teacher training india...help - Page 2

Pandara · 03-05-2008, 10:45 PM

Hi All,

I would like to add a few thoughts with regard to doing a teacher training course:

First of all, as Westerners we must remember that we are Westerners with a western body and inherently a western mindset as well. This means that our bodies cannot do all of the asanas that the Eastern body can do. Further more we see the spiritual aspects of our lives much different from Easterners as well. During the past December I did a yoga retreat in India and altough it was a great retreat and I learned much from it, I couldn't help to realise that there wasn't much appreciation for the Western body and its limitations in terms of build and secondly for Western thinking on many of the spiritual topics we covered during the retreat. This was also my experience in 2005 when I was in India as well for a yoga workshop. However, these retreats/workshops are great and as a teacher has given me other insights as well, which I have modified to suit my western yogis. Living in Africa, I have Africans as yogis as well and they again need a completely different approach due to their strong tribal heritage and their body build is again very different from whites and easterners.

I was extremely fortunate to have both a yoga teacher and teacher trainer who could assimilate the eastern philosophy and thinking and dish it up to suit western mind, body and soul. In the West we have different challenges from the East, our society is much more driven and stressful and as such we as teachers need to bring much more relaxation into our practice rather than to add more stress via strange philosophical ideas and too difficult asanas to all ready highly stressed people.

Last point, I know there is a variety of two week to two months teacher training courses available. I simply don't belief that any course that is so short can really teach you all the intricacies of human anatomy for example. Yoga training is not a McDonalds Drive-thru and I think personally we are going to see huge problems, even lawsuits against poorly trained teachers in a couple of years, because these short courses simply cannot train you well enough to be a competent teacher.

Personally I did the Satyananda Yoga Training course, which strecthes over two years with intensive training in all the aspects of yoga and regular contact with your trainer as well as a strong focus on practical training and building expereince.

In conclusion consider training in the west, where you are properly prepared to handle the needs of westerners in a western way, which they can understand and assimilate. You can add the eastern influence later through workshops and retreats in the east.

sqcloud · 03-05-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momo

I have been practicing yoga for a little over a year and I want to focus on it more intensely. I've been looking at yoga retreats online, but they all seem to be more like vacations where you also do some yoga. I'm hoping to find a place to practice and study yoga that is more serious - for a month or two. Does anyone know of anything like this?

Can you recommend some yoga retreats online?

singeanna · 03-07-2008, 08:09 PM

A friend of mine just finished a mont long yoga teacher training in Costa Rico. She loved it. I believe it is called "Heart Yoga" and the couple that teaches it are from Canada.

madeline_sweet · 03-20-2008, 03:51 PM

It would be my DREAM to study Yoga in India. However, I would really like to learn and study yoga from an Ashram that has Lead Instructors, both Male and Female. Or even just all Female instructors. It seems that Yoga is very Male Dominated in India? Am I wrong in this Impression?

I believe that YogaFit is beginning to offer training in Mysore, India. I am beginning to look into this. I am mainly interested in a Vinyasa Flow sort of Yoga - less traditional, more progressive.

Prascina · 05-14-2008, 12:43 AM

There is a yoga place in Kerala,India which is run by a woman. As from their web it seems a progressive yet traditional place.

Prascina · 05-15-2008, 12:25 AM

A good yoga teacher always finds a balanced combination of yogic philosopies and body structures for each student.Teacher is more than a loving parent guiding each aspirant knowing exactly what more they may need to become an other teacher.West or East.. a teacher dedicated to the cause..is what one needs. Peace, love and calmness are beyond the limits of philosophies ..body..time and place.So when planning to go deeper into yoga..or trying to take atleast a TTC pray that you reach good ,safe hands.

Salomi · 07-27-2008, 01:33 PM

hello to everyone!! I myself have the same thoughts about studying in India. It seems however, that I have been very optimistic up until now, since I havent been practising yoga for quite some time, plus I havent had nough lessons.
I see the training as an answer to myself and my beliefs, since all my life I am trying to improve and correct my disadvantages as a personality.
I have no patience, no limit in pleasures (as far as it concern food, cigarretes, everything lol) and i want to discover my spiritual side. Would be great if I was good enough to teach, but i would be satisfied anyway, if I experienced an other point of view (of life that is!!)
Found some courses that almost cost 500 euros but i must say I have some doubts for the services and security so I'd like to hear what you think. I would also like to know, if the hygeine is in a good state in those places. I am not looking for aluxury resort if you are asking this, but I cannot imagine myself in a place that is dirty. Hope i didnt sound picturesque!
I forgot to mention I come from Greece!
Looking forward to your answers!

03-05-2008, 10:45 PM	#11
Pandara Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 489	Hi All, I would like to add a few thoughts with regard to doing a teacher training course: First of all, as Westerners we must remember that we are Westerners with a western body and inherently a western mindset as well. This means that our bodies cannot do all of the asanas that the Eastern body can do. Further more we see the spiritual aspects of our lives much different from Easterners as well. During the past December I did a yoga retreat in India and altough it was a great retreat and I learned much from it, I couldn't help to realise that there wasn't much appreciation for the Western body and its limitations in terms of build and secondly for Western thinking on many of the spiritual topics we covered during the retreat. This was also my experience in 2005 when I was in India as well for a yoga workshop. However, these retreats/workshops are great and as a teacher has given me other insights as well, which I have modified to suit my western yogis. Living in Africa, I have Africans as yogis as well and they again need a completely different approach due to their strong tribal heritage and their body build is again very different from whites and easterners. I was extremely fortunate to have both a yoga teacher and teacher trainer who could assimilate the eastern philosophy and thinking and dish it up to suit western mind, body and soul. In the West we have different challenges from the East, our society is much more driven and stressful and as such we as teachers need to bring much more relaxation into our practice rather than to add more stress via strange philosophical ideas and too difficult asanas to all ready highly stressed people. Last point, I know there is a variety of two week to two months teacher training courses available. I simply don't belief that any course that is so short can really teach you all the intricacies of human anatomy for example. Yoga training is not a McDonalds Drive-thru and I think personally we are going to see huge problems, even lawsuits against poorly trained teachers in a couple of years, because these short courses simply cannot train you well enough to be a competent teacher. Personally I did the Satyananda Yoga Training course, which strecthes over two years with intensive training in all the aspects of yoga and regular contact with your trainer as well as a strong focus on practical training and building expereince. In conclusion consider training in the west, where you are properly prepared to handle the needs of westerners in a western way, which they can understand and assimilate. You can add the eastern influence later through workshops and retreats in the east. __________________ Love & Light Pandara _____________________________________________ Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. - Swami Sivanada

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03-07-2008, 08:09 PM	#13
singeanna Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	A friend of mine just finished a mont long yoga teacher training in Costa Rico. She loved it. I believe it is called "Heart Yoga" and the couple that teaches it are from Canada.

03-20-2008, 03:51 PM	#14
madeline_sweet Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 14	It would be my DREAM to study Yoga in India. However, I would really like to learn and study yoga from an Ashram that has Lead Instructors, both Male and Female. Or even just all Female instructors. It seems that Yoga is very Male Dominated in India? Am I wrong in this Impression? I believe that YogaFit is beginning to offer training in Mysore, India. I am beginning to look into this. I am mainly interested in a Vinyasa Flow sort of Yoga - less traditional, more progressive.

05-14-2008, 12:43 AM	#15
Prascina Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70	There is a yoga place in Kerala,India which is run by a woman. As from their web it seems a progressive yet traditional place.

05-15-2008, 12:25 AM	#16
Prascina Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 70	A good yoga teacher always finds a balanced combination of yogic philosopies and body structures for each student.Teacher is more than a loving parent guiding each aspirant knowing exactly what more they may need to become an other teacher.West or East.. a teacher dedicated to the cause..is what one needs. Peace, love and calmness are beyond the limits of philosophies ..body..time and place.So when planning to go deeper into yoga..or trying to take atleast a TTC pray that you reach good ,safe hands.

07-27-2008, 01:33 PM	#17
Salomi Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1	hello to everyone!! I myself have the same thoughts about studying in India. It seems however, that I have been very optimistic up until now, since I havent been practising yoga for quite some time, plus I havent had nough lessons. I see the training as an answer to myself and my beliefs, since all my life I am trying to improve and correct my disadvantages as a personality. I have no patience, no limit in pleasures (as far as it concern food, cigarretes, everything lol) and i want to discover my spiritual side. Would be great if I was good enough to teach, but i would be satisfied anyway, if I experienced an other point of view (of life that is!!) Found some courses that almost cost 500 euros but i must say I have some doubts for the services and security so I'd like to hear what you think. I would also like to know, if the hygeine is in a good state in those places. I am not looking for aluxury resort if you are asking this, but I cannot imagine myself in a place that is dirty. Hope i didnt sound picturesque! I forgot to mention I come from Greece! Looking forward to your answers!