When considering the application of Hatha Yoga techniques to daily life, we know that Yoga will change a student's health for the best and improve his or her lifestyle, but it must be gradual. The mind, body, and spirit will not change much in a month, but a year of regular Hatha Yoga practice will yield some significant health changes.
How many Yoga students want an instant life change? Too many - and this is why we should not make unrealistic promises. It is up to the Yoga student to take action, come to classes regularly, and practice what you have taught in your Hatha Yoga classes. It is up to the Hatha Yoga teacher to fill the student's mind with knowledge and encouragement.
If it took decades of neglect for a new student to achieve poor health, how can he or she expect a little bit of Hatha Yoga practice to perform miracles? Every aspect of a student's health will be changed for the better by regular Yoga practice; but this is an "on demand" world, where some people are willing to risk the side-effects of a pill rather than take positive action toward better health.
The natural effects of regular exercise, proper breathing, better posture, improved diet, and self-discipline will result in a Yoga student who is less stressed, has fewer ailments, lives longer, and sleeps better.
When a Yoga student continues to make Hatha Yoga classes a part of his or her life for years - the true value of good health will be felt and seen. This same student will most likely practice Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga or other forms of Yoga "down the road." The benefits of Yoga, in any form, will cause a student to go deeper into his or her personal Yoga practice.
Yoga teaching methodology is how a teacher reaches out to the audience - through the use of teaching, communication, or observation methods.
Student corrections, in regard to Yoga techniques, should be straight to the point; but every Yoga teacher should take care to be tactful in the process. Yoga students come to you for guidance, so keep your ego "in check." A few "rogue" Yoga teachers, who are gruff and condescending, can ruin any student's desire to continue practicing Yoga.
What are the qualities of a good Yoga teacher? There are many, but being able to spot students in need, and still show compassion, is very important. Being able to teach any student is another strong trait. The realization that each Yoga student is uniquely different from each other, and cannot be "cloned," is a milestone in teaching.
Demonstrating and correcting Yoga techniques is only part of the job when teaching Yoga classes. A successful Yoga teacher must communicate with all students throughout the class, and keep the passion for Yoga going.
Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
You may be surprised to hear this, but no one goes into yoga teacher training. I know this for a fact. I have been a yoga instructor for eight years, you see, and yoga practitioner for close to 30. I have studied many styles of yoga including ashtanga, Iyengar, and kundalini yoga. I also studied from many teachers, and took classes in yoga styles all around the world. I am an expert in yoga, but I never set out to be.
Although people do occasionally make the mistake of going into yoga teacher training figuring that it will be an easy path to an easy career, the fact is that the ability to teach yoga only comes about as the result of intense study. I have known many great yoga teachers, and not a single one set out to be one. What they did do is what all great teachers do, no matter what the field. They fell in love with the subject matter that they were studying, and proceeded as far as it would take them.
Although this does often involve taking a program and yoga teacher training, this is only done as a way to advance the study of yoga. You do not learn yoga as a way to complete a class in yoga teacher training. You complete yoga teacher training as way to learn yoga.
If you have been drawn to yoga teaching as a possible career path, I would like to ask you to reconsider this idea. Instead, find another way to make money. Ideally, you should find one that will involve as little time commitment as possible while giving you enough money to live on comfortably. Then, you should study under a teacher who you know and respect.
If your teacher does offer a course in yoga training, so much the better. If the teacher does not, this does not mean that you should go find another teacher. Study with the teacher until you can learn no more from them, and then find someone else to teach you yoga. Yoga teacher training, after all, should only be a step in your quest to master the study of yoga as fully as possible.
You should never leave a good teacher just because they cannot give you the certification that you desire. It is easy to get yoga teacher training. There are many courses that will give you a piece of paper. But what people want to know is if you have studied with good teachers, and if you understand the yoga yourself.
Both Jackie & Albertarticle are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jackie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Yoga Practice, Anger Control and Yoga Practice. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org. Jackie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.