By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP
A mindfulness meditation teacher training course will provide you with the tools and knowledge to teach others how to meditate. You will learn how to lead a meditation class, create a meditation practice, and cultivate a personal meditation practice. In addition, you will explore the theoretical underpinnings of mindfulness meditation and learn about its origins and applications in modern life. The course will also allow you to deepen your mindfulness meditation practice.
Enhance Your Practice
A mindfulness meditation teacher training course will help to enhance your practice by providing you with an in-depth understanding of the theory and practice of mindfulness meditation. The course will also allow you to learn from experienced meditation teachers and develop teaching skills. The course will cover various topics, including the history and origins of mindfulness meditation, its key principles and practices, how to teach mindfulness meditation, and how to integrate mindfulness into your own life.
Time for Research
You will also have the opportunity to explore the scientific evidence for mindfulness meditation’s benefits and learn about the latest research in this field. Upon completing the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach mindfulness meditation to others. In addition, you will have gained a deeper understanding of mindfulness meditation, which will further enhance your practice.
Foundation of Practice
How do I become a mindfulness meditation teacher? If you’re interested in becoming a mindfulness meditation teacher, you should know a few things. First, you’ll need to have a strong foundation in mindfulness meditation practice. It’s important to meditate effectively to teach it well to others. There are many ways to learn mindfulness meditation, including practice, attending classes, journaling, streaming videos, books, audio programs, and courses.
Development
Once you’ve developed your practice, you may want to consider taking a teacher training course. These can provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to start teaching classes or leading groups. It’s also important to be familiar with the different types of mindfulness meditation programs that are available.
Looking at Options
There are many different approaches to teaching mindfulness, so you must find one that resonates with you and your students. If you’re ready to start your journey as a mindfulness meditation teacher, the first step is to develop your practice. Once you have a solid grounding in mindfulness meditation, you can begin exploring teacher training options.
Where to Teach
There are many places where you can teach mindfulness meditation. These settings present unique opportunities to help people learn and practice mindfulness meditation. Hospitals are often stressful places, and mindfulness meditation can help patients and staff manage stress and promote healing. Schools can benefit from incorporating mindfulness meditation into the curriculum, as it can help students to focus and de-stress. Workplaces can also benefit from mindfulness meditation, as it can help employees to cope with stress and increase productivity. Community centers offer a place for people to come together and learn about mindfulness meditation in a supportive environment.
Certification Requirements
What qualifications do I need to be a mindfulness meditation teacher? To be a mindfulness meditation teacher, you must have completed a mindfulness meditation teacher training program. In addition, it is recommended that you have experience meditating and teaching others how to meditate.
Time Required
How long does it take to be a mindfulness meditation teacher? Each program is different and may vary from two months to two years. Becoming a mindfulness meditation teacher will take some time and effort. The first step is to find a reliable and accredited training program. After that, you will need to complete the course requirements, which can vary depending on your chosen program. Once you have completed the training, you must pass a final exam to become certified.
Which Age Groups are Best?
Mindfulness meditation can be taught to students of any age, though the techniques may need to be adapted slightly to suit different age groups. It is important to remember that each individual will learn and progress at their own pace, so it is important to be patient and adapt the teaching accordingly. Each teacher tends to prefer working with an age group so it is important to find teaching positions that make everyone comfortable.
Children
For young children, it can be helpful to use props or games to help them understand and engage with the practice. A more traditional approach may be taken for older children and adolescents, but it is still important to ensure that the meditation is accessible and relevant to them. With all students, it is important to create a safe and comfortable environment where they feel free to express themselves and ask questions.
Atmosphere
Meditation should never be forced or made into a competition. The goal is for each student to find their way into a state of mindfulness to reap the benefits of this practice in their daily lives.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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Best Meditation Techniques for Children
By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP
What are the best meditation techniques for children? Kids have open minds in comparison to adults. Meditation provides many benefits for children. It allows them to tap into inner peace, improves concentration, builds self-confidence, and provides a healthy outlet for stress and negative energy. Yoga instructors can teach children some simple techniques to begin a steady meditation practice that they can build upon throughout life. This gives kids the life skills and self-confidence to help them through life’s daily challenges.
Feel Your Breath (Mindful Pranayama)
Breathing is an important component of any meditative practice. Children can learn how to become mindful of their breathing by concentrating on their breath. They can sit or lie in a comfortable position. Then, their Yoga instructor should ask them to place their hands on their bellies while they inhale very deeply and exhale slowly and steadily. After a few rounds of deep breaths, the Yoga teacher should ask the children what they noticed about their bellies during the breathing. The belly should move out with the inhale, like filling up a balloon and deflating on the exhale. If children lie down, they can place a stuffed animal on their bellies to help see it rise and fall with their breath.
Shavasana Relaxation Techniques
Relaxation techniques allow children to let go of obstacles, which makes focusing difficult. Shavasana (Corpse pose) teaches children to become aware of the different parts of their bodies. With practice, they will learn to release tension from the entire body through stillness and concentration. Teach children to lie on their backs, arms at their sides, and palms facing up. Ask them to close their eyes or soften their gaze.
Scanning
As they lay without talking, guide them to relax each body part. Tell them to focus on their toes and feet, wiggling them a bit and bringing them to stillness. Travel up the legs, stopping at the calves, knees, stomach, hands, arms, shoulders, and so on. If you teach a preschool class, focus on large body parts. Yoga teachers can be more specific with older kids, focusing on smaller muscle groups, like the facial muscles.
Animal Sounds
Ask children to sit in Easy Pose (Sukasana) with their legs crossed. They can place their hands on their knees, in a prayer position, or perhaps, Gyan Mudra, where the thumb and forefinger of each hand press into each other. Ask them to breathe deeply, fill up the abdomen and chest, and then slowly exhale.
Exhaling Sounds
After a few warm-up breaths, ask them to add a sound to the exhale. Examples include buzzing like a bee, hissing like a snake, shushing some to be quiet, or a more traditional “Om.” This silly “game” will prepare children for future meditative practices with mantras or pranayama.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
Can Gratitude Be a Form of Meditation?
By Faye Martins
I attended a teacher intensive at Aura Wellness Center in Attleboro, Massachusetts, on meditation in 2006. At that intensive, Paul taught us so many forms of meditation throughout the weekend that I filled a notebook. One method that stuck in my mind was a mantra meditation that is so easy to practice. It consists of just two syllables, and both are English words.
Easy Mantra
Sometimes, this mantra helps me in prayer; sometimes, this mantra helps me gain control of my breath; and sometimes, this mantra helps me to meditate or relax. Here are the two magic words: “Thank You.” For breath awareness purposes, “thank” goes well with an inhale, and “you” goes well with an exhale. Until 2006, I never met anyone who could break down the most complicated ideas into easy and mentally digestible concepts.
Many Styles
The concept can be intimidating, with teachers and bestsellers touting an endless array of meditation styles. As soon as we think we have figured it out, another workshop or article makes us wonder if we are meditating, much less doing it correctly. No wonder the process seems so mysterious and confusing.
Confusion
Sadly, there are times when meditation is like religion or politics; controversy may stem from an individual interpretation of words rather than major differences in beliefs. For thousands of years, teachers have taught all kinds of meditation – regardless of whether it was called mindfulness, centering prayer, Yoga, qigong, or one of many other names. Many styles have survived over those thousands of years, indicating their universal truth, but the question of whether one is “better” than the other remains.
Gratitude Controversy
Some readers, implying that meditation is far more esoteric and mystical, vehemently challenged a blogger’s recent claim that simple gratitude can be a form of meditation. Although Buddhist monks have recognized the act as a part of their mindfulness techniques for thousands of years, scientists are now supporting their claims in studies at leading institutions worldwide.
Research
In research done by doctors at the University of California and Southern Methodist University, there were three groups of participants. Each group wrote in a diary daily.
The first Group recorded everything that happened.
A second Group recorded only what they perceived as unpleasant events.
The third Group made a list of things for which they were grateful.
Below are the changes in the group that practiced gratitude.
Participants were more alert, optimistic, enthusiastic, and energetic.
They exercised more regularly.
The group experienced less depression and fewer stress-related concerns.
Participants were more apt to go out of their way to help others.
Group members came closer to fulfilling their personal goals.
They were more likely to feel loved.
Using a Diary
In 2010, “The Clinical Psychology Review” published additional research to support the benefits of appreciation. The findings showed that people who are thankful for the positive aspects of their lives are less likely to suffer from psychological stress and recover more quickly from trauma and stress. Adolescents also experienced more satisfaction in school after they learned to express gratitude, a simple act that consisted of writing down three to five things in a diary each day.
Clarity
Author and psychotherapist Richard Carlson once said, “When you’re feeling grateful, your mind is clear, and therefore you have access to your greatest wisdom and common sense. You see the big picture.” That sounds like the results of meditation, but if it works, does it matter what we call it?
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
impressive and highly informative article
Meditation is far more esoteric and mystical, vehemently challenged a blogger’s recent claim that simple gratitude can be a form of meditation. Thanks for sharing this nice concept.
Teachers have taught all kinds of meditation – regardless of whether it was called mindfulness, centering prayer so gratitude may be a form of meditation.