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Yoga is traditionally passed on from the guru to his disciples. There is no authorized accreditation program that aspiring teachers can take. The only way to become a yoga teacher is to take one-to-one lessons from an acclaimed teacher. Yoga is no hobby; the relationship between you and your teacher is to be taken most seriously. To become a yoga teacher, you need to fulfill the following requirements.
Daily practice:As a teacher, you must be the most committed of the lot. Postures, breathing exercises and meditation should be a part of your daily life. There is always something more to learn when you do the practice with greater awareness. You should strive to achieve more each time. The experience gained will be immensely useful when you guide others under you.
Interacting with your teacher: You can never be as accomplished as your teacher, simply because he/she is more experienced than you. You will need inputs from time to time in order to deal with the queries and doubts of your students. It is always good to refresh your knowledge by interacting often with your teacher.
Study of yoga literature:
It is necessary that you have the correct understanding of the ancient yoga texts. You need to have a thorough study of yoga sutras and other related philosophies.
Following a yogic lifestyle:
To be an ideal, ethical teacher, you must follow the eight limbs of yoga:
1. Five yamas (restraints): ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (non-lust), and aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
2. Five niyamas (observances): sauca (cleanliness), santosha (contentment), tapas (austerity), svadhyaya (study), and isvarapranidhama (awareness of the Divine)
3. Asanas (the poses)
4. Pranayama (breathing exercises)
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (enlightenment)
Vegetarianism:Yoga teachers are expected to follow a balanced vegetarian diet and abstain from smoking and drinking.
Separating yoga from religion: Yoga can be followed by anybody regardless of religious beliefs. The teacher's test lies in keeping yoga free from any kind of religious rituals and worshipping of specific deities. A good teacher never hides behind a veil of saffron.
Knowledge of the human body and medical conditions: You need to give particular attention to medical conditions of your students. You should be well versed with common conditions that affect people so that you can advise specific asanas for recovery. Many of the students would want to take special care of their spine and lower back. You should be able to address individual needs.
Planning your class: Things to plan: the poses, sequence of the poses, rating the poses on difficulty level, alternatives poses for those unable to do them, poses for beginners, how to begin and end the class, how to make transitions smooth, how to use props, how to demonstrate, how to explain, your style of speaking, etc.
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