Thoughts on Teacher Trainings
Teacher training is one of the greatest programs you can provide your students. Perhaps geared towards students who have at least some experience, overall a basic teacher training program should encompass aspects from a foundational and basic level, up to intermediate. it would be surprising to find someone who’s first foray into yoga is by taking a teacher training program, this must be taken into consideration, unless it is an advanced program, or if the yoga training program puts in some stipulations. But for beginner programs, I find it unlikely, as outing in restrictions may block certain people from attending who may have great success in the program itself.
The program should be accessible to variety of students from different backgrounds, trainings, school education, personal skills and abilities. What a task! Not all aspects of training will be able to be curtailed directly to each student’s learning needs. However, by providing the material in multiple formats: reading, video, drawing, writing, listening, practice, hands on adjustments, etc, a well rounded education may be provided to the overall majority of students. Teacher training is not for everyone, and some may fall through the cracks, or choose not to follow through and accept some of the challenges presented.
The program should encompass several aspects of teaching a class. First, the postures, breath work and/ or mediation practices to be used. How should they be instructed? What are the anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects of them. What order should the be used in the class? This brings us to the second point, sequencing. How should a class be sequenced? How many posters should be used? In what order? How many repositions? Vinyasa, linked flow style, of ‘Hatha’, stand along postures? How to sequence for a peak pose. What postures should be included in the warm up and cool down? Third, morality behind teaching. The importance of the seat of the teacher. The yamas and the niyamas, ethics and observances. Fourth, history and overall philosophical perspectives. Fifth, business practices, networking, student engagement and future education. Other aspects can be included such as: how to teach hot yoga, kids, pregnant women, etc. Often times, the first few points in the class are so heavy, that there’s little time for some of the last few. Hence, you often see speciality teacher trainings, for the other class types.
What should a sounder gain from the training? Each student will gain what they put into the class. Effort is proportional to outcome. Effort, done efficiently, is ease, just one of the philosophical aspects that should be imbued upon the student. The student should gain an understanding of basic postures, names in their language and Sanskrit, how to sequence a class, offer modifications and variations, teach basic breath work and meditation, understand an overview of history and philosophy. They should have courage developed wherein they can begin a practicum to learn to teach publicly. Of course, many teacher trainees will never become teachers for various reasons, such as: it was never their intent/ they only wanted to learn more, the program did not resonate with them/ they did not understand what teacher training entailed, financial stability, other callings in life had more pull.
Overall, teacher trainings are highly valuable and are encouraged for students to attend to increased their own level of knowledge and practice.
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