How to Hire and Evaluate Yoga Instructors

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Beth Shaw

How to Hire and Evaluate Yoga Instructors

Hiring the right yoga instructor can make the difference between a poor yoga program and a highly successful one.

By: Beth Shaw

Yoga is more popular that ever. Why ?

Yoga provides a total body workout that enhances strength, cardiovascular condition, balance and flexibility. It also enhances one's body awareness, increases physical control and facilitates body mastery.

Because it involves a highly comprehensive and integrated approach, yoga produces a longer, leaner and more graceful physique which is currently in vogue.

Yoga also helps reduce stress, tension and fatigue through its mindfulness, often-fluid movement and deep breathing focus. If Instructors are not attuned to the unique needs of the fitness club environment and members , injuries can occur.

Traditional yoga does not really exist anymore in the U.S. but fitness Styles of yoga are appropriate for fitness clubs - it's really simple.

Fitness centers need to make excellent instructor hires to keep their studios full and flourishing.

What Is Safe Yoga?

Safe yoga differs from traditional yoga in that the postures link in a fluid heat building way. breath is linked with movement heating the body naturally and organically. Rest is encouraged when necessary.

Warm-ups are crucial as fitness studios are often cold. Warm up the body completely with large body moves prior to engaging in any complex or flexibility oriented pose.

Fitness moves such as sit-ups and push-ups, lunge and hold are incorporated . Transitions are smooth, from pose to pose with a full body workout focus; all body parts are worked equally. Modifications and levels are offered to suit the needs of several different students at different levels in the room.

Encourage Modifications

Instructors speak in terms of Or, Either, Modify, encouraging students to take breaks, let go of expectations, judgment and competition and not push past their limits. Instructors are to never make aggressive physical adjustments to their students.

Group fitness instructors can embark by initialing incorporating yoga postures into their already existing classes; step, spin, kick box and aerobics. This provides an opportunity to get comfortable with a few basic postures.

Hiring a Safe Yoga Instructor

Hiring a safe yoga instructor is key. Instructors should all have a qualified primary fitness certification like ACE.

Questions to as your potential instructor:

Before Hiring a Teacher - Answer these key questions:

Are you aware of the ACSM/ ACE Safety Guidelines of Contraindications?
Are you aware of how these relate to Yoga?
Have you been through a formal Yoga Teacher Training- RYT 200 Hour Program ?
Are you comfortable doing the postures?
Are you comfortable teaching the postures?
Do you have a regular yoga practice?
Why do you teach ?
Do you participate in on going yoga trainings ?

Auditioning your potential instructors for things like vocal tone, attention to detail, verbal/ visual cues and emphasize on offering modifications is key.

Remember a quality yoga program has special needs. Yoga mats, adjustable lighting, wood floors and a comfortable temp between 70-80 degrees is preferable.

Namaste.

About Beth Shaw

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