Over the course of 5,000 years, yoga has been developed, studied and passed down from master to student. The yoga master is regarded as the embodiment of the Divine in some schools of yoga. The many branches of yoga have developed because of this manner of teaching. A master or guru, after years of practice receives inspiration and changes the emphasis of the type of yoga he follows and a new branch is born to be passed along to the followers of the guru. Most true devotees follow the teachings of the traditional branch of yoga as well as the individual teachings of his master.
In the 1960s, yoga became known in the West. Because of the modern communication technology, knowledge of yoga spread more quickly than the yoga masters could manage. In some cases, sincere students became followers of insincere teachers. In part to meet the new need, yoga masters began to use new methods for yoga teacher training.
Swami Vishnu-devananda
Among the first masters to develop yoga teacher training methods in the West was Swami Vishnu-devananda. While his course takes only four weeks, it involves total immersion in the yogic way of life. The devotee travels to an Ashram for a structured life of training in postures, breathing, study of the ancient texts, meditation and chanting. A vegetarian diet is included and the student is expected to perform whatever tasks are necessary to keep the ashram going. By the end of the four weeks of yoga teacher training, the successful student receives the title of "Yogi Siromani" - jewel of the crown of yoga. Advanced students may achieve the title of "Yoga Acharya" - master of Yoga.
The study of yoga emphasizes the part played by the teacher. For those students who study yoga as part of a spiritual journey, the teacher is the voice of the Divine. For those students who study yoga as a means to better physical health and stress management, the teacher is the protection against injury and the person who decides when the student is ready for more advanced training.
The importance of good yoga teacher training cannot be underestimated. Today, yoga is a popular discipline again in the West. Beginning students can easily be taken in by poorly trained teachers seeking a profitable business. Having a certified method of yoga teacher training can help new students to find safe, reliable training to further the achievement of whatever goal he seeks.
