While many people may feel excited about the idea of studying something new, they may at the same time feel a bit nervous about signing up for yoga teacher training. Two common concerns are having the needed time and the ability to participate successfully. "Will I have enough time to complete the home assignments?" "Is there a lot of reading?" "Are my poses good enough?"
Time
Home assignments include reading the history and philosophy of yoga, conducting an internship and self observation exercises. Reading assignments are topics for class discussions, and enliven and enrich the learning experience. And internships are completed - often in one's home community - towards the end of the program.
Ability
Yoga practitioners want to practice the poses correctly. Have you noticed the many versions of the same pose or even within a movement series like the Sun Salute? What the pose feels like becomes as important or more important than the appearance or the pose. A practitioner may force to hold a pose in alignment and grimace throughout. This is harmful and is discouraged.
Curiosity
There's so much to understand about the internal dynamics of a pose. This inquiry deepens understanding and expands awareness. Take a basic pose such as the Table. How is the body kept safe? What options are there for sore knees or any other areas of discomfort? Why is it important to have a neutral spine, and is this the same as a flat back? How can you test for strength in this pose safely? How does patterned breathing affect the experience of the pose?
This is a process of learning through exploring questions practically. Some programs are designed for such self exploration and discovery. Learners practice basic poses with curiosity and fresh eyes.
Your time to unwind
I believe it is important to begin a training program with practice sessions designed to release accumulated tension. Study days afford this time to move the body in new ways - luxuriating and allowing.
From these practice sessions of unwinding a new way of relating to the body emerges - a kinder, gentler way. Each time you return to the asanas, the habit of struggling to achieve a pose falls away bit by bit. In time the pose unfolds from within.
This is easier said than done. It is a challenge to resist patterns of hurrying, forcing and straining; and instead give ourselves permission to settle within, breathe and let go. With consistent practice in a relatively short span of time, tension reduces and range of movement increases. (The intensive format of consecutive days of training is especially effective for this.)
If you like the idea of learning to unwind and deepen your understanding of yoga and yourself, plus share yoga with others in a manner that's therapeutic find a program that's right for you. You can complete the full 200 hour program in as little as 4 weeks or have a longer study of 8 months to 2 years.
Heather Greaves is the lead instructor in a certified yoga teacher training program. With gratitude she notes this is her 10th year of helping yoga practitioners learn to teach therapeutic yoga. You can also visit http://www.yogatogo.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather_Greaves
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