| Have you ever been curious or skeptical about how | | | | and true or false examinations do not require a Yoga |
| correspondence courses, for Yoga teachers, work? | | | | teacher intern to do in-depth thinking and research. |
| Below is a question and answer session about | | | | There may be essays, research, and a synopsis or |
| educating Yoga instructors through distance learning. | | | | two. The highlight of the testing process is the |
| These courses are online, or correspondence | | | | practical exam video, which may be 50% of the |
| programs, designed for the education of new, or | | | | entire grade. The video may require you to |
| established, Yoga teachers. | | | | demonstrate, assist, adjust, and explain, pranayama |
| Q: It's hard to believe that someone can be certified | | | | (Yogic breathing), relaxation, asana (Yoga posture), |
| as a Yoga teacher without face-to-face contact. | | | | and meditation techniques. |
| How does a correspondence course for Yoga | | | | Depending on the practical exam requirements, there |
| instructors compensate for personal contact? | | | | may be other techniques to demonstrate, and |
| A: Technology, in the form of streaming video, via | | | | explain, such as: Mudras (gestures, usually performed |
| Internet and DVDs, has changed the face of | | | | with the hands), bandhas (locks), or something else. |
| education and training in every field. Correspondence | | | | Q: Is knowledge of all the aspects of classical Hatha |
| courses traditionally entailed learning by reading, and | | | | Yoga required? |
| maybe sending a few photos of postures, but video | | | | A: A well-rounded distance learning Hatha Yoga |
| has made learning and testing much easier - especially | | | | course should contain educational materials about the |
| when you add telephone, or Email contact, | | | | following aspects: Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, |
| Many graduates of correspondence courses are | | | | Asanas, Modifications, Yoga philosophy, Yoga |
| already certified or registered Yoga teachers, but | | | | teaching methodology, Adjusting posture (asana) |
| they need Continuing Education Credits for | | | | alignment, Chakras, Bandhas, Mudras, Yamas, |
| re-certification from the registries or their original | | | | Niyamas, Pranayama, Meditation and Relaxation, |
| certifier. Therefore, Yoga certification organizations | | | | Working with special populations, Yoga Teaching Tips, |
| provide continuing education for Yoga teachers, and | | | | and Yoga Teacher Ethics. |
| the world's Yoga registries approve of non-contact | | | | Granted, some Yoga distance learning courses have |
| continuing education units (CEUs). | | | | less material to learn, but the very first level 1 course |
| Q: What kind of testing requirements do Yoga | | | | should contain at least 200 hours worth of material, |
| teacher graduates go through? | | | | to set a solid foundation of knowledge. In fact, a |
| A: The examinations process is the same as most | | | | level 1 Yoga certification course is often considered a |
| on-site Yoga teacher training courses. There will be | | | | foundational course, which opens the path toward |
| written exams, but you will retain more information | | | | constructive continuing education for life. |
| from essay-style written examinations. Multiple choice | | | | |