By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

While there are no set regulations on what level of training is necessary to teach yoga, choosing to pursue teacher certification, demonstrates a commitment to yoga. CYT certification reveals that a yoga instructor has pursued a certain level of education in yoga techniques.

There are many different programs offering certification to yoga instructors, and it is up to individual organizations to decide what the appropriate professional requirements are. Globally, there is very little regulation of yoga. There are some registries, in different countries, which work to set standards for yoga teachers and the public.

It is important to understand the difference between being certified and being registered as a yoga instructor. You may teach yoga as either a CYT or an RYT. The difference comes from being registered with the Yoga Alliance after a certain level of training has been completed, according to their requirements.

The Yoga Alliance publishes their requirements for the RYT on their website. As of this writing, they are the only recognized association in the United States that registers yoga instructors. The main difference between these two acronyms comes from the RYT designation, which is a registered trademark by the Yoga Alliance.

To become a CYT, or certified yoga teacher, one goes through an educational program with a yoga teacher training school. Certification is evidence to students that you have pursued an active education in your yoga practice. Certification, as a yoga teacher, allows you to teach yoga classes and start your own practice.

The principal elements of yoga: asana, breath, meditation, mantra, and more, are focused on, in certification programs. Additionally, learning to modify poses for beginners, knowing the fundamentals of posture and alignment, how to explain a pose verbally, and correct common mistakes, is crucial to becoming a certified yoga teacher.

Many training programs set their standards the same as the Yoga Alliance, so that when the certification is completed, graduates move forward and can become registered. Other schools are extensive in their training and offer certified graduates the opportunity to gain higher credentials, in other ways, to reach their training goals. They may choose to register after further teaching.

A minimum of 200 contact (face-to-face training) hours is required by the Yoga Alliance to be considered a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). The framework of these training hours is broken down into five categories of techniques, training and practice, anatomy and physiology, yoga philosophy and ethics, teaching methodology, and practicum. The aim of this program is to have a deep understanding of yoga, as well as a comprehensive ability in teaching others.

Holding CYT, or RYT, status is an indication that you are committed to Continuing Education (CE) hours to maintain the status. Continuing your education, as you teach, is the best way to grow, while adding expertise as a yoga practitioner and a teacher. Possessing a Certified, or Registered Yoga Teacher certification, will provide comfort about competency to students seeking you out.

Consider your training to become a yoga instructor as part of a lifelong learning experience, yet one that has steps and levels to attain. Much like any other profession that requires a progression of degrees, the practice of yoga instruction begins with becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

About The Author

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. He is an author of many books on the subject of Yoga and has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995.

http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

By Martin Richfield

Menopause can be very different for almost every woman. Some women experience barely any symptoms, while others seem to struggle with the worst of every symptom. Many of the common symptoms that come with menopause are hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and weight gain. However, there are more serious conditions to be cautious of like heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Over the past several years the use of menopause alternative therapies has been increasing. There are many different therapies available for women who are experiencing symptoms of menopause. There are also many different menopause alternative therapies that focus on different symptoms or specific symptoms, so that someone is not using a treatment to help a symptom that they do not have.

The typical treatment for menopause has always been hormonal replacement, however, over the decade or so, there have been many different advancements in the area of menopause alternative therapies so that women can seek help without altering their body’’s hormonal balance. However, it is important for women who experience long term symptoms that do need seem to be helped by alternative therapies to look into hormone replacement.

Menopause alternative therapies can mean many different things and involve several different methods. The most common and widely used therapy is botanicals. Botanicals are herbs that are derived from plants. This is considered a natural relief. Herbs and nutritional supplements are the most common place to find botanicals. Botanicals can help with symptoms like depression, mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats.

Two of the most common botanicals used for menopause are black cohosh and flax seed. However, another thing to consider is that many herbs and supplements are available for women in the years just previous to menopause. They can be an excellent source of preventative care to lessen the symptoms once menopause starts. Another one of the menopause alternative therapies is diet regulation. It is suggested that because of the increased risk of heart disease and heightened cholesterol that a heart healthy diet be followed. This includes foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids as well as plenty of fruits and vegetables.

It is important to discuss any major diet changes with a physician so that it can be appropriately monitored. Chiropractic methods as well as acupuncture are also very common methods of menopause symptom relief. Both of these are still considered to be an alternative therapy even though they are administered by professionals with certification within the health industry.

Regardless of the treatments that are sought out, it is important to do what is best for you. Menopause can be a severe life change that it disrupts daily living and so it is of great relief to those women that there is a plethora of options available to them.

About The Author

Martin Richfield has been involved in online business since 1996. He uses article marketing as his primary traffic source. He has been involved in a number of industries which gives him the knowledge to write on a broad range of subjects. For more details go to: http://anxiety.smartbizzness.com