Teaching Hatha Yoga - Essentials For Beginners

By Paul Jerard

The beginning of September is a busy time for Yoga teachers and Yoga studios in North America. This is the time of year when children go back to school and parents make decisions about activities for the next nine months. Whether there are more resolutions, made during September or January, is a subject for debate.

Bearing this in mind, many Yoga studios design advertisements, flyers, brochures, mailers, and web sites for prospective students' needs. In this time of plenty, after the "long lonely summer," some Yoga teachers scramble to accommodate every perceived student need.

Some studios tie up crucial funds in Yoga mats and equipment. While it is true that you should have props available, there is no logic in buying Yoga mats for more money than your students will pay at the local retail store. Letting Yoga supplies sit in a closet, unused for five years, is a waste of space, time, and funds.

About new Yoga classes: Do design classes and workshops to meet needs that are in demand within your local community. If you live in a predominantly retired community, there may not be a large demand for Power Yoga, Kids Yoga, and Prenatal Yoga. On the other hand, if you live in the heart of a college neighborhood, there may be a limited demand for Senior Yoga classes.

This may sound like common sense, but sometimes we lack the information needed to understand the niche markets within our specific communities. If you receive numerous requests for a specific type of Yoga, you should have a workshop, which meets one to three times, to see if there is a real demand for it.

We often confuse ourselves by thinking our studios should be structured like a general store. There is nothing wrong with having a variety of Yoga styles to choose from, but there is no need for every program, if some classes do not attract students.

In some cases, the classes are in direct competition with each other. For example: If you have beginners, gentle, restorative, and rehabilitative on the list, you must give an in-depth explanation as to how they are different from each other. How will they help a student who knows nothing about Yoga?

It is important to listen to the opinion of someone who knows nothing about Yoga. We often forget how we originally perceived Yoga. It must be remembered that the term "beginner," is a reflection of a lack of knowledge. Therefore, we must design our brochures and classes for beginners.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com

He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/member-offer.html

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Teaching Hatha Yoga - Reaching Happiness and Good Health From Within

By Paul Jerard

When training Yoga teachers about the specific needs of students, there are many discussions, which occur. One point to become aware of is the reason why a given student continues to come to your classes.

When a student walks into class for the first time, there is a logical reason for it. It may be stress, excess weight, depression, or perhaps, their physician told them to go to a Yoga class; but there is always a need that is the driving force, behind the action, which causes their arrival.

Beyond this, there is also a common thread which all people desire. Everyone wants happiness. Most people look outside their mind and body for happiness, joy, and contentment.

Maybe a new car, a shallow relationship, or the latest high technology gadget, will buy some temporary gratification. We know that money can buy many things, and it can buy temporary happiness. Yet, this is much like drug abuse, as it requires more money to be temporarily happy, and the effects do not last as long after each acquisition.

True happiness comes from peace of mind and the gratification which real friendships can give. Gratification can come from many directions. Helping people who really need your assistance (Karma Yoga) is very rewarding.
The drive to give to others, or to volunteer your services, has to come from within for happiness to be the end result. For example: If I do my neighbor's landscaping, when he or she is ill - gratification occurs, because I want to do it.

On the other hand, if my neighbor shames me into doing his or her landscaping, because of his or her bad health, and I really do not want to, there is no gratification and no happiness. In fact, maybe the second scenario could become a weekly trap of obligation. One might say it is a form of Karma Yoga (selfless service), but there is no joy in it.

In life, there are many obligations, but we have to accept them as they are, and make the most of it. However, the quest for happiness will take place when we purposely make it our objective. Seeing the value of your own intelligence, your family, your friends, and appreciating your good health, will bring you true happiness.

Many of us have the ability to choose to be happy. It is as simple as continually saying, "I am happy." If you say this to yourself often enough, and smile, it is contagious. Happiness starts within you, improves your health, and makes you strong enough to help others. In turn, you are changing the world for the best, one relationship at a time.

It does not matter what form of Yoga you teach, because all forms of Yoga were designed to end suffering, and bring bliss to each practitioner.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Jerard