The Path To Teaching Yoga

Yoga Teacher Training is a spirited journey toward deepening one's personal relationship with yoga, and with one's self. The goal of becoming a Yoga Instructor may also be driven by the aspiration to provide illumination for others to find calmness of mind, fitness of body and inspired meaning in life through the moving meditation of regular yoga practice.

What Is Required To Become A Yoga Teacher?

While there are many different schools of Yoga, each offering their own blend of training curriculum to match the values, physical postures and philosophy of their particular style of Yoga, the following highlight key areas relevant to becoming prepared to teach Yoga in general;

Mechanics of Yoga Posture and Body Alignment
Anatomy and Physiology of Yoga Poses
History and Philosophy of Yoga
Meditation/Yoga Connection
Methods of Teaching

Reading List For Aspiring Yoga Teachers

The Key Muscles of Yoga: Scientific Keys - by Ray Long
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga - by H. David Coulter
The Hatha Yoga Pradipika - by Swami Muktibodhananda
Bhagavad Gita - by Stephen Mitchell
The Yoga Tradition - by Georg Feuerstein
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Illuminated - by Gary Kissaih
Heart of Yoga - by TKV Desikashar
Mindfulness Yoga - by Frank Jude Boccio
Living Your Yoga - by Judith Lasater

Teaching Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques - by Mark Stephens
The Yogi Entrepreneur - by Darren Main

The path to Teaching Yoga requires a broadened experience with all aspects of Yoga - and not just gaining skill with the physical poses. Thankfully, the steps of the journey enrich the personal experience with gaining and maintaining calmness of mind, fitness of body and following the path of an inspired meaning in life - long before the goal of becoming a certified Yoga Instructor can be attained.