The stratospheric rise of yoga brings opportunities and challenges

Over the last 20 years, the popularity of yoga hasinto consideration to prevent over straining muscles
increased from nearly no interest to being one of theand reduce soreness.
most popular exercise regimes around. To match theThe yoga teacher must guide our learning on a
increasing demand for yoga, more and more yogamicro-level with correct technique and alignment to
centers are opening all the time. For those of usincrease our abilities without injury. Firstly the teacher
looking for something new, or just starting out forneeds to provide demonstration and detailed
the first time, the choices can be daunting.instruction on how to safely enter, hold and exit the
There are many different schools and styles of yogaposes. The descriptions should include details about
including Iyengar, Ashtanga, power yoga, Bikramcorrect steps to enter the pose as well as key
(hot), Kundilini, Viniyoga to name just a few. Althoughpoints to consider such as alignment and muscles to
all of these schools of yoga essentially teach theuse.
same Hatha yoga asanas (yoga postures), theIn addition the teacher needs to quickly gauge each
objectives of the class and the way the postures areindividual's abilities so they can advise on more basic
performed and taught are very different for each.or more advanced variations as appropriate. Then the
In addition every yoga teacher has their ownteacher needs to observe how we are performing
characteristics, emphasis and approach to teachingeach pose helping to correct errors that may lead to
which affects the class and learning experience.injuries. Correction of poses can include verbal
While so many choices can be daunting, it also meansdescriptions or by physical assistance and
that there's so much diversity, we're bound to find arepositioning.
style and a teacher that we like. If we don't like aHow to find a teacher that works for us?
school of yoga, or a yoga teacher - we can tryThe best way to choose a yoga teacher is by giving
something else.their class a try. We usually know before the end of
While personal preference will guide much of ourthe first class whether we're going to be able to
selection process both for the school of yoga andfollow this style of yoga and the teacher.
the teacher, finding an experienced and high qualityHowever, if we have less experience of yoga,
teacher is the most important consideration.attending a new school of yoga or a new teacher
Yoga teachers are not all created equalmay be more intimidating. In this case it's worthwhile
With the increasing popularity of yoga the demandtalking with the teacher before taking their lessons,
for teachers and peoples desire to take their practiceto find out more about them and tell them about
to the next level means that thousands of peopleourselves. Things to consider may include:
take some kind of certification or registration each- The school or style of yoga they teach.
year. But with so many new teachers around, it's- How long they have been practicing yoga, and how
impossible for them all to be to be of the highestlong they have been teaching yoga.
standards.- How they got into yoga, and what they get out of
In addition, the absence of formal regulation of theit, why they continue to practice. Why did they want
training and certification for yoga it's difficult to knowto teach yoga to others?
before a class how good a teacher will be. Without- How they structure their classes. Whether they
formal standards, an individual can become a teacherfocus on any particular aspect such as strength,
with very little personal yoga practice and experience.flexibility, balance or meditation.
Experience is important for overall understanding but- Whether they give demonstrations or just verbal
the amount of and quality of teacher training is alsodescriptions.
important. The quality of yoga teacher training- The size of classes and whether they focus on
courses and certification varies enormously. Currentlyindividuals, how they help with correcting poses,
certification can take from a year or more for somethrough descriptions only or physical contact to
specializations to merely a 1 or 2 day intensiverealign (in which case gender may become a factor).
program. A 200 hour program of learning and- If we are attending a new yoga class for a
supervised teaching practice is quite standard. What'sparticular health reason such as treating back pain,
more the format can vary from retreats with formalhigh blood pressure, stress or breathing problems
examinations to correspondence courses andthen it's important to know if the teacher has any
certification over the internet.experience in these treatments
With the teacher being so important, and the optionsThere are a couple of other "tells" that may help you
on teacher training so varied, the responsibility forjudge whether a teacher is sufficiently experienced.
selecting a high quality yoga teacher is passed to theFirstly, does the teacher talk as if they are genuinely
students and should not be taken lightly.enthusiastic about yoga, it's benefits for the body,
So what makes a good teacher?mind and spirit and sharing that with their students?
The yoga instructor is elemental in setting the toneSecondly, do they come across as being genuinely
of the class. The teacher, their style of yoga andknowledgeable about yoga? Such as knowing and
their approach to teaching, can not only determineusing the Sanskrit names of the yoga poses. While it
whether you enjoy a session, but whether you likedoesn't guarantee that the teacher is experienced or
yoga at all. But more than that the yoga teacher, thegood at teaching, it does at least indicate they have
routines they teach and the quality of their teachingspent some time learning their practice.
will control how much benefit we get from theIf you don't find the right yoga style or teacher right
practice.away, then keep looking. With so many options
While there are many complexities that determineyou're bound to find something soon enough. The
whether we enjoy a class, there are two things ahealth benefits of yoga are worth the search and
yoga teacher must always do.you'll learn plenty about yoga, your body and yourself
The teacher must guide our practice on a macro-levelalong the way.
with a well rounded practice. It is important that weyoga teachers are North India natives, with yoga in
develop our bodies in a balanced and uniform mannertheir heritage and their blood. Starting their yoga
which means in a single session we should developpractice at childhood, they have dedicated their entire
strength, flexibility to all muscles and joints withoutlives to learning and teaching yoga. Using their 20 plus
over emphasis on one area that could lead to strainsyears of yoga experience they know how to
and injury. On top of this it's important performstructure yoga practices that deliver strength,
balancing poses that improve body co-ordination andflexibility and balance, helping their students to feel
improve concentration. Finally every pose, particularlywell exercised but also calm, relaxed and energized in
the flexion and compression of the back, has amind and body.
counter pose. A well designed yoga routine takes this