The third ingredient is to take action. The difference between a dream and a goal is how much action is propelling the idea forward. If I visualize becoming a Yoga teacher without any action, then this is just a ?pipe dream.? You would be better off to dream in your sleep and take action while you are awake.
Look around you and you will see most people do not make any significant changes or take positive action. If you want to teach Yoga, this is to your advantage. Why do I say this? So many people passionately talk and dream without action. Even after you become a Yoga teacher, you must still take action, but many people ?rest on their laurels.? A few Yoga teachers skip their continuing education, become stale, and eventually quit.
How can this happen? Because Yoga teachers and everyone else should write down goals, make plans, and keep taking action. This is not that difficult, but sitting down and dreaming is easier. The biggest difference between those who think about becoming a Yoga teacher and those who become a Yoga teacher is action. Determination and perseverance do count against all the odds.
The last ingredient toward successfully teaching Yoga is to maintain your own personal practice and continue your education on Yogic subjects as they apply to your students. Learn more about safety, anatomy, kinesiology, physiology, sports medicine, modifications, props, and physical therapy. Network with medical professionals and you will learn more. Learn about Yogic philosophy for yourself and for those Yoga students who are eager to learn from you.
This is what I refer to as the ?monitoring stage.? You cannot expect your ability to improve as a Yoga teacher to run on ?auto-pilot.? You still have to write down and reach for goals.
Again, perseverance comes into play. For every Yoga teacher I know, perseverance has become a way of life. This is the way it must be in an ever-changing and fast paced world. Your dreams may not go according to plan bur perseverance is your private mental strength. When you teach Yoga classes, you must address the needs of your students and this causes self-improvement.
The rewards for Yoga teachers are many, but giving Yoga instruction requires determination. You will run into obstacles, like any other profession, but how do you want to be remembered? Think about this: Every person you help will help someone else. You are causing a positive chain reaction by teaching Yoga classes at a time when positive energy is in big demand.
As a Yoga teacher, you have the potential to do enormous good, but you must focus your attention on your faithful Yoga students, your family, and friends. It is normal to take people we are familiar with for granted, but you must persevere to appreciate what you already have.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Showing posts with label Continuing Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Continuing Education. Show all posts
March 1, 2009
February 26, 2009
Secrets of Exceptional Yoga Teachers, Part 1
Would you like to know a formula for becoming an exceptional Yoga teacher? What separates the exceptional yoga teacher from the ?pack?? Here is an itemized formula to become an exceptional and successful Yoga instructor.
Continuing education is part of a Yoga instructor?s job description. Although you may teach Yoga, you must accept being a student of Yoga for life. Learn what you can, to benefit your Yoga student?s ailments, and when you have time, learn a little bit more. With 5,000 years of documentation behind it, Yoga is like a great mountain where one lifetime will just not be enough to discover everything.
Patience is the next ingredient within an exceptional Yoga teacher. Be patient with yourself, your family, your friends, and your Yoga students. Do not put pressure on anyone unnecessarily. Some Yoga students have to grow into the practice. You might be unknowingly doing the same to yourself or your loved ones. The key is to become aware of it and always be mindful of others.
Take action and understand the laws of cause and effect (Karma). Most of the world takes no action at all, but exceptional Yoga teachers do not ?sit on their hands.? Just by taking action, you will be a success in life. Great ideas mean nothing without action, but your actions should always help others. It is fine to help yourself, just make sure you are not harming anything in the process.
Compassion is needed to become an exceptional Yoga teacher. You must show compassion for Yoga students and for mankind. Treat everyone possible with loving kindness. When this is impossible avoid negative people who seek pleasure through spreading pessimism, bigotry, hatred, greed, and envy.
Passion for Yoga and for helping other people can be found in most Yoga teachers. The Yoga teacher who just ?does it for the money,? will not last. If you feel like that, you should find your ?real calling,? passion, and true desires. Life is too short to waste time doing a job that you dread. Strangely, I have never met a Yoga teacher who regretted teaching Yoga. If I ever find one, I will let you know.
Courage is required to be your own boss. To wake up each morning and go it alone, without someone over your shoulder is a Yoga teacher?s life reward. Most of the masses like to be told what to do, but the Yoga teacher makes his or her own hours. There is some responsibility that goes with any business, but every Yoga teacher knows the responsibility is worth it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Continuing education is part of a Yoga instructor?s job description. Although you may teach Yoga, you must accept being a student of Yoga for life. Learn what you can, to benefit your Yoga student?s ailments, and when you have time, learn a little bit more. With 5,000 years of documentation behind it, Yoga is like a great mountain where one lifetime will just not be enough to discover everything.
Patience is the next ingredient within an exceptional Yoga teacher. Be patient with yourself, your family, your friends, and your Yoga students. Do not put pressure on anyone unnecessarily. Some Yoga students have to grow into the practice. You might be unknowingly doing the same to yourself or your loved ones. The key is to become aware of it and always be mindful of others.
Take action and understand the laws of cause and effect (Karma). Most of the world takes no action at all, but exceptional Yoga teachers do not ?sit on their hands.? Just by taking action, you will be a success in life. Great ideas mean nothing without action, but your actions should always help others. It is fine to help yourself, just make sure you are not harming anything in the process.
Compassion is needed to become an exceptional Yoga teacher. You must show compassion for Yoga students and for mankind. Treat everyone possible with loving kindness. When this is impossible avoid negative people who seek pleasure through spreading pessimism, bigotry, hatred, greed, and envy.
Passion for Yoga and for helping other people can be found in most Yoga teachers. The Yoga teacher who just ?does it for the money,? will not last. If you feel like that, you should find your ?real calling,? passion, and true desires. Life is too short to waste time doing a job that you dread. Strangely, I have never met a Yoga teacher who regretted teaching Yoga. If I ever find one, I will let you know.
Courage is required to be your own boss. To wake up each morning and go it alone, without someone over your shoulder is a Yoga teacher?s life reward. Most of the masses like to be told what to do, but the Yoga teacher makes his or her own hours. There is some responsibility that goes with any business, but every Yoga teacher knows the responsibility is worth it.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga Teacher Guidelines for Assisting, Part 3
You can take this advice ?to the bank.? Invest in your career by expanding your education with books, videos, online courses, Yoga teacher correspondence courses, workshops, seminars, and Yoga retreats. By making continuing education a necessary part of your company policy, you will be a ?safety-minded? Yoga teacher, with impressive knowledge and credentials. So, on top of being a safe Yoga teacher, and attracting more students, you will also protect your business.
Your other option is to take risks, and there is no excuse for it. Books, videos, and correspondence courses, are relatively inexpensive. Seminars, retreats, and workshops, for Yoga teachers, can be somewhat more expensive, but the value of continuing education is so important; add to this that you may be able to network with local Yoga teachers after you have taken a Yoga course.
Why would anyone want to short change their own Yoga business? The only justification I hear is cost, but if you are serious about teaching Yoga safely to others, you can invest in education one book at a time. Later, take a Yoga teacher course that fits into your budget.
Do physical assists in Yoga postures make you feel uncomfortable? Some Yoga instructors dread assisting their students; while some students leave Yoga classes that have ?hands on assists.? This ?hang up? about touching may seem ridiculous to some Yoga teachers, while other Yoga instructors avoid touching like the plague. Remember that touching another person can be difficult if you have a personal history where touching was used to gain trust, and later betrayed. It is also not looked upon favorably by some cultures.
For example: As a child and a younger adult, when I met martial arts masters, from Okinawa and Honshu, students were informed to bow and keep the small talk to a minimum. Hand shakes were not to be offered, as this was an intrusion of personal space. I understood because my next door neighbor was Japanese and explained enough to satisfy my curiosity about Japanese culture and history.
Is it really necessary for Yoga teachers to give a physical assist? Not really, some teachers are very good at verbal cueing. Some classes are based on movement, such as Vinyasa Yoga. If you teach Iyengar Yoga, assisting is a regular part of your daily practice.
Just remember to always get permission, in writing, and verbally, before you place your hands on your students.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Your other option is to take risks, and there is no excuse for it. Books, videos, and correspondence courses, are relatively inexpensive. Seminars, retreats, and workshops, for Yoga teachers, can be somewhat more expensive, but the value of continuing education is so important; add to this that you may be able to network with local Yoga teachers after you have taken a Yoga course.
Why would anyone want to short change their own Yoga business? The only justification I hear is cost, but if you are serious about teaching Yoga safely to others, you can invest in education one book at a time. Later, take a Yoga teacher course that fits into your budget.
Do physical assists in Yoga postures make you feel uncomfortable? Some Yoga instructors dread assisting their students; while some students leave Yoga classes that have ?hands on assists.? This ?hang up? about touching may seem ridiculous to some Yoga teachers, while other Yoga instructors avoid touching like the plague. Remember that touching another person can be difficult if you have a personal history where touching was used to gain trust, and later betrayed. It is also not looked upon favorably by some cultures.
For example: As a child and a younger adult, when I met martial arts masters, from Okinawa and Honshu, students were informed to bow and keep the small talk to a minimum. Hand shakes were not to be offered, as this was an intrusion of personal space. I understood because my next door neighbor was Japanese and explained enough to satisfy my curiosity about Japanese culture and history.
Is it really necessary for Yoga teachers to give a physical assist? Not really, some teachers are very good at verbal cueing. Some classes are based on movement, such as Vinyasa Yoga. If you teach Iyengar Yoga, assisting is a regular part of your daily practice.
Just remember to always get permission, in writing, and verbally, before you place your hands on your students.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
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