What's Teacher Training?
A yoga teacher can be born in many ways. In North America, the yoga community has invested a great deal of intention to create some standardized training rules to insure that the public can share the ancient teachings in a safe and balanced way.
This course is an excellent first step to becoming a yoga teacher. In this model, experienced teacher(s) present their wisdom in an easy to follow, organized and documented format to aspiring teachers.
Am I Right for this Course?
Do any of these situations sound familiar to you?
1. I think about yoga every day.
2. I practice yoga, meditation, spiritual reading or breathwork every day.
3. I find myself showing poses to friends at dinner parties.
4. I am drawn to learn more about yoga.
5. I want to make yoga a bigger part of my life.
Notice that there were no questions about how fit you are, or if you can hold headstand for 10 minutes, etc. Yoga is for every body, and we need all sorts of bodies to share the teachings.
The Yoga Exercise Specialist course was developed over ten years ago by Susie Dias from East to West Yoga in Toronto. It is a two weekend commitment, after which you will be eligible for insurance and certification as a yoga teacher. The course will teach you:
1. 54 postures, the cautions, the modifications and the benefits of each
2. the overall benefits of yoga and what yoga practice consists of
3. a brief discussion of the history of yoga and the various types as they have developed in the west
4. hands on adjustments to use on students in class
5. 3 beginner breathwork exercises
This course is a pre-requisite to continuing toward the Yoga Alliance recognized Registered Yoga Teacher 200 hour diploma. To see more information on this level of training, click here. To learn more about the Yoga Alliance standards, click here.
How Do I Register?
Registration is done online through the East to West Yoga website. Click on the "course dates" button, scroll to find the Thorold course and look to the right for the "register" link. Spaces are limited.
What Can I Expect from the Course?
The participants will gather each Saturday and Sunday from 12 - 6 pm in our yoga studio. There is an excellent manual to provide structure to the material, with tons of photos. We will be using our mats as we practice each of the poses and their modifications. There will be open discussion times and opportunities for you to teach postures to your fellow students. Bring a pen to make notes, and water/snacks as we go right through the afternoon. There is an exam (multiple choice/fill in the blank) at the end of weekend two and a "practical" (teaching in front of the class for about 15 - 20 minutes).
What About the Homework?
Between the two weekends, you are asked to complete 30 hours of independent study and practice teaching. Hours can be logged for home practice (asana, breathwork, meditation, reading) and teaching formally or informally. In additiion, you are asked to create a 90 minute yoga class based on the guidelines you learn in YES I. Part of this class outline will form your teaching in the "practical" exam (mentioned above).
Still Have Questions?
