How to Pre-train for Yoga Teacher Certification

You are yet to decide on which yoga teacher certification program you want to train with. This doesn't mean you can't get a head start on your yoga teacher training though. Deepening your yoga practice and your knowledge of yoga history, philosophy, Sanskrit and sutras will make your transition into a yoga teacher certification much smoother. Just follow these steps...

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A regular yoga/meditation practice
• Yoga texts (see resources)
• Yoga mat

1. Keep up with a daily yoga and meditation practice. You don't have to spend hours a day in headstands to become a yoga instructor. Just try your best to incorporate yoga principles into your lifestyle little by little.
   
   Take yoga classes as much as possible at your gym or yoga studio. If you can't make it to yoga everyday, then do what you can at home whenever you get a chance. Even a few minutes of asana practice a day is better than nothing.
   
   *Your experiences in your own yoga practice will prepare you for your yoga teacher certification and your future of teaching yoga.

2. Read about yoga as much as possible. See the link in resources which takes you to a list of essential texts for those thinking of entering a yoga teacher certification. The yoga teacher training program that you choose will probably require additional readings, but the list will get you on the right track.

3. Network with yoga teachers and other yoga students. Let your yoga peers know that you are planning to get a yoga teacher certification.
   
   *The yogis you network and practice with today may end up being your future yoga students.
   
   *Your yoga instructors can answer your questions about yoga, help mentor you and even help you select the right yoga teacher certification.

4. Start a yoga journal which includes ideas about yoga class sequencing, your experiences in your practice, names of yoga instructors and students, research about yoga teacher certifications and thoughts about yoga philosophy (just as examples).

5. Get to know the 8 Limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga).
   
   Yama : Moral codes
   Niyama : Self-purification and study
   Asanas : Poses
   Pranayama : Breathing and control of prana
   Pratyahara : Control of the senses
   Dharana : Concentration
   Dhyana : Meditation on the Divine
   Samadhi : Union with the Divine
   
   Learn more about the 8 Limbs in the Yoga Sutras (see the reading list in resources).

6. Visit some of the sites in resources as a part of your research of yoga. Places like Yoga Journal will be helpful to you as a student and instructor of yoga.

7. See related articles for help with choosing a yoga teacher certification.

Resources

• Essential reading list for aspiring yoga instructors
• Yoga Journal
• Richmond Yoga Examiner
• Yoga supplies on Yoga.com

[Rockney]

on 8/19/2009 Great information! 5*!