Yoga Instructor Certification - Teaching Students

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP

You must have a deep passion for teaching if you are considering Yoga instructor certification. This is because you will be required to lead students through Yoga classes and help them find their inner peace. To do this, you must be able to make a connection with your students and understand their needs. You must also be able to create a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

About Lesson Plans

Firstly, some styles teach from templates, which are prearranged sequences. I am fine with teachers who work from templates. However, some veteran teachers don’t want to stifle creativity. There is a belief that “Before you can teach a yoga class, you need to develop a lesson plan.” Lesson plan development is a personal exercise in creativity. Lesson plans determine which poses to include, how to sequence them, and how long each pose is held. You also need to decide how to adapt to different student abilities. Once you have a lesson plan, you can start practicing to perfect your technique. Developing a lesson plan is an important part of your personal growth as a Yoga instructor. A good lesson plan will help keep your students engaged and ensure that they are learning and growing with your class material.

Stages of a Modern Class

In the first place, modern Yoga classes revolve around fitness goals. Therefore, it is important to start with an opening, then a warm-up, move on to the main body of the lesson, and end with a closing. Additionally, the warm-up should be designed to gradually get the students’ heart rates up and prepare their bodies for the stretches and poses they will be doing. Likewise, the main body of the lesson is often focused on teaching the students the poses and stretches you want them to learn. Then, the cool-down should be designed to help the students relax their muscles and bring their heart rates down.

Why Do We Become Teachers?

There are many reasons why we teach Yoga. For some of us, it is a way to share our love of Yoga with others. We want to help people experience the joy, peace, and benefits that yoga can bring into their lives. For others of us, teaching is a way to deepen our practice. Therefore, by instructing students, we also focus our attention and connect with our breath. There are many reasons why people become yoga instructors. Some people do it to share their love of Yoga with others, while others do it to help people heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga instructors often deeply understand the human body and how it works. They know how to teach Yoga to help people relax, de-stress, and feel better. Becoming a Yoga instructor is a way to make a positive difference in the world.

Helping the Next Generation

It is important to encourage the next generation of Yoga students. There are many ways to do this. One way is to get certified as a Yoga instructor. This certification will allow you to teach Yoga classes to students of all levels. You will be able to show them the depth of Yogic knowledge, and you will be able to help them improve their practice. Another way to encourage the next generation of students is to set a good example. Show them that you are committed to your practice, and offer them advice and encouragement when they need it. Whether you want to teach Yoga or simply deepen your practice, Yoga instructor certification can provide you with the tools you need to be successful. In addition to learning about the physical aspects of Yoga, you’ll also learn how to prepare students for life off the mat.

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See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about our Yoga instructor certification courses selection. Of course, you may also want to go green with intensive courses.

Yoga Instructor Certification – Teaching Students about Attachment

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed and Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP

How do we begin teaching Yoga students about attachment? According to the Buddha, attachment is one of the primary causes of human suffering. Attachment can come in many forms. We can be attached to romantic partners, Guru, a Yoga teacher, and even to our internal image of ourselves. The level and depth of our attachment are like an intricate spider’s web. Attachment is an important concept in Yoga. It refers to the idea that we are attached to things in our lives that we may not even realize.

Teaching Students About Being Present

Of course, attachments can be to material possessions, but they can also be to people or ideas. In Yoga, we learn to let go of these attachments and live in the present moment. This can be a difficult concept for yoga students to grasp, but it is an important one. As a Yoga instructor, it is your job to help your students understand this concept and how it can help them live a more peaceful life. When you become a certified Yoga instructor, you will learn how to teach your students the importance of being present. This means being aware of their breath, body, and surroundings. It also means being in the moment and not letting their thoughts wander. Once they master this, they can find peace and calm in any situation.

Internal Image

As the cherished internal image, dream of the perfect career, spiritual teacher, or romantic partner fades into the distance, depression, and despair may rapidly ensue. By offering your Yoga students some of the timeless wisdom of the Yoga Sutras and other classic spiritual texts during class, you will help to enable them to sail through the shifting tides of their lives with less anguish. A yoga instructor certification can help set you apart in your practice and lifestyle. It shows that you have undergone the necessary training to be a safe and effective yoga instructor. The internal image of a yoga instructor is someone calm, collected, and knowledgeable. They have a deep understanding of the human body and how it works. They know how to properly align the body and use props when needed.

Practicing Generosity

This is one of the critical inner practices of Yoga. According to the Bhagavad Gita, one of the antidotes to attachment is generosity. If we pause to contemplate our attachment to objects, goals, or other people, it makes common sense that expanding our inner state or “bhav” through the practice of generosity will ease the bonds of attachment. One of the best things about being a yoga instructor is the opportunity to help people grow in their practice. This is especially true when it comes to teaching beginners. When you see someone new come to class, it’s an opportunity to be generous with your time and attention. Helping them feel comfortable and supported can make all the difference in their experience. It’s a chance to give back to the yoga community and help create a space where people can feel welcome and find peace.

Stages of Personal Growth

For example, suppose you have a student in your class who is a solid intermediate Yoga practitioner and wants to take a yoga instructor certification course. In that case, you may have to gently persuade your student that he or she needs some more practice before engaging in an advanced training program. This may be quite easy, understandable, and come as no surprise to your student. There are many reasons why people choose to get certified as yoga instructors. For some, it is a way to deepen their practice and understanding of yoga. For others, it is a way to share their love of yoga with others and help them improve their practice.

A Journey of Joy Without End

Becoming a certified yoga instructor requires completing several stages of personal growth regardless of our choice. The first stage is learning about the different styles of yoga and finding the one that resonates with you the most. You will also need to develop a strong personal practice and learn how to effectively teach yoga techniques. The next stage is about refining your skills and expanding your knowledge base. This includes taking additional courses, attending workshops, and reading books. This is followed by the joy of being able to share your knowledge and passion for yoga with others. As you continue to teach, you will likely find that your students progress in their practice, which can be a very rewarding experience. Seeing your students grow and develop is one of the most joyful aspects of being a yoga instructor.

Generosity of Spirit

In this case, recommending that your student be generous with time by allowing his or her practice to deepen and expand naturally will help alleviate the suffering of being overly attached to signing up for an advanced level Yoga teacher training program right now! Truly speaking, the root antidote to attachment begins with a sense of ease and generosity towards ourselves as Yoga practitioners in all areas of our lives. Practicing this sense of ease and generosity of spirit with ourselves can help to loosen the bonds of attachment, ease suffering and fill our hearts with joy and unconditional love. That said, teaching Yoga students is the most rewarding work. A key component to being a successful yoga instructor is the generosity of spirit. This means you must be willing to give yourself fully to your students. You should be patient, kind, and helpful. You should also be able to create a safe and supportive environment for your students.

Teaching Yoga Effectively

The generosity of spirit will help you build trust and rapport with your students, which is essential for teaching Yoga effectively. To be a good Yoga instructor, you need to be able to effectively teach the poses and breathing exercises. You also need to be able to motivate your students and help them stay focused. It’s important to create a safe and comfortable environment for your students. Finally, you need to be able to keep your classes interesting and enjoyable.

See our testimonials to find out what our graduates have to say about teaching yoga students and our selection of affordable Hatha Yoga instructor certification programs.

Yoga Instructor Certification – Handouts

By Sangeetha Saran

Some yoga instructor certification courses fail to provide you with handouts for your students. For this reason, this post exists. Yoga for sleep and Yoga Nidra are vast subjects for which you could develop workshops. However, it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you want to cover over a 1-3 day workshop. Lack of sleep is something that most of us have experienced now and then. The difference between sleep and insomnia could be a matter of gentle yoga practice. Whether you are a yoga instructor or a student, below this paragraph is a handout for yoga practice before bedtime.

General Overview

You may have already found that when you take time to unwind a little before bedtime, you fall asleep faster and sleep better throughout the night. Yoga before bedtime gives your body and mind the transition time to release the day and prepare for sleep. While some yoga poses can be invigorating, many poses, breathing techniques, and meditations are perfect for bedtime.

Head-to-Knee

Begin in a seated position, with both legs stretched out in front of you and your toes flexed. You can bend one knee by pulling the foot into the pelvic area if it’s more comfortable. Take a deep inhale and exhale as you bend forward from the hips. Keep your spine long as you reach toward your toes. When you’ve gone as far forward as possible, relax your head and neck as you fold into the stretch and breathe for a few minutes. Repeat on the other side if you bent your knee to begin. Adapt this pose by placing a folded blanket or cushion under your bottom.

Bound Angle

Sit tall with the soles of your feet pressed together. Place your hands on your feet or ankles, pulling the feet as close to the body as possible and pressing the knees toward the floor. Keep the spine tall. Optionally, you may fold the upper body forward, relaxing the head and neck and keeping the spine straight. Hold the pose for several breaths. Bound Angle Pose is good for sleep preparation. It helps to calm the mind and relax the body. It is also helpful in relieving stress and tension.

Reclined Twist

Lie on your back, pulling the knees into the chest. Let both knees drop to the right side of the body, twisting from the waist. Extend the left arm straight from the shoulder and gently place the right hand on the left knee, applying a little pressure to the legs. Keep your head straight, or let it fall to the left. Repeat on the other side. Taking a reclined twist before bed can help students sleep better. This position helps release tension in the back and shoulders and massages the organs in the abdominal cavity. This can help to improve digestion and eliminate toxins from the body. This posture also helps to calm the mind and prepare the body for a restful night’s sleep.

Breathe

End your stretching session with nice, deep breathing to take you to dreamland. You might even consider trying this part in bed. Lie flat on your back and consciously relax every muscle in your body from the tips of your toes to the top of your head. Don’t forget your face muscles and the jaw. Picture each muscle becoming soft and relaxed. Breathe deeply through your nose, filling your entire abdomen and chest cavity. Slowly exhale. Let your thoughts wander, and don’t stop to focus on any one thought or worry. Continue breathing in and out through the nose for about five minutes.

Summary

Some students have no idea that a gentle yoga training session before bedtime can help anyone get a good night’s sleep. A mild practice and a cup of chamomile tea will help you to enjoy sweet dreams. Yoga instructor certification courses usually sharpen your writing skills during training. So, you can develop a lesson plan that suits students with the same interests. Therefore, creating or modifying techniques to help your students could be a great way to begin monthly workshops for your students.

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