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Those who have taken their love for the discipline of yoga, and turned it into a profession, report a remarkably high level of job satisfaction. Whether you want to start your own business, or simply want to teach a few yoga classes per week, quality training is essential.

The number of yoga schools, and courses available, is staggering. It’s often confusing in trying to decide which one is the best. To get started on the road to yoga certification, it helps to understand how yoga instructors are certified.

In order to receive yoga certification, as an instructor, a prospective student completes a minimum of 200 hours of training. The 200 hours are divided between a number of areas. Much of the training focuses on the various techniques, positions, and principles, of yoga.

Several hours are also spent on aspects, such as the philosophy and history of yoga, anatomy and physiology, teaching methods, and ethics. Since different yoga schools often have a slightly different focus, flexibility is allowed – with several hours given to a more intense study of the school’s specialty.

One of the most important components of the training is the practicum aspect. Students must spend several hours observing, and training, in designing lesson plans for actual yoga schools/classes. Upon successful completion of 200 hours of training, the student is granted Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT) status.

Students, who wish to pursue their study of yoga, and yoga teaching, can go on to complete another 300 hours of training. This level of training covers more intensive study of anatomy and physiology, and a deeper look at the different branches of yoga. It also includes a study of the yoga scriptures (such as the Bhagavad Gita). Additionally, it incorporates student teaching and observation of teaching methods in a yoga class setting.

There are myriads of other training courses offered for yoga instructors. However, not all of these courses lead to yoga certification. If you are thinking of taking a course, make sure you understand what your qualifications will be once you’ve completed the course.

Many courses offer a deeper study of a particular aspect, or branch, of yoga, such as Iyengar, Kundalini, Bikram, and others. These are valuable sources of information for those who are considering the path of yoga teacher certification, but desire to focus on one particular discipline.

Finding a yoga teacher training school, with a professional teacher trainer on the staff, is one way to ensure your success as a yoga instructor.

Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Just like any other subject that requires communication skills, you have to finely tune your speaking skills, if you want to become a Yoga teacher. Students will continue to come back to your classes because of interaction, social atmosphere, and intellectual stimulation.

The art and science of public speaking is still a major “drawing card,” whenever people gather in groups. If you attend local meetings for charities, business, city government, public schools, or religious centers, you will notice a few speakers, who stand out from the rest.

Yoga sessions are no different because you are giving detailed instructions to your students. You demonstrate, cue, assist, and cue again. Sometimes fitness- based Yoga classes do not have the same public speaking aspect.

Granted, the Yoga instructor who is teaching a fitness-based class may be shouting out instructions, in between breaths, but much detailed information is missed, when a teacher is out of breath.

The key to better communication, in your classes, when you teach fitness, flow, Vinyasa, or power Yoga, is to demonstrate the first round. After that, walk around the room communicating and assisting your students. In this way, you are observing, helping, and maintaining a communication link, through clear instruction with your class.

As a result of your efforts to communicate, students will clearly understand that class time is set aside for them. When a Yoga instructor does not bother to communicate, assist, or make eye contact, a student may get the feeling he or she has become one of the outermost parts of the class.

This is a difficult situation for students, as they want recognition for their efforts. In life, this is what most of us want, from the moment we are born. There are some people who would demand all of your time, if you give it to them.

However, it should be noted that when you give your best effort to your class, as a collective group, you have done what is required. Yoga teachers who stay after class to answer questions are very special. Taking the time to spread the word of this science of life, which we know as “Yoga,” is a noble cause indeed.

As teachers, each of us is different, and we will emphasize different aspects of Yoga, based upon our personal preferences. Yet, communication is an essential part of the skill-set required to become a Yoga teacher. With that said, your communication skills should be perfected to the point where they become a natural part of you.

Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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niroga.org Malika Omawale leads her fellow peers in a couple rounds of Kapalabhati pranayama. The NIroga Integral Health Fellowship (IHF) Yoga Teacher Training program is a two year program based in Berkeley, Ca designed to teach men and women of color to become Yoga instructors

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