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How to Find a Teacher That's Right for You
There
is a yoga practice appropriate for every body. However, not every yoga
is appropriate for every body. Here are some things to consider when
looking for a yoga teacher, classes or private lessons.
Yoga Teacher Minimum Qualifications
- Completed basic level yoga teacher certification
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Yoga Alliance 200 hour registered yoga teacher (RYT)
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Yoga Alliance 500 hour RYT preferred
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Strong background in all aspects of yoga including the use of props
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Minimum of 5 years teaching experience with diverse student populations
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Additional training in adaptive / therapeutic yoga techniques
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Knowledge of MS including primary and secondary symptoms and tertiary effects
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Experience teaching yoga to diverse student populations that require an adaptive approach (seniors, rehab, disabilities)
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Ability to modify and adapt poses for individual student needs
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Inclusion - ability to work with multiple physical abilities and challenges in the same class
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Acute observation skills with the ability to recognize stress and respond appropriately to avoid injury.
Interview the teacher
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Qualifications
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Training
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What style of yoga?
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Not all are appropriate for students who have MS such as:
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Hot yoga
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Styles that include long posture holdings that put pressure on joints
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Vigorous styles
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Teaching philosophy
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Experience
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Ability to adapt to change
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Personality
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Student / teacher relationship
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Boundaries
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Confidentiality
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Safety
Private lessons or group classes consideration:
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Is there a class that meets your needs and availability?
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Time and location
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Accessibility
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Transportation
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Your energy needs
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Class level:
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Chair?
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Seated only or seated and standing
- Standing poses:
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Are you able to stand without assistance?
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Can you stand with assistance (chair, table, counter?)
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Mat?
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Considerations for floor poses:
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Are you able to get up from the floor once you are down?
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Do you have problems with knees, wrists or hips that make floor poses uncomfortable?
- Floor
poses may include sitting on the floor, kneeling on hands and knees,
standing (with or without a chair for support), lying on the belly and
lying on the back.
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All
of these positions can include modifications that make poses more
accessible. Substitute poses can also be offered for students who can
do most but not all of the positions.
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Certain props can make many of these poses more accessible.
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