I am interested in the status of teacher certification. Is it just up to studio owners to decide what style of yoga classes to offer and therefore what types of certification? What do you think of Yogafit? The owner of the studio I live near has studied with Baron Baptiste and I have heard of Yogafit, but I am reluctant to spend a lot of money on a Yoga teacher certification if it isn't a useful credential. I have taught for over 20 years on and off, continuing with my own practice in between, in the styles of Hatha, from Lilias Folan TV days, to Power Yoga with Bryan Kest and Ana Forest. I have also gone to Yoga Journal conferences and a retreat in Costa Rica. What is the best way to proceed to the next step? Is there an article that speaks to these concerns? Thanks!
I am not quite sure if the person writting the above comment is seeking other's opinon on Yogafit or not. I have attended the very early years of teacher training at Yogafit. It was a useful program for a starter however the teachings or the instructors were not that impressive. specially for someone with experience it might even be dissappointing. However the teachings may be different now.I hope that my comment is helpfull. Mina Izad
I have been a YogaFit-certified instructor for 5 years now and have seen their program and their teachings and teachers evolve. As in many things in life, you get good teachers and mediocre teachers and much of it depends on what you're looking for. But the YogaFit program qualifies you for Yoga Alliance and that in itself tells you that it is valuable. I like making yoga accessible to all people and YogaFit draws participants into the physical aspects of yoga. Once they learn to enjoy the physical yoga, the spiritual aspects of yoga have a chance to make an impact and to draw that person further. It's a journey as in any form of yoga. I practice and teach a mixture of all "kinds" of hatha yoga and I'm grateful for my experiences with YogaFit.-
I am a yogafit trainer and yoga alliance registered teacher. Yogafit has opened so many avenues for so many different people. I have witnessed this for myself for the past 5 years. Yogafit is YA approved and Yogafit is true to their message to bring yoga to the masses. This doesn't mean it is less, easy or generic. Yogafit has really evolved and hand picked their instructors as well as adding countless continueing education opportunities. Most importantly, Yogafit has an excellent teacher training program. The program teaches you how to teach. It teaches you how to communicate your knowledge. Take a moment and think about various school teachers you have had. All were qualified to teach, but how many could convey the message. How many did you actually learn from or even listen to? Yogafits' level 1 training teaches you what you need...poses, safety, communication, group dynamics, and acceptance.
Certifications are always a beginning journey of knowledge, not an end.
The Yoga Alliance has done a good thing in setting unified standards for the 200 RYT. However, when you pick a particular school to study with, I find as an instructor, the teaching style is limited. Therefore I chose a school that allows me to work toward my 200HRS at a casual pace, leaving me the flexibility to study with other schools providing me the opportunity to experience different teaching styles. Although the additional training does not count toward my 200 HRS, it counts toward my 500HRS and overall makes me a more knowledgeable instructor.
I think YogaFit is a good when you complement the training with your own self study, study under a very qualified teacher and your own daily practice. I really began my journey into yoga during my pregnancy with my first child. A 2nd child soon followed. Attending a 30 day training somewhere has not been an option for me with small children. So I've completed levels 1, 2, 3, lots of various workshops, reading, study, daily practice etc. Frankly I get nervous when a health club hires a yoga teacher with just YogaFit 1 and no additional training or daily practice. That's just my opinion though. (I used to compete in/teach gymnastics which also helps me with my teaching.) I fully intend to get my 200 hrs. while trying to raise mindful children who practice yoga with me! Thanks.
Renowned instructor Patricia Walden, who has a special interest in yoga for women, coaches several women students on the art of achieving a handstand. 
Comments
I am interested in the status of teacher certification. Is it just up to studio owners to decide what style of yoga classes to offer and therefore what types of certification? What do you think of Yogafit? The owner of the studio I live near has studied with Baron Baptiste and I have heard of Yogafit, but I am reluctant to spend a lot of money on a Yoga teacher certification if it isn't a useful credential. I have taught for over 20 years on and off, continuing with my own practice in between, in the styles of Hatha, from Lilias Folan TV days, to Power Yoga with Bryan Kest and Ana Forest. I have also gone to Yoga Journal conferences and a retreat in Costa Rica. What is the best way to proceed to the next step? Is there an article that speaks to these concerns? Thanks!
Posted by: Leslie Moon | April 15, 2006 03:26 AM
I am not quite sure if the person writting the above comment is seeking other's opinon on Yogafit or not. I have attended the very early years of teacher training at Yogafit. It was a useful program for a starter however the teachings or the instructors were not that impressive. specially for someone with experience it might even be dissappointing. However the teachings may be different now.I hope that my comment is helpfull. Mina Izad
Posted by: mina izad | April 18, 2006 05:46 PM
I have been a YogaFit-certified instructor for 5 years now and have seen their program and their teachings and teachers evolve. As in many things in life, you get good teachers and mediocre teachers and much of it depends on what you're looking for. But the YogaFit program qualifies you for Yoga Alliance and that in itself tells you that it is valuable. I like making yoga accessible to all people and YogaFit draws participants into the physical aspects of yoga. Once they learn to enjoy the physical yoga, the spiritual aspects of yoga have a chance to make an impact and to draw that person further. It's a journey as in any form of yoga. I practice and teach a mixture of all "kinds" of hatha yoga and I'm grateful for my experiences with YogaFit.-
Posted by: paula gardner | April 19, 2006 08:32 AM
I am a yogafit trainer and yoga alliance registered teacher. Yogafit has opened so many avenues for so many different people. I have witnessed this for myself for the past 5 years. Yogafit is YA approved and Yogafit is true to their message to bring yoga to the masses. This doesn't mean it is less, easy or generic. Yogafit has really evolved and hand picked their instructors as well as adding countless continueing education opportunities. Most importantly, Yogafit has an excellent teacher training program. The program teaches you how to teach. It teaches you how to communicate your knowledge. Take a moment and think about various school teachers you have had. All were qualified to teach, but how many could convey the message. How many did you actually learn from or even listen to? Yogafits' level 1 training teaches you what you need...poses, safety, communication, group dynamics, and acceptance.
Certifications are always a beginning journey of knowledge, not an end.
Joanne Proefrock
Yogafit Trainer
RYT
Posted by: Joanne Proefrock | April 21, 2006 03:44 AM
The Yoga Alliance has done a good thing in setting unified standards for the 200 RYT. However, when you pick a particular school to study with, I find as an instructor, the teaching style is limited. Therefore I chose a school that allows me to work toward my 200HRS at a casual pace, leaving me the flexibility to study with other schools providing me the opportunity to experience different teaching styles. Although the additional training does not count toward my 200 HRS, it counts toward my 500HRS and overall makes me a more knowledgeable instructor.
Posted by: Kim O'Brien | April 22, 2006 08:00 AM
I think YogaFit is a good when you complement the training with your own self study, study under a very qualified teacher and your own daily practice. I really began my journey into yoga during my pregnancy with my first child. A 2nd child soon followed. Attending a 30 day training somewhere has not been an option for me with small children. So I've completed levels 1, 2, 3, lots of various workshops, reading, study, daily practice etc. Frankly I get nervous when a health club hires a yoga teacher with just YogaFit 1 and no additional training or daily practice. That's just my opinion though. (I used to compete in/teach gymnastics which also helps me with my teaching.) I fully intend to get my 200 hrs. while trying to raise mindful children who practice yoga with me! Thanks.
Posted by: Jessica Cunningham | April 23, 2006 11:27 PM