate physical discomfort but also keeps mental distractions and stress at bay, aligning the mind and the soul.

Yoga teacher training is the process of inevitable transformation and union of being. During the course, you break the bonds of ordinary awareness of self and surroundings and expand your consciousness to a level where you feel more connected to everything around you. You learn to see beauty in all beings and the flow of positive energy becomes almost apparent to you.

Surrounded by like-minded people, filled with same zeal and notions, you begin to transform step by step on all three levels of transformation that yoga brings.

Physical Transformation (Tapas):  This phase of transformation helps us bring changes in our lives that we have always wanted. We learn how by only transforming ourselves we can bring any change in the world. We become enthusiastic towards positive actions. This change is quite different from the generally experienced, adrenaline rush that only creates desperation of movement for a moment, while through Tapas we achieve eternal activeness, since it not only makes us passionate but compassionate as well.

Mental Transformation (Svadhayaya): Svadhayaya is a Sanskrit word which means study of self. While we bring changes in our life through tapas, svadhayaya helps us control our thoughts through self-observation. This process of self-exploration and reflection leads to self-expression and helps us release our hidden energy to aid the process of bringing positive changes in ourselves.

Spiritual Transformation (Ishvara Pranidahana): With spiritual alchemy we learn to surrender. We find that we cannot be free until we let go of our ego. And the freedom achieved in this way is eternal. With acceptance and the ability to surrender to universal intelligence we become able to take pain and pleasure with equal readiness.

Today, people are taking yoga teacher training in all parts of world but the true sense of transformation only comes from within under the guidance of a true yogi. For centuries, India has been the knowledge hub of yoga.  Practitioners from all around the world are well aware of the fact that learning yoga in India from Indian yoga teachers has completely different meaning to it. However, it’s not just the place of learning that makes a difference, it’s the awareness of the many benefits you are trying to achieve through yoga and the understanding of the true meaning behind the teaching of yoga that helps evoke such a transformation.

Yoga is a journey from darkness to light that has the power to change, heal and transform a being. It is a cure as well as the prevention to all the physical, mental and spiritual ailments that can threaten a being.

Going to a Residential Yoga School? Know These 3 Practical Things

Becoming a yoga trainer is a life changing experience and the only way you can make it happen as it is supposed to be is by learning the right things in the right manner. Opting for a yoga teacher training only because it suits your schedule and falls in your budget isn’t really a good decision unless you are sure about the authenticity of your yoga retreat’s teachings.

Any yoga teaching class can make you learn to do different postures and other yoga techniques but when you want to become a yoga teacher, you need to learn yoga inside out. The teacher training plays the key part in improving your understanding of yoga. And you should not compromise on this part for any reason, since what you learn reflects in what and how you teach. In fact, many people don’t hesitate even in getting yoga teacher training abroad and fly from their native places to world famous retreats for the purpose. India, being home to the most famous retreats in the world, attracts many practitioners to learn yoga here and get a yoga certification in India.

Going to a residential yoga retreat for yoga teacher training is a big commitment and to make it a pleasant and learning experience ensure a few things about your yoga retreat in accordance to your needs.

Know About the Style: It is important to learn the style that you want to teach in. Some yoga retreats offer teachings in several different styles and let the students decide what style they feel is best suited to them. Focusing on one style is crucial to understand and go deep in that style. Choose your style and make sure that your yoga retreat practices it.

Know What Your Yoga Retreat Teaches: Yoga teaching has two aspects. One is the learning of different physical postures to attain physical fitness and improve body strength. The other is the spiritual aspect, in which a practitioner learns how to become a better being through meditation and yoga. Know your needs and choose how much of which aspect you would want to learn. Once you zero in on a few retreats, check their routine and understand from them what their basic premise of teaching is – fitness or spirituality. This way you will avoid any unpleasant surprises during the course.

Know the Teacher: Before you commit to the program, get to know you teacher better. You can talk to previous students of the school, search on the internet or better, reach out to them and have a conversation to understand their teaching style better. This way your teacher can learn about your needs and goals and guide you accordingly. If you feel that your interactions with the teacher didn’t go as planned you can look for some other retreat. After all, more than the retreat’s name, it’s the teacher and your comfort with him/her that is more important.

Beside these, there are several other ways to know better about a retreat. One effective way is to learn from the experience of its past students so that you can have a good idea about what to expect from the program and what are its expectations from you. A yoga teacher training program is a big decision that involves significant time and money and most importantly a practitioner’s faith in the practice. Hence, a decision should be taken only after extensive research.

3 Skills to Develop to Become a Yoga Teacher

After practicing yoga for a considerable time, some people think of taking their yoga knowledge to new heights while some even think of making a living out of it, by teaching others. To aid this thinking, many yoga retreats offer affordable yoga teacher training programs, so that yoga practitioners can become registered yoga teacher (RYT) and spread yoga teachings, professionally.

Most people think that getting a certificate from a renowned yoga retreat after a month’s practice is sufficient to become a yoga teacher, but that is not enough. You have to evolve the yoga teacher inside you through intense learning and practice.

During the training, practitioners get to learn Patanjali Yoga Sutra, which is the key to understanding the whole concept of yoga. In addition to that, you also need to develop skills on how to make students with different levels of understanding and perceptibility to understand a common concept.

Throughout the world there are many places where aspirants are being taught to become teachers, however many students choose to take their yoga teacher training in India, as they feel that being at one of the schools or retreats there will help them elevate to that level of spirituality which is required for becoming  a good yoga teacher. 

Whether you take your training in India or in your local yoga studio, a few skills can help you in becoming a true and valuable yoga teacher.

Find your Master: The journey to become a yoga teacher begins with the finding of a yoga teacher for yourself – someone whom you admire and can consider your mentor. He can be anybody - your yoga instructor, a fellow practitioner, or an esteemed yogi. You can leverage their teachings and style to get point of reference when you teach your students.  The teacher will help you build integrity in your practice; to be present in the moment and will teach you how we are only medium that simply facilitates the gift of yoga in others (they may not communicate this verbally but if you admire them you will get the message).

Communicate: Besides learning and practicing yoga, it needs to be experienced through constant motivation and encouragement. You were a student once and so you should be able to empathize with your students and help them alleviate their fears. As a teacher, you should communicate with your students, inspire them and make them face and overcome challenges and fears that are rife in the mind of new practitioners. Patience and compassion are the keys to teach any art.  Imply them in your teaching by understanding the needs of your students.

Learn and Innovate with your Students: Yoga teacher training is the beginning of your learning; it is when you start to teach that you really learn how to teach by confronting different natures and needs of your students. Even though you are teaching your students, keep your senses open to learn from them simultaneously. It is only with the help of your students that you develop a style of teaching that is unique to you.
Becoming a yoga teacher is a constant procedure of learning, and you not only learn from your instructor, but also from your colleagues, surroundings and primarily from within.

3 Things to Know About Becoming a Yoga Teacher

While most people learn yoga to lead a healthy lifestyle, a good number also learns it for a greater cause, to become yoga teachers. After practicing yoga for a while, people start to observe some obvious changes in themselves, and discover an internal discipline and connection with the core of their beings. And it’s a natural impulse in human beings to share their beautiful experiences with others. 

Today, yoga is being taught throughout the world, yet India being the birthplace of this great practice, attracts more people than any other place. Every year thousands of people come specially to take yoga training in India. Home to some of the best yoga instructors in the world, yoga retreats in India are known to train practitioners not just to become yoga instructors but true yoga teachers as well.

Yoga teacher training involves comparatively more demanding routine than daily yoga practice. It is an intense personal and professional journey, in which learners are required to remain in the yoga retreats for about a month with a disciplined routine and on a balanced, organic diet.

If you too are looking forward to taking yoga teacher training then these tips will be really useful.

Know Yoga Beyond the Asanas: Most people, including some regular practitioners, have a perception of yoga to be a list of asanas. However, yoga is not limited to body postures alone; it also teaches about universal morality, personal observance, control on breathing and life force energy, control of the senses, cultivating inner perpetual awareness, meditation and union with divine. Including body postures, these are called Ashta-anga (eight limbs) of yoga. For a practitioner, who is on the path of becoming a yoga teacher, knowing these sutras is very important.

Begin the Path of Self-Inquiry: As mentioned above, goal of yoga is not to produce a better physical body but a better being. You take the first step towards it when you become aware of yourself. The process of self-inquiry will make you face your doubts and fears that you previously avoided. Realizing them is important to overcome them and in building a stronger character. Your character reflects in your teaching, and having doubts and fear then, will not convey the true message of yoga teachings.

Seek and Give Support: Become selfless, become ‘We’ from ‘I’. Eventually you realize that, we learn more from our fellow practitioners than from the instructors. It’s not the certificate that really makes you a yoga teacher; you become a yoga teacher when you start helping your companions with their rough spots and start considering them as allies you can learn from.

Yoga teacher training is a pleasant experience in which you build a kinship with many like-minded people. Your entire being transforms and you become aware of the ultimate goal of yoga, the union of mind and body.