Many people have asked us why we would reopen our yoga studio earlier this year when the country is in such tough economic times and it remains difficult for many businesses to survive? However, it is during these tough times (whether economic or for some other reason) that we are called upon to evaluate our lives, our purpose, and consider what it is that we wish to accomplish to make our community, country, and planet a better place for life.

It became evident over this past year that as our country’s economy began to sink, people’s lives were becoming more and more stressful. Generally, stress translates into more sickness and ultimately more disease. After all the word “disease” actually originated from saying the phrase “dis-ease” over and over until it became recognized as a single word. When the mind and body remain in a state of dis-ease long enough, it is no surprise that something gives and disease sets in — generally in whatever part of our body is the weakest link.

Coupling the economic crisis with the crisis that has plagued health care and rising health care costs in this country over the past twenty years resulted in a situation which created a great deal of stress and dis-ease for many. For most people, health care is tied to health insurance which is further connected with our jobs. If we lose our jobs (as many of us have) then just the anxiety of not having health insurance is enough stress to make us sick.

So, back to the original question?… Why reopen our yoga studio now?…

As many of you or possibly those you know and care about who have been affected by the economic recession, Wendy and I were also dealing with challenges presented over this past year and re-evaluating where life was leading us. More and more people were sharing with us that they missed our yoga classes and our studio and whether we would consider reopening. Knowing that yoga could help people in so many different ways, this became the opportunity for our leap of faith — regardless of our own economic circumstances. It became evident to the two of us that this was our calling within the community — to help others by sharing yoga.

It has been shown that the physical practice of yoga is potentially one of the best things that we can be doing to promote our own health and well-being. What better way for us to help others then by sharing yoga within our community? This is also where the notion for this web site developed… how can we best share information about the health benefits of yoga with other people — regardless of where they live?

Shouldn’t we just wait for Congress to solve the health care problem for us? Why should we wait for Congress, regardless of what they may finally decide to do as we can proactively take charge of certain aspects of our own health and our own lives. It is within our own power to have an impact on our own health.

And that is what this web site is all about –helping others help themselves through information and resources that can help to promote our own health.

We will continue to grow and share information through the Tadasana Yoga Network that will provide valuable information that will aid those who are interested in a path to better health.

Keep checking in for new articles and information on a regular basis.

Peace, joy & abundance!

Lamont Gilliland, E-RYT
Copyright © 2009 Simple Abundance Yoga, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

We encourage our students to visit other studios in the area as well as out of town whenever possible to have the opportunity to experience different instructors and styles of yoga. Sometimes, it can be a bit intimidating to walk into a new studio.

It is always a good idea to call the studio ahead of time to speak with the owner or an instructor. This way, you can ask questions without taking time away from other students before or after a class. Oftentimes, a studio owner will offer to meet you at the studio between classes to show you around and answer any questions. This is a good opportunity, and I highly encourage you to take it. If time cannot be arranged or is not offered, ask any pertinent questions now, before you invest the time in driving to the studio for your class.

You will, no doubt, have questions specific to your own individual needs, so take time to jot
those down and be sure to ask those first. Here are a few other questions that you may not have considered.

Ask the owner if the teachers are certified instructors? Did you know that you do not have to be certified to teach yoga? It is true. This is your investment in time, money, and most importantly,  your body and health, so ASK! Hopefully, they will have instructors who have completed a 200 or 500 hour certification program recognized by the Yoga Alliance. This means that the instructor has had many hours training in anatomy, physiology, alignment, yoga history & philosophy, as well as hands-on teaching experience with certified professionals.

Before entering the studio, take a look at the outside environment of the studio itself. Is it in a safe location? Is parking easily accessible and well-lit in the event you come out after dark or during inclement weather? Is the area well maintained? What other businesses are located nearby? In general, does it have a welcoming feel?Once inside, take time to look around and note if the studio is clean and well-maintained. Are props set up for easy access or tossed about the room from previous classes? Check the flooring. Remember your mat is going to be there! Ask the policy on cleaning props and borrowed mats. Check the ceiling –sounds silly until you are lying on your mat and looking up at mold growing on the tiles above your head. In general, do you feel that things are being kept up to the standards you have at home and do you feel safe and comfortable practicing there?

Most importantly, how do you feel? Trust your gut. Chances are, you will encounter really lovely instructors at studios. For the most part, owners do their best to provide safe, healthy environments for their students. Remember, this is YOUR practice. Explore. Meet new people.

Try new things. Enjoy!

Wendy Gilliland, E-RYT
Copyright © 2009 Simple Abundance Yoga, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
As originally appearing on the Simple Abundance Yoga web site in 2007.

Your resource for information related to better health through yoga!

The topic of yoga certification and registration is one that confuses many – not only students, but often teachers as well. I have written this article to hopefully shed some light on this topic.

First, certification and registration are two different things. A teacher may be certified, but not necessarily registered. There are also many people who teach yoga who are neither certified nor registered.

It is up to the individual states to regulate professional requirements related to services provided to the public. In that regard, there are no states that require a yoga teacher to be certified or registered. This surprises many people and it means that it is up to the individual student to determine whether certification or registration is meaningful to them. Additionally, it is also up to the individual teacher to decide whether certification and registration is important to them as professionals serving the community.

With that in mind, there is only one recognized professional association in the US that certifies and registers yoga teachers and yoga schools. That association is the Yoga Alliance.

Certification by a teacher represents a commitment by the teacher to be responsibly trained prior to teaching yoga. Registration with the Yoga Alliance represents a professional commitment by the teacher to support an organization that is committed to achieving standards and education related to yoga for those teaching yoga, or those who train the teachers.

There are many teachers that choose to be certified but do not register with the Yoga Alliance – and this does not necessarily make them less qualified to teach yoga. This is an individual teacher’s choice. However, to the student seeking a qualified yoga teacher, the registered status may also serve as an additional level of comfort concerning the training and qualification. You can find out if a teacher is registered through the Yoga Alliance web site.

It may also surprise some people to know that because states do not regulate standards for yoga teachers or yoga schools, essentially anyone can chose to certify someone. The question becomes whether that certification is recognized. I have found on the Internet web sites that will offer certification for $30-40 dollars and with little or no classroom or training experience.

That is where the Yoga Alliance comes in. The Yoga Alliance certifies the programs of yoga schools. Yoga schools that the Yoga Alliance certifies meet specific requirements and guidelines (more information may be found on their web site). Please note that a yoga school and a yoga studio are not necessarily the same thing. A yoga school may also be a yoga studio, but a yoga studio is not necessarily a yoga school. A yoga school trains teachers. A yoga studio has yoga teachers that teach classes to students.

A yoga school that has had its teacher training program certified by the Yoga Alliance is designated as RYS (Registered Yoga School). A yoga teacher that wants to be certified by the Yoga Alliance as RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) must complete a teacher training at an RYS. The minimum training hours required to be certified by the Yoga Alliance as an RYT is 200 hours.

In summary, it is not necessary for a teacher to be an RYT to teach yoga. However, if a teacher has RYT following their name then they have completed a certified program from an RYS, and that teacher is both certified and registered to teach yoga. It is also important to note that if someone holds RYT status, they are required and committed to Continuing Education (CE) hours to maintain that status. I hope that this helps to clarify this confusing topic. Do not hesitate to email or call if you have any questions or would like more information.

Lamont Gilliland, RYT
Copyright © 2007, Simple Abundance Yoga, Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Source: As originally published in the Simple Abundance Yoga March 2007 Newsletter.