Who Should Be Allowed To Teach Yoga To The Public?

Once in a while, you read, or hear, an opinion about who should teach Yoga, how many years or hours of training is required, pre-requisites, and the physical requirements of teaching. So, how do you decipher through all of this information? To make it simple, please know, at the time of this writing, Yoga is largely "self-regulated."

Governments are consumed with other matters, such as: Healthcare, feeding the poor, taxes, national defense, public education, enforcing existing laws, and much more. The reason why Yoga has become self-regulated is due to the proactive attitude of teachers and organizations from within the industry.

On top of that, Yoga is diversified. Some styles address physical health, while others address mental, spiritual, or emotional health. Some Yoga styles contain a mix of methods for all forms of health. Despite a sudden growth in global popularity, most of the world population is still unclear as to what is Yoga.

Just ask your family physician about Yoga. Some will clearly know, while others will readily admit, they do not. In western medicine, it is hard enough to keep up with all of the new prescription drugs and their side effects. Can we fault a physician for doing his, or her, best to keep up with everything?

So, who would you like to see in charge of Yoga? Hopefully, a board of Yoga teachers would be responsible, but would each one favor his, or her, style in the process? There is bound to be some bias. So, which is more important, a perfect head stand or in-depth knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita?

If the above-mentioned question strikes you as silly, it was meant to be. Yoga teachers should have diverse knowledge of all Yogic aspects. This will help students, who have different needs, and wish to improve their lives. Anyone who helps someone is practicing a lifestyle we know as Karma Yoga. Who should be allowed to help others - is a curious thought.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. aurawellnesscenter.com aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html