Many factors contribute to the growth and popularity of yoga. The demand for yoga rises as people continue to look for effective and safe alternative medical care.
In the coming years, more and more people will seek yoga therapy, thus the need for yoga teachers to provide the craft. For teachers who want to expand their profession, yoga therapy training is an ideal way to acquire the necessary experience and skills. In general, the problems of the students that they want to address and the form of therapy the teacher will be doing, determine the amount of training needed.
Essential areas of yoga therapy training
Aside from yoga principles and techniques, a yoga therapist should know how to identify medical care for a range of conditions. A yoga therapist cannot diagnose medical problems and offer advice unless they undergo some additional training. However, the teacher needs to have an understanding of the conditions and treatments of the students so that they can include yoga practices accordingly. The teacher needs to apply yoga to different individuals with different health issues. It involves knowledge of modifications and contraindications of yogic practices to meet the needs of every student.
Also, comprehensive knowledge of anatomy is crucial when practicing yoga, particularly in dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, back pain, etc. Furthermore, the teacher must be an expert on physiology to know how the human body works and detect warning signs of a medical problem.
Ways to obtain knowledge of yoga therapy
Yoga therapists have many sources to gain expertise and improve in the fundamental areas of teaching yoga.
- Yoga teacher training. All yoga therapy teachers have to complete yoga therapy training with at least 500 hours of sessions. Ideally, a teacher is set on a journey to lifelong learning when there is a desire to master yoga therapy. It is vital to utilize the therapeutic tools of yoga in full gamut. Therefore, mastery in asana, Pranayama, meditation, guided relaxation, the yamas and niyamas, etc is If the yoga teacher training program does not cover everything necessary for the particular yogic practice, there are other workshops available for the teacher.
- If you are serious in improving your craft in yoga therapy, you have a significant opportunity to learn from seasoned yoga teachers by interacting with them and observing them during class. You may also ask them to watch you in your class and see how you work with your students. Value their criticisms as much as their praises. While some yoga therapy training programs include apprenticeship, you can benefit from it, either formal or informal.
- Yoga practice. The ongoing Sadhana of a yoga therapist is a major source of knowledge on what it can bring to every session. While teaching is vital, it is not enough because a teacher needs a firm foundation in their daily yogic practice to perform well in class.
The goal of a yoga therapist is to teach their students the techniques that they can also practice at home. When committing to your teaching, find the right training program that can help you be the best in your craft.
