Find a Great Yoga Teacher: 5 Questions You Must Ask to Find a Qualified Yoga Teacher

Posted: Jun 10, 2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 283 | Bookmark and Share

Yoga provides great stress relief and other health benefits. The Mayo Clinic recommends yoga for stress management and relaxation, and medical journal articles have proven yoga's effectiveness in treating serious medical conditions such as arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression and multiple sclerosis.

How do you make sure that you get the great stress relief and other benefits of yoga? Easy! Ask any yoga teacher the questions listed below. If the teacher's answers closely match the ideal answers, you have found a great teacher.

QUESTION 1: DO YOU PRACTICE YOGA NOW?

IDEAL ANSWER 1: YES, I PRACTICE YOGA EVERY DAY.

If you wanted to learn to ride a bicycle, would you take lessons from someone who wrote a book about bicycles but had never actually ridden a bike? Only if you wanted to find the quickest way to fall off the bicycle! No amount of reading or theoretical knowledge will enable you to understand how to ride a bicycle. Sooner or later you have to get on the bike. The same is true of yoga. Only someone who is currently practicing yoga can safely and effectively teach you how to do yoga.

QUESTION 2: ARE YOU CURRENTLY TAKING LESSONS WITH A YOGA TEACHER?

IDEAL ANSWER: YES, I STUDY WITH A QUALIFIED TEACHER IN A RECOGNIZED YOGA TEACHING STYLE.

Even your yoga teacher needs a yoga teacher. Why? Yoga is a process, and there is always more to learn. Everyone learns more about yoga by getting feedback from a great teacher. You want your yoga teacher to be aware of the latest discoveries on how to teach yoga. The best way for your teacher to do this is to take lessons with another yoga teacher.

QUESTION 3: WHAT TYPE OF YOGA DO YOU TEACH, AND HOW DID THAT STYLE OF TEACHING YOGA DEVELOP?

IDEAL ANSWER: I TEACH "Y" STYLE OF YOGA WHICH HAS EXISTED FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS.

If a yoga teaching style has existed for at least 10 years, the teachers in that system know the best ways to teach and the pitfalls to be avoided. In addition, if a situation comes up that your teacher does not know how to handle, your teacher will be able to ask a more experienced teacher in that teaching style for advice.

QUESTION 4: WHAT TYPE OF YOGA TEACHER TRAINING HAVE YOU HAD?

IDEAL ANSWER: I HAVE COMPLETED (OR AM CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN) A 500 HOUR TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES CLASSES, EXAMS, AND APPRENTICE TEACHING.

Suppose a pipe burst in your house and sent a fountain of water gushing through your kitchen. Uh-oh, you need a plumber! There are two plumbers in your neighborhood: Plumber Smith and Plumber Jones. Plumber Smith used to be an electrician but took a one weekend plumber certification course and is now a plumber. Plumber Jones enrolled in a year long plumbing certification course at a special plumber training school, passed the plumbing certification exam, and apprenticed for one year under a master plumber. Which plumber would you choose?

Since yoga can have an enormous impact on your health, shouldn't you take as much care in choosing a yoga teacher as you would in choosing a plumber? Your yoga teacher should be enrolled in or have completed a yoga teacher training course that lasts at least one year, and includes classes on how to do yoga, classes on how to teach yoga, apprentice teaching under a certified and experienced teacher, and certification exams.

One of the most comprehensive yoga teacher training programs in existence is the Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification Program. If you are new to yoga, or suffer from a disease or injury, I strongly recommend that you seek out a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher.

QUESTION 5: DOES YOUR YOGA TEACHER HAVE A KIND AND EMPATHETIC HEART?

IDEAL ANSWER: YES.

Only you can determine if the answer to this question is yes.

A kind yoga teacher really cares about his or her students.

This doesn't necessarily mean that a teacher is quiet or a pushover. A teacher may speak loudly because your attention has wandered off and he or she is trying to get your attention back. A kind yoga teacher will carefully watch what you are doing, and guide you into doing yoga more correctly. Find a great yoga teacher, follow his or her instructions, and the health and stress relief benefits of yoga will be yours!

(ArticlesBase SC #444950)

Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 2 vote(s)
    Feedback
    RSS
    Print
    Email
    Re-Publish

    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/find-a-great-yoga-teacher-5-questions-you-must-ask-to-find-a-qualified-yoga-teacher-444950.html

    Article Tags:

    Yoga

    ,

    Yoga Instructor

    ,

    Yoga teacher

    ,

    find a yoga teacher

    Yoga Inspired Coaching Tips

    Kris Ward- Creator of The Abundant Yogi Life LAUNCH Program & Trikaya Yoga shares her yoga-inspired insights for playing a BIG game. (04:34)

    No Ordinary Yoga Teacher

    After a car accident left him partially paralyzed, Matthew Sanford discovered that yoga could make his body feel whole again. Now he teaches others how to feel well again after injury. (03:52)

    How to Make Shoulder Rolls in Prenatal Yoga

    Kathy Duke, yoga teacher, shows the basics of prenatal yoga, specifically how to make shoulder rolls. (04:05)

    How to Make the Bound Ankle Pose in Prenatal Yoga

    Kathy Duke, yoga teacher, shows the basics of prenatal yoga, specifically how to make the bound ankle pose. (02:30)

    How to Make the L Pose in Prenatal Yoga

    Kathy Duke, yoga teacher, shows the basics of prenatal yoga, specifically how to make the l pose. (02:39)

    Maybe your doctor, chiropractor, physical therapist, or best friend told you Yoga would be good for you. You have heard so much about Yoga; it seems that Yoga is a "cure" for almost anything. The more you hear, the more confusing it is to understand what Yoga is all about.

    By: anonymous l Writing > Non-Fiction l May 14, 2007 l Views: 12
    Bertil Hjert

    Have you considered to become a yoga instructor? It may prove to be a lucrative career for you. It will give boost to your hobby, keep you in food health and also provide you some money. If you are serious about becoming a yoga instructor, here are some important steps you can easily follow in order to fulfill your ambition

    By: Bertil Hjert l Sports and Fitness > Yoga l May 17, 2008 l Views: 167

    Lately, Prenatal Yoga classes have been catching on, within some hospitals, clinics, and Yoga studios, but there are a surprising number of Yoga teachers and students, who take risks due to a lack of awareness about potential hazards.

    By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. l Writing > Non-Fiction l Jun 24, 2006 l Views: 213

    Yoga is a proven method of maintaining physical and mental health. There are numerous techniques and each one has its special effect on our health. It is impossible to discuss all those techniques here in this small article, but a short discussion about the yoga basics can be helpful for...

    By: Roberto Sedycias l Health l May 14, 2009 l Views: 28

    Being a yoga instructor is a very rewarding career, especially if you have a passion for helping others grow mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

    By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. l Sports and Fitness > Yoga l Mar 17, 2008 l Views: 699

    We know that Yoga training helps people in every aspect of health. However, Partner Yoga integrates Yoga with touch, bonding, and sometimes, a bit of humor.

    By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. l Education > Tutoring l Apr 24, 2006 l Views: 224

    What are employers looking for in a newly-hired Yoga instructor? The needs of employers are straight forward: Any facility, which hires a Yoga teacher, is looking for safety, competence, and certification.

    By: Paul M. Jerard Jr. l Sports and Fitness > Yoga l Jun 25, 2008 l Views: 125

    Deciding that you want to start doing yoga is the first step. It is often a stopping block here. Below outlines some of the steps you will need to take to kickstart and start enjoying the pleasures and benefits of yoga.

    By: Cindy Heller l Health l Mar 28, 2008 l Views: 44

    Nowadays, people want to look perfect and are conscious about even the smallest details of their looks. A lot of attention is paid not only to the face and body, but also the colour of teeth.

    By: Jessica Thomson l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    Nicotine is an alkaloid; and, it is found in the green leaves of numerous types of plants. In essence, the prime source of nicotine is the extract of dried leaves of tobacco plants. These are used for making pipes, cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and a drug called snuff.

    By: Ross Jacky l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    The effects of tobacco on the health of the smokers in addition to other people through passive smoke in the air, the ever increasing cost of sustaining the habit and the tax amount charged by the governments are all well understood by smokers that indulge in smoking.

    By: Ross Jacky l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    Thermoskin was established in Austrailia in 1985 and were designed as the first supports which retained body heat and used it to help speed up recovery time. Thermoskin are pioneers in orthapeadic soft products and they have a first class depth of knowledge and technical understanding that has allowed them...

    By: Jason Lowe l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    The plea for herbal remedies has enlarged drastically. Persons are in search of herbal cures for several unusual conditions. Nonetheless, this section is committed to an herbal cure for gout.

    By: Reginald Beck l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    Knowing what the triggers are is half the battle when trying to effective deal with rhinitis. Here are 5 well known triggers and suggestions for dealing with them.

    By: Debbie Davis l Health l Feb 09, 2010

    Pet Insurance VPI is the oldest pet insurance company, and they offer some of the best coverage plans available for you and your pet. Keep your pet safe, with pet insurance vpi.

    By: Moses Henry l Health l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    There are signs of diabetes that must wake you up; you must listen to what your body is saying because it can save your life. The diabetic is dying daily in their cells.

    By: Scott Waye l Health l Feb 09, 2010 l Views: 1

    Unless you have been on Mars preparing a welcome for NASA's Mars rover, you are probably aware that many people practice Iyengar Yoga for stress relief and other health benefits. However, up until now, no one has compiled a quick and easy to use list of excuses for NOT doing yoga....

    By: Deborah Rummelhart l Health l Aug 13, 2008 l Views: 198

    Yoga provides great stress relief and other health benefits. The Mayo Clinic recommends yoga for stress management and relaxation, and medical journal articles have proven yoga's effectiveness in treating serious medical conditions such as arthritis, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, depression and multiple sclerosis. How do you make sure that you...

    By: Deborah Rummelhart l Health l Jun 10, 2008 l Views: 283

    Add new Comment

     
    * Required fields
    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    0