Ashtanga yoga is one of many styles of yoga. Ashtanga literally means eight-limbed yoga and it refers to eight aspects of your life and spiritual development. Movement, breathing, concentration, meditation, moral and ethical development are all important parts of this discipline. If you are passionate about this type of yoga, you may enjoy going through the teacher training process. Even if you never plan to teach, the training can deepen your practice.
Training
There is no firm standard in the United Staes for yoga teacher training. It is possible to go to a one-weekend teacher training workshop and emerge with a certificate that will allow you to teach fitness yoga in most gyms. However, a program designed to teach Ashtanga yoga usually takes longer to complete --- either 200 or 500 hours. The length of training is because of the fact that Ashtanga yoga doesn't stop with the body; the practice also covers spiritual, mental and lifestyle aspects.
Curriculum
Every school will have a slightly different style, but all will combine theory and practice.
You will learn about anatomy and physiology, the history and philosophy of Ashtanga yoga, and you will come to a greater understanding of the yoga scriptures. The practical aspect of the training involves learning the poses and proper form and sequence, understanding the role of breath, cleansing, concentration and meditation, and personal disciplines. The school may structure their programs so that you can take all of your classes over one weekend a month for a year and a half, or the program may involve more intense weeklong retreats that take less calendar time.
Certifications
To work as a yoga instructor, you may also have to complete a group fitness instructor certification through an organization such as the American Council on Exercise or the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. It is also a good idea to complete a first aid and CPR certification with the Red Cross.
Selection
Before you select an Asthanga yoga teacher training program, take some time to research possible schools. Yoga Alliance provides a list of certified teaching programs. You can search on schools by ZIP code or state. There is no national requirement for yoga teacher training programs to register with Yoga Alliance, but doing so shows a certain level of commitment and dedication. Schools have to meet certain standards in 200 hour and 500 hour programs to register. Once you find a training program, take some classes with the main instructors to make sure you feel comfortable with them. Understand exactly how long the program will take, whether the schedule will fit with your life and how much it is going to cost.
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