Yoga's enduring popularity stems not just from its health benefits, but for its accessibility by people of all ages and fitness levels. The growing senior population has influenced the increase in yoga classes in gyms, senior centers and assisted living communities. Yoga is particularly beneficial to seniors because it builds strength and flexibility required to maintain mobility, and helps prevent back pain and injury. But like any exercise program, yoga has risks that require it be taught by knowledgeable and experienced instructors.
Age-Related Issues
The aging process involves changes that can make exercise more difficult for seniors. Arthritis, osteoporosis, reduced flexibility and health conditions such as heart disease and hypertension require modified exercise programs. Reduced mobility or high blood pressure limits seniors' ability to perform yoga positions on the floor. Poor posture as a result of osteoporosis or a sedentary lifestyle may make it difficult for seniors to flex or extend properly into yoga poses. Instructors need to be aware of these issues and design classes that modify the exercises, while at the same time include poses that build strength and flexibility to improve health.
Training
Yoga certification programs recommend and sometimes require that you obtain a general yoga certification and take a course in senior yoga before teaching senior yoga classes. On-site or home-based programs in yoga instruction are available. Choose a program that is registered with Yoga Alliance, which sets the standards for yoga professionals and can increase your marketability as a yoga instructor. The minimum requirements for yoga certification is 200 hours. General yoga training teaches techniques, teaching methods, yoga philosophy, and anatomy and physiology. Once certified as a yoga instructor, take a course in senior yoga, which will provide guidelines for teaching using chairs or asanas for specific issues such as arthritis.
Certification
Yoga certificaiton requires completing a program and passing an exam. The most well-known certification program is through Yoga Alliance, which offers a Registered Yoga Instructor designation. If you work with a yoga training program associated with Yoga Alliance, applying for certification involves an application and proof of course completion. If your training program isn't registered with Yoga Alliance, you can still apply for the Registered Yoga Instructor designation; however, you may need to supply more paperwork to verify that you have met the standards for certification. When you complete the course in senior yoga, you will be issued a certificate showing you've completed the course.
Continuing Education
Yoga Alliance requires registered instructors to complete 45 teaching and 30 training hours of continuing education every three years to maintain certification. Ten of the training hours should be taught by a qualified yoga instructor, while the remaining 20 hours can come from books, videos or online courses. Completion of a senior yoga class would qualify for continuing education credit.
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