How to Choose a Yoga Practice
Posted On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at
at
12:14 PM
by test
While many people associate yoga with physical exercise, yoga is more than just a
system of stretches and postures. In its largest sense, yoga is a way of life—a comprehensive
system of thought that can provide valuable insight into how best to live your life, including
not only care of the physical, but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of
your being. This system has evolved over millennia to offer advice and counsel on such
varied topics as diet, exercise, breath, meditation, career, right thinking, right work, and
much more. Consequently, various branches of yoga have developed that place varying
degrees of emphasis on each of these aspects. Throughout this book, you will find detailed
information that will enable you to pick and choose what seems most appropriate to your
own current needs and desires.
How to Choose a Yoga Teacher
Central to the traditional practice of yoga is the teacher, sometimes known as a guru
(literally “dispeller of darkness” in Sanskrit). Yoga has largely been preserved and transmitted
through an oral tradition. The teacher plays an important role in communicating the
wisdom of the yoga tradition, and also serves as an experienced coach to guide the student
on the path of yoga. While it is not necessary to have a teacher to study yoga, practicing yoga with a teacher can be an invaluable experience. This does not mean that you have to
become a disciple of a touted guru. Simply taking a class at the local health club, community
center, or adult education facility can provide you with helpful instruction in the
basics of yoga, as well as offer a supportive environment created by like-minded individuals
as you begin or continue to explore the world of yoga.
There are many factors to consider in selecting a teacher. The following tips can help
you get started in finding the teacher or class that’s right for you:
■ Yoga is both an art and a discipline. As in any healing art, extent of formal
training, years of experience, and natural gifts are all important criteria in
selecting a teacher.
■ Find out what style of yoga the teacher practices. Some styles of yoga are
gentle and easy, while others can be physically demanding. Match the style
of the teacher and the type of yoga he or she teaches to your own style and
needs.
■ Check the teacher and/or sponsoring organization’s background. Unlike some
other healthcare fields, there is no legal requirement for yoga teachers to be
certified or otherwise credentialed. Many teachers seek certification from nationally
recognized organizations, while many others do not. Backgrounds
vary widely: Find out as much as you can about the specific training of any
prospective teacher.
■ Ask for personal recommendations from friends, healthcare providers, fitness
specialists, and other individuals whose judgment you value. Personal recommendation
can be the best way of finding a good teacher. However, try to
pinpoint what the individual providing the referral likes about the teacher:
What your friend values may be different from what you value.
■ Check for professional affiliations. Many yoga teachers join professional associations,
which maintain minimum standards of training and experience, and
require members to adhere to a code of ethical conduct.
■ If possible, observe a class in advance or attend a single class before committing
to a longer series. Note the attitude and behavior of the teacher. Is he or
she professional? Respectful? Someone with whom you feel you could work
well?
■ Look for notices in your local health food store, metaphysical bookstore, or
alternative healing center. You can also find advertisements and listings of
yoga teachers in magazines such as Yoga Journal, Yoga International, and other
nationally or locally syndicated publications catering to healthy living. Be
aware that these are often paid advertisements and do not necessarily represent
the best teachers, or the one who may be right for you.
■ Be aware of any teacher who promises specific results, in particular, dramatic
health cures. A teacher’s role is to guide you in the instruction of yoga, not
serve as a medical practitioner.
■ Any fees the teacher charges should be within the prevailing range for your
geographic area and the background of the teacher. Expect to pay up to around $20 for a 60- to 90-minute group class, and around $30 to $100 per hour for
private instruction
system of stretches and postures. In its largest sense, yoga is a way of life—a comprehensive
system of thought that can provide valuable insight into how best to live your life, including
not only care of the physical, but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of
your being. This system has evolved over millennia to offer advice and counsel on such
varied topics as diet, exercise, breath, meditation, career, right thinking, right work, and
much more. Consequently, various branches of yoga have developed that place varying
degrees of emphasis on each of these aspects. Throughout this book, you will find detailed
information that will enable you to pick and choose what seems most appropriate to your
own current needs and desires.
How to Choose a Yoga Teacher
Central to the traditional practice of yoga is the teacher, sometimes known as a guru
(literally “dispeller of darkness” in Sanskrit). Yoga has largely been preserved and transmitted
through an oral tradition. The teacher plays an important role in communicating the
wisdom of the yoga tradition, and also serves as an experienced coach to guide the student
on the path of yoga. While it is not necessary to have a teacher to study yoga, practicing yoga with a teacher can be an invaluable experience. This does not mean that you have to
become a disciple of a touted guru. Simply taking a class at the local health club, community
center, or adult education facility can provide you with helpful instruction in the
basics of yoga, as well as offer a supportive environment created by like-minded individuals
as you begin or continue to explore the world of yoga.
There are many factors to consider in selecting a teacher. The following tips can help
you get started in finding the teacher or class that’s right for you:
■ Yoga is both an art and a discipline. As in any healing art, extent of formal
training, years of experience, and natural gifts are all important criteria in
selecting a teacher.
■ Find out what style of yoga the teacher practices. Some styles of yoga are
gentle and easy, while others can be physically demanding. Match the style
of the teacher and the type of yoga he or she teaches to your own style and
needs.
■ Check the teacher and/or sponsoring organization’s background. Unlike some
other healthcare fields, there is no legal requirement for yoga teachers to be
certified or otherwise credentialed. Many teachers seek certification from nationally
recognized organizations, while many others do not. Backgrounds
vary widely: Find out as much as you can about the specific training of any
prospective teacher.
■ Ask for personal recommendations from friends, healthcare providers, fitness
specialists, and other individuals whose judgment you value. Personal recommendation
can be the best way of finding a good teacher. However, try to
pinpoint what the individual providing the referral likes about the teacher:
What your friend values may be different from what you value.
■ Check for professional affiliations. Many yoga teachers join professional associations,
which maintain minimum standards of training and experience, and
require members to adhere to a code of ethical conduct.
■ If possible, observe a class in advance or attend a single class before committing
to a longer series. Note the attitude and behavior of the teacher. Is he or
she professional? Respectful? Someone with whom you feel you could work
well?
■ Look for notices in your local health food store, metaphysical bookstore, or
alternative healing center. You can also find advertisements and listings of
yoga teachers in magazines such as Yoga Journal, Yoga International, and other
nationally or locally syndicated publications catering to healthy living. Be
aware that these are often paid advertisements and do not necessarily represent
the best teachers, or the one who may be right for you.
■ Be aware of any teacher who promises specific results, in particular, dramatic
health cures. A teacher’s role is to guide you in the instruction of yoga, not
serve as a medical practitioner.
■ Any fees the teacher charges should be within the prevailing range for your
geographic area and the background of the teacher. Expect to pay up to around $20 for a 60- to 90-minute group class, and around $30 to $100 per hour for
private instruction
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