As you practise yoga, you'll discover that yoga is not a sport. But, there are different types of yoga where the area of focus is different. There are practices without postures where all the focus is on meditation (Raja Yoga), or on mantra practice (Bhakti Yoga), or on how to perform actions (Karma Yoga).
Many of today’s yoga centres offer modern yoga classes, often postural, like Hatha Yoga. Among the styles of yoga that include postural practice, we also have Ashtanga/Vinyasa – very dynamic, and other styles, such as Flow yoga – dynamic and gentle.
To make the right choice, you should gather information beforehand: read a lot about the different yoga styles, the traditions, the techniques used, and then finally ask questions to the instructors.
The key to a good yoga school is also a good yoga instructor
Have you found a school with certified yoga teachers? Very well. Then go on and try a class. The instructor must be attentive towards the students. This translates to moving around the room, correcting postures, giving verbal explanations; in short, your instructor is not practising with you. So, the instructor is not there, in front of you, to turn you into his or her mirror. On the contrary, the instructor is next to you, helping you, and giving you little tips. This is how he or she'll help you discover your potential and your way of connecting to your body.
Your instructor should be able to interact with students in a way that respects their beliefs, lifestyles, traditions, and religions. The school and instructor will not force you to become vegan, stop smoking, and get up at 5:00 AM. These are changes that sometimes happen with practice, and should arise of your own feelings.
What to expect from your yoga school and courses?
Classes should be joyful, without competition, aggression, and violence. Your ideal school, and, therefore, your instructor, will help you to practise with respect for yourself, your body, and your emotions. They'll teach you to concentrate, to breathe, and to enjoy the hours of practice.
After that, it's up to you to practise with regularity and passion to see the results. If you don't practise more than twice a week, even your ideal yoga school will not be able to help you. On the contrary, if you practice with enthusiasm, you'll gain serenity, focus, physical and mental health, and, of course, also flexibility and joy of living!
Selecting the right yoga school is not too difficult, so you needn't worry! We may not always find a school that includes every type of yoga training course. But, if you have an idea of what you want, you just need to evaluate the course structure and curriculum. Then, compare all the aspects of the courses and choose the one that fits your needs best.
If you have any doubts about selecting the right yoga teacher training course for you, contact Ohmayoga. Our Rishikesh-certified gurus will help answer all your questions and provide you in-depth information about all the online courses available. You can also book a FREE live class to give yoga, and Ohmayoga, a try!
