Yoga Students Emerge as Instructors in Demanding 200-Hour Course

Men and women from all backgrounds make the journey from student to certified yoga instructors in 200 intensive hours -- and record the process in a unique online blog.

(PRWEB) November 1, 2005 -- What happens when twelve men and women from all walks of life -- ranging from a 25-year-old full time student, to a marketing executive who runs marathons in her spare time, to a 30-something physical therapist -- take the plunge and decide to journey from yoga student to yoga instructor via a grueling seven-week course that sometimes takes place in a 95 degree room?

You can find out by reading their first-hand accounts of the process at YogiSutra Journeys (http://www.yogisutras.com/journeys/). Authored by the 12 men and women who came to a crossroad and decided to pursue a Level 1 certification in yoga teaching, the blog follows their first-person, in-their-own words reactions to the certified course, which includes over 200 hours of yoga practice, training techniques and even business-building tips.

Each person's reason for taking their yoga practice to the next level is unique as their personalities. One woman, who attributes her recovery from arthritis and cervical cancer to yoga practice, says simply, "I need yoga to live." Another explains she's going through a major life transition which may involve moving herself and her daughter to a foreign country, combining an adventurous international experience with her newly developed teaching abilities.

A third points out that yoga strengthens and supports her 12-step program in deep and surprising ways. "I just knew that this was something I wanted to do," says more than one student about the moment when they first heard of teacher training, despite the fact that each one already juggles a more-than-full life crammed with studies, families and jobs.

"I think there's a belief that you have to be someone special or set apart to even think about becoming a yoga instructor," said Ifer, a teacher-in-training scheduled to graduate in November 2005. "The fact is, the demand for yoga practices has greatly outstripped the supply of available teachers. All of us -- the students -- come from every walk of life. And the energy and support we have together in the class is incredible."

The secular nature of CorePower training, which in the current class requires students to work in twenty hours of yoga practice and training around their jobs and college schedules, drew a broad variety of participants but delivered the same spiritual punch as other yoga practices. "You know at first, it was very physical attraction to CorePower yoga," remarked Ifer, "because I've always been attracted to sports. And then this magical thing came about, where all of a sudden I realized that my mind and spirit was benefiting from it as well."

Anyone who's ever thought about embarking on the journey from student to yogi will enjoy this unique, behind-the-scenes look at twelve individuals who went before them, each one sharing a unique glimpse into their experience.

About YogiSutras

YogiSutras.com (http://www.yogisutras.com/) was developed in cooperation with students of CorePower Yoga Teacher Training program in Boulder, Colo. (http://www.corepoweryoga.com). The site offers a real-time glimpse into the minds and feelings of students who journey into deepening yoga practice, eventually emerging as certified instructors. Visitors will also find an introduction to yoga and the asanas, as well as unique spiritual, chakra-based jewelry created by one of the yoga student-teachers.

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