Yoga Alliance

What the New Yoga Alliance Online Training Provisions Mean

In August of 2021, Yoga Alliance (YA) announced the updates for the online training provision. Many Registered Yoga Schools anxiously awaited the new provisions so they could set their training schedules for 2022 and beyond.

Let’s review the YA announcement and then I’ll share what I learned from the online training we offered in 2021.

Yoga Alliance’s (YA) Online Training Provisions Explained:

Why? Yoga Alliance is adapting to the world-wide coronavirus pandemic.
When? How Long? The new Online Training Provisions extend for 2022 and 2023.
Who? It applies to all YA Registered Yoga Schools: 200 hour, 300 hour, and the combined 500 Hour Trainings, Children’s (95 HR) and Prenatal (85 HR) Schools too.
How? Schools must APPLY for the exemption (it is not an automatic exemption) and the application process for 2022-23 opens for YA Schools on Oct. 4, 2021 and takes about 7-10 to process and get approved. There are new recommended requirements that I’ll review here too.
What and Where? Training must include a blend of Synchronous and Asynchronous training (see chart), though YA did not give minimum hours required in each. They did however give some new teaching models that must be incorporated (see details below).
What Else? Yoga Alliance is using the new exemption application as a bridge to getting schools to upgrade to the “Elevated” RYS Standards. The elevated standards were announced before covid (June 2019), and the deadline to upgrade to the new standards has shifted to December 31, 2023.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Learning

Schools must have a blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning and Yoga Alliance is NOT requiring a minimum number of hours in each category.

This is a huge change because for so many years YA told schools that asynchronous learning was not permitted and was held up as the inferior model.

Now we are forced to move into asynchronous learning styles and it turns out they can be pretty amazing!

Even though YA does not have a minimum of each type of learning, they do want schools to be transparent about what they are offering, so a student knows exactly what they are signing up for.

This Chart is taken from the Yoga Alliance Website

How to Offer Synchronous and Asynchronous Yoga Training

Moving our Yoga Teacher Training online was a bit of a mind-bender at first. We thought a lot about how we could still deliver a quality training.

In the beginning, I think we leaned too far into the synchronous learning, just trying to do everything the same, but let it be live on zoom.

But the screen time got exhausting and eventually we found a good blend of styles.

Here are some examples of where we have landed at Young Yoga Masters, with the different teaching methodologies for both types of learning.

Synchronous Yoga Teacher Training

Some forms of synchronous training we use include:

Scheduled Live-Zoom Training that is interactive and allows time for question and answer,
Break Out Room Activities in the Training: giving students in the training a chance to interact with each other and work on assignments for the Training,
Monthly Kids Yoga Teacher Check-Ins: where we cover a topic live on Zoom each month and allow time for students to discuss in the break out rooms too,
Office Hours with Trainers: Students have the option to book a zoom appointment during office hours whenever they have questions or need clarification,
Final One-to-One Check-In: We meet with each student to review their practicum Lesson Plans and Reflections and check-in before the final Certificate is Printed.

Asynchronous Yoga Teacher Training

This type of training is easier to deliver in many ways. Here are some ways we utilize asynchronous training in our Certification:

Prerecorded Training: recordings of interactive live-zoom sessions that students can watch in their own time,
Prerecorded Webinars: led by your lead trainer utilizing slides, video, and reflection time,
Prerecorded Kids Classes: you can observe your Trainers teaching children where the children are in-person with the trainer and also where the trainer and child are meeting on zoom.
Self-reflection exercises: where you complete the prompts to reflect on your training and practicum classes.
Practicum Teaching: creating your own Lesson Plans and teaching them to children.
Online Quizzes: to review material covered in the training and check for comprehension.

Teaching Models for Yoga Teacher Training

The Yoga Alliance Provisions now state:

RYSs will be required to provide details about their course design, including how the RYS will incorporate the following teaching models to integrate knowledge:

Trainee-to-content: Use of pre-defined feedback, tutorials, reading discussions, quizzes, and/or other competency testing
Trainee-to-trainee: Planned interaction(s) that encourages problem solving and critical thinking skills among trainees
Trainee-to-teacher: Teacher-led interactions and discussions to cultivate a sense of connectedness while enhancing learning outcomes

Yoga Alliance Website Look under 2022-2023 Application Details

These teaching models can be easily met by the various types of training, but especially the synchronous training methods when it comes to interactions.

Lessons Learned from Online Yoga Teacher Training

2021 was a huge learning curve for everyone and moving our Kids Yoga Teacher Training online opened my eyes to many new aspects of training.

Most importantly, I learned the value of online self-paced training.

I learned that not all people enjoy in-person training. Many new students embarked on the training, some were self-professed introverts, some busy parents, some who worked on weekend.

Self-paced learning opened doors for people who had been watching from the sidelines, hoping for an easier way to get trained.

I also learned that people still learn through self-paced study, and in some ways, get a more thorough and complete training because they can:

Go back and watch parts they didn’t understand or missed (for whatever reason)
train on their own timeline, when they can be most alert and ready to learn,
access training that is physically far away from them,
save money in travel, accommodations, printing, and even registration fees from courses that can pass on savings to students.

I’ve seen doctors, educators, counselors, parents, and community leaders graduate from both the self-paced and live-zoom training this year and in our final check-in, I feel confident in their comprehension and ability to teach kids yoga.

Yoga Teacher Training: Moving Forward

I’ll be getting ready to complete the 2022 application form on YA that opens in October. Online training is here to stay for my school.

I’ll keep you posted on what the application process is like and any further developments in the Yoga Alliance policies.

Olympic-Themed Kids Yoga

Olympics as a Theme for Kids Yoga Lessons

With the Rio Summer Olympics well underway, we’ve updated old blog posts to help you incorporate the games as a theme in your classes. We hope you find these resources helpful when considering lesson plans, poses, and intentions for kids yoga.

One World, One Dream: Olympic Yoga

While yoga is not (yet) an Olympic sport, there are ways to tap into the excitement of the Olympics to enhance your kids yoga classes. Find out how the Olympics can be used as a theme to engage in a discussion of unity, challenges and competition.

Introducing: Archer Pose

This one pose can be a useful tool to prompt discussion about intention and incorporate the Olympics into lesson plans. Click the link to read more!

How the Olympics and Yoga Can Help Sore Losers

In this post, Aruna shares tips for classroom management based on her experiences leading yoga games and talking about the Olympics with kids.

Have more ideas about how the Olympics can be used as a theme to promote class engagement and discussion? Comment below!

Levels of Certification for Kids Yoga Teachers – Who Gets What?

With news of the ongoing advocacy work of Yoga Alliance to prevent Yoga Teaching from becoming legislated, it is not unreasonable to feel a little confused about what is actually required to teach yoga. At this year’s Yoga Show and Conference in Toronto, the most common question we were asked was: “What training do I need to become a Kids Yoga Teacher?”

Here’s the short answer: yoga training standards are not required or enforced.

A big part of this is thanks to Yoga Alliance’s work to demonstrate that yoga teachers are self-regulated with industry standards. Typically, reputable kids’ yoga instructors will work towards completing the industry standards. However, there are valuable milestones that can be achieved on the way to full certification:

Weekend or Workshop Certificate

Most Kids Yoga Teacher Training gives a certificate of completion at the end of a course, regardless of the length of the training. Young Yoga Masters provides a certificate after each completed 16 hour module, so you can start teaching right away.

Who typically gets this level of Certification?

Those already working with children in a school, daycare, or camp typically take a weekend certification course and use the training immediately with the kids they are already teaching.
Those who want to test the waters and see if teaching kids’ yoga is right for them.
Those on their way to becoming a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher who have chosen a training with a Yoga Alliance registered school

95-Hour Certificate

Yoga Alliance set 95 hours of specialty training in kids’ yoga as the standard for a Registered Children’s Yoga School (RCYS). A RCYS must follow specific training requirements and provide training in various categories to create a well-rounded training. Young Yoga Masters is a Yoga Alliance registered children’s yoga school.

Who typically gets this level of Certification?

Those only interested in teaching children, not adults.
Those who need insurance for their yoga business (insurance companies usually require more than a weekend of training)
Those who need more practical experience teaching kids to feel confident
Those teaching yoga to children who want more ideas and more variety to keep kids engaged
Those on their way to becoming a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher who have chosen a training with a Yoga Alliance registered school

Yoga Alliance Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher (RCYT)

Yoga Alliance’s standard for Registered Children’s Yoga Teachers is:

200 hours Adult Yoga Teacher Training plus
95 Hour Children’s Yoga Teacher Training followed by 30 hours of practical experience teaching children.

Who typically gets this level of Certification?

Those who want full qualifications to teach yoga to children, qualifications that meet the Yoga Industry standards
Those who want to strengthen their yoga teaching foundation beyond the playful approach of kids yoga to areas like alignment and sequencing
Those who one day want to be Children’s Yoga Teacher Trainers

Infographic outlining different levels of certification

So What Training is Right for YOU?

Take a minute to consider where you fit into the information above.

All Yoga teacher training is incredibly valuable, exploring many topics and teaching habits yogis may have not considered or come across in their own practice.

In-depth training explores best pedagogical practice and ethical concerns you should be aware of. For example:

It is crucial as an instructor to understand ways of determining when and how to physically assist students and when verbal cues may be more comfortable and appropriate.
How can poses be adjusted for those with different abilities?
How to review your lesson plans to make sure they ensure best practices?

Can you Get Insurance with the Certificate you Have?

If you are staring a business you want to make sure you have enough training to get insurance. Each insurance company for each region has different requirements. If you are running a business the time will come when you need insurance. Ask your insurance company about certification and a bonus question that is helpful to know:

how much training do I need to be a kids yoga teacher,
what kind of waiver do I need my students to complete to be covered by the policy (some don’t require a waiver and some do)

Expanding Your Network and Building Community

An added benefit of participating in lengthy training with other like-minded individuals translates to an easy entry to the yogic community, or expansion of your existing network. Though this is not a requirement, it is certainly a benefit to training participation.

Your network can be a great resource long after training is complete, whether it be for personal support, finding a sub, hearing about new classes, or professional development.

Training can be a time of tremendous personal growth as well.

Will this Certificate Serve Your Long Term Goals?

We have had more than one very experienced children’s yoga teacher take our Yoga Alliance Registered training just so they could get the Certificate and be listed as a lead trainer in another Yoga Alliance school!

If you take a training with an school that is not registered with Yoga Alliance, that door closes for you. It won’t affect you when you when you are getting jobs teaching.

It will affect you if you have a long term goal of being a trainer.

Yoga Alliance won’t recognize you as a Trainer or a School if your Certificate is not from a Yoga Alliance registered school.

For many people this doesn’t matter for quite a while, but if you plan to become a trainer one day, your choice now could save you time and money later.

Recommendations for Choosing a Level of Training

In the end the best practices lean towards choosing training registered with Yoga Alliance that will count towards your 95-hour certificate.

There was a time when Yoga Alliance was not responsive to the needs of Yoga Teachers, but that time passed when Yoga Alliance began to advocate on behalf of teachers at the policy level. We are happy to have Registered Adult and Children’s Yoga Schools.

These are just a few of many important questions to consider before taking the lead in a yoga class.

Whether you get a weekend training or full certification will be your choice in the end, and you’ll consider what you are getting and what you won’t get with the training you choose.

What factors are important to you in choosing a Yoga Teacher Training? How will you decide?

Announcing… 2 New Fast, Fun, Professional RCYS Summer Certifications

This summer will be my 7th and 8th time teaching the RCYS Kids Yoga Teacher Training since we registered with Yoga Alliance. It feels great to be at the stage where the program flows like water.

I’m not sure if its the supportive group dynamics where everyone has cleared their calendar to gather together to achieve a common goal.

It could be the playfulness of learning new games and songs and then teaching them to kids in the camps.

Perhaps it’s a combination of all of these things that makes the Summer Certification so special. Plus, you get your 95 Hour Certificate at the end!

If you are considering getting your Kids Yoga Teacher Certificate, I highly recommend the Summer Certification experience. You’ll immerse yourself in a place where yoga is embraced and life is celebrated. Your spirit will be forever changed.

Kids Yoga Teachers in warrior pose outside at the Kids yoga teacher summer certification intensive rcys — A Magical Group Experience at the Summer Certification in 2013

This special announcement comes just in time for you to take advantage of the significant savings for those who register for either one of the summer courses before Feb 28th. The full details and pricing are here.

This summer I’ll be visiting the magical city of New Orleans joined by past graduates Karen, Charlotte, and Libby in July. Then in August, Janet and I will be hosting the Certification by the shores of Lake Ontario.

Check out what’s awaiting you at these locations.

Wild Lotus Yoga Centre

New Orleans July 17 – 26, 2015

I’ve never been to New Orleans, so I’m thrilled to be hosted there by the Wild Lotus Yoga Studios in July. This is the fastest way to complete your 95 Hour Certification. The course will be intensive, as there will be a lot to cover in only 10 days. The rewards will be worth it!

The studio receives reviews on YELP like:

“The studio space is the most beautiful I have practiced in—colorful paper lanterns hung on high ceilings, authentic wooden floors, silk wall hangings.”

“Wow! Words cannot begin to express the magic in this place.”

This promises to be a unique experience with a vibrant community that even offers some discounted housing opportunities in the community ($25 per night, per person) for early registrants who are visiting from out of town. Now that’s hospitality! Let me know if you are interested and I will put you in touch with their community liaison for more info.

Waterfront Hotel, Burlington, Ontario, Canada:

Aug. 9 – 21, 2015

The Burlington training is a more relaxed 12 Day Certification. Training runs from 9 am – 6 pm daily with a day off on Saturday. You’ll enjoy the beautiful view of Lake Ontario from the training room, take an evening stroll along the boardwalk, and then head to one of the top-notch restaurants close by for dinner.

Praise for the Summer Certification

Attending Young Yoga Masters Children’s Yoga Teacher Training provided me with so many resources, props, exercises, music, games and more. The manuals are so professional.
I got to participate in yoga classes with actual children and taught meaningful lessons and fun yoga poses. It was a magical experience for me and the kids.
We learned exactly how to create a safe space for children while having a lot of FUN! I gained so much experience during this training; it built my confidence as a teacher.
The cherry on top was to receive the Yoga Alliance stamp of approval. I recommend you sign up and come to Young Yoga Masters Children’s Yoga Teacher Training. You won’t’ be disappointed!
Charlotte Connick Mabry, RYT, RCYT
January 14, 2015

If you want to get certified quickly and professionally, its plain to see there’s no better way than to attend our Summer Certification!

If you have any questions about Kids Yoga Teacher Certification or about what training is right for you, check out our FAQ page or feel free to contact me for a free consultation:

Aruna Kathy Humphrys
[email protected]
1-416-944-2888

I’d love to meet you there. More information on the Summer Certifications can be found at:

Kids Yoga Teacher Training Yoga Alliance Registered Childrens Yoga School — Click this image for prices and more details of the Summer Certification

http://youngyogamasters.com/registration/

Hurry! The early bird pricing will go up on March 1!

See you there!!

How to do Yoga with Kids, That Is Different Than Yoga for Adults

The Beauty of Contrasts

Young Yoga Masters has been focusing on Teacher Training lately. With each Module, new teachers express their gratitude for the opportunity to train with real kids present. Seeing kids do yoga illuminates the difference between yoga with kids and yoga with adults.

For instance, here we are practicing a back rub technique in the adult part of the training, before the kids arrive.

adult yoga back massage — Adults line up nicely and wait for their turn.

Now here’s what the same exercise looks like with the kids present:

kids yoga back massage — Children offer a back rub to the adults.

Kids hover over the activity, they do not quietly wait for their turn. They’ve got to see what’s happening! Especially the little ones.

Expect Enthusiasm with Kids Yoga, Encourage it with Adults

When adults do yoga they may ask a question now or then. Rarely do adults jump up to ask a question or make a comment with this kind of enthusiasm:

kids enthusiasm — Kids carry their zest for life into yoga class.

Mind you, I’ve had many adults shoot me the “stink eye” when I give a hard yoga pose. Kids will shoot you the stink eye if they don’t like a pose, but they will also protest with words too. You’ve got to be ready for it by giving kids a challenge to keep going. Like saying, “Can you do 20 seconds of that pose? Let’s time it.”

But the biggest difference is the reward you feel when a child exudes joy during your yoga class.

kids love yoga — When a child is having a good time, you usually know it!

Yoga Alliance Requires Teacher Training be with Real Children

Yoga with real children, like the kids in these Training Camp pictures, has to be experienced not talked about. Experience goes right to the heart.

If you are considering a Teacher Training I highly recommend one with time observing an experienced teacher teaching real children. It should also have time for practice teaching with real children with your mentor present. Yoga Alliance requires 18/95 hours be Practicum hours observing and teaching with real children present.

Here are a few of the things new teachers have discovered through this process:

You march, stretch, play and unwind with kids yoga. You don’t expect to stay in one place.
Teachers don’t get upset when kids squeal with delight, they expect it, and sometimes encourage it.
And when kids protest when a game ends too early, teachers rejoice. The protests mean kids will want to come back for more. If you end a game too late, kids lose interest in the game and in yoga class too. You learn to not be afraid of a protest.

Salute the Kids When You Salute the Sun

One of the biggest realizations for new teachers is to let kids be kids. Honour kids, don’t try to make them mini adults. Here is something to learn from kids:

I am authentic — "I am Authentic" - the affirmation chosen by one student.

I think teaching yoga to kids helps adults be more authentic. When you do yoga with kids, let them be kids, let them be authentic. You may be surprised how a good dose of authenticity from kids enhances your own curiosity, enthusiasm, and joy.

What would you call the biggest difference between teaching yoga to adults and children?

I invite you to share your experience in the comments.

Announcing: Upcoming Teacher Training Specials

Become a Certified Children’s Yoga Teacher

Yoga Alliance, the major regulating body of yoga, has set the standard of 95 Hours of Training in Children’s Yoga. Young Yoga Masters is a Registered Children’s Yoga School with Yoga Alliance. You can take the full 95 hour Certificate with us or try a part of the training by taking one of the weekend Certificate that make up the full training.

Not only will you get to experience yoga with children, you’ll leave with the confidence to teach your own yoga classes for children.

Check out our upcoming schedule here.

Kids Partner Yoga Tip, Free Webinar Replay, Free Kids Class

Three things today…

The Latest Kids Yoga Teacher Training Info
Free Partner Yoga Tip
More Partner Yoga

1. Kids Yoga Teacher Training Replay

Aruna posted a video about the Standards in Children’s Yoga. So if you’ve been thinking of getting kids training, you may want so give this a listen. This explains what is happening with the Yoga Alliance Registered Children’s Yoga School Standards:

If it is past 2021, check out our YouTube channel for the latest update.

2. Kids Partner Yoga Tip

How to Match Kids in Partners

A great tip for partner yoga comes from Janet Williams of Children’s Yoga Books. It solves a problem I have faced many times doing partner yoga with kids. It’s the problem of matching kids up with partners.

If you let the kids match themselves it sometimes works out where everyone has a BFF (best friend forever) and they partner. But often there are a few kids who don’t know who to partner with, or one kid who is not partnered and often the one who is left behind, who others don’t want to partner with, and it ends up feeling generally yucky.

If the teacher partners the children, it can feel like they are being forced to partner with someone they don’t want. Children are no the best at masking their emotions so sometimes the process of partnering children can feel awkward, even though you are trying to avoid feelings getting hurt.

Janet’s wonderful suggestion in to use cards, to create the partners.

A Fun Way to Match Children for Partner Yoga Poses

For this activity you need a deck of regular playing cards or you can print 2 or 3 of each your favorite pose cards like the Frog Yoga Alphabet Printable Cards in our Yoga Literacy Teacher Training.

frog yoga alphabet cards for kids yoga teachers — The Frog Yoga Alphabet Cards (and more) are included in your registration.

Pull out enough cards from the deck so you have pairs equal to the number of children you have in attendance (eg. for 10 children use 5 pairs). When there is an odd number, try a wild card, that joins the group closest to them, for a group of 3 kids,
Give each child a card, then tell the kids to find the children with the matching card,
When the children find their match they do the yoga pose you give or they make up a partner yoga pose for the pose on their card,
Each set of partners then teachers their pose to the rest of the class and everyone does that pose,
If time permits collect the cards, shuffle, and hand them out again to get new random pairs and new poses each time

Matching new pairs becomes a fun game and not something you are making the kids do.

Thanks Janet for the great tip!

3. More Partner Yoga

For School Age children partner yoga is usually a big hit, so you will want a lot of ideas if you intend to teach all year long.You can find more Partner Yoga here:

This free article about Partner Yoga,
The Family Yoga Teacher Training, The Chakras for Children Teacher Training, and the Yoga Literacy Teacher Training.

Kids Yoga Teacher Training Certification

Last, but not least….

You are invited to come for the next Kids Yoga Teacher Training.

Come get this new Certificate in Kids Yoga Training and leave with a rewarding weekend and tons of resources. You’ll be glad you did!