Monday, March 17, 2014
Tips for the New Yoga Teacher
Just posted this to my personal blog but thought it is good to place here too. Inspired after finishing the practical part of the latest Yoga Teacher training programme at Ananda Sanga.
Tips for the New Yoga Teacher
When asked what it takes to be a good yoga teacher,
Seane Corn, an acclaimed yoga teacher, replied:
“Having a committed personal yoga practice helps”
With that in mind here are some useful tips:
1. Remember why you are teaching yoga:
Most likely you decided to teach yoga because of YOUR love of yoga. It is up to you to impart this to your yoga pupils, so that they also develop this love of yoga.
2. Remember what yoga is:
Bringing harmony and balance to all levels of our being! Union, integration, balance!
3. Teach what you know:
Even though you may not be able to do a practice properly if you know how to teach it properly you can teach it! Be focussed while teaching. Be clear, simple and straightforward.
4. Be adaptable and prepared:
Prepare your classes ahead of time and stick to the plan, but at the same time be prepared to change or adapt something if the need arises. Have options for beginners and more practiced pupils.
5. Remember they are people, you are teaching:
They have feelings, emotions and want to feel good. Make the class about them - not you. Be engaged with your pupils. Do not get so involved in your practice in front of the class that the people are neglected or ignored.
6. Make eye contact with your pupils:
Watch students and walk around your class. If need be make soft physical contact to help correct a pose.
7. In the beginning keep it simple:
Teach asanas and pranayama that you know well yourself. As you incorporate more involved practices into your personal practice and become skilled at them, then introduce them into your class teaching. Repetition can be a good thing for newbies.
8. It’s not about you – be a light unto those attending your classes!
Ask yourself again: ‘Why am I teaching yoga?’
To see Yoga trainings go to: www.asanga.org.za
Friday, January 17, 2014
Yoga Sanga Festival
The Yoga Sanga Conference & Festival
took place from 14-16 December 2013 in Greyton South Africa South Africa
We had a fantastic line-up of yoga experts, teachers, talks &
workshops. There was a variety of stalls, which contributed to the overall
feel of the festival.
Everybody commented on the feeling of unity, love
and warm heartedness of the festival & the people attending.
Months of hard work and dedication paid off to read
and hear all the wonderful feedback re the Yoga Sanga Festival. It
makes everything more than worthwhile!
Here is an interesting article by one of the people
who attended the festival -
Hope that you can join us for the Festival in 2014!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Yoga Alliance Africa
A full circle has turned, Yoga Alliance Africa is back.
Way back in 2000/2001, the first Yoga Alliance Africa (YAA) was set up with the understanding that it was acceptable as a name for an organisation in Africa to register yoga teachers and yoga schools. The first ‘Yoga Alliance’ was initiated in the USA in 1999 and the board governing the organisation was happy that YAA could exist as a similar and yet completely separate entity, with no affiliation whatsoever. There was great excitement throughout the African continent and many qualified Yoga Teachers listed on the website. As time progressed many more supported the organisation and the policies it upheld.
A few years later, a phone call from a new member of the American Yoga Alliance, indicated that YAA was no longer an appropriate name and it should not and could not be used anymore. Threatened legal action (very non-yogic) ensued and the YAA name was dropped. The organisation then became: Africa Yoga Federation, however enthusiasm had been dampened and the newly named organisation lost momentum. That was until a few weeks ago when Yoga Alliance International, based in India, happily embraced their African counterpart yogis and gave the name Yoga Alliance Africa to the organisation. They could see many similarities in the policies, standards, mission and vision.
So here in the eleventh hour of 2012, Yoga Alliance Africa is back, with enthusiasm, zeal and passion! See the website at: www.yoga.org.za or take a look at Yoga Alliance International’s website: http://yogaalliance.in
Ananda Sanga Educational Institute is a registered school with Yoga Alliance Africa and Yoga Alliance International and yoga teachers trained at the institute are accepted as members.
Yoga Alliance Africa is open for any individual Yoga Teacher or Yoga School to register, providing they fulfil all the criteria and uphold the ideals and standards of the Yoga Alliance International.
Way back in 2000/2001, the first Yoga Alliance Africa (YAA) was set up with the understanding that it was acceptable as a name for an organisation in Africa to register yoga teachers and yoga schools. The first ‘Yoga Alliance’ was initiated in the USA in 1999 and the board governing the organisation was happy that YAA could exist as a similar and yet completely separate entity, with no affiliation whatsoever. There was great excitement throughout the African continent and many qualified Yoga Teachers listed on the website. As time progressed many more supported the organisation and the policies it upheld.
A few years later, a phone call from a new member of the American Yoga Alliance, indicated that YAA was no longer an appropriate name and it should not and could not be used anymore. Threatened legal action (very non-yogic) ensued and the YAA name was dropped. The organisation then became: Africa Yoga Federation, however enthusiasm had been dampened and the newly named organisation lost momentum. That was until a few weeks ago when Yoga Alliance International, based in India, happily embraced their African counterpart yogis and gave the name Yoga Alliance Africa to the organisation. They could see many similarities in the policies, standards, mission and vision.
So here in the eleventh hour of 2012, Yoga Alliance Africa is back, with enthusiasm, zeal and passion! See the website at: www.yoga.org.za or take a look at Yoga Alliance International’s website: http://yogaalliance.in
Ananda Sanga Educational Institute is a registered school with Yoga Alliance Africa and Yoga Alliance International and yoga teachers trained at the institute are accepted as members.
Yoga Alliance Africa is open for any individual Yoga Teacher or Yoga School to register, providing they fulfil all the criteria and uphold the ideals and standards of the Yoga Alliance International.
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