| There is a perception that the world has plenty of | | | | Teaching Yoga is a constant learning experiencing - |
| competent Yoga teachers. Yet, when you attend a | | | | for both the instructor and the student. Some teachers |
| class, you discover teachers are attentive to their | | | | love the stimulation they receive from continuing |
| students and some who are not. Without speculating | | | | education. This is an excellent start; but implementing |
| on the exact percentage of teachers, who are | | | | ideas learned, from continuing education, and daily |
| self-absorbed in their own practice during class time, | | | | experiences from the interaction with students, is the |
| we can easily imagine that this percentage of | | | | key to being the best Yoga instructor you can be. |
| teachers is significant. | | | | In order to set systems in place for the best possible |
| For example: If you travel from New England to | | | | student experience, we have to develop a |
| California, and stop at a Yoga studio, or ashram, every | | | | comprehensive orientation. This would start with an |
| three hours, you are likely to see many styles of | | | | application, which helps you to understand each |
| teaching. By this, I am not referring to the style of | | | | student's physical health and emotional needs. In this |
| Yoga, but to the style and competence level of each | | | | way, Yoga teachers will be able to guide new |
| instructor you meet on this trip. | | | | students toward the best choices offered in your |
| If you have been practicing any form of Yoga, for one | | | | facility. |
| year or more, why would you want to stay in a class | | | | The next step is a formal introduction between both |
| with a teacher who never makes eye contact with his | | | | parties. This requires new students to understand that |
| or her students? Some teachers do not allow for | | | | they want to arrive early to their first class. Admitting |
| questions within the Yoga class. Again, I ask, why | | | | students, through your doors, after the class has |
| would students waste their time with a Yoga teacher | | | | already started, is a very unwise policy. |
| who would not share knowledge? | | | | For example: Let's say you decide to admit a student, |
| The point to understand is people might think that once | | | | who is five minutes late to class. After all - the class |
| one completes Yoga teacher training, he or she is | | | | has begun and you are in the middle of getting your |
| competent. While this may be true, in most cases, it is | | | | students "centered." This disruption breaks the flow of |
| up to the students to observe the quality of instruction | | | | the entire class. In addition, that student lets you know |
| they receive. | | | | that she is four months pregnant, after the class has |
| Does Yoga teacher show compassion, modify | | | | ended. |
| techniques, make assists, and give constructive advice, | | | | My point is that you need firm policies and procedures |
| without criticism? These are questions that the public | | | | in place, for the safety of those people, who lack the |
| should be asking themselves when they attend our | | | | knowledge about how important it is to follow |
| classes. It is not enough to go out and get an | | | | guidelines. For all of the reasons listed above, there will |
| impressive certification or a registration card. | | | | never be too many competent Yoga teachers. |