Yoga Alliance International’s Post

Why Yoga Teachers Should Leave the Ego Outside the Classroom At its core, yoga is a practice of unity, balance, and self-awareness. Embodying these principles is crucial for fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment for yoga teachers. One of the most significant aspects of this embodiment is the conscious effort to leave the ego outside the classroom. Here's why this practice is essential for both teachers and students. First and foremost, yoga is an inward journey. It's about understanding and connecting with oneself on a deeper level, far beyond physical prowess or external achievements. When teachers bring their egos into the classroom, it can create an atmosphere of competition and comparison, which is counterproductive to the essence of yoga. Students might feel pressured to perform rather than to explore and honour their unique abilities and limitations. This shift in focus can lead to frustration, injury, and a sense of inadequacy, detracting from the holistic benefits of the practice. Additionally, a teacher's ego can create a barrier between them and their students. Authentic connection and trust are built on humility, empathy, and openness. Teachers preoccupied with their image or achievements may become less approachable and attentive to their students' needs. An egotistical yoga teacher ultimately misses the entire point of yoga theory, philosophy, and practice. Leaving the ego outside the classroom allows teachers to be fully present, listen actively, and offer personalised guidance to support each student's journey. Furthermore, yoga emphasises non-attachment (aparigraha) and humility (santosha). By setting aside the ego, teachers exemplify these values, offering a living example for their students to emulate. This approach enriches the students' practice and reinforces the teacher's growth and understanding of yoga. In essence, leaving the ego outside the classroom transforms the teaching experience from self-centred performance to selfless service. It cultivates a space where learning and growth can flourish, free from judgment and competition. For yoga teachers, this practice enhances their ability to connect with and support their students and deepens their journey of self-discovery and fulfilment. Yoga Alliance International Registry

Safe Practice of Hatha Yoga: Key Considerations for Instructors Yoga, with a history of over 5,000 years, has become a global phenomenon, offering numerous health benefits to over 100 million practitioners worldwide. While yoga is celebrated for enhancing strength, flexibility, and overall well-being, it's crucial to recognise that improper practice can lead to injury rather than healing. Yoga instructors must prioritize safety and awareness to ensure a safe and beneficial experience. Teaching yoga, particularly in group settings, presents challenges due to participants' varying levels of fitness, health, age, and flexibility. Therefore, instructors need to take several safety measures to protect their students. Key Safety Tips: Participant Screening: Conduct a thorough health history screening before beginning a new class. This safeguards students and provides instructors with essential information to tailor the practice according to individual needs. Download a printable or fillable ParQ (Physical Activities Readiness Questionnaire Form). Proper screening helps prevent potential injuries and offers legal protection for instructors. Environment Considerations: Ensure the yoga space is safe and suitable for practice, minimizing risks related to falls or injuries. Student Responsibility: Encourage students to listen to their bodies and recognize signs of strain, such as chest pain, dizziness, or discomfort. Please inform them to consult a healthcare professional if they are unsure about any postures. Injury Prevention: Certain poses, if done incorrectly, can cause injuries similar to those from high-impact sports, such as tearing tendons or straining the lower back. Emphasise proper alignment and modify poses as necessary. By adhering to these safety principles, yoga instructors can foster a secure and nurturing environment, ensuring that yoga remains a positive and beneficial experience for every participant. Yoga Alliance International Registry

“Do you teach only online?” There is a barely veiled judgement behind the comment, which I get every time I introduce another yoga teacher to my website and work. “No, no,” I quickly reassure them. “I also teach in-studio, it’s just that I travel a lot.” The truth is, I teach mostly online. I have taught from hotel rooms, rented spaces, and borrowed porches on several continents across time zone divides that make me dizzy. I regularly teach from my living rooms in Brooklyn, Brundby and now Berlin (because apparently I really like B’s). And then, intermittently, I teach in studios across New York, on beaches up and down the US east coast, and in gyms wherever I get to and whenever folks ask me to. I just teach, and I love it. Even so, I feel deeply defensive about the online-forward part of my practice. Because there is an unspoken hierarchy of teaching vehicles in the yoga-world. And online is at the very bottom, even if it is livestream. And though I think that’s wrong, I also carry that judgement within me. I qualified as a yoga teacher during the pandemic, both for my initial 200-hour qualification, as well as for the 300-hour advanced studies. Most of the qualifying hours I taught in between the two were online too. As a consequence, there is a comfort to this medium for me, which fits perfectly with my pandemic-enhanced introvertedness. But there is something else about it too. Something about convenience, connectedness, and immediacy. Something about a different partnership between student and teacher: when we are both alone in our living rooms, I must trust that you listen to your body, and you must trust that I give clear enough instructions that you can. And it is this self-discovery part of yoga that I personally find easier to dig into with home practice. When I practice at home, yoga is literally part of my life, and not just something I do when I put on yoga pants and go to the studio. Speaking of which, yoga at home means wearing whatever I want. It is easier to accept failing at home: however much I try, when I practice at a studio, I feel more self-conscious about my tight hamstrings and wonky knees, as if they were a sign of personal failure and not just how my body happens to be. Don’t get me wrong: I love practicing (and teaching) at a studio, where we get to enter a space that is saturated with calmness, breathing in unison with others who equally came to connect with themselves. I just don’t think it is automatically superior to practicing at home with livestream support. Yoga is so many different things to so many people. That’s one of my favorite things about it. I teach yoga for a community of students who enjoy my (in the words of my students) goofy, enthusiastic, sometimes challenging, always empowering style of teaching. It just happens to be mostly online.

Welcome to Yoga-pay: Simplifying Payments for Yoga Professionals At Yoga Pay, we understand the unique needs of yoga instructors and studios when it comes to managing payments. Our platform is designed to streamline your payment processes, allowing you to focus on what you do best—teaching and inspiring your students. Our Services Seamless Payment Processing: Yoga Pay offers a fast and secure payment processing solution tailored specifically for yoga studios and instructors. Accept payments for classes, workshops, and memberships effortlessly, whether in-person or online. Flexible Pricing Options: Choose from a variety of pricing plans that suit your business model. Whether you charge per class, offer monthly memberships, or run special workshops, Yoga Pay adapts to your needs. Client Management Tools: Keep track of your students with our integrated client management system. Easily manage class schedules, attendance, and payments all in one place, making it simple to stay organized. Mobile-Friendly Access: With our mobile-friendly platform, you can manage your payments and client information on the go. Whether you’re at the studio or teaching a class, Yoga Pay ensures you have access to your financial data anytime, anywhere. Why Choose Yoga Pay? Designed for Yoga Professionals: Unlike generic payment solutions, Yoga Pay is specifically tailored for the yoga community. We understand the nuances of your business and provide features that cater to your unique requirements. Robust Security: Your security is our priority. Yoga Pay employs advanced encryption and security measures to protect your transactions and sensitive information, ensuring peace of mind for you and your clients. Dedicated Support: Our customer support team is here to assist you every step of the way. Whether you have questions about setting up your account or need help with transactions, we’re just a call or message away. Community Focused: Join a growing community of yoga professionals who trust Yoga Pay for their payment processing needs. Share insights, tips, and best practices with fellow instructors and studios to enhance your business. Start Your Journey with Yoga Pay Today! Ready to simplify your payment processes? Sign up for Yoga Pay today and discover how our tailored solutions can enhance your yoga business. With our commitment to security and customer satisfaction, we’re here to support you in your journey to inspire and uplift your students!

A yoga teacher plays a vital role in guiding individuals through their physical, mental, and spiritual journey using the ancient practice of yoga. 1. Teaching Yoga Postures (Asanas): A yoga teacher instructs students on how to perform various yoga poses, focusing on proper alignment, breathing techniques, and modifications for different skill levels. The aim is to build strength, flexibility, and balance. 2. Guiding Breath Control (Pranayama): A crucial part of yoga practice is controlling the breath. A yoga teacher helps students learn pranayama techniques, which promote relaxation, mental clarity, and improved lung capacity. 3. Incorporating Meditation: Yoga teachers guide students through meditation practices to enhance mindfulness, reduce stress, and deepen their connection with themselves. 4. Creating a Safe Environment: It is the responsibility of the yoga teacher to create a welcoming and safe space where students feel comfortable to explore their practice, regardless of their level or experience. 5. Personalized Guidance: Each student has unique needs. A yoga teacher observes the abilities of individual students and offers personalized guidance, suggesting modifications or adjustments to poses when needed. 6. Knowledge of Anatomy: Yoga teachers often have knowledge of human anatomy to ensure that the poses are done safely, minimizing the risk of injury, and to understand how different movements affect the body. 7. Encouraging a Holistic Lifestyle: A yoga teacher may guide students beyond the physical practice of yoga, promoting a balanced lifestyle that includes proper nutrition, mindfulness, and positive thinking. 8. Continuous Learning: To be effective, a yoga teacher continuously learns about new techniques, philosophies, and health practices. They may also deepen their knowledge through advanced yoga teacher training, such as specialized courses like the PGDYT course offered by Yogkulam. 9. Promoting Mental and Emotional Well-being: Through yoga and meditation, teachers help students manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges. Yoga teachers often emphasize inner peace and mental clarity as key components of a healthy life. A yoga teacher serves as both a mentor and a practitioner, helping students grow physically, mentally, and spiritually while encouraging lifelong learning and wellness practices. Durga Shankar Pandey 9555429171

To all those who don't know about how the world of running a Yoga organization works, I remember right from my school days getting to hear from friends that, aside from teaching Yoga, what more does your organization really do? And I would tell them that it's just like running any other company. You need to build systems, put processes in place and manage thousands of teachers + employees/volunteers who are a part of the network at the institution. Back then I was still at ICYHC Kaivalyadhama Yoga Center. Fast forward to today, when I'm working on building Yogic Gurukul along with my family. I've realised that many people still have the same assumptions. They are under the impression that, what else is there to be done? Aside from being "just a Yoga Teacher". So I'm writing this post to clarify with a genuine intention to educate because I think not many people know how it works [perhaps because of the rarity or uniqueness of having a Yoga organization]. We take care of not just teaching Yoga, but also: - Student Teacher Relationship Management - Forming a Sustainable and Profitable Financial Structure to the Business of Yoga Teaching, Yoga Education, Teacher Training, Retreats, Courses, etc. - Brand Collaborations with leading companies across various industries - Content Creation and Consulting for Organizations that want our Subject Matter Expertise - Acquiring a Studio Space and an Office Space [this is for new and young startups like ours] - Sales, Marketing & Advertising - Proper Financial Management and Filing of Tax Returns - Back End Management [Website, Razorpay, etc.] This list can go on and on. And the reason I'm putting it out there is because I realised recently that if you don't, nobody will know :) We, as Yoga Teachers stick to our primary bread and butter of teaching Yoga at various levels, but when it comes to also being a start-up founder/co-founder, you don't just have to be enterprising for yourself, you have to be enterprising for your organization first! PS: A great example of how Yoga organizations work at a large level with extremely efficient systems and processes in place is Isha Foundation. Sadhguru has beautifully shown how one can be spiritual and enterprising at the same time. We take inspiration from him, and many more who came before us and did the same work [Swami Kuvalyananda, Yogendra Ji, BKS Iyengar, etc] We have a lot more silent work still to do before we present ourselves to the world. But as we sow the seeds of what is yet to come for Yogic Gurukul, I would like to say - stay tuned. 2025 will be the year of many announcements :).

✨ My Journey from Architecture to Yoga✨ Life has a way of leading us down unexpected paths, and my journey from studying architecture to becoming a Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher is a testament to that. During my college years, I immersed myself in the demanding and rigorous world of architecture. The countless hours spent in design studios, the relentless pressure to meet deadlines, and the constant pursuit of perfection took a toll on my physical and mental health. I found myself grappling with overwhelming stress, anxiety, and physical pain. It felt like I was losing touch with my own well-being in the process of creating spaces for others. In the midst of this struggle, I resorted to various methods to try and improve myself - it did help, but it just wasn't enough. Until I discovered the transformative power of Classical Hatha yoga. What began as a means to cope with stress quickly became a profound journey of self-discovery and healing. The practice of Classical Hatha Yoga offered me a sanctuary — a space where I could reconnect with my body, calm my mind, and nurture my spirit. The ancient techniques of asanas, pranayama, and meditation provided the balance and inner peace that I had been desperately seeking. As my practice deepened, I realized that yoga was more than just a way to alleviate my pain; it was a path to a more mindful and fulfilling life. This realization ignited a passion within me to share the tools and benefits of yoga with others. I wanted to help people who, like me, were struggling to find harmony in their lives. With this newfound purpose, I decided to become a certified Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher with Sadhguru Gurukulam (Isha Foundation). Through very intense and rigorous training (1750+ hrs) and personal growth, I gained the knowledge and skills to guide others on their own journeys to well-being. Today, I am dedicated to helping individuals discover the incredible physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of Classical Hatha Yoga. My mission is to create a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone can find balance, strength, and peace. Thank you for allowing me to share my story. I am excited to connect with you and support you on your own path to wellness. We teach Classical Hatha Yoga in it's most authentic and purest form @yogasanjeevini 🌿 We curate and conduct corporate sessions, group and 1:1 sessions. Do get in touch for more information. "Yoga is a technology. If you learn to use it, it works no matter where you come from or what you believe in or do not believe in." -SG Namaskaram 🙏 #YogaJourney #HathaYoga #YogaTeacher #Wellness #Mindfulness #HolisticHealth #Inspiration #classicalhathayoga

Good Evening Sanjivini, https://lnkd.in/gEpvyprT Firstly, THANK YOU for your KIND and WARM words. However, I politely beg to disagree. Now that you are a TEACHER, you will probably agree with me that TEACHING - LEARNING are 'SYMBIOTIC' in nature. Ordinary students are (probably) fine with ordinary teaching. GREAT (energetic, attentive, inquisitive, and outspoken) STUDENTS take TEACHING - LEARNING to greater heights. So, the credit goes back to ALL of YOU'LL / 250+ friends - fellow Architects from RV College of Architecture (RVCA), Bengaluru in my network for where we are now. Quite frankly, I am amazed / overwhelmed at what ALL of you'll have ACHEIVED in such a short span. To name a few - Shakuntala Acharya is a Professor at IIT Guwahati, Ar.Venu Nataraj is a Professor / Motivational Speaker here in Bangalore, Ananya Nayak is a RA at Edinburgh, Anashwara Mandalay is an Associate in Perkins & Wills, Shreya N. works at SOM, Dubai, Shreya Nath is struggling everyday to draw our attention to the imminent Water Crisis, Sandeep Venkataramu is trying hard to make our cities 'livable' once again, Nitin Dani is talking about 'well-being', Keerthi Jeethuri is an Entrepreneur - trying to save a dying art form, Arpita Ghosh is opening a MAX Showroom across India every week, karthik PG is planning a million sq.ft everyday, Mehar Aijaz is a Management Consultant, Medha Jalan is an acclaimed Toy - Furniture Designer ....... and so on .... on and on. I sincerely apologise. The above list is incomplete. I should have added at least another 220+ names in the above list. To summarise, over the last 3 decades .... I learnt TWO important lessons: 1. The goal of TEACHING is LEARNING, not TEACHING ... 2. The TEACHER's task is to initiate the LEARNING process and then get out of the way. Let's ALL continue the TEACHING - LEARNING process, Here's wishing you and everyone else, the very best, Indranil Bhattacharya

Tips for Becoming a Yoga Teacher Becoming a yoga teacher is a fulfilling journey combining personal growth and the opportunity to inspire others. Whether you’ve been practicing yoga for years or are relatively new to it, here are some tips to guide your path toward becoming a successful yoga teacher: 1. Deepen Your Practice Before teaching others, it’s crucial to develop a consistent personal practice. Explore styles like Hatha, Vinyasa, or Ashtanga to understand their principles and find the one that resonates most with you. Regular practice enhances your skills and builds a strong foundation for your teaching. 2. Choose the Right Teacher Training Program Research Yoga Alliance International-certified teacher training programs (200-hour, 250-hour o, 300-hour, or 500 PLUS Advanced Diploma. Consider factors such as the style of yoga, location, schedule, and reputation of the trainers. A comprehensive program will cover anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, and teaching methodology. 3. Embrace the Philosophy Yoga is more than physical poses; it’s a holistic practice involving mindfulness, breathwork, and ethical principles. Familiarize yourself with foundational texts like the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita to integrate yoga’s more profound philosophy into your teaching. 4. Practice Teaching Early Start practicing with friends, family, or small groups. This helps you build confidence, refine your communication, and develop your unique teaching style. 5. Stay a Lifelong Learner The journey doesn’t end with certification. Attend workshops, take advanced training, and learn from experienced teachers to continuously grow. Staying curious ensures you bring fresh energy and insights to your classes. 6. Build Connections Network with other yoga teachers and studios. Social media can be valuable for sharing your journey and attracting potential students. By staying dedicated and authentic, you can transform your passion for yoga into a rewarding career that uplifts yourself and your students.