Teaching and Technology

One thing I've noticed recently is that the goals and expectations of students graduating from teacher trainings is polarizing; there are some students who strictly wish to enrich their practice, and have no desire to teach. And then, there are some students who would like to make teaching yoga a full time vocation.

I love working with both ends of the spectrum; the first group tends to be less nervous about the process, and they laugh a lot! But, I am an entrepreneur at heart, and as I watch the trainees learn, I just can't help but think about how they might best be able to offer their talents and thrive as yoga-preneurs.

So, when a friend of mine, a nurse at the neo-natal intensive care unit at Rush University Medical Center, contacted me about producing some aids accessible by computer for her nurses who deal with long hours and huge amounts of stress, my first thought was to take it to our current teacher training group.

Together, the trainees and I talked about the specific environmental conditions that lead to high stress levels for the nurses; life and death situations (babies, no less!), issues with parents, doctors, and long hours. These nurses regularly work 12 hour shifts. We talked about how the postures, breathing and philosophy of yoga could help the nurses. The trainees each thought about specific techniques that would be helpful, and came up with a plan for a short video or audio file.

The students developed their sequences at home, then taught them to the entire training group during class so we could offer suggestions for wording, timing and other refinements.

My intention was to film and edit their mini-class for them. Some of the students are still refining their sequences, but three produced their projects themselves. Again, as a class we reviewed these projects and offered more suggestions. These three students made more refinements, and then produced a finished product. We posted this on our web site for the nurses, and anyone else, to access.

Now, why do I feel this was a valuable exercise? Technology is changing the yoga industry. It's easier than ever to share ideas, mini-classes, and techniques to larger groups. For a teacher hoping to make yoga their main vocation, it is worth becoming familiar with using technology as a tool. Videos, blogs, websites; all of these are ways we can share our ideas with a larger audience.

Technology is not for everyone, but a little exposure can have surprising results. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "A mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions." I love that quote, and feel it applies perfectly to a yoga teacher training. I love offering many dimensions to the teacher training.  To view the students projects, please click here.

Six Considerations When Choosing a Teacher Training

Focus Yoga is a little more than halfway into our current teacher training. Already I am beginning to field calls and questions about our next training. While my current group is working on twists, nadi shodhana, and the Bhagavad Gita, a new group is researching and considering. With some additions and updates, I'm revisiting an article I wrote last year, hoping it will be helpful.


A teacher training is a pretty fair investment of time and money. You'll want to take every step you can to make certain you've selected a training that will give you a good experience, and the knowledge and skills to become an amazing instructor. Some of the first things you'll probably ask when searching for programs concern schedule and location; are they convenient? If you've checked yes to those, don't stop there! Make certain to ask these questions as well:

Do I like the tone and the feel of the studio? Do I feel comfortable there? Attend class at the studio you are considering. If it feels unprofessional, such as unreliable schedules or a disorganized feel, be cautious about committing to more than general classes. Make certain you feel welcome and supported.

Do I like the teaching style of the training's main instructors? Find out who provides the bulk of the instruction of the teacher training and take a yoga class with them. Is the class engaging? Is the instructor's cueing clean? Do they display a strong knowledge of asana and philosophy? Is this someone you could spend much, much more time listening to?

What are the total program fees? The base cost, in many cases, cover only 2/3 to one-half of the total cost to become certified. Find out about additional required courses, such as anatomy, additional workshops, and required yoga classes outside the training, as well as books and materials.

What are the total time requirements of the program? A program that can be completed in a few months, weeks, or (shudder) days is not necessarily better than one that takes seven, eight, or even up to a year. Consider the depth of knowledge you hope to gain. Can you be exposed, digest, and practice skills and knowledge you learn in a shorter training? If many hours are compressed into a short time, do you feel you can absorb the information? Conversely, if you are considering a program that has very heavy requirements, such as many workshops in addition to class time, be realistic. Can you take time away from work or family? Be honest about the balance of what you can invest vs. what you hope to gain.

Can I see a detailed list or outline of material covered? Asana is only one of the subjects your training should cover. It may take a large percentage of the training time, but after completing the program, you should also have a working knowledge of pranayama, meditation, asana-related anatomy, basic philosophy, such as the Yoga Sutras, and yogic lifestyle topics. In addition, teaching skills should be a very large part of the program. Knowledge of the above topics is only valuable to an instructor if they can effectively communicate that knowledge.

Can I talk to a graduate? Most recent graduates are excited to talk about their experience. Did they enjoy the program? Did they feel the program was well-organized and directed? Was there a lot of "busy" work, or work that did not seem to support any goals? Did they feel well on their way to becoming a confident instructor upon graduation? (Not all graduates will feel comfortable teaching immediately, but they should be gaining confidence as they teach.) Are the instructors of the program still available to them as they begin to navigate the world of teaching?

Follow the above guidelines to find the right fit. Focus Yoga offers a teacher training program that we love to talk about. We'd love to see you in class, show you our outline, and put you in touch with recent graduates. For more information about our training, including an outline of covered topics, click here. If you have any questions you'd like to post below, please comment. We will address them, and perhaps your question will benefit others!

Yoga Teacher Trainings: Apples to Apples?

In my last blog, I shared some of the benefits, many unexpected, that our trainees received from their training.

There are many good trainings out there. Assuming that all are taught by instructors that earnestly want the best for their students, we could extrapolate that all will offer the benefits of knowledge, opportunities for insight, and a strong community.

So, what makes one a better fit than another? I'd love to list all of the reasons I feel Focus offers one of the strongest programs available. But, maybe some words from our past students would be better...

I do have to say I was overwhelmed at the beginning and didn't really understand the koshas, vayus, eight limbs of yoga, chakras, doshas and bandhas and what they had to do with yoga poses.  But it was like dumping a 1,000 piece puzzle out and starting with the framework and slowly working inward to complete the puzzle.  At the end, it all made sense.  Because of this, I enjoy and get so much more out of my yoga practice and want to share this with others. 

Yes, we love the more subtle and philosophical aspects of this ancient practice, and weave them throughout the training, so by the end our trainees can use these ideas in their teaching and own personal practice.


Bridgette's passion for anatomy was infectious....she made a subject I would normally find very dry interesting to me and the fact that we learned about anatomy throughout the program as it related to the particular asana we were learning was invaluable....as opposed to a weekend anatomy intensive
many other programs offer.

Yes, anatomy can be fun. Our anatomy is spread throughout the entire program, and taught by Bridget, who is both a yoga instructor and physical therapist. The anatomy discussions can be as fun as the philosophy!

I really appreciated the diversity of style in both Judi and Ann's instruction style and I look forward to continue to be a student of both moving forward. 

Guest lecturers were fabulous!


The wide variety of exposure to different teachers, disciplines, and styles of teaching/teachers was beneficial. This provided a broad overview of yoga.

Since our program is not affiliated with one style, or "brand" of yoga, we can bring in teachers of different disciplines, such as Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Anusara-inspired, as well as guest-lecturers for special populations and class types; prenatal, senior, gentle, restorative, and more.

I also appreciated how you always took the time to explain things or review things with us without making us feel stupid or dumb.  There was never a dumb question! I could tell you really wanted us to learn this stuff and share whatever you could with us.  Thank you!!

I of course loved the amount of individual attention that we received from you and Anne, and as well as the complementary expertise you could offer us.

One aspect of the training I love is to observe the different styles the trainees have, and help them to develop their own unique voice. This requires both developing strengths as well as recognizing areas that need more work. It can be tough for both of us! But it's the only way to truly grow.


I have a lot of confidence in my yoga teaching ability because of the strong training that we received. I was just in a class at a different studio, with someone who was obviously a trainee (she even said so at the end of class), and she really had obviously not been given specific cueing notes, and did not focus much on alignment, and also had a lot of verbal crutches! I feel grateful that so much evidence was placed on "good teaching" and what that means in a yoga class.

What's a "verbal crutch"? Oh...we cover that. Learning to communicate cleanly is an important part of our training.


Want to learn more about Focus Yoga's Teacher Training program? Click here for an outline of details, or call (708) 387-2006 for more information.

Why Take a Teacher Training? Three Good Reasons...

There are many reasons to embark on a yoga Teacher Training, and not all of them are about teaching! I asked this year’s graduates what they enjoyed about the training, and their answers illuminated the fact that not all of the joys realized from this type of program will be related to actual teaching.

One is community. Yogis often feel a little like “fish out of water”, as the things they like to think and talk about aren’t always shared by their friends and family. Becoming part of a long-term group, meeting regularly with many opportunities to exchange ideas, can be amazingly exciting and energizing!

“I loved the community that was created-- it was small enough that we were really able to get to know one another, and really cared about one another. I also appreciated that, since it is located in the suburbs, it drew a more varied group of students.”

“Meeting and making friends with "like minded" people who share the same love of yoga and learning something  educational & inspirational from each and every one of these beautiful people.”

Another reason to dive into a training is to immerse yourself into the practice and philosophy of yoga, learning about the deeper layers that cannot be explored in a regular class.

“I also truly appreciated the holistic approach to yoga that was offered. It was a comprehensive overview of the physical as well as the metaphysical and philosophical aspects of yoga, which I don't believe is the way that every studio designs their trainings.”

“(I loved) Delving into areas of yogic philosophy such as the Gita, Yoga Sutras, Ayurveda lifestyle, numerous pranayama techniques and breaking down the alignment of the physical postures.”

“The wide variety of exposure to different teachers, disciplines, and styles of teaching/teachers was beneficial. This provided a broad overview of yoga.”

“I thought the training was a fantastic well rounded program.  I loved both the anatomy and philosophy that was weaved throughout the instruction on asana ...I also found the subtle anatomy and chanting fascinating.  Guest lecturers were fabulous!”

“What I really loved about the program was how we learned so much more than just how to teach yoga poses.  The philosophy really put the meat on the bones of the program.  Also, with including yoga anatomy in the program you were really able to create a union between the body, mind and spirit.

Finally, a third benefit is one that may not be expected; the ideas and skills learned may extend past teaching. They can affect one's whole life.

“This program was so much more than I anticipated.  It ended up being a journey, not just a training program.”

“The training helped me connect philosophically and energetically, providing tools to help with life's challenges related to change in particular. Being able to surrender to your life's flow and trust in your intuition is a key skill in moving through life, regardless of time of life.”

“(a benefit was) Learning how to manage my life from the inside looking out revealing truth of consciousness and connecting on a higher power to my authentic self.  I also learned to be kind and gentle not only to others but my body, mind & spirit.”

“ (a benefit was) Without a doubt my own personal transformation.  This training strengthened my own personal practice beyond anything I could have learned on my own.  It was a commitment I am so glad I made and look forward to pursuing this as a life long passion.”

“... so much of what we experienced and learned is now part of my everyday living, not just in yoga.”

If you are interested in becoming a yoga instructor, click here to learn more about our program. If you are interested in enjoying a community of other yogis, delving deeper into your practice, broadening your knowledge of yoga, and making real, positive life changes, click here. Our program can serve you on so many levels.

The Dollars and Sense of Teaching Yoga

Maybe you're contemplating enrolling in a Yoga Teacher Training program. But, you have to ask yourself the question..."After I complete this rigorous training, is a teaching position guaranteed?" And, "If I do get a teaching position, what can I expect to make?" You may even be wondering, "Is it possible to make a living teaching yoga?"

So many questions! But good ones. A good training program takes a lot of time, and is an investment of money as well. It's smart to think ahead.

First question: "After I complete this rigorous training, is a teaching position guaranteed?" 
Answer: No. There are no guarantees.

However, I will tell you that of the graduates certified by last year's training program, every one has been teaching, either in group classes or privately. These positions include recreation departments, studios and private clients. At Focus, we receive calls from places looking for instructors, and we do refer our trainees to these positions.

Second question: "If I do get a teaching position, what can I expect to make?" 
Answer: It depends. Here are some numbers based on feedback I've received from instructors.

Park districts pay around $25-$35 per class. Health clubs are similar, although I've heard of up to $50 per class (but not often!).

Yoga studios tend to compensate by the number of students attending the class, usually somewhere between $4 and $7 per student. Some studios will guarantee a minimum to help with small classes, but not all.

Privates can be very lucrative, with compensation between $50 and $90 per hour. However, this may require travel to a students house, or the willingness to have students coming to your house. In either case, phones ringing, family about or dishes in the sink can be a distraction, so some instructors rent space at a studio (we offer this to our instructors at Focus) and need to factor in a small rental fee. This also eliminates the need to lug equipment.

Speaking of lugging equipment, some businesses are offering yoga on-site to employees during lunch or after work hours, and this can be an opportunity for instructors as well. Charging a per-head rate, with a minimum number of students required, can make up for travel time, and the need to bring props the students don't supply.

Third Question: "Is it possible to make a living teaching yoga?"
Answer: "Yes, but it takes a lot of hard work."

If you are hoping to support yourself teaching group yoga classes, do the math. Call the type of venue you'd like to work at and ask what their compensation is, and their average class size. How many classes per week would you need to teach to make ends meet? You may need to teach at multiple studios to get this number of classes.

Also, know that as a new instructor, you may need to put in months of teaching to build your classes. Luckily, expenses are low, but factor in insurance (possibly around $200/year), marketing materials such as business cards, and a website is becoming increasingly necessary.

Luckily, a creative person can find ways to keep their bankbook in the black, and their sanity in check. We've already mentioned how private and semi-private classes can increase income. Another way to share your passion and stay solvent is to develop workshops. Have you mastered your slouching habit with yoga postures? Put together a workshop and share your secrets for standing straight with an interested audience. Do the chakras, the vayus, Ayurveda, or Yoga Sutras add zest to your personal practice? Put together a special class to offer at your studio combining elements of these with asana. Expand to teach to special populations (note that some may require additional training), such as prenatal, seniors, or children.

After several years, you may develop a niche, an area of expertise, and find yourself teaching to other instructors. This can help you thrive when supporting yourself with yoga.

In the Focus Yoga teacher training, we require students to present an end-of-training thesis. While this can take many forms, I encourage trainees to think in terms of developing a special class. If the thesis is well-developed, they can offer this class at our studio to real students, giving the trainee more experience, and start the ball rolling toward really developing these interests into workshops.

I'd like to share a website created by one of our graduates, Jess Smiley. I think this website is an example of thoughtful and strong marketing, and you can see Jess's creativity and passion jumping off every page as you click through class and product offerings. Click here to check it out.

Most instructors I know are not supporting themselves and a family with their instruction alone, but certainly there are those who do. It takes initiative, creativity, and strong energy.

The first step is to get involved with a good training program. If having a lucrative teaching career is important, be certain that the program will support you after the training is over. At Focus, we love to showcase our trainees, and they have opportunities to teach workshops and community classes. And, the entrepreneurial spirit is strong here. It is important to us that our trainees feel confident and successful.

Our next Teacher Training begins in September! Click here for details!

Simple + Clear = Effective Communication

--Judi Harvin
Three days after arriving home from India, I came into Focus Yoga to take a class. My body and mind were still jet-lagged, and I felt I needed to get grounded; spend an hour moving and meditating on how it feels to be in this body, on the earth of home.

I'll be honest, I have a difficult time being a student in a class at my own studio. I worry about all the things a business owner would worry about: is the temperature ok? Is the new student comfortable? Is the clock ticking too loudly?

In addition, I knew the instructor for the class was relatively inexperienced, a recent graduate of our training. I had trained this teacher myself. Was I going to be compiling a punch list in my mind of notes on cueing mishaps or possible improvements? Was I able to put being a studio owner and trainee instructor aside long enough to have a good personal practice?

I am pleased to say, yes. And, it wasn't due to my own amazing mental self-control. It was due to the clean, effective cueing of the instructor.

In our training, cueing skills is extremely important component. Simple, clean cueing can soothe a nervous, confused beginner. It can quiet the "monkey mind" of any busy (or jet-lagged) student. It can make any yoga class a moving meditation.

I've been a student in classes with very experienced instructors who haven't quite mastered that skill. They may pepper their cueing with additional words that add unnecessary complexity. They may use certain phrases repeatedly that can begin to irritate the listening student or awkward wording that can jolt the mind.

I'm certainly not suggesting that class be taught according to a script, or be bare of colorful descriptions, anecdotes, or visuals. Each instructor has a unique personality that should shine. But, good clean communication skills will only enhance their individuality.

In our training, we list some of the common cueing "traps" in which teachers can become ensnared, and I also listen carefully for each trainee's individual "traps" so we can loosen their grip before they become too tight. This isn't a fun process for the poor trainees! But, if they approach it with an open mind and positive attitude, the rewards are huge. They feel more effective and confident.

Taking the time and self-discipline to learn clean cueing has two added bonuses: first, this skill will begin to flow into other areas of communication. The trainee may feel that their explanatory skills are enhanced overall. Secondly, when cueing is clean and flowing smoothly, even teaching the class can quiet the mind and feel like a meditation.

At the onset of the class I attended, the instructor centered us, bringing our mind into the space, and proceeded to lead us through a smooth sequence of warm ups and a standing flow, with clear wording so I never had to look up from the island of my mat to see if I was following correctly. I could simply enjoy the feeling of movement. Insights were offered, small adjustments that enhanced, but never detracted from, the work. I left with a clear mind and open body. Thank you. Namaste.

Do you agree that communications skills are a very important skill for an instructor? I'd love to hear from you, please comment below!

Yoga is a Spiritual Practice

Most of us that practice yoga seriously know this is true: Yoga is first and foremost a spiritual practice. If we don't know it through our classes and our studies, we certainly may have experienced it during a yoga class; that feeling of wholeness, one-pointed focus, and vibrating awareness that happens when the pranic energy is flowing freely through the body and the mind is focused and calm.

This feeling is what keeps many students returning to their mats, even though their real interest is the physical benefits of the practice. But, there is something about yoga that transcends the physical freedom created.

Over the next few weeks I'll be visiting India to dive into the spiritual component of this ancient practice. Yes, I anticipate spending plenty of time on the mat at the Himalayan Institute "ashrams" where I'll be staying. But, the emphasis here will be highly spiritual, as myself and fellow students are embarking on a "pilgrimage" to the Maha Kumbha Mela in Allahabad.

"Maha" means great. "Kumbha" means container or vessel. This title refers to the vessel that holds the elixir of life. Ancient Indian legends tell that every 12 years at this time, this elixir of life pours down from the heavens to a point near Allahabad where three rivers meet: the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mystical Sarasvati. This creates a powerful vortex of strong spiritual intensity at this location, where millions of pilgrims, yogis, saints, and sages have joined to practice during this event for over 5000 years.

I'm excited to see the culture of India, to practice at the birthplace of yoga, to listen to lectures by esteemed teachers, sages and saints, and to be a part of this event. I'll be joined by my husband and two daughters. They are not practicing yogis, but they know down dog from plank and even can belt out a chant or two. Who knows? Maybe they'll feel the buzz??

I plan to blog as often as our schedule and internet access will allow, so keep an eye on the Focus Yoga studio blog here for updates, as that will be my primary posting point.

When I return the end of February, I'll be hard at work planning our next Focus Yoga Immersion and Teacher Training, so stay posted for news.

Namaste!

Judi