Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Five important questions to ask about teacher trainings

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 requirements of the program? The base cost, in many cases, can 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.

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!

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