Yoga Teacher Training - What You Can Expect to Learn

If you are just beginning a yoga teacher training program, you may be concerned about the level of knowledge that you should have before the training begins. However, there is no need to worry if you don't know your capitulum from your clavicle or your pranayama from plain old yama. Any respectable yoga teacher training course will cover yoga history, philosophy, anatomy, physiology, asana, aryuveda, meditation, breathing techniques, pranayama, Sanskrit, dialogue sessions, and practice teaching.

If you know that one or more of these subjects are near and dear to your heart than I suggest seeking out a school that has a focus on that particular aspect of yoga. Some of the more popular yoga styles are Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Bikram, and ISHTA Yoga.

The focus of your curriculum in a yoga program will depend on what kind of studio you select. If you're more concerned with the spiritual side of yoga perhaps a Hatha or Kundalini studio may be right for you. In a Hatha teacher training, you can expect to get a firm knowledge of the basic yoga poses while learning to practice and guide meditations. Kundalini studios will emphasize breathing, meditation, and chanting while challenging you with a few sequences that can be intense.

If you are interested in a more vigorous work out, or perhaps would like to teach in a gym, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, or Bikram maybe more to your liking. Vinyasa is a general term used to describe a yoga style that focuses on linking the breath with body movement through a series of poses referred to as a "flow". Ashtanga is the precursor to what is commonly known as power yoga because of the relentless movement involved in the sequence.

An Iyengar teacher training course will spend a lot of time focusing on Anatomy and physical alignment. ISHTA Yoga teacher trainer courses blend the study of Hatha, Tantra, and Ayurvedic practices and philosophies. Each teacher training is a unique process of self discovery and can have a profound impact on you and the students who take your class.

If you are interested in teaching, it is a good idea to choose a studio that is respected within the yoga community. I would recommend asking to see an old syllabus or manual if the school can provide one. This is a good indicator as to the level of organization and professionalism you will encounter at that studio. They may only allow you to peruse their manual briefly since you are not a student, but you can at least make sure it covers the aforementioned general topics.

The majority of reputable yoga studios will also spend a good amount of time teaching you about the business side of yoga. This includes but is not limited to ethics of being a teacher of yoga, when and how you need to insure yourself, sound advice on opening your own studio, and ways you can polish up your resume in order to get a job teaching. Last but not least, whether you want to teach or just expand your knowledge, it is a good idea to take your ishtayoga.com/teacher_training yoga teacher training course from a Yoga Alliance Certified school.

Roque L. Rodriguez III is a poet and yoga instructor in New York, NY. He is currently taking the 300-hour ishtayoga.com/teacher_training yoga teacher training course at ISHTA Yoga NYC.