Yoga Instructor Certification?

[Catrin]

I've learned that the wife of one of my spinning class fellow students is a certified yoga instructor. She's been practicing since 1985 and received her teaching certification via a 3-year residency at the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy and has also worked at the Center for Holistic Medicine in the Chicago area.

It sounds good, but I don't know anything about Yoga certification. She offers classes through a local area church - several 8-week programs. I just have her winter/spring schedule but assume that she will teach all summer.

What say ye Yoga mavens, is this good certification?

[indysteel]

I've learned that the wife of one of my spinning class fellow students is a certified yoga instructor. She's been practicing since 1985 and received her teaching certification via a 3-year residency at the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy and has also worked at the Center for Holistic Medicine in the Chicago area.

It sounds good, but I don't know anything about Yoga certification. She offers classes through a local area church - several 8-week programs. I just have her winter/spring schedule but assume that she will teach all summer.

What say ye Yoga mavens, is this good certification?

Most yoga certifications start with a 200-hour a teacher training class taught by/at any number of schools and institutions. From there, they can get additional training. It appears that the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy offers 200-hour and 500-hour teacher training.

There are good certified instructors out there and bad. Add in the fact that there are different types of yoga and different environments in which to practice it, and it becomes rather subjective. It involves some trial and error. See if you can try the class out once before signing up for a full session.

[Catrin]

That is a good idea, I think I can just take one class from her before I commit to an 8-session package. I am going to try her out after I've used my 5 free beginning yoga classes at my club just to get an idea what it is like.

Thanks!

Back to work - it is really hard to get back into the swing of things today for some reason...

[jessmarimba]

We have one lady at my gym who is this-certified and that-certified and is always going on retreats, etc...she is awful. She is far too concerned about how a pose looks, even if the student isn't physically able to make it perfect, and she is always coming around and pushing you into positions you can't do without help. It doesn't make for a relaxing class. Plus she is a creepy-toucher.

My favorite teacher is a sub who is really only qualified to teach pilates.

Certification, while it implies knowledge, does not necessarily mean they can impart that knowledge effectively to others! Good luck and I hope it's everything you expect :)

[Catrin]

....Good luck and I hope it's everything you expect :)

I don't know WHAT to expect, so that should be easy. I won't be visiting this woman until at least the summer though. All I have is a first name and an initial for the woman who teaches the beginning yoga at my club - and at my level I am sure she will be fine ;)

[withm]

I took one yoga class for 8 weeks or so. I loved the stretching part. I hated the "help" and the yoga "mumbo-jumbo." When one instructor insisted in maniuplating my post surgical shoulder I came very close to smacking him where it really hurts.

Here are two recent NYT articles on the subject that you may want to consider when evaluating your prospective yoga classes:

The Delicate Art of Adjustments
Piotr Redlinski for The New York Times
GENTLY, PLEASE Jason Ray Brown and Frances Taylor-Brown, a married couple who teach at Zenyasa Yoga and Wellness Studio, illustrate adjustments to poses.
By EMILY S. RUEB
Published: February 11, 2011

THINGS can get awkward when a group of strangers strip down to their spandex in a steamy, sweaty room. This is especially true in yoga class, where getting into a camel pose, for instance — thrusting your hips forward while kneeling — can feel, well, a bit “porny,” as Claire Dederer put it in the prologue of her memoir, “Poser: My Life in Twenty-Three Yoga Poses.”

see link for the rest:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/13/nyregion/13stretch.html?scp=5&sq=yoga&st=cse


Rebel Yoga
James Estrin/The New York Times
Tara Stiles, who attracted a following with YouTube yoga videos, says, “My life is a bunch of people inside the computer.” At right, in her studio in NoHo.
By LIZETTE ALVAREZ
Published: January 21, 2011

TARA Stiles does not talk about sacred Hindu texts, personal intentions or chakras. She does not ask her yoga classes to chant. Her language is plainly Main Street: chaturangas are push-ups, the “sacrum” the lower back. She dismisses the ubiquitous yoga teacher-training certificates as rubber stamps, preferring to observe job candidates in action.

See link for the rest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/nyregion/23stretch.html?scp=2&sq=yoga&st=cse

[indysteel]

Since I started having problems with my hips, I specifically tell instructors that I don't want to be adjusted in class. I already understand most poses, so if I'm modifying my body in some fashion or otherwise not doing the pose "correctly," there's likely a reason. If you'd rather not be touched, just tell them that.

[jessmarimba]

Hah, Indy, I tried - she came back with "I just think you don't like to be corrected."

I've never gone back to her class, but she occasionally subs the one I do attend. I can't run away fast enough.

[indysteel]

Hah, Indy, I tried - she came back with "I just think you don't like to be corrected."

I've never gone back to her class, but she occasionally subs the one I do attend. I can't run away fast enough.

Wow; I can't imagine an instructor saying something like that in response. I'm speechless. I understand the purpose of adjustments, but the fact remains that if a student doesn't want to be touched FOR ANY REASON, it is not the teacher's place to question or challenge it, and certainly not in that manner.

[indysteel]

IRebel Yoga
James Estrin/The New York Times
Tara Stiles, who attracted a following with YouTube yoga videos, says, “My life is a bunch of people inside the computer.” At right, in her studio in NoHo.
By LIZETTE ALVAREZ
Published: January 21, 2011

TARA Stiles does not talk about sacred Hindu texts, personal intentions or chakras. She does not ask her yoga classes to chant. Her language is plainly Main Street: chaturangas are push-ups, the “sacrum” the lower back. She dismisses the ubiquitous yoga teacher-training certificates as rubber stamps, preferring to observe job candidates in action.

See link for the rest:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/23/nyregion/23stretch.html?scp=2&sq=yoga&st=cse

Have you actually watched any of Tara Stiles' videos? I ran across her a few months ago by accident was immediately put off. The video was billed as a "beginner" class, but she was moving at lightening speed and went immediately into some advanced poses without any degree of warm up. She was also barely dressed and as thin as a rail. She's just not my thing. Granted, Indianapolis's yoga scene is likely very different from New York's so perhaps the significance of her rebellion is lost on me. She just seems contrived to me.

[Becky]

Wow...maybe i've just been lucky so far. I have one instructor whom I adore and, while he will make subtle hands-on corrections, he is very good about seeking permission and watching for cues that a student is receptive to correction.

Maybe I should ask him about this sometime...now I'm curious...

[withm]

On the other hand, another class I attended, the instructor prefaced every corrective move with "may I touch you?" to the point of total distraction for the rest of the class. It's one thing to be "touched" as in gently guided into the "correct" posture, but another thing to have your arm forcefully maneuvered after being told "NO" when the range of motion was not there to support the movement.

I've not seen the other videos - I just found that article today when searching for the link for the first. I thought it presented another side of the story quite well, and it simply confirmed my own dislike for the "mumbo-jumbo" side of yoga.

Food for thought.

When I used to teach scuba diving, we stressed for each class the likelihood of being touched, held, or otherwise assisted while gearing up, entering and exiting the water, both in the pool, and in open water. Certain drills and activities require a degree of trust and the need to be touched. We strongly urged students that had a problem with this should not take the class, and in the all the years I was involved with this, only one student dropped the class and got a refund. Basically scuba diving is a contact sport and any kind of pre or post dive assistance, or in-water rescue requires touching and saves lives.

[badger]

I've always had this "beef" with yoga in that the whole idea behind yoga is to spread relaxation and peace to everyone, yet it's only accessible to those with some form of wealth.

I can understand the cost behind the Bikram and other hot yoga types as it's not free to heat the place up and maintain it in a sanitary condition, but for regular yoga where you bring your own mat, towel and there's no overhead other than having a roof over you, I just don't see how they justify charging $20/session.

I'm probably just jaded and ticked that something that should benefit everyone is made so "yuppy", and it's almost a status symbol to attend them on a regular basis wearing expensive yoga clothes.

sorry for my negativity! I hope you defy my image and become an excellent yoga instructor!

[Catrin]

....

sorry for my negativity! I hope you defy my image and become an excellent yoga instructor!

I am just looking for a good instructor - not trying to become one :)

[OakLeaf]

I wish it were more accessible too, but the bottom line is that good education is expensive, and real estate is expensive. Most yoga teachers are barely getting by. And yet, many studios here do offer a donation based class for seniors once a week.

[indysteel]

On the other hand, another class I attended, the instructor prefaced every corrective move with "may I touch you?" to the point of total distraction for the rest of the class. It's one thing to be "touched" as in gently guided into the "correct" posture, but another thing to have your arm forcefully maneuvered after being told "NO" when the range of motion was not there to support the movement.

I've not seen the other videos - I just found that article today when searching for the link for the first. I thought it presented another side of the story quite well, and it simply confirmed my own dislike for the "mumbo-jumbo" side of yoga.

Food for thought.

When I used to teach scuba diving, we stressed for each class the likelihood of being touched, held, or otherwise assisted while gearing up, entering and exiting the water, both in the pool, and in open water. Certain drills and activities require a degree of trust and the need to be touched. We strongly urged students that had a problem with this should not take the class, and in the all the years I was involved with this, only one student dropped the class and got a refund. Basically scuba diving is a contact sport and any kind of pre or post dive assistance, or in-water rescue requires touching and saves lives.

I understand your lack of appeal for the spiritual and mental aspects of yoga, but do you have to refer to it as "mumbo jumbo"? It seems to me that even if you don't practice yoga in that way, you can at least respect that many, many others have and do; there's no need to belittle it.

As for yoga being very "yuppy." I don't wholly disagree with you, Badger, but it does cost money to maintain a studio with good instruction. That, however, is by no means the only way to practice yoga. It's very possible to build a home physical and/or spiritual practice. Most of the studios in Indy do offer cheaper or contribute-what-you-can classes, which is an affordable option for many.

[shootingstar]

I don't agree with body adjustments by one person onto another person, that are done in yoga. I just like the independent self-directed exercises that the yoga instructor leads the student(s).

Otherwise it can be potentially dangerous /risky, ie. to loosen another person's back, adjust hips, etc.

This year, I signed up for a yoga class at work during lunch where I only made it to 3 sessions out of the 8 classes..due to meetings, vacation. Pathetic. Cost was $40.00 for all 8 classes.

I like instructors who are relaxed, care about body pose alignment only from the standpoint of safety, injury-prevention and they are open to beginners. I don't mind the music and relaxation exercises, with deep breathing at beginning and end. It helps later on ...in life.

Yes, there are different schools of yoga.

I know what you mean badger, ...yoga used to be viewed as far-out, wierd Eastern stuff. It certainly is an exercise for some women who don't want mud and rain flung into their face/body/hair. :p If it works for them, fitness wise...great. There's the odd woman here and there, after all, who want to look lovely no matter how hard they are exercising.

I'm such a lout, I come in with my T-shirt and tights or lycra shorts for yoga. I don't even have a tight sleeveless tank top for exercising purposes. :rolleyes:

The classes in VAncovuer, I've taken were via the local school board through their adult evening classes.

[badger]

Bikram yoga is like a fashion show these days. Even guys are wearing lululemon this and that.

[shootingstar]

Unless things have changed, luluemom is headquartered in Vancouver. costly stuff. I was amazed...

[Triskeliongirl]

I stopped going to yoga classes at my gym over the instructor adjustment issue. I told the instructor before class I may modify poses due to a 3 cm leg length discrepancy, and that I did not want to be touched or adjusted by her. Sure enough she comes over to me in class and pushes my hip in a way that left me in pain for days. Never went back.

[Crankin]

While I do yoga at home now, I took classes for 3-4 years at my old health club and then did a summer class at a studio for 10 weeks (yoga and meditation).
The instructors at the club were all certified (mostly Kripalu) and only one wanted to actually make a physical correction (she asked). The others would stand by you and verbally talk you through corrections, although I think they did touch some people. But, nothing that I would consider to be manipulation.
When I was a group fitness instructor, I was taught to always ask if I could physically correct someone, although I rarely had to, because usually I could talk them through changing their incorrect body position. Some people never changed their bad habits and I didn't harass them. For some reason, some people either don't want to hear you, or they really can't do what you are asking.
When I started yoga, I didn't like the spiritual aspect at all. When I relaxed a little, I enjoyed it, even though I am not a particularly spiritual person. When instructors start getting "too" spiritual, though by talking up their specific view points, almost to the point of therapy, I don't like it. Yogais a system of psychotherapy, dating back thousands of years. What we practice in the US is only the tip of the iceberg. The average instructor is not qualified to use yoga this way.
I am currently doing research on the neuro-chemical effects yoga has on anxiety. There's some cutting edge stuff being done at BU, showing that yoga increases the production of chemical neurotransmitters (GABA) that decreases anxiety, in much the same way physical exercise does. This stuff is real, but, again it's not what you do at a studio or gym. This is one reason why I am considering yoga certification, to eventually build a practice that combines psychotherapy and yoga (controversial, but quite common around here).

[OakLeaf]

I don't get "fashion show." I like to look decent in class, I like to wear pretty things, but honestly, yoga is more like spinning - worse, because there's no big fan. It's just sweat drip, drip, dripping off the end of my nose in Warrior III, pouring down my shoulders and armpits in arm balances, puddling up anywhere I'm beyond the edge of my mat. How attractive is that really? :p

[redrhodie]

I don't agree with body adjustments by one person onto another person, that are done in yoga. I just like the independent self-directed exercises that the yoga instructor leads the student(s).

Otherwise it can be potentially dangerous /risky, ie. to loosen another person's back, adjust hips, etc.


Well, if the student is not doing an asana correctly, and doesn't know it, she can also injure herself. Letting a student continue doing, or in many cases overdoing, a certain pose incorrectly could potentially be more dangerous than an adjustment by a well trained teacher.

I never had a problem with being adjusted in yoga class, and being adjusted ran the gamut from verbal to being put more fully in a posture by having a teacher use most of her weight to get me into a deeper place. I was never injured from an adjustment. I did have some injuries from going too far on my own, or doing something incorrectly over time, and not being corrected.

A good teacher will introduce herself to new students, and ask if the person has any physical ailments, and will offer to give modifications if necessary. If she doesn't, you should make sure you let her know your limitations.

[Catrin]

It is interesting to read of different experiences. I am looking forward to the first class tonight to see what I think of it. I cannot find anyone who has taken any of her classes, and it is the only "beginners" class offered by my club. I will tell her about my knee concern, and also about my tight hip flexors and tight hip capsule in case that matters.

On a related note, lateral movement is getting easier, though I still feel it in the tight hip - that is only to be expected. At first I was quite unstable with any lateral movement :eek: but that has greatly improved :D