Ultimately, you can only impart what you understand.
Whether your goal is to enhance your flexibility, build strength, recover from an injury, alleviate stress, or delve into your spiritual side, yoga provides myriad opportunities. The degree of training and experience of your instructor enables them to cater to your specific needs.
The training of your yoga instructor
In the contemporary landscape, there exists a vast array of yoga styles. Ranging from traditional methods to modern blends, yoga serves as a broad term for an age-old Indian discipline that, upon its introduction to the West, has evolved to encompass energetic combinations of Vinyasa Flow, Tai Chi, Dance, Buddhist and Yogic philosophy, acro yoga, yogalates… you catch my drift.
Some training exposes practitioners to a variety of movements and insights, while others remain true to classic yogic doctrines.
The education of your yoga instructor
Furthermore, many instructors possess knowledge in fields such as science, nutrition, herbal remedies, meditation, Ayurveda, and more, which shapes their teachings on the mat.
Self-education, attending workshops with certified trainers, and extensive reading enhance an instructor’s understanding of anatomy or philosophy.
The practice of your yoga instructor
Certain teachers combine anatomical insights with imaginative movements inspired by their personal practice, life experiences, previous injuries, or education.
The practices your instructor engages in, their choice of mentors for learning, the standard of training they have undergone, and their teaching experience will ultimately shape your yoga experience.
An exceptional yoga instructor is continually learning, honing, and improving their abilities.
Sometimes from older, more seasoned instructors, and other times through pertinent online courses.
It is advantageous to investigate your yoga instructor’s background and training level. Be inquisitive about who mentored your instructor, as their experience will influence what knowledge they share with you.
This, in turn, will affect your yoga journey.
Namaste!