Many Yoga teachers are often asked what a typical working day is like. This is a very “broad question,” as there are so many types of Yoga to study, practice, and teach. In India, there are nine popular styles of Yoga, but outside of India, only three of the main Indian Yoga styles have gained significant popularity – those three being Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Raja Yoga.
Most common are the many Hatha Yoga sub-styles. There are so many Hatha Yoga sub-styles, that it is easy for the public to be confused about which style of Yoga is most familiar to them.
Getting back to the issue at hand – this example of a typical working day is based upon my experience, the experiences of my staff, and the experiences of Yoga teachers who I come into contact with. Please bear in mind that many Yoga teachers work part time, but there are many, like me, who work at teaching Yoga full time, as well.
When you are teaching Yoga as a full time occupation, your day begins with a meditation. A Yoga teacher should be an example of good health, and meditation is good for mental, spiritual, and physical health. Many people do not see the connection between meditation and physical health.
Therefore, I will draw you a mental picture. Look at people who are “stressed out,” depressed, over anxious, angry, or in poor mental health. This is very taxing on the physical body, and many of these people are not in good physical health as a result. In fact, mental and spiritual health is linked to physical health.
Most people with mental health issues feel no connection with the physical body and may neglect their physical health as a consequence. How often do you hear, “I don’t have time for meditation, Yoga, exercise, eating right, God, or praying?” Unfortunately, we hear these things far too often. People deny their spiritual health for the sake of being “politically correct.”
The public needs your help and if you are going to teach Yoga to anyone, drive through traffic, work with the public, and teach a healthy lifestyle, you must be an example of good holistic health.
Yoga teachers spend time preparing each lesson plan. The particular lesson plan is designed for the needs, health, and age of the group. I have found book stores, libraries, and the office, to be the best places for concentrating on a Yoga lesson plan.
Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
