Become a certified Yoga instructor.

was highly recommended to me over the weekend. Exhale Venice offers his trainings. The next Module 1 training takes place April 8-18, 2010.

Now I don’t know yet what I’m going to be doing at that time, but it would be a great chance to catch Module 1. It’s right before my birthday; maybe I can ask for donations instead of gifts. ;-) Also, the woman who recommended the training suggested I contact Exhale to find out about their scholarships.

Here’s the info I copied and pasted from the website. (Mostly I just want to have it somewhere to refer to!)

Cost: $1350; Early bird $1108 prior to March 1st, 2010
Deposit: $250 non refundable
Materials Fee: $108
Hours: 100 hours

At the Center of Your Being the Truth Shines Like a Thousand Suns.

EARTH_{Foundation- The Base of Yoga
Focus: This level of the training develops a strong foundation, respect and understanding of Yoga, as a holistic practice that affects all levels of being. A sound knowledge of the basic principles, alignment and movements in the postures, breathing and Yogic process will be given; allowing the student to cultivate a deeper practice on all levels.}

Course Includes:
+ Science of the Soul: Yoga Holistic Model for Healing, Peace and Conscious Evolution.
+ Dharma & Ritam: The Basis of Yoga & the Cosmic Rhythm
+ Yogic breathing, essential postures & meditation for health & longevity
+ Template of basic movements, actions, alignment & energetics of Asana
+ Anatomy of asana & spinal health Level 1
+ Use of props
+ Healing chants & mantras
+ Sangha: Support & importance of community
+ Yamas and Niyamas: The universal laws of life
+ Sankalpa and The Power of Intention
+ Cultivating a holistic vision of Yoga, life and healing
+ Yoga of Food/Basic Yogic Diet & Nutrition
+ River of Yoga/ Understanding the history, flow and evolution of Yoga
+ Tantric Roots of Ha-Tha Yoga
+ Yoga Big Picture/One Yoga many styles

WATER POWER + FLUIDITY

Focus: This level of the training will impart the tools and confidence necessary for teaching safe, authentic, healing yoga. There will be a focus on cultivating a deeper relationship with the center of power within; as the basis for authentic practice and teaching. Essential tools such as adjustments, sequencing, voice, therapeutics, philosophy, etc will be addressed. This section is recommended for both students and teachers alike.

This course includes:
•Holistic sequencing, form, movement, energetics and intention
•template for Hands-on adjustments/the power of touch
•Adjusting the body, awakening the breath, directing the mind & healing the heart
•Prana: the power of yoga, life and healing
•Healing & prevention of common injuries
•Anatomy of asana & spinal health – Level II
•Effective teaching skills & ethics,
•Connecting to Source – Authentic Practice & Teaching
•The Wisdom of Life: Introduction to Ayurveda
•Teaching all levels and ages
•Restorative yoga / Yin Yoga
•sharing Yoga: setting up Classes
•Holding the space: developing vision and celebrating the sacred
•Yoga Philosophy – Understanding the Different schools of Yoga
•The Secret Power of Flow
• Self-Healing/Planetary Healing

“Saul’s teacher training program is a profound and life-changing experience. Saul seems to have a direct channel open to some higher power, and he can help you find it for yourself, experience the bliss and share that joy and knowledge with others.” ~ Jenny

“Being with Saul is never anything short of completely transformative. His teacher training changed the course of my life. I have studied yoga with many different people in many different countries and studying with Saul is completely unique. . What he teaches is beyond Asana, beyond alignment. He nudges you inward to discover your own connection to life, to bliss. I have never danced and sang so much in my life! I have never seen so many people so moved to celebrate life. Watch yourself and those around you transform as you experience yoga in a way that few teach.” Chani

Saul David Raye’s Holistic Yoga Teacher Training program was a unique adventure flowing with practical information, music, movement, stillness, community, love, and guidance. The positive energy and non-dogmatic teachings shared in this training created an environment for me to shift emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Deborah

200 RYT – Yoga Alliance Certification
•This course is approved by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour level. This 100 hour course is the foundation for Saul’s 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certification Curriculum

I’ve had this plan in my head for two or three years. I wonder why I started my MA in International Education if I’ve known deep down that I really want to teach yoga.

I think it’s insurance. And I’m not really regretting that I’ve done it, though it’s an awful lot of my parents’ money if I don’t use it. I hope they’re not disappointed in me.

Maybe some kind of split career is possible after all?

There. I said it. Although I’m currently doing my MA in International Education, events over the past year have brought me to realize that teaching yoga is truly my dream job.

For some time, I’ve been interested in this program:
http://www.santabarbarayogacenter.com/html/teachertrainingadvanced.html
I’m also interested in doing training with Saul David Raye, who I really admire. It’s hard to choose a training actually; there are so many yogis I admire. Southern California is a good place to be.

I’ve been looking at these programs as advantageous because they can be done in short sections over an extended period of time, which is great if you are trying to hold down a regular job while doing your training. However, recently I’ve been hoping to quit my current job by the end of this year, and to be able to afford somehow not to work or to work only part-time next year. I’ll be working on my capstone paper for my MA, but I wonder if this might also allow me time to do a teacher training intensive over a month either during the capstone researching/ writing period or after my final seminar. It would also be fun to travel somewhere to do an intensive training. I have a sense of what styles I like and don’t like, but it is difficult to choose what program to do. Time and timing is an important consideration, as well as location and of course money. Money is a big concern as I try to sort out my future.

I was initially thinking of doing a training just to deepen my own practice, but more and more recently, I’ve been thinking that this is something I want to do for a living, either on its own or in combination with something else. I feel that yoga has saved my life and has the potential to save the world! Idealistic? Sure. Realistic? Maybe. I just think if every human being had the opportunity to experience even a fraction of the growth and healing that I have experienced through yoga, the world would surely be a better place. I’ve been reading about yogis who teach in challenging situations: in prisons, in hospice, to at-risk youth. I wonder if this might be the key to finding a job that I love and that is deeply meaningful to me.

This past month, I did a 3day yoga retreat. There, I met 5 individuals who are RYTs. It was great to ‘pick their brains’ about where to get certified and about teaching in general. I feel even more sure that I want to pursue this goal!

I need goals! This is great. Yoga is possibly one of the only things I naturally feel born to do. From here on out, I move towards the goal!

I’ve been researching the certified schools and their programs. Without the luxury of time to experience them all, it is difficult to choose. I am leaning toward a Sivananda school, though Kripalu and Anusara interest me as well. I haven’t set a date in my mind yet. Stay tuned!

I figured it was high time to scribe an entry for this long-awaited goal…

Wouldn’t I, a nimbly, bimbly girl of college-age, want nothing more than to teach yogahhh ? Well…maybe. But how freeing this practice is. I’d love to devote a lot of my time to teaching everyone the poses and mediation of this ancient practice.

Anyone who knows me has seen me break out into a pose whenever my back starts to ache, or sink into the Lotus position to meditate whenever I get a mind’s peace.

I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t devote this to a full-time career, but maybe something one the side, like Paul’s co-worker Pam, who teaches a half-hour class on her lunch. I think I’d like to be certified, just to be certified, so I can open myself up to new job opportunities and personal experiences.

I have been doing yoga at home for years but have decided that I will start taking regular classes with a quality teacher so that I can improve my practice and if I want to in two years (the req. for BWY) go for the teaching cert.

I am tempted to go to India and train there but I know it won’t really be recognised here, but it will be good practice and a holiday of sorts also, for a reasonable price.

Yoga has given me so much. I have accepted my body as the strong amazing thing it is. Even though I am a “plus sized” woman, I can do amazing things and I would love to help other women learn to love themselves and find their strength within.

I’m working on it now.