Yoga Alliance USA – Your Guide To Becoming A Yoga Guru
Yoga has been an integral part of Indian culture for more than 5000 years. However, it has not been limited to the Indian heartland and does find mention in numerous cultures around the world. This sacred art offers you numerous benefits when it comes to enjoying good physical and mental health.
Have you heard about Yoga Alliance USA? It is a non-profit organization working to represent the global yoga community. International Yoga Alliance is also the largest organization in the United States keeping the records of certified yoga teachers and schools in its registry. One of the things that Yoga Alliance USA is known for is the standards it sets for teaching the art of yoga.
That said, let us find out a bit in detail about how the international Yoga Alliance USA works.
How Yoga Alliance USA Operates
Instead of providing yoga teacher training, Yoga Alliance USA provides yoga schools and to-be yoga teachers the yoga education standards. These standards ensure you spend enough time on theoretical and practical aspects of yoga.
As said above, Yoga Alliance USA is the largest organization having an online directory containing information on yoga teachers who graduated from Yoga Alliance certified schools or institutions. The Yoga Alliance USA credential systems are further divided into three sub-categories namely;
1. Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)
A Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) is someone who has completed their yoga teacher training in accordance with the standard set by Yoga Alliance USA. There are three different RYT levels namely RYT 200, RYT 500, Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 200, and Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher 500.
2. Registered Yoga School (RYS)
The Registered Yoga School (RYS) is an institution providing yoga classes in accordance with the yoga teaching standards made by the international Yoga Alliance USA. The three types of courses you come across at an RYS include 200 hours, 300 hours, and 500 hours YTT. Each of these programs teaches you a different facet of yoga.
3. Continuing Education Providers (CEP)
Introduced by Yoga Alliance USA in 2016, the CEP is designed for yoga teachers who want to stand out by teaching courses that help them become RYT. A major benefit of accomplishing the Continuing Education Providers training is you become eligible for Yoga Alliance USA membership benefits.
Remember, whether you want to become an RYT or want to enroll in an RYS, each of these has a separate set of requirements for you to register and move ahead with yoga practice.
Yoga Alliance USA Credential FAQ
For you to earn the international Yoga Alliance USA credentials, you must complete the total number of hours dedicated to each section of yoga learning in the yoga teacher training program.
Many yogis often have a lot of questions when it comes to becoming a Yoga Alliance USA member. Are you too interested in knowing the pros of joining the international Yoga Alliance USA? Read on.
Benefits Of Yoga Alliance USA Membership
Now that you are clear as to what is Yoga Alliance USA and how it operates, let us take a look at what you get by joining this organization.
1. Directory Listing
One of the major benefits of becoming a Yoga Alliance USA member is your profile gets added to their directory page. This means you stand more chances of getting employment as an RYT and increasing your potential client base.
2. Part Of Yoga Community
Once you join, you don’t just become a part of Yoga Alliance USA, you become an inseparable part of a growing yoga community with a worldwide presence. In other words, you have a chance to networking and connecting with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for yoga as you.
3. Access to Unlimited Resources
Besides numerous publications available on the Yoga Alliance USA website, you also get an opportunity to look for in-depth yoga research and other yogic literature. In short, it is your golden chance to advance your learning of this sacred art.
4. Increased Credibility
Yoga Alliance USA is a globally recognized organization working for the welfare of the global yoga community. There cannot be anything better than having your name associated with such a highly regarded yoga organization that increases your credibility as a certified yoga teacher.
5. Free Online Workshops
When it comes to learning yoga, there is no limit to the knowledge you can gather. With the international Yoga Alliance USA, you can rest assured of online workshops that help you improve your knowledge of yoga. Moreover, you also get to become part of various study groups.
6. Other Benefits
Being a member of Yoga Alliance USA provides you exclusive access to liability insurance, legal counseling, and discounts on various yoga products. These discounts cover your travel, yoga training, and numerous other yoga products.
Fortunately, owing to yoga becoming a global phenomenon, there has been a lot of interest in certified yoga teacher training. If you are one of them, the information below is for you.
Yoga Teacher Training – In Brief
You might have been practicing yoga for some time, but something still feels missing. You know there is more to yoga than asanas and meditation but can’t find the right guidance. The yoga teacher training is exactly the place you are looking for.
As per yoga experts, there are numerous reasons why someone would be interested in doing the yoga teacher training. Some of these reasons are;
- Diving deeper into yoga practice
- Forming life-long relationships with other yogis
- The thirst to know everything about yoga including its history and philosophy
- A desire to unlock your true nature and power with yoga
In short, doing the yoga teacher training is always a rewarding decision on a professional and personal basis. You don’t just learn yoga to teach this sacred art to others, it also makes you aware of the hidden potential in every human being.
That said, do you know about the three different levels of yoga teacher training?
Yoga Teacher Training – The Three Levels
There are different yoga teacher training programs depending on your budget, needs, and preferred style of yoga.
With that said, given below are three different yoga teacher training certifications.
1. 200-Hour
The first level of yoga teacher training provides you with the basic knowledge of yoga including different yoga asanas, meditation, and yoga philosophy.
2. 300-Hour
Intermediate-level yoga teacher training program which you can enroll in after completing the 200-hour program. It provides you a little in-depth information about yoga including Shatkarmas, Yoga Mantras, and yoga teaching methodology.
3. 500-Hour
The master-level yoga teacher training is a combination of the 200 and 300-hour YTT courses. It provides you the knowledge of the mental and spiritual aspects of yoga.
All these are the best yoga teacher training programs, all you need to do is enroll in a Yoga Alliance USA certified yoga school to get the full benefits of the program.
If you have made up your mind to become the best yoga teacher, the information below would help you make the right decision.
4 Things To Look For In Yoga Teacher Training
The yoga teacher training requires a considerable amount of time, money, and effort from your side. Considering you would be spending hours in a Yoga Alliance USA certified yoga school, you must keep in mind some things when signing up for yoga teacher training.
1. Asana Practice
This goes without saying! The first thing you have to consider when looking for yoga teacher training is the physical aspect of yoga, aka the yoga asanas. The yoga teacher training should offer you multiple styles of yoga on a regular basis.
In other words, if you want to help others learn this sacred art, first you have to gather the necessary knowledge and that includes developing a personal practice. It is how you will develop the skills to guide others in doing a yoga asana using the correct body alignment.
2. Pranayama & Breathing Cues
Another important facet of the yoga teacher training is Pranayama and its numerous breathing techniques. Remember, the right breathing is paramount to how successfully you are able to practice a specific yoga asana.
When you are looking for yoga centers providing a YTT program, learning the right way to breathe would help you in diving deeper into yoga. Moreover, you would also be in a better position to guide others and prevent them from holding their breath during the yoga session.
3. Anatomy
The human body is a marvel. It has 206 bones, 78 organs, and three types of blood vessels spread all over your body. It is super important for you to gain in-depth knowledge of yoga anatomy to understand the human body.
Moreover, an understanding of anatomy helps you understand how different body parts are connected, which you can use to help others practice yoga without the risk of an injury.
4. Sequencing
Once you are done with understanding the yoga asana, it is time you understand how to form a sequence. Learning the sequence is important as it gives you a better understanding of how your body moves through different ranges of motion. You should enroll in a Yoga Alliance USA registered school to learn everything about the ancient art of yoga.
Needless to say, you must have a few expectations from the yoga teacher training program. Yoga experts have come up with some simple tips to help you make the most of yoga teacher training.
5 Things To Know Before Joining Yoga Teacher Training
Given below are five powerful tips to help you get through the Yoga Alliance USA recognized yoga teacher training program.
1. Let Go Of Expectations
Even if you had some experience with yoga, no one can fully prepare themselves when they sign up for yoga teacher training. There is no guessing what each class would be based on, and what emotions would the yoga practice evoke inside of you. In short, it is better to let go of all expectations and trust the teacher to guide you on this journey.
2. Do It For YOU
The most important thing to remember is to study and learn the art of yoga for yourself. Whether you plan to go ahead and teach or not, there is a lot you will get out of these yoga classes. In other words, the only way you can teach yoga to others is if you embrace this new lifestyle yourself first.
3. Study
There have been instances where people have hired a yoga teacher only to know the ‘teacher’ does not have any knowledge of what they teach. Moreover, so many mishaps and injuries during a yoga session make it harder for people to trust the yoga teacher.
Therefore, it is up to you to be fully aware of body movements, body alignment, different types of breathing, and numerous other yoga techniques. In short, you need to possess complete knowledge of what you are teaching others with regards to yoga. Be sure you make the lives of others happy and not miserable!
Also read: How can I become Yoga Professional
4. Be Patient
You would spend hours and days in a room full of people from different walks of life. Some would be happy to talk to you while others might not like you that much, and that is okay. It is important you understand that every individual is different and comes with their own priorities and reasons for the yoga class.
Be it the teacher at yoga centers or a fellow student, you should learn to be patient when dealing with different individuals. In other words, learn to act instead of reacting to the situation.
5. YTT Is A Bumpy Ride
From day one of the yoga teacher training, you need to mentally prepare for surprises. Yoga experts say this time of your life is a bit bumpy. On some days you would feel on top of the world while on some you would not feel even looking at the yoga mat.
There will be times when you will feel your brain is about to explode and cannot take in any more knowledge. The yoga teachers recommend you should do something fun and unrelated to the yoga teacher training to distract your mind from the stress. For example, you can go for a walk or talk it out with someone you befriended at the training.
Conclusion
Do you want to become the best yoga teacher? Enroll in an international Yoga Alliance USA certified yoga school to learn the sacred art of yoga under yoga experts.
Read more: Join Yoga Teacher Training In Rishikesh
