Hi everyone,
I have a question about long-distance or on-line teacher certification courses. I know that the paper itself does not matter much and that’s not what I am after. I have been practicing for years, and feel like i want to teach. I could just try and do it, but would like to gain structure to the process of becomg a teacher of yoga and not just a practitioner so that mty students get more out of it. However, being a busy mom of 2, I cannot afford to invest the time (and money) into an on-site course at any of the schools. The long-distance courses seem more affordable and realistic in my situation, but at the same time seem ‘too good to be true’… or a ‘money making scheme’… Any opinions? Any recommendadions for specific schools? Would really appereciate!
Although I totally support on-site courses, I also remember being a young mom with 2 small children, limited resources and certainly unable to go away for a month long course or even a weekend every month. So my suggestion is, since you have been studying/practicing yoga for a long time (you didn’t mention how long) enroll in an on-line course and find a “mentor” teacher, someone you trust who is well trained, would commit to meet with you weekly and would provide the support and experience needed to go over “all” the subject matter with you. The mentor should be well-trained and be certified by Yoga Alliance. Special emphasis on anatomy of asana and alignment in order to develop a “safe” teaching style. If you have any questions, please email me privately. I would be happy to discuss this further.
Best to you,
Cathy
Thank you, Cathy! I am considering my options with your advice in mind (see your private message).
To everyone out there: can anyone who has done or heard of an on-line/home study teacher training course that is good (and not so good) please share their insight?
Thanks in advance!
[QUOTE=MamaYo;5304]Hi everyone,
I have a question about long-distance or on-line teacher certification courses. I know that the paper itself does not matter much and that’s not what I am after. I have been practicing for years, and feel like i want to teach.[/QUOTE]
Dear MamaYo,
First, I love it when Moms become teachers, or rather expand their teaching from their own children to yoga students. I think that gentle encouragement to explore the world, your body, your abilities, etc. translates so well from your own children to your students. It is really lovely!
Regarding your post, the paper itself may matter quite a bit, if only in terms of getting a teaching position at a yoga studio. I have known long-practiced, wonderful teachers who cannot get into studios without having a minimum of Yoga Alliance 200 certification–that is the only paper I am talking about. Unfortunately, many studios are now required by their insurance companies to ONLY employ Yoga Alliance registered teachers for reasons of liability. (The pros and cons for this would dilute your questions so let’s skip it for now)
If you have been practicing yoga for years, I would recommend you go to Yoga Alliance (YA) website and download their independent student form and see if you already qualify to be registered with them. They’re only offering the YA500 independent now, the stopped offering the YA200 last year. Cathy’s suggestion of augmenting your years of practice with a YA-certified mentor is a wonderful idea and will get you that much closer to already fulfilling the YA requirements, sans any additional cost or course. You’ll need to hurry though, after 2007, this independent option is no longer being offered. See the site for details.
I also recommend searching this forum, keywords [B]Yoga Alliance[/B]. A few teachers have shared their YA-related experiences here that would be good for you to consider while you’re exploring your options.
[QUOTE=MamaYo;5304]Any opinions? Any recommendadions for specific schools? Would really appereciate![/QUOTE]
I recommend you skip on any course that doesn’t at least meet the minimum standards of YA, whether online or not.
Namaste
Three questions
what is it you hope to bring to your students?
why do you want to be a yoga teacher?
what could you bring to your students with this or that training?
Hi there,
I have also posted a question regarding distance/ online teacher training.
I am enrolled in one for some of same reasons as you…I’m a full time mum and living in a town where there isn’t a in-house teacher training course available.
I’ve also practiced yoga for 10 years now and I am a teacher (of languages that is)
And being a teacher does not mean just knowing a subject and getting in the classroom. You need to know how to pass on your knowledge. There are lots of teachers out there (of many subjects) that think that knowing something is enough to teach when really you need to be trained to do it.
With yoga, I decided to do the course not only because I want to teach it but because I want to get in the insights of yoga, I want to develop my yoga practices and learn more about it. And I must say, there are so much to learn about it.
Yoga is not only exercising, it’s a lifestyle, it’s a spiritual path too.
Yoga teaching deals with people’s health and we should be well trained to pass on our knowledge…we need to understand the body and what to do to adjust our classes to people’s special needs.
Here in Australia, you need to have insurance to teach yoga and insurance companies won’t insure you unless you are a qualified yoga teacher registered with the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia.
So when looking for a course, I would try to get something that will help you with getting insurance and that is associated with a recognised body.
The content of the course is also important but a lot will depend on your efforts.
I read and study all that is sent to me, I research and do all the homework and try to absorve as much of the theory as possible. But I also practice at a centre in town (not related to my course provider) so that I can apply what I learn online. The teachers at the centre I practice are aware of my studies and are very helpfull in giving me extra support and explanations when I need.
A home practice is also important although it is not easy when we have kids.
hope my thoughts will help you. Please share yours too.
Shanti,
Yogana
I think its a great idea to go for teachers training as this gives you more insight into your own practice. It would be difficult to advice you about online course as I have not done it, but as Yoga is more of a practical subject it may be difficult unless the course is offered by well know and trustworthy people. Please let us know about your findings.
Best of luck.
any time u can better yourself and do what you love to do i think its a positive move.
pursue ur dreams the way you can ~ via an online course or not. : )
from what i have read about online courses pertaining to genre’s such as yoga usually certification is what you will need to get your foot in the door and then the rest is up to you and what you do afterwards…jobs via online certification in the physical fitness genre’ made yahoos top 10 jobs that will be in need in the future “not to be outsourced”
- little word of encouragement * : ) yoga = positive thoughts