Yoga is a philosophy of life and a process of transformation. It is both theory and practice. There are many types of yoga available in the West.
Prana Yoga is an effortless yoga dance with your body mind and spirit. This is the feeling that touched me as I read shakti mhi’s article on Prana Yoga. Who is shakti? She is a spiritual teacher who has taught yoga for 3 decades and is the founder of Prana Yoga Teacher College, located in Vancouver, B.C.
The College offers an opportunity to learn to teach asanas with a balance between the physical and the spiritual. The founder is passionate about spreading the spiritual path of yoga and to this end has devoted her time to training yoga teachers.
There is a flow and ease in yoga, when the yoga student connects with deeper aspects of his or herself through the physical body. This is the main message of Prana Yoga, says shakti. Movement from one pose to the other is carried out in slow motion in order to move deeper within. And when the pose is held, again the mind is taken within to rest in the inner silence.
In Prana Yoga one is encouraged to maintain this connection with the subtle pranic body throughout the practice. This connection can easily be broken when transition from kneeling or lying to standing; and when moving from standing down to the floor. A yoga instructor may give a simple instruction like, “come to standing”. In Prana Yoga however by using a series of postures, the connection to the pranic body can be kept.
Prana Yoga is described as having the precision of Iyengar, the style of Sivananda, and the flow of Ashtanga. Prana Yoga level 1 200 hour teacher training programs are offered in Vancouver, and other beautiful and spiritual locations in Thailand, Italy, and Bali. The program is delivered in 4 weeks. For further information, visit the website.
Yoga is a philosophy of life and a process of transformation. It is both theory and practice.
Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful system of yoga that makes the body strong, flexible and healthy. It also brings clarity of mind, peace and happiness. The teachings were spread by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915 – 2009) who studied extensively with his teacher Krishnamacharya and devised three groups of sequences under his guidance based on information contained in an ancient scripture known as the Yoga Korunta.
“Ashtanga” means eight limbs. These limbs are specified in the yoga sutras of Patanjali: Yama (abstinences), Niyama (observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), and Samadhi (contemplation).
The initial focus in Ashtanga is asana and pranayama, with the yamas and niyamas growing out of the practice. The three groups of sequences are: The Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D (Sthira Bhaga) integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.
Movement in Ashtanga is synchronized with the breath, and is designed to create intense internal heat and to detoxify. Vinyasa is the word used to describe breath-synchronized movement. Two yoga techniques used within Ashtanga are Bandhas and Dhristi. These techniques increase intensity, as well as project and seal energy.
Bandhas are muscle contractions or energy “locks” used within yoga. They create inner strength to encourage energy to move freely within the main spiritual energy channel. Bandhas create correct alignment therefore protect, and project the energy. Bandhas and are used within Ashtanga.
Dhristi is eye focus. Some places of focus are at the top of the head, the brow point, the tip of the nose, and the center of the chin. Dhristi projects the energy to where you want it to go.
Rather than a style of yoga, Integrative Yoga Therapy is a process. A graduate from the IYT yoga teacher training program will be able to select and arrange yoga techniques in a way that the yoga classes fulfill a particular aim.
For example, the teacher decides on “Breath, the Heart of the Class” as the theme of the class. Which inspirational poem, mudra, pranayama, relaxation, meditation and affirmation will be selected? And what order will they follow?
I practiced Ashtanga yoga as well as hatha yoga, can I study in this program?
Yes, you can. The Integrative Yoga Therapy yoga teacher training program will prepare you to teach yoga for total wellness. Students practicing all styles of yoga have completed this training successfully.
Can I teach regular yoga classes with this training?
Yes. In addition to offering yoga classes to the general public, graduates teach yoga-based wellness programs in hospitals, businesses, universities, clinics, and complimentary health care settings.
How much time is required for home study?
There are 3 parts to the home study: reading and answering at least 2 questions, journalism, and practice.
Reading - One chapter of the manual is covered each month. Chapters include The History of Yoga, Ayurveda and Yoga, Stress Management, and Meditation, Imagery, Relaxation and Yoga Nidra. How quickly you integrate the material and answer questions will depend on how familiar you are with the topic.
Journaling – What prepares you to be an effective yoga teacher is your own personal experience and journey of transformation as a student of yoga. As you explore the topic for the month, you capture and share whatever you are comfortable sharing of that experience. Sharing may include creative drawings.
Practice – The foundation of yoga is practice, practice, practice. For this time is required. The yoga techniques are learned systematically and by actually doing them. Developing a daily practice brings many benefits. As you begin to appreciate the value of this, creating practice time becomes part of your flow. In addition, practice teaching to family and friends starts you on your teaching path.
How much time are you willing to devote to get the most of your teacher training? Some find 4 hours a week adequate.
I have just discovered yoga and got so much benefit that I want to share it with others. Am I qualified to take the training?
You must know the basics of yoga before you can train to be a teacher. While in training, you will learn the names of the poses and how to perform the pose correctly. Sometimes students feel they can never teach like their teacher, and are intimidated by this. This program assists teachers in developing their own unique vision and mission, along with the maturity and insight to clarify this vision.
Take the support of family and friends as you can dedicate the time necessary to complete the program thoroughly.
This is the 7th in a series of interviews with graduates from the Integrative Yoga Therapy teacher training program offered through Body Therapies Yoga Training. If you are thinking of becoming a yoga teacher, you’ll find these of particular interest.
1. What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must do?
Be willing to reflect and examine oneself deeply.
2. What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must avoid?
Seeking perfection.
3. Is being a yoga teacher just trendy or is it here to stay?
I think becoming a yoga teacher is something that a person does for him/herself so it does not matter if it is a trend or not.
4. Can a yoga teacher still be successful if they are in a crowded niche?
Yes, I think each yoga teacher has his or her own style and there will be students who will be comfortable with that style.
Yoga teacher training with Heather Greaves has influenced my life immensely, spiritually and emotionally. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my love for yoga with others. Teaching yoga has added a rich new dimension to my life.
We hope you enjoyed reading Anju’s experience. And if you’d like to learn more about our Integrative Yoga Therapy yoga teacher training program, check for information at www.yogatogo.com and send us an email.
1. What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must do?
Know that it is your journey and it can only be travelled by you. You must be true to yourself and that means honouring both strengths and limitations. Like all travels you will forget some of the experiences so keep a journal and remember that the destination is the ability to know your true self.
2. What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must avoid?
Do not compare yourself to the person beside you. Yoga can never be a group sport nor a competition. Yoga can only be about your own personal practice. Anything else and it is not yoga.
3. Is being a yoga teacher just trendy or is it here to stay?
Yoga has been practised for over 3000 years and it will continue to be practised but I believe the practise of yoga in North America will go through changes until it will find it’s own balance. Yoga is about finding a balance, individually and universally.
4. Can a yoga teacher still be successful if they are in a crowded niche?
Absolutely. It may seem crowded because of the attention it is gaining in every gym and health centre but that is only one very small representation of yoga. Yoga is about adapting a practise to individual needs. Yoga can be practised by everyone no matter their limitations. The very young, the very old, the sick and the healthy, yoga can benefit all.
5. What has the yoga teacher training done for you?
Yoga teacher training has changed the way that I think about myself, about other people and about the journey that I am on. It has taught me how I must continue to remove the obstacles that I have so carefully constructed around me, obstacles that have prevented me from living in the moment.
We hope you are enjoying reading the experiences of these lovely teachers. If you are, let us know. And if you’d like to learn more about our Integrative Yoga Therapy yoga teacher training program, check for information send us an email or give us a call at 905-628-6463.
