Online/Long distance teacher certification

MamaYo · 05-04-2007, 08:27 AM

Hi everyone,
I have a question about long-distance or on-line teacher certification courses. I know that the paper itself does not matter much and that's not what I am after. I have been practicing for years, and feel like i want to teach. I could just try and do it, but would like to gain structure to the process of becomg a teacher of yoga and not just a practitioner so that mty students get more out of it. However, being a busy mom of 2, I cannot afford to invest the time (and money) into an on-site course at any of the schools. The long-distance courses seem more affordable and realistic in my situation, but at the same time seem 'too good to be true'... or a 'money making scheme'.... Any opinions? Any recommendadions for specific schools? Would really appereciate!

cathy · 05-04-2007, 11:32 AM

Although I totally support on-site courses, I also remember being a young mom with 2 small children, limited resources and certainly unable to go away for a month long course or even a weekend every month. So my suggestion is, since you have been studying/practicing yoga for a long time (you didn't mention how long) enroll in an on-line course and find a "mentor" teacher, someone you trust who is well trained, would commit to meet with you weekly and would provide the support and experience needed to go over "all" the subject matter with you. The mentor should be well-trained and be certified by Yoga Alliance. Special emphasis on anatomy of asana and alignment in order to develop a "safe" teaching style. If you have any questions, please email me privately. I would be happy to discuss this further.
Best to you,
Cathy

MamaYo · 05-05-2007, 04:15 AM

Thank you, Cathy! I am considering my options with your advice in mind (see your private message).

To everyone out there: can anyone who has done or heard of an on-line/home study teacher training course that is good (and not so good) please share their insight?
Thanks in advance!

**Nichole** · 05-05-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaYo

Hi everyone,
I have a question about long-distance or on-line teacher certification courses. I know that the paper itself does not matter much and that's not what I am after. I have been practicing for years, and feel like i want to teach.

Dear MamaYo,
First, I love it when Moms become teachers, or rather expand their teaching from their own children to yoga students. I think that gentle encouragement to explore the world, your body, your abilities, etc. translates so well from your own children to your students. It is really lovely!

Regarding your post, the paper itself may matter quite a bit, if only in terms of getting a teaching position at a yoga studio. I have known long-practiced, wonderful teachers who cannot get into studios without having a minimum of Yoga Alliance 200 certification--that is the only paper I am talking about. Unfortunately, many studios are now required by their insurance companies to ONLY employ Yoga Alliance registered teachers for reasons of liability. (The pros and cons for this would dilute your questions so let's skip it for now)

If you have been practicing yoga for years, I would recommend you go to Yoga Alliance (YA) website and download their independent student form and see if you already qualify to be registered with them. They're only offering the YA500 independent now, the stopped offering the YA200 last year. Cathy's suggestion of augmenting your years of practice with a YA-certified mentor is a wonderful idea and will get you that much closer to already fulfilling the YA requirements, sans any additional cost or course. You'll need to hurry though, after 2007, this independent option is no longer being offered. See the site for details.

I also recommend searching this forum, keywords Yoga Alliance. A few teachers have shared their YA-related experiences here that would be good for you to consider while you're exploring your options.

Welcome to Yoga Alliance

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaYo

Any opinions? Any recommendadions for specific schools? Would really appereciate!

I recommend you skip on any course that doesn't at least meet the minimum standards of YA, whether online or not.

Namaste

InnerAthlete · 05-05-2007, 10:48 PM

Three questions

what is it you hope to bring to your students?
why do you want to be a yoga teacher?
what could you bring to your students with this or that training?

05-05-2007, 10:48 PM	#5
InnerAthlete Mostly Good Egg Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Certified Purna Yoga Teacher - Seattle, WA Posts: 1,035	Three questions what is it you hope to bring to your students? why do you want to be a yoga teacher? what could you bring to your students with this or that training? __________________ ---- http://www.yogamojodojo.com http://www.teamyoga.com http://www.innerathlete.net/forum

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05-04-2007, 08:27 AM	#1
MamaYo Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Posts: 2	Hi everyone, I have a question about long-distance or on-line teacher certification courses. I know that the paper itself does not matter much and that's not what I am after. I have been practicing for years, and feel like i want to teach. I could just try and do it, but would like to gain structure to the process of becomg a teacher of yoga and not just a practitioner so that mty students get more out of it. However, being a busy mom of 2, I cannot afford to invest the time (and money) into an on-site course at any of the schools. The long-distance courses seem more affordable and realistic in my situation, but at the same time seem 'too good to be true'... or a 'money making scheme'.... Any opinions? Any recommendadions for specific schools? Would really appereciate!

05-04-2007, 11:32 AM	#2
cathy Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 35	Although I totally support on-site courses, I also remember being a young mom with 2 small children, limited resources and certainly unable to go away for a month long course or even a weekend every month. So my suggestion is, since you have been studying/practicing yoga for a long time (you didn't mention how long) enroll in an on-line course and find a "mentor" teacher, someone you trust who is well trained, would commit to meet with you weekly and would provide the support and experience needed to go over "all" the subject matter with you. The mentor should be well-trained and be certified by Yoga Alliance. Special emphasis on anatomy of asana and alignment in order to develop a "safe" teaching style. If you have any questions, please email me privately. I would be happy to discuss this further. Best to you, Cathy

05-05-2007, 04:15 AM	#3
MamaYo Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: London Posts: 2	Thank you, Cathy! I am considering my options with your advice in mind (see your private message). To everyone out there: can anyone who has done or heard of an on-line/home study teacher training course that is good (and not so good) please share their insight? Thanks in advance!