Physical adjustments is postures

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

A client brought up a point today regarding getting physical adjustments in postures. One of my teachers said that instructors require additional certification in order to do physical adjustments, of which I was not aware.

Can anyone clarify this for me, and if that is the case, what certification is required to make physical adjustments?

All of my instructors are minimum RYT200, and most have additional certifications in Yoga Therapy, Critical Alignment, Prenatal, and others. They each carry their own liability insurance, as does the studio.

#2

Flex,

I’m uncertain what the crux of your question is here. To me it’s so blended that I can’t sort it. Are you asking about yoga and adjustments or are you asking about studio risk management?

I personally am not aware of a “requirement” for adjustment. If you can get to and place hands on someone else you’ve actually met the requirements. However I’m of the feeling that adjustments should only be provided by a well trained teacher (to me a 200-hour training is a bare minimum for teaching Yoga), only to students who have signed a waiver, only when the waiver clearly states that at this venue we adjust students, advises in that waiver that students who feel otherwise need to notify the studio in writing, AND are provided only when such providing moves the student closer toward light, themselves, the plane of the pose.

It is far too easy for neophyte teachers to engage their ego dancing around the room adjusting everyone. Adjustments are a double-edged sword and a teacher/studio needs to be keenly aware of both edges.

Further, there are energetics at play and it is more than possible for the teacher to “pick up” energy from the student during contact AND such absorption can be harmful to the teacher ESPECIALLY when that teacher is not aware of or doing the work of cleansing their energy and aura before and after class.

Clarified, no certification is required to adjust students (here in the U.S. as far as I am aware).

gordon

#3

Thanks IA. Your comments reflect my understanding, but thought I may have missed something. Most of my instructors have RYT500 plus more. This particular instructor has basic training and teaches one class, but said it with such conviction that I felt I should get clarification. I have received feedback here as well and, as in the Sates, no further certification is required. (I wish some would just leave client relations to the pros :))