Let's continue with more ideas for workshops and some specialty
classes that may fit in as part of your regular class schedule.
You don't have to use all of these ideas, but you may find
one, or two, that fit with your clientele and your Yoga
studio.
Prenatal Yoga: Again, this is much better suited for the
female Yoga instructor, but this teacher should be trained
specifically in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga. There are too
many complications for the average Yoga teacher; this is
for a Yoga specialist.
Modifications and contraindications change for pregnant
Yoga students each trimester. Jane Mackarness has written
such a course, and we carry it at our web site. This field
requires much more research than the standard 200-hour training,
but can lead to networking with medical professionals and
hospitals.
Kids Yoga: Specialized training might be needed, but patience
is a key element for Yoga instructors who want to embark
on this path. I teach children myself, and a Kids Yoga class
has to be fun and include games. Vinyasa will be very popular
with children, since they get restless with nervous energy.
Children can learn a lot, but Yoga teachers, who spend time
with them, realize they are not little adults. Sometimes,
the Yoga teacher's lesson plan will not be finished due
to questions, answers, and kids just having fun being kids.
Hot Yoga: Most Hot Yoga classes originated from Bikram's
style. Be careful not to use his sequences; he has patented
them. Also, the Yoga teacher who wants to pursue this path
should be familiar with how she or he will perform under
conditions of serious heat. Hot Yoga is good, but it is
not for everyone. Hot Yoga classes are usually held at a
temperature of 105 Degrees Fahrenheit.
108 Sun Salutations: Many Yoga studios and ashrams have
these workshops at the beginning of a season. This is good
bonding time for the more physical Yoga students within
your facility. You could always go out to your favorite
restaurant afterwards.
Yoga with Weights: Sherri Baptiste just released a book
on this subject. Bodybuilders have practiced combining weight
resistance principles, with Yoga, for years, but Sherri
may be on to something here. Yoga purists aside - the contracting
of muscles during weight resistance training, and the stretching
of muscles when practicing Hatha Yoga, can be a harmonious
relationship.
© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
About the author:
Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at
Aura in RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and
Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote:
Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students
wanting to be a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
