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!