| Beyond philosophy, meditation, asana, and | | | | been mastered, teaching friends in small groups, |
| Pranayama, there is still much more for an intern to | | | | semi-private, or private sessions is a good way to |
| learn about teaching Yoga. These subjects get some | | | | develop inner confidence. |
| attention, during a 200-hour Yoga certification course, | | | | If you concentrate on each step of development, |
| but once an intern has successfully graduated, a | | | | you will be successful. No step should be by-passed. |
| peripheral subject becomes a part of daily | | | | Some Yoga teachers never develop a sense for |
| independent research or continuing education. | | | | modifications, using props, proper alignment, or giving |
| Teaching methodology is learned by instructing | | | | an assist. You never want to be one of them. |
| classes. Interns should have a firm grasp of the | | | | A competent Yoga instructor should be able to teach |
| principles, practices, and procedures involved in | | | | anyone, regardless of their physical ability. We can |
| teaching classes. Upon successful graduation, interns | | | | adapt our teaching style to suit the physical abilities |
| have learned the necessary procedures and | | | | or limitations of our students. A Yoga class should not |
| techniques involved in teaching a class. | | | | be a "trial by fire" for new students. Hence, the |
| There is a "stepping stone" process for learning how | | | | graduate of a well-rounded teacher training course |
| to teach. The first step is careful observation of | | | | should be able to teach a wide variety of students in |
| other Yoga teachers. Learn what you would, and | | | | different stages of health. |
| would not, do by participating in a class. This form of | | | | The personal practice of interns and Yoga teachers |
| observation requires the intern to participate, and | | | | should be a part of daily life. To read Yogic |
| take in the whole classroom experience, in complete | | | | philosophy, meditate, practice pranayama, and |
| silence. | | | | practice asana should be a structured part of each |
| Learning to adjust, modify, and assist for alignment is | | | | day. This also allows time for exploring your own |
| the second step. Work with everyone who will allow | | | | practice and developing solutions for your students. |
| you to. This will require some repetitive homework. | | | | It is inevitable that you will find students who have |
| Repetition is the best way to become comfortable | | | | health conditions. This will require you to become an |
| with assisting. | | | | innovator. To imitate your best teachers is a |
| Some interns act as assistants to a Yoga teacher | | | | wonderful compliment to them, but to eventually |
| during a class. The assistants will help students with | | | | become creative is a testament to the entire Yoga |
| modifications, props, alignment, and physical assists. | | | | teacher training process. |
| This is a great way to gain experience. Once this has | | | | |