In order to find a quality yoga instructor, you need to know what to look for. Since there is no universal certification program for yoga teachers, not all of them are created equal as you can see by the following example.
I had been practicing yoga in my home for a while when I decided to take some classes at a local center. I had been using a variety of yoga videos and DVDs that were taught by senior instructors with impeccable form, so I expected the same quality of yoga instruction when I arrived at this class. Unfortunately, it wasn't the case. The teacher who taught the class was sloppy in her style as she moved through the poses and it seemed more as if she were doing her own practice, rather than leading the class. She never came around and adjusted the alignment of any of the students, which really annoyed me because that was the main reason I decided to attend the class. Additionally, she was facing one way and the students were facing the opposite way, so it was very difficult to see what she was doing. Needless to say, I wasn't impressed.
I am optimistic by nature so the next morning, I took another class at the same center, but this time there was a different teacher leading the practice. Her style was more of what I was looking for. Her execution of the positions was excellent. She showed the students how to do the pose and then she got up and checked the alignment of the students and made necessary adjustments. She brought attention to those students who did a pose particularly well, and she encouraged others to go a little deeper. I was very happy with the teacher, and even though the class did not fit my schedule particularly well, I attended it on a regular basis.
Although my initial endeavor into the world of taking yoga classes was somewhat hit or miss, by asking certain questions and checking some details, you have a better chance of finding the right yoga instructor for you.
Here are some things to consider.
Decide what your goals are for your yoga practice.
Do you want to practice yoga to relieve stress, heal from an injury, or gain strength and flexibility? If a center offers yoga that is very fast paced and very physically challenging, it probably won't be the right match for you if you want to learn how to relax.
What style of yoga interests you? Make sure that the center offers that particular style.
Are you interested in a certain level of yoga instruction? If you are a beginner, you probably don't want to take a class that lumps all levels together. You also don't want a class that is too advanced where you have a greater chance of feeling discouraged because you can't keep up with the other students, or worse, you could get injured. You want a class where the instructor takes ample time to explain the postures and also helps students achieve the correct alignment.
Ask out about the teacher's level experience
Find out how many years the teacher has been practicing yoga and how long he has been teaching. With my experience with the two yoga teachers, I found out that the one that didn't impress me had just become a teacher, while the one I liked had been teaching for quite some time.
Ask about how many hours of training he has received. Although there is no universal yoga teacher certification, many quality studios require that their instructors complete a minimum number of training hours before they are allowed to teach. If the instructor has 200 or more hours of training, there is a good chance that he has solid skills to work with.
Does the instructor know the benefits and contraindications of each pose? Can he offer modifications for students who have physical limitations? You want a teacher who can provide information about how each pose relates to your unique physical condition.
Also, find out if the teacher has specific training in basic anatomy. I cannot emphasize this point strongly enough. When I was in my early twenties, I took a gymnastics class which was taught by an instructor who had no training in anatomy. Each week he stretched my body in a position that caused me a great deal of pain. If he knew about body mechanics and physiology he never would never used that stretch, because it is almost guaranteed to cause injury. The end result for me was years of pain and permanent injury. If the teacher is not trained in anatomy run, don't walk, out of the class.
What is the teacher's personal style?
In order for you to get the most out of yoga, you have to feel comfortable with the teacher. Is the teacher friendly, encouraging, and supportive? Does she treat students and others with respect?
Yoga is intensely personal so it is critical that you like and trust the teacher. She will be touching your body to adjust your alignment, so you need to feel totally safe with her. A good instructor will make the class a secure and peaceful experience for students.
How clean is the studio?
As you look around, do you notice dust or dirt? Is there a musty or sweaty odor? A yoga class encourages you to practice barefoot and breathe deeply. It is very difficult to get the most from your yoga instruction if you are worried about contracting a disease from an unclean studio.
How does the teacher handle your personal beliefs?
A good yoga teacher does not impose her personal beliefs on students. Yoga is not a religion. You should be able to practice any religion, or none at all, and still feel comfortable in the class. You also should not be required to eat or act a certain way to be considered acceptable to the teacher.
Yoga promotes freedom, so you should not be held bondage to someone else's beliefs. You should be free to live whichever way is right for you.
Quality yoga instruction can be very important for you in your yoga journey. By keeping these ideas in mind when you search for a yoga teacher, you are very likely to find the one that is just right for you.
About the Author
Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Here website https://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life.
Health & Fitness
10 Acne Truths and Myths You Need To Know
3 Easy Dieting Success Tips
3 Easy Ways to Treat Body Acne
5 Great Ways to Burn More Fat Today
Achieve Better Health With Dietary Supplements
Benefiting From a Regular Exhibiting Workout
Benefits of Green Tea
Body Fat Calculation and Health
Breathing Your Way To Health
Calculating Your Calorie Needs
Cracked Up Glossary Of Common Gym Terms
Curb Your Cravings
Dangers of the Scale
Dietary Sources of Vitamins and Minerals
Does Caffeine Raise Blood Pressure
Does Your Current Exercise Practice Increase Or Decrease Your Stress
Dont Blow Your Nose In The Water Fountain
Do Natural Stress Anxiety and Depression Supplements Really Work
Everyone wants to be an underwear model
Exercise for a Healthy Heart
Fast Food
Fat Burning Compatible Foods
Fitness Its A Family Affair
Fitness Muscle Building Know How for Hard Gainers
Five Tips for Optimal Health
Get To Know Yourself
Having Problems Conceiving Try a detox
Head Massage The Right Way For Perfect Inner As Well As Outer Health
Healthy Eating Diet Tips
Health and Fitness for Life
Health and Medical Advice on the Internet Use it Wisely
How Nutritionally Deficient Are You
How to Choose a Personal Trainer
How to Find the Right Yoga Teacher for You
How To Improve Your Mood And Health With Deep Breathing Exercises
Inactive Alert Essential Proteins for Sedentary People
Increase Your Production Of Nitric Oxide
Intelligent Weight Loss is as Simple as 1 2 3
Know All about Power Push Ups
Learn How To Prevent Back Pain At Home Or At Work Today
Lets Talk About Fad Diets
Lipovarin Review How Well Does It Work
Low-Carb The Role of Insulin
Measuring and Monitoring Your Bodyfat Improves Overall Health
Menopausal Weight Gain Products How Well Do They Work
New Advances in the Treatment of Arthritic Pain
Pain Relief Is There an Alternative
Personal Wellness Program
Pineapples The Healing Fruit of the Tropics
Pizza French Fries Beer and Other Diet Foods
Rediscovering Protein - Corrective Action in the American Diet
Run For Your Life Valuable Tips and Advice About Treadmills
Safer And More Effective Than Botox Shocking Results
Savvy Nutrition Seven Simple Ways to Eat Healthy
Secrets to Healthy Weight Gain
Skin Care
Skin Care for Men
Skin Care Products
South Beach Diet Overview
Summer Dieting Tips from WeightLossBuddycom
Ten Of The Best Supplements That Men Need For Optimum Nutrition Today
The Isometric Diet and Balanced Health
The TIME Diet For Women Who Love Baked Potatoes
The Top 10 Most Outrageous Exercises Ive Ever Seen
Turning an Addictive Snack into a Complete Meal
Weight Loss Magic Pills
What Exactly Is Good Nutrition
What is Good Health Part 1
Workstation Health and Fitness for RSI
Yoga Accessories Getting What You Really Need
Self Improvement
The Top 101 Experts
You can get your hands on the greatest and most powerful self help resources, quite literally, on the face of the earth for only $27
Click Here to find out how!