Vinyasa yoga is a fast-paced, intense practice meant to cleanse all levels of a person: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word that means "breath-synchronized movement," and in practice, students move through poses linking movement with breath. To become certified in vinyasa yoga, students must undergo training with a yoga school.
Yoga Training Curriculum
Yoga certification programs vary widely from program to program. The basic tenants taught in most yoga schools are history/philosophy of the type of yoga, meditation, intensive study and practice of asanas/poses specific to the style of yoga, human anatomy, how to assess student needs, and class planning. In every program, students observe and assist in classes -- eventually teaching a series of classes on their own while being supervised by a licensed instructor.
Training and Time Requirements
There are three common forms of training for all forms of yoga: seminars, 200-hour basic training and 500-hour advanced training. Seminars are usually completed in a weekend and are not accepted by the Yoga Alliance as a proper form of teacher training; they should be used as continuing education for certified/licensed instructors or students. Basic yoga certifications teach the foundations of yoga and can be completed in six months. Advanced training can be as long as two years and is extremely in-depth, expanding on basic training.
Options
Individuals who want to teach as a full-time career may want to enroll in a 500-hour advanced program. Before deciding on a program, however, weigh all of the factors, including time and financial resources. A 500-hour yoga certification can be expensive and lengthy. Oftentimes, yoga instructors start with 200-hour training and resume schooling at a later date to reduce strain on themselves and family. Another option is yoga studios that offer internal training programs at a lower cost to students who want to teach there.
Reputable Programs
There are no formal regulations on yoga training and certification in the United States. Finding a reputable school can be challenging, but there are groups that can help. The Yoga Alliance is a professional organization that registers teachers/schools who have met certain requirements. When deciding on a school, find schools accredited with the Yoga Alliance or that have solid reputations in the community they serve. Speak to former students before starting. If you have concerns about a program, the Yoga Alliance encourages people to contact them with questions.
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