A and p training for yoga teaching

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

It appears that yoga teacher training in india doesnt seem to equip one with much/any a and p knowledge. This is a bit of a worry as clearly some asanas have many contraindications and i have recently witnessed quite a few people getting injured with shoulderstand/headstand.

I hope to start teaching in the next 6-12 months, but without extra a and p knowledge (separate) to the yoga TTC i feel i would possibley be out of my depth. i certainly wouldnt feel confident teaching yoga without thorough knowlegde of a and p. id like to hear from quailified yoga teachers and how they have learnt their a and p , and any suggestions as to where i can start with background knowledge through books/courses etc. I live in india full time , so am looking for a and p training here or correspondence from UK/Europe/Us etc.:eek:

#2

I think you are quite correct.
Two things happen. Either teachers get very little anatomy and physiology training and feel as you are (likely covering it up when teaching and creating all sorts of disharmonies) OR they get too much training and can only think in terms of eccentric and concentric, reciprocal inhibitors, origins and insertions.

Some trainings do not appear to have grown into the current context in which they are offered. Obviously that which a person does when living full time in a cave and that which a person does sitting full time in a desk chair are very different. :slight_smile:

Have you considered studying with Jehangir Palkhivala there in India?

#3

Anula - I think you post actually brings up 2 seperate issues. And I quote you because I’m not sure if your issue is having enough a&p knowledge or knowing contraindications. I do not believe these are the same thing.

Let’s talk about contraindications - beside the obvious ones that are medical like blood pressure, glaucoma, pregnancy(depends) and other medical conditions. Contraindications in my understanding are actually a question of observation. You can know the a&p from books - but what do you see? I get the impression from many teacher’s posts that trainings rarely include any education in observation. And it’s not something that is quickly learned. When we say we don’t see what our teacher is pointing out us he tells us not to stress about it - just keeping working on it - that it takes years to be able to “see.”

And of course you have to be able to process what you are seeing and again I’m not sure formal a&p knowledge provides one with the knowledge to know what strengths and flexibilities are required for postures. And how to judge from postures earlier in an asana practice whether students have the strengths and flexibilities to go in the direction you are trying to take them physically.

That being said - I too am not happy with the A&P knowledge in my training. But I think part of the issue is time - don’t know how many hours your program was - but my 500 hrs feels like it will have just scratched the surface. So although I’m not so happy with A&P part I do believe that observation training we are getting more than makes up for it.

Interested to see what others say.
Vic

#4

Yes!! Its right and thanks for the post!! Yoga teaching in India is not that much popular!! But they got much knowledge in it. Many certification courses came into existence. Yogasuppliesonline.com is doing a great thing for their people. It is an online place to get much knowledge on Yoga!!