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Basic Things to Look for in a Yoga Certification Course
There are several places that offer yoga certification, and all of them should cover the same material on a basic
level. The things covered by most certification classes include:
Asanas
It'd be pretty hard to get a yoga certification without knowledge of asanas, or positions. Also know as yogasanas,
yoga poses are used for balance as well as to smooth energy flow throughout the body or in specific areas of the
body and mind.
Mudras
Mudra literally means "gesture" and no yoga certification course would be complete without learning at least a few
of the hand gestures used in poses to express and direct the life energy within you throughout your body.
Yoga Philosophy
If you are taking a yoga certification course in order to become an instructor, be sure that you learn the
philosophy behind yoga because you're sure to hear questions about it more than once. Simply put, one of basic
concepts in yoga is "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Broken down, and in their Sanskrit
versions, these cover nonviolence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), not stealing (Asteya), continence (Brahmacharya),
and non-covetousness (Aparigraha). Definitely make sure your yoga certification course covers the philosophy
though, because there is more to it than just those basic pieces.
Chakras
Chakra literally means circle, or wheel, and in yoga refers to the energy centers lying along your spine and ending
at the crown of your head. Whether you understand, or believe, in chakras be sure your yoga certification course
covers this knowledge so you can pass the information on those seven energy 'hot spots' along to your students.
Meditation
A central part to certain yoga practices is meditation, so it would be a good idea to make sure that subject is
covered as well before you receive your yoga certification. Meditation is usually a time spent quietly sitting, or
laying, in a pose while directing your thoughts inward or removing thought from your mind altogether.
Pranayama
Pranayama is a method of controlling your prana, or life energy, through regulated breathing and should be a
subject covered by any yoga certification course. Designed to gain mastery over the respiratory system and help on
recognize the connection between breath, mind and emotion, yogis believe that practicing pranayama not only
rejuvenates the body but can extend life itself. Most yoga certification courses should teach this as an isolated
technique as well as ways to integrate it into yoga routines.
There are several other things that are usually covered in yoga certification classes in addition to what's listed
here, and some will vary from course to course so make sure to find a yoga certification class that fits your
outlook on yoga.
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