You know those huge framed diplomas in your doctors' office.  What about the xeroxed 5x8 piece of paper next to your manicurist with a name you can't pronounce even though your nails are being done by "Nancy".  Your local restaurant has one.  These are licenses or certification either regulated or not by some licensing or regulatory agency or board.  Even your salsa- strutting Zumba instructor has a license to teach Zumba.

What about your yoga teacher?  Surely he/she is "certified" or something. Nope, no certification or training is necessary.  Really, you say?  That doesn't mean your teacher is "untrained",  it just means there is no requirement that they be trained.  

William Broad in his new, highly publicized (read, brilliantly marketed),The Science of Yoga, has researched the vast rewards of yoga practice along with some of the risks of injury.(1)  According to Broad, 68% of respondents to a survey blamed "inadequate teacher training" to explain their yoga injuries.   

In 1999 Yoga Alliance (www.yogaalliance.org) established a national Yoga Teachers' Registry to recognize and promote teachers with training that met their minimum standards. Teachers who meet these standards are able to use the term "Registered Yoga Teacher" or RYT.  Yoga Alliance also maintains a registry of yoga schools to recognize teacher training programs that meet their 200-Hour and 500-Hour standards.   Additionally, registrants must agree to conduct themselves according to a code of conduct.

There are varying opinions about the efficacy of Yoga Alliance.  J. Brown, founder of Abhyasa Yoga Center offers his opinion in his blog post, "Yoga Alliance Approved, My Ass", right here. "Anyone who claims to be "approved," "certified" or "licensed" by the YA is either grossly uninformed or disingenuous. The YA maintains a registry of yoga teachers and training programs. [Y]oga teachers and training programs purport to follow a vague set of curriculum guidelines...," says Mr. Brown.  

Although many teachers, and I'd say most, are registered with Yoga Alliance, there are many other styles and schools of yoga that have their own specific "certification."  There's Bikram, Iyengar, YogaFit, and CorePower, to name a few.  Iyengar Yoga has an impressive training program with a minimum of two years with various levels of proficiency complete with examinations.  Bikram (you'll know this as "hot yoga") has a 9-week training program for a whopping $10,900(2)  (training and lodging).  Check out the photo above.

For sure, various states are taking notice of the rise in yoga teachers and schools and there have been some attempts to regulate the business of yoga.  This has been with a strong resistance from the yoga community.  I anticipate we'll see some changes in the future of yoga teacher training programs as the states view it more as a "trade school" and an opportunity for much needed revenue.

But, really, how important is teacher training?  One word sums it up for me, Safety.  There is not much imminent danger from teaching downward dog or triangle or bakasana.  But it freaks me out when I'm attending a class where the teacher is putting students in headstand without, what I consider, proper instruction and care.  

Why not ask your yoga instructor about their training.  Many will appreciate the fact that you care.  I care.  You can ask me.(3)  

(1) Of course the New York Times article sensationalized the risks, which has caused a flurry of blogs and tweets in the yoga community.

(2) Check out the photo above.  You do the math.

(3) FYI, I'm a 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance, Of the 500 hours, 300 are in Yoga Therapy.  I received a Certificate from The Institute for Holistic Health at San Francisco State University and an Certificate of Completion of Advanced Relax & Renew restorative yoga.  See more at www.cherylthomas.com.  

*article's recycled from 6/12 with updating, additions, etc. 

Tell you doctor about it.  Here's the info. 

Better Choices, Better Aging

I found this interesting article on YogaU, which is a great education site for everything yoga and beyond.  I subscribe to their newsletter, so it comes into inbox just when I need it.  Dr. Suhas Kshirsagar, BAMS, MD, an Ayurvedic practitioner, among other titles, tells us his opinion on Healthy Aging.  He doesn't have many good things to say about the American lifestyle.  Here's a bit:

It's here.  

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Windsor

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Monday

8:30 - 9:45

Sebastopol

Private 

Tuesday 

4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Healdsburg

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Wednesday

4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

Windsor

Private