Yoga Journal contributing writer Cyndi Lee says that hatha yoga is the aspect of yoga that deals with physical poses or exercises. A hatha yoga school will focus on educating yogis primarily on the practice of physical poses, although meditation, breathing exercises, lifestyle and spirituality are usually incorporated into teachings. If you are seeking a certification to become a yoga instructor, you may want to focus on one of the many hatha yoga schools that have accreditation with Yoga Alliance, the governing body of schools and teachers.
Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health
Based in Massachusetts, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health Kripalu has hundreds of courses, workshops and trainings each year. It also has immersion programs for yoga retreats or yoga teacher programs. For teachers, training programs for a 200-hour certification take place over a one-month session or two, 12-week sessions. The 500-hour training requires four, nine-week modules. Kripalu also has yoga-focused, continuing education credit courses for a range of occupations from social workers and registered dietitians to athletic trainers and psychologists.
Integral Yoga
Integral Yoga is a blend of yoga paths, including hatha yoga. Started by Swami Satchidananda, there are Integral Yoga schools located around the United States as well as internationally. Some yogis live at the schools, or ashrams, as a part of the Living Yoga Training programs, which typically last one month. Teachers and students alike also make day trips to the schools for workshops or training programs. According to the Yogaville website, which is the information site for the ashram located in Virginia, Integral Yoga focuses on creating easeful bodies, peaceful minds and useful lives.
YogaFit
Beth Shaw started the YogaFit school in 1994. YogaFit trainings occur all over the United States and internationally, with trainings held at gyms, yoga studios and recreation centers. Most trainings take place over two- or three-day periods, with some of the higher level trainings, such as the 500-hour, requiring two weeks. In general, trainings appeal to people wishing to teach yoga or yogis who want to deepen their understanding of yoga. To receive certification as a yoga instructor, trainees sign up and pay for each level of training separately, according to when they have a free weekend and a training is available.
3HO Foundation
The 3HO Foundation is the primary source for Kundalini Yoga education. According to the 3HO site, it hosts three yoga festivals each year, which include classes, workshops, meditation sessions and music. Also associated with 3HO are yoga schools offering teacher training programs. Kundalini yoga is a hatha form of yoga, which is deeply focused on awakening higher consciousness.
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