Over the course of 5,000 years, yoga has been developed, studied and passed down from master to student. The yoga master is regarded as the embodiment of the Divine in some schools of yoga. The many branches of yoga have developed because of this manner of teaching. A master or guru, after years of practice receives inspiration and changes the emphasis of the type of yoga he follows and a new branch is born to be passed along to the followers of the guru. Most true devotees follow the teachings of the traditional branch of yoga as well as the individual teachings of his master.
In the 1960s, yoga became known in the West. Because of the modern communication technology, knowledge of yoga spread more quickly than the yoga masters could manage. In some cases, sincere students became followers of insincere teachers. In part to meet the new need, yoga masters began to use new methods for yoga teacher training.
Swami Vishnu-devananda
Among the first masters to develop yoga teacher training methods in the West was Swami Vishnu-devananda. While his course takes only four weeks, it involves total immersion in the yogic way of life. The devotee travels to an Ashram for a structured life of training in postures, breathing, study of the ancient texts, meditation and chanting. A vegetarian diet is included and the student is expected to perform whatever tasks are necessary to keep the ashram going. By the end of the four weeks of yoga teacher training, the successful student receives the title of "Yogi Siromani" - jewel of the crown of yoga. Advanced students may achieve the title of "Yoga Acharya" - master of Yoga.
The study of yoga emphasizes the part played by the teacher. For those students who study yoga as part of a spiritual journey, the teacher is the voice of the Divine. For those students who study yoga as a means to better physical health and stress management, the teacher is the protection against injury and the person who decides when the student is ready for more advanced training.
The importance of good yoga teacher training cannot be underestimated. Today, yoga is a popular discipline again in the West. Beginning students can easily be taken in by poorly trained teachers seeking a profitable business. Having a certified method of yoga teacher training can help new students to find safe, reliable training to further the achievement of whatever goal he seeks.
There are several places that offer yoga certification, and all of them should cover the same material on a basic level. The things covered by most certification classes include:
Asanas
It'd be pretty hard to get a yoga certification without knowledge of asanas, or positions. Also know as yogasanas, yoga poses are used for balance as well as to smooth energy flow throughout the body or in specific areas of the body and mind.
Mudras
Mudra literally means "gesture" and no yoga certification course would be complete without learning at least a few of the hand gestures used in poses to express and direct the life energy within you throughout your body.
Yoga Philosophy
If you are taking a yoga certification course in order to become an instructor, be sure that you learn the philosophy behind yoga because you're sure to hear questions about it more than once. Simply put, one of basic concepts in yoga is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Broken down, and in their Sanskrit versions, these cover nonviolence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), not stealing (Asteya), continence (Brahmacharya), and non-covetousness (Aparigraha). Definitely make sure your yoga certification course covers the philosophy though, because there is more to it than just those basic pieces.
Chakras
Chakra literally means circle, or wheel, and in yoga refers to the energy centers lying along your spine and ending at the crown of your head. Whether you understand, or believe, in chakras be sure your yoga certification course covers this knowledge so you can pass the information on those seven energy 'hot spots' along to your students.
Meditation
A central part to certain yoga practices is meditation, so it would be a good idea to make sure that subject is covered as well before you receive your yoga certification. Meditation is usually a time spent quietly sitting, or laying, in a pose while directing your thoughts inward or removing thought from your mind altogether.
Pranayama
Pranayama is a method of controlling your prana, or life energy, through regulated breathing and should be a subject covered by any yoga certification course. Designed to gain mastery over the respiratory system and help on recognize the connection between breath, mind and emotion, yogis believe that practicing pranayama not only rejuvenates the body but can extend life itself. Most yoga certification courses should teach this as an isolated technique as well as ways to integrate it into yoga routines.
There are several other things that are usually covered in yoga certification classes in addition to what's listed here, and some will vary from course to course so make sure to find a yoga certification class that fits your outlook on yoga.
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