Keep your distance with Yoga training
By Kevala.com
Keep your distance with Yoga training
The dream of training as a yoga teacher for a more fulfilling way of life is appealing to growing numbers of people. Devon-based training centre Kevala are helping make it a reality. Carl Munson finds out how…
Kevala, one of the world’s most trusted holistic therapy training colleges, have an unusual, but very effective way of training yoga teachers. Their mix of distance-learning home study combined with local support and workshop attendance, ideal for anyone with a full-time job or a busy family life, has been turning out well-trained teachers for nearly fifteen years.
“We had no idea that our courses would be so popular all around the world and with so many people,” says Kevala Principal Peter White. “When we started out we were happy to operate on a small scale, but demand soon dictated the pace and now we have satisfied students who have changed their lives in many different countries. Students really appreciate the flexibility and accessibility of our approach.”
Kevala’s diploma course in Yoga teaching is accredited by the Independent Yoga Network and has been designed specifically for yoga students who wish to formalise their knowledge and share the gift.
Removing mystique
“Our course has been described as a fascinating journey that prepares you for your role as tutor and guide,” says Peter White. “It aims to remove much of the mystique and opens yoga up to wider participation. Students investigate the use of chakras, different meditation techniques, the use of pranayama and how to set up and run a class.”
“I did not expect the course to be so thorough and in so much detail,” reveals Andrea Ohnutek, a London-based Kevala student who is working towards the Complementary Health Education Diploma in Yoga Teaching qualification which will put the letters ‘C.H.Ed Dip. Yoga’ after her name. “The anatomy and physiology made it so much more understandable and approachable.”
The course, which also looks at positive thinking, nutrition and fasting, requires students to have been studying the Asanas for at least 2 years and to have reached at least intermediate level. It is also compulsory to continue to attend a local yoga class while studying. To gain a place on the Independent Yoga Network register, students must also attend three weekend workshops at one of Kevala’s approved centres.
Yoga for kids
Kevala’s innovative approach has recently been extended into teaching yoga to children. Established yoga teachers and childcare professionals who want to extend their skills and gain a new qualification, can enrol and gain the confidence to set up a special children’s yoga programme.
Course creator Louise Goldberg who has over 20 years teaching experience, says: "the yoga for children curriculum includes lessons for different ages and dispositions. It includes postures to slow children down and energize them. There are exercises to help them turn inward and encourage children to reach out. Included are songs, games and stories to stimulate your little yogins and yoginis”.
The course also offers kid-friendly names for the postures, and how to put them together into an interesting and valuable lesson. In addition, the course includes techniques for communicating effectively with children, ways to incorporate yoga philosophy and meditation into the teaching, and how to promote classes.
Clearly, Kevala are leading the way with their unique training methods. If you would like to know more about their diploma courses, international weekend workshops - as far afield as India - and Devon-based tutorials, go to their website: www.kevala.com
This article was posted by Carl Munson
