Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.
And having a regular yoga practice is the only way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:
You can read a lot more about the benefits of yoga here (all scientifically verified in medical studies).
Without regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any lasting change.
When you build a yoga habit — that's when the magic happens! That's when you start to feel incredible as your default setting.
And one of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice — is finding the right teacher for you.
The rest of this article will show you secret to finding the best yoga teacher for you.
This might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.
The reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. You can't rely on discipline in the long-run. Discipline takes effort — habits are effortless. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.
If you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.
So this is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up... finding a teacher that you like.
This is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's critical to find a teacher and class at your level.
One that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.
If the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.
And of course, this has to be balanced. You won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either.
If you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.
So when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.
But when you find that Goldilocks teacher... When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!
Finding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers 35+ daily classes live, and has over 80 incredible teachers. You can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial (no credit card required).
NOTE: While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!
This is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because learning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.
But don't worry, I'll give you some key things to look for. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).
One of the first things to look at is: How many hours of certified training does the teacher have?
In the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.
If the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.
In India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.
Most yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, yoga therapists, and many with 900+ hours of certified training.
This means that you can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. Especially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.
Yoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.
If you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — you can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher.
If you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — you should look for:
If you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,you can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here.
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{"slug":"find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you","recentPosts":[{"id":"cldebisqj8am10bk2riasiyyy","slug":"self-love-yoga-event","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Self Love Yoga & Meditation Event: Empower Yourself This Valentine’s Day","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Empower yourself this Valentine's Day with our Self Love Yoga & Meditation Event. Find inner peace and self-acceptance through yoga and meditation practices","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-27T09:24:55.671424+00:00","coverUrl":"rvpz4az7wyk8pdo4fvyg.png","content":{"text":"Announcing our free Self Love Event February 13-14!\\n\n\\nEmbrace yourself and practice self love this Valentine’s Day and every day with the help of MyYogaTeacher’s expert yoga teachers.\\n\\nYoga has been a powerful tool for self-improvement and personal growth for centuries, and self-love yoga is no exception. Unfortunately, many of us struggle with self-doubt, self-criticism, and negative self-talk. Self-love yoga can help to change that by promoting self-acceptance and self-compassion.\\nThis special yoga and meditation event\\n focuses on building self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-compassion through a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices.\\nSelf-love is the foundation of all healthy relationships, including the relationship with ourselves. Without self-love, we cannot truly love and accept others!\\n\n\\n\\nHow to join the Yoga for Self Love Event:\\n\n\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\n\n\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\n\n\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know! We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\n\n\\nMake this event the start of something wonderful for your mental, emotional, and physical health! So you, too, can be happier, more self-confident, and more productive!\\n\\n\\nNurturing Relationships Through Self Love \\n\\nMonday, February 13 at 5 pm PST/ 8 pm EST\\n\n\\nSelf love isn’t selfish! It’s critical to creating deeper, more meaningful relationships and becoming the best version of yourself you can be! Join us in this discussion based self love class with a guided meditation and walk away prioritizing your health and happiness!\\n\n\\n\\nEmbrace Yourself: Balancing the Heart Chakra\\n\\nTuesday, February 14 at 5 pm PST/ 8 pm EST\\n\\nReady to love yourself (and others) more and better? Need more compassion and kindness in your life? Join this yoga for self-love class designed to open your heart chakra and help you walk away feeling empowered to have more meaningful relationships and showing more love\n\\nThis special event will offer a unique opportunity to nurture yourself and discover the power of self-love. Don't miss out on this transformative experience. Sign up today and awaken your inner strength and self-love.\\nAnd don’t forget to check out other yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\n\n\\n\\nAnnelise Piers\\n\\n\\nShika Sood\\n\\n\\nSwati Dalvi\\n\\n\\nAbhishek Bodhi\\n\\n\\nPreeti Goswami\\n\\n\\nRohan Shroff\\n\n\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\n\n\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Self Love Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":["myYogaTeacher"]},{"id":"clczdmysytyzn0ak616x0ikhn","slug":"yoga-for-fitness-event","author":null,"title":"Join the Yoga Movement: Free MyYogaTeacher Yoga for Fitness Event for Everyone!","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Join MyYogaTeacher's new free Yoga for Fitness Event starting soon and get fit faster with yoga!","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":["Fitness","HathaYoga","Ashtanga","Yoga","Vinyasa","Hatha"],"createdAt":"2023-01-16T22:27:36.746406+00:00","coverUrl":"fegu2jin0qfhgaefpml6.png","content":{"text":"Are you ready to get fit, flexible, and unleash your inner radiance?! Don’t miss our 3-day FREE Yoga for Fitness Event January 29-31!\\nYoga is a great way to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, as well as reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This event will feature a variety of yoga styles and levels to suit everyone from beginners to experienced yogis.\\nOur authentic, expert yoga instructors from India will guide you each day through sessions focused on improving your physical fitness and overall well-being. Plus, the even is completely free, so there’s no excuse not to come give it a try!\\nHow to join the Yoga for Fitness Event:\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know! We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\nDiscover all the best ways yoga can help you get fit fast. So you can live your life to the fullest and move with more ease.\\nWe've put together an entire schedule of yoga for fitness classes dedicated to helping you relax and sleep better.\\nCheck out the educational, inspiring, and exciting event classes and expert yoga instructors making this event happen!\\n(Click the class links to register for any or all of these amazing sessions!)\\n\\n Hatha Yoga for Physical Fitness with Ankit\\n\\nSunday, January 29 at 6:00 am PST/ 9:00 am EST\\n\\n\\nHatha yoga is focused on the physical practice of yoga and is perfect for helping you build strength, get fit, and improve flexibility. Bonus? You’ll feel more relaxed and rejuvenated after this hatha yoga class! Join us for asanas, Sun Salutations, and other strength building poses!\\n\\nFind Fitness in Flow: Vinyasa Yoga with Monica\\n\\nMonday, January 30 at 5:00 pm PST/ 8:00 pm EST\\n\\n\\nReady to get fit while finding your flow? The fluid movement of this challenging vinyasa yoga class is perfect for building up a sweat, improving flexibility, and building strength, making it a perfect class for overall fitness! Join us!\\n\\nAshtanga Yoga for Increased Fitness with Sujit\\n\\nMonday, January 31 at 5:00 pm PST/ 8:00 pm EST\\n\\n\\nDo you like structure in your yoga class? Need a workout focused on building strength through muscle training? This is for you! Join the ashtanga yoga class designed to help you get fitter and stronger faster!\\nWhether you're looking to improve your physical fitness, reduce stress, or simply try something new, our free yoga for fitness event is the perfect opportunity. So come and join us, and discover the many benefits of yoga for yourself!\\nExperience getting fit in a way that works for you and \\nwith\\n you! We’re here to support you on your journey now \\nand\\n when the event is over!\\nSo join us for this free event! And don’t forget to check out other fitness related yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\\n\\n\\n\\nShweta Jain\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nMonica Agarwal\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nArchana\\n \\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Yoga for Fitness Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":[]},{"id":"clct2nkfx04xw0bk3fr4lrcjp","slug":"yoga-poses-for-osteoporosis","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"8 Yoga Poses for Osteoporosis: Maintaining Bone Health","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Yoga can prevent and in some cases reverse osteoporosis and osteopenia by stretching and strengthening muscle tissue to rebuild and maintain bone density.","readTime":null,"excerpt":"Learn how to prevent osteoporosis with a few simple yoga poses.","tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-12T12:33:31.959847+00:00","coverUrl":"pmkhkhuxo5s9dq2qkevm.jpg","content":{"text":"Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis with Yoga\\n\n\\nIf you suffer from the painful symptoms of osteoporosis, or if you are at risk of developing this limiting disease, there is help (and health) in starting your own regular yoga routine. In fact, doctors are now prescribing yoga as treatment and prevention for osteoporosis and osteopenia, making it an important part of maintaining physical health and wellness throughout your 50s and 60s — and beyond.\\n\\nOsteoporosis and osteopenia are conditions that commonly emerge throughout our later years, and if left untreated they can affect your mobility, bone density, and even your ability to remain self-sufficient. These conditions cause bones to be come weak and brittle, and over time more vulnerable to fractures and even breakage. \\n\\nBut a recent\\n \\n2016 study\\n discovered that yoga can be used in conjunction with other treatments to prevent the loss of bone density and in some cases reverse early onset of osteoporosis. Plus, as an added benefit, yoga is also a low-cost and low-risk treatment option, meaning there is little to lose by giving it a try.\\n\\nHow Yoga Can Treat Osteoporosis\\nThe process by which yoga treats and prevents osteoporosis is simple — through stretching and strengthening your muscle tissue you can build bone density and prevent fractures. Yoga postures exert subtle force upon your bones, prompting them to build up density and become stronger.\\n\\nYoga also improves your balance, which can help prevent falls — which may result in fractures or breakage. Along with building strength and flexibility, yoga also increases your mobility, endurance, and energy levels, helping you stay active no matter your age.\\n\\nIt should be noted that yoga may not cure osteoporosis on its own, and for some advanced cases it may not be effective in reversing this disease. Results vary on an individual basis, depending on your age, bone density, and other factors such as weight and co-existing conditions\\n\\nPracticing Yoga for Osteoporosis\\nIf you’re thinking of starting your own yoga regimen to prevent or reverse osteoporosis, there are a few things you should know. It’s important to first consult your doctor before practicing yoga for osteoporosis or osteopenia, to find out if there are any specific precautions you should be taking and whether or not it’s a safe activity for you. \n\\nPatients with advanced osteoporosis who have suffered fractures, breaks, or acute bone loss may need to avoid practicing yoga. If you’ve recently undergone surgery or if you’re still healing from an injury, you should wait until you’ve fully recovered before getting started.\n\\nMost importantly, you should take care to listen to your body when practicing yoga for osteoporosis. If a particular yoga pose causes pain or strain on your bones or joints, stop for a moment and take a break. Or, try using a modification like a bolster, block, or yoga blanket if applicable.\\n\\nIn their 2016 study, scientists found that the best results for using yoga as treatment for osteoporosis came from regular practice. Try performing yoga poses at least 3-4 times per week, or daily if you can. The more regularly you practice, the more bone density you’ll build, and the more strength and balance you’ll develop in your body.\\n\\n8 Yoga Poses for Osteoporosis:\\nIf you’ve been cleared by your doctor to practice yoga and you’re ready to get started, there are some simple yoga poses you can do at home to help prevent osteoporosis. You can also try taking a yoga class specifically designed for patients with osteoporosis. Here at\\n \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n, certified instructors can help you stay safe and injury free while giving you the independence to practice yoga in the comfort of your home.\\nReady to get started? \\nFollow the steps below to begin your own personal yoga journey.\\n\\n1. Mountain Pose (Tadasana)\\n\\nThe foundation of all balance poses, Mountain pose helps you find stability and improve your posture.\\nStart by standing at the front of your mat. Keep your feet hip distance apart, and you can rest your arms at your sides or bring your hands together in prayer formation. Inhale and feel your chest opening and your collar bones widening as you focus on balancing your weight proportionally on both of your feet. Gaze straight forward and maintain this pose for 1-2 minutes.\\n \\n2. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)\\n\\nFrom Mountain pose, you’ll begin to transition into Tree pose to further improve your balance and stability.\\nBring your awareness to your left foot and firmly ground it into the mat. Begin to shift your body weight to your left foot, while gently lifting your right foot. Depending on your ability to balance, you can place the sole of your right foot on your left calf or thigh. As you do this, be sure to keep your pelvis aligned, your spine straight, and your gaze focused forward. Give yourself a moment to steady yourself, and then, if you feel comfortable, press your hands together in prayer formation. Hold for 5-6 deep breaths and repeat on the other side, then return to Mountain pose.\\n \\n3. Warrior II Pose (Virabhadrasana 2)\\n\\nThis standing pose also improves your balance and builds strength in your legs and core. If you have trouble balancing and wish to modify this pose, try practicing it next to a wall or with a chair.\\nMove to the back portion of your mat and step your right foot forward. Your right toes should be pointed forward and your left (back) foot should be kept parallel with your mat. Bend your right knee at 90 degrees, taking care not to overextend. Your right knee should not move forward past your toes. With your hips evenly squared, stretch your arms out to both sides, so that your right arm extended out in front of you and your left arm behind you. Open your chest and focus on activating your legs so that you are grounded into your mat. Hold this pose for 5-6 breaths and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n4. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana)\\n\\nThis pose also requires strength and balance, and can be modified by performing it next to a wall. You can also place a block next to your front foot for easier hand positioning. \\nJust like with Warrior II, step your right foot forward for Triangle pose, keeping your left (back) foot parallel with your mat. Inhale and stretch out both your arms the same as in Warrior II, but keep your right leg straight with a slight, soft bend in your knee. As you exhale, hinge at your hip and bend forward, placing your right fingertips on the floor, or you can place your hand on the block positioned next to your right foot. Turn your upper body and reach your left hand toward the ceiling, and either turn your head to gaze up at your hand, or keep your eyes focused straight ahead. Hold for 3-5 breaths and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n5. Cat-Cow Pose (Chakravakasana)\\n\\nThis pose is excellent for increasing mobility in your spine and hips.\\nMove to a tabletop position on your mat, with your hands and knees on the floor. Inhale and look up, lifting your chin and gently arching your back. Feel the stretch in your chest and abdomen. As you exhale, drop your chin and look down toward your naval as you curl your spine forward. Continue this movement 5-10 times.\\n \\n6. Locust Pose (Shalabhasana)\\n\\nLike Cat-Cow, Locust improves your spinal mobility with a soft backbend, but in this pose you will also be working your core muscles, glutes, and shoulders.\\nFrom Cat-Cow, lower yourself onto the mat so that you are lying face down on your stomach with your legs extended straight and your arms at your sides. On your inhale, strengthen your core and lift your head, legs and arms at the same time, balancing your body on your lower abdomen, pelvis and upper legs. Engage your glutes and press both of your legs together while holding them up. Hold this pose for 5-6 breaths, and then relax back onto your mat.\\n \\n7. Child’s Pose (Balasana)\\n\\nAfter the strengthening work of Locust pose, give your body a rest with Child’s pose\\nAfter Locust you’ve likely returned to lying face down on your mat. Press your palms and knees into the floor as if you were rising back into tabletop position, but this time bring your hips back so that your buttocks are resting on your heels, and your big toes are touching each other. Extend your arms forward so that your palms are resting on the mat in front of you, and bring your forehead to the mat. Breathe gently and allow your body to fully sink into this pose, supported by the floor. Hold for 5-6 minutes.\\n \\n8. Corpse Pose (Savasana)\\n\\nAfter practicing the above stretching and strengthening poses, it’s important to let your body fully digest the movement by resting in Corpse pose. \\nCome to a seated position on your mat. Slowly lower your body to the floor, so that you are lying flat on your back with your legs extended straight and your arms at your sides, palms facing up. Close your eyes and bring your focus inward. Bring your awareness to your body and check in with each and every body part, noticing if you feel any tension and allowing yourself to fully relax. Soften your face, neck, and shoulders, and let yourself melt into your mat while visualizing any tension leaving your body. Rest in this post for 5-7 minutes."},"category":["pain_management"]},{"id":"clct29qar2mln09k7b9xhmih5","slug":"8-yoga-poses-for-psoas-pain-relief","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"8 Yoga Poses for Psoas Pain Relief","subTitle":"Learn yoga poses that target your psoas muscle to relieve pain.","seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"By practicing a few specific yoga poses, you can directly stretch the psoas and surrounding areas, relieving tension, pain, and stiffness\n","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-12T12:22:46.336259+00:00","coverUrl":"fitbgltpzxzyqblmzhjg.jpg","content":{"text":"Possibly the most integral muscle group in your entire body, the psoas governs the central functioning of your core. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to move properly, walk, stand, or do much of anything, because the muscles in this group also attach your legs to your spine.\\n\\nIssues with your psoas can be deeply painful, and it’s a difficult area to massage. The psoas major, psoas minor, and iliacus combined make up your iliopsoas, commonly referred as simply the psoas. And when the psoas is unhappy, it can cause symptoms with a range of severity, from slightly uncomfortable to totally debilitating, like difficulty walking or standing upright, lower back pain, and pelvic pain. \n\\nAthletic injuries, prolonged periods of sitting and surgery can affect the health of your psoas, and if you’re experiencing a tight and shortened psoas, it’s likely you’re also suffering from weakness and pain. You can relieve your symptoms and fully recover from psoas issues by stretching and strengthening this important muscle group with yoga. \n\\nHow to Relieve Psoas Pain\\n\\nPsoas pain can affect the entire structure of your body, causing adjoining muscles to become overworked and your posture to become off-kilter, leading to widespread chronic pain. Yoga can help correct issues with your psoas and get you back to feeling balanced again. By practicing a few specific yoga poses, you can directly stretch the psoas and surrounding areas, relieving tension, pain, and stiffness.\\n\\nIt’s important to also strengthen the psoas to enable your body to function properly. A weak psoas can put enormous strain on your surrounding muscles and joints, and a strong core is essential for your physical health. By lengthening and strengthening your psoas at the same time, you can correct issues and reduce pain.\n\\nIf you’re suffering from a tight or weak psoas, try practicing the yoga poses below on a regular basis to start the healing process.\n\\n8 Yoga Poses for Psoas Pain Relief\\n\n\\n1. Low Lunge Pose\\n\\nLow Lunge is an easy pose to start lengthening your psoas muscles, and you can adjust this position to stretch as deeply as you feel comfortable.\\nFrom a kneeling position, start by bringing your left foot forward and bending your left leg at the knee. Inhale while reaching your arms over your head, keeping them parallel with the sides of your head. Allow your chest to expand and lengthen your spine. Remember to keep your chin level and your gaze focused straight ahead. Repeat on the other side.\\n \\n2. Tree Pose\\n\\nTree pose strengthens and stretches your psoas muscles by isolating the area building strength through balance.\\nStand in Mountain pose and place your feet hip distance apart, arms relaxed at your sides. Gently shift your body weight to your left foot and bending your right knee, lifting it upward. Place the sole of your right foot on the inside of your left thigh. Keep your spine and head straight, with your gaze facing forward. Give yourself a moment to steady your balance, bring your hands together in Namaste formation. Hold for 5-6 deep breaths.\\n \\n3. Boat Pose\\n\\nOne of the best asanas for your core, Boat pose strengthens your abdominal muscles for better balance and posture.\\nStart by sitting with your legs stretched out in front of you and your arms at your sides. Lean back slightly so that your weight is evenly balanced. Inhale, engage your core, and exhale as you lift both your legs to a 45 degree angle, and extend your arms straight out alongside your legs. If this pose feels too difficult, try bending your knees and bringing your hands behind your knees for support. Keep your spine long and your core engaged as you hold this pose for 30-45 seconds.\\n \\n4. Knee-To-Chest Pose\\n\\nWhen your psoas is in pain and walking or standing upright feels difficult, Knee-To-Chest pose offers a supine stretch that can relieve your symptoms.\\nLie down flat on your back with your arms at your sides. Inhale, and then as you exhale, bring your right knee to your chest. Thoughtfully extend and stretch your left leg until you feel the tension begin to release from your abs and inside your hip. As you hug your knee to your chest, remember to breathe and focus on allowing your core to fully relax. Hold for 30-60 seconds and repeat on the other side.\\n \\n5. Dancer’s Pose\\n\\nLike Tree pose, Dancer’s pose works to strengthen your psoas through balance, with a deep stretch that lengthens all of the muscles in the front side of your torso. \\nStand in the middle of your mat with your weight evenly balanced on both feet. Transfer your weight onto your left foot while bending your right knee and grabbing your right foot with your right hand. Lift your left arm up toward the ceiling. Bend at your waist and slowly lean forward, lifting your right leg and engaging your core. You can deepen the stretch by creating some resistance — simply push outward with your right foot while pulling in with your right hand. For better balance, focus your gaze on a fixed point in front of you. Hold for 3-5 breaths, then repeat on the other side.\\n \\n6. Supported Bridge Pose\\n\\nSupported Bridge pose uses a yoga block to both support your weight and lengthen the muscles in your core and inside your hips.\\nStart by lying on your back with your knees bent and a yoga block placed nearby. On your next exhale, tuck your chin and lift your hips, being careful not to allow your knees to splay outward. Take your yoga block and place underneath your lower back, supporting your weight and providing a deep stretch to the frontside of your pelvis. Stay in the pose for 30-60 seconds.\\n \\n7. Reclining Hero’s Pose\\n\\nBy modifying Hero’s pose to a reclining position, you can gently lengthen your psoas and stretch your quad muscles.\\nKneel on your yoga mat and rest your buttocks on the backs of your heels. Sit with your spine straight and inhale, and as you exhale, begin to gently lower your torso to the floor. You can move slowly, lowering yourself onto your back one vertebrae at a time. Rest your hands on your chest or reach your arms above your head to increase the stretch. Once your are resting on your back, you can also bring your focus to your hips and allow them to rise slightly upward for a greater stretch in your psoas minor.\\n \\n8. Cobra Pose\\n\\nCobra pose lengthens your abdominal muscles and releases tension in your lower back.\\nLie on your stomach with your legs extended, arms folded under your head and your chin resting on your forearms. Place your hands at the level of your chest and press down with your hands. Slightly lift your head off the mat, keeping your head and back aligned, and press your thighs together. Now, steadily pull your elbows towards your ribs and align your hands and shoulders. On a deep inhale, press your hands into the mat, curl your shoulders backward, and lift your upper body off the mat. Make sure to gaze upward and press your hips into the mat to target your psoas. Hold this position for a few breaths and then rest."},"category":[]},{"id":"clckc2txxldwd0ajx6v2ewnfg","slug":"everyday-selfcare-event","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"Announcing MyYogaTeacher’s Free Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event","subTitle":null,"seoTitle":null,"seoDescription":"Daily self-care yoga event for relaxation and rejuvenation. All levels welcome. Come find your inner peace and leave feeling ready to tackle the day ahead","readTime":null,"excerpt":null,"tags":[],"createdAt":"2023-01-06T09:47:25.040388+00:00","coverUrl":"sqksdkhom5g0uivl5z2l.png","content":{"text":"Ready to make time and take time for YOU in the New Year? This 2-day event on January 16-17 makes it easier than ever to start and keep a self care routine going.\\nAnd, of course, you’re invited!\\n\\nAlmost everyone is guilty of not putting themselves first most of the time. \\nBut did you know that research shows that self care reduces heart disease, stroke, and cancer? Not to mention that people who have a consistent \\nself care routine\\n are 67% more productive, 71% happier, and 64% more self-confident than those who don’t! \\nThe impacts of a yoga for self care routine are nothing but positive. And there is nothing standing in your way of creating one with MyYogaTeacher’s free event. Imagine how much better you’ll feel and how much more productive you’d be if you just took some time for yourself everyday. Your routine doesn’t have to be time consuming. Even 30 minutes of yoga for self care may make all the difference in your life! \\nHere at MyYogaTeacher, we understand creating a self care routine may seem unobtainable at first. That’s why we created this event!\n\\nHow to join the Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event:\n\\nMembers\\nJust click the links below to one or all of the classes you’d like to attend and register as you would any other group class! Simple as that.\n\\nNon-Members\\n\\nClick this link to sign up for your free two week trial\\n to get access to this incredible event! No credit card required.\\n\n\\nAre you a nonmember who signed up for a trial in the past but it’s lapsed?\n\\nIf you’re not a member but signed up for a free-trial in the past, and it has expired, just reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to let us know! We'll reset your trial and give you full access to the event.\\n\n\\nMake this event the start of something wonderful for your mental, emotional, and physical health! So you, too, can be happier, more self-confident, and more productive!\n\\nWe've put together a schedule of yoga sessions designed specifically to get you started on your self care journey.\\n\\nCheck out the educational, inspiring, and exciting event classes and expert yoga instructors making this event happen!\\n(Click the class links to register for any or all of these amazing sessions!)\n\\n\\nYoga Breathwork: Relaxation and Self Care with Archana\\n\\nTuesday, January 17 at 5:30 pm PST/ 8:30 pm EST\\n\n\\nDo you make time for selfcare? Meditation and yogic breathing are excellent forms of selfcare that you can do almost anywhere or any time! Join us for this relaxing class focused on breathing, meditation, and gentle stretching. Discover how easy it is to take time for you!\\n\n\\n\\nYoga for Self Care: An Everyday Practice with Archana\\n\\nMonday, January 16 at 5:30 pm PST/ 8:30 pm EST\\n\n\\nDo you struggle to make time for self-care? You’re not alone! This beautiful yoga session is designed to help you learn asanas and stretches that you can do every day specifically as a self-care practice. Join us for self-care through yoga!\\n\n\\nWe offer these events so you have the tools and guidance to live in harmony with your inner self, outer self, and the world. So you can move in the world with peace and good health. And so you can be less stressed, more productive, and more \\npresent\\n.\\n\\nExperience the peace that comes from yoga and explore all the tools our expert yoga instructors offer to help you start and maintain a consistent self care routine. We’re here to support you on your journey now \\nand\\n when the event is over!\n\\nSo join us for this free event! And don’t forget to check other yoga classes MyYogaTeacher offers as a part of your membership or free trial! Many are perfect for continuing your self care routine long after this event is over. Or reach out to the yoga instructors below offering 1-on-1 sessions to address specific issues!\\n\\n- Ankit Bhatnagari\\n- Abhishek Bodhi\\n\\nAnd remember: If you’re a nonmember who’s two-week free trial has ended, reach out to \\ncare@myyogateacher.com\\n to have your trial reset so you can easily sign up for these awesome classes!\\n\\nWelcome to MyYogaTeacher’s Yoga for Everyday Self Care Event!\\nSee you soon!\\n"},"category":["yoga"]}],"randomPosts":[{"id":"clas104kemz1o0bimrwa5ir7s","slug":"yoga-gift-card","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"10 Reasons To Give The Gift Of Yoga This Holiday Season","createdAt":"2022-11-22T09:40:07.784715+00:00","coverUrl":"eomsfhhpzm6rc4ndnem3.jpg","content":{"text":"As the holiday season takes off, it’s not always easy to find the perfect gift for all the special people in our lives. Trying to be unique or give something that stands out can be difficult. But yoga is the gift that keeps on giving! When you give someone the gift of yoga, you’re reminding them how important it is to take time for themselves. Helping them to create space and routine they may not have otherwise. Thinking of giving a \\nMyYogaTeacher gift card\\n for the holidays? There's so many reasons to give the gift of yoga and mindfulness this season! If you’re a yogi, you know the many benefits of yoga and how helpful it is to your day to day life! But maybe there’s someone in your life who has yet to discover the gift of yoga! \n\n\\nHere are the top 10 reasons to give the gift of yoga to someone you love. \\n It’s good for the environment!\\n Gifting a virtual gift card means no wrapping paper. Even if your recipient lives overseas it’s easy to just email the gift right to their inbox!\\nIt promotes self-care! \\nWhen you give the gift of yoga, you’re giving someone you love the chance to take time out of their busy schedule to practice self-care and self love. It’s such a beautiful way to show gratitude to those around us. \\nIt becomes a routine. \\nDid you know it takes 21 days to build a habit? When you give the gift of a month with \\nMyYogaTeacher \\nto someone, it will become part of their routine and lifestyle. And they’ll be grateful you gave them such a beautiful gift. Which brings us to the next reason….\\n \\nYoga creates a community. \\nFor those of us who are still working from home or may live far from those we love, MyYogaTeacher’s online classes give us a chance to create a yoga community while staying home. We look forward to our weekly classes with expert teachers and the friends we make along the way. \\n It’s good for the body! \\nUsually around the holidays we tend to indulge in the name of celebration. Yoga is a great way to balance out celebrating with mindful movement. \\n \\nIt will last long after the holidays.\\n A lot of times, we buy gifts for the moment and the facade wears off quickly. Rather than another useless gadget, yoga gives you the opportunity to learn something new. \\n Yoga can jumpstart your New Year’s goals! \\nMost of us start our fitness goals after the holiday rush. But by giving the gift of yoga, you give your loved ones a leg up on the gym game! \\n If you’re a member, it’s an opportunity to spend more time together. \\nPurchasing a gift card for a friend or family member means you can take classes together even if you’re apart! \\nYoga improves your outlook. \\nIf your loved one has had a tough year or is moving through a hard season in their life, yoga is a great way to increase happiness and overall outlook by introducing them to a mindful practice.\\n It relieves the effects of holiday stress. \\nBetween the shopping, parties and traffic, the holiday season can be \\nvery stressful\\n. Giving the gift of yoga to a stressed out holiday shopper could be just what they need to reset for the end of the year. \\n\n\\nA\\n giftcard to our virtual yoga platform\\n is great for so many people! Having a hard time knowing if it’s right for your recipient? Here’s our top five list! \\nFor that special someone who needs to relax.\\nFor someone in recovery from an injury.\\nFor someone who loves to workout.\\nFor the college student or teacher on holiday break.\\nFor a busy parent. \\nHead over to our website to grab your \\ngift cards\\n so you can do yoga with someone special in your life this holiday season. \\n"}},{"id":"ckufqnxdkykgn0b80viodhf9h","slug":"yoga-for-runners","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":null,"pictureUrl":null},"title":"Yoga for Runners: How Yoga Helps Runners Perform Better","createdAt":"2021-10-06T16:42:11.672793+00:00","coverUrl":"dgbpmcwawhsmhokutnzw.jpg","content":{"text":"Runners are a whole community of people. They are focused, consistent, resilient, and committed to their craft.\\nThey also tend to succumb to a whole host of physical issues specific to runners. Kind of like how tennis players often get tennis elbow (aka tendonitis) or sprained ankles from their constant change of direction, runners get shin splints, runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, and their own set of ankle injuries.\\nIt’s no surprise to us that yoga for runners is a thing and that runners can seriously benefit from a regular yoga practice.\\nBut yoga might be a new concept to a lot of runners out there.\\nNot necessarily new in the sense they’ve never heard of it, but new in the way they’ve never thought about trying it out as a part of their training and recovery.\\nSo we wanted to discuss how yoga helps runners perform better, prevents injury, and helps their body recover.\\nIf you haven’t checked out MyYogaTeacher yet, we’d love to have you! With a continuously grown variety of classes, we’re confident that there’s a perfect class or two...or three out there for you! \\nYou can get your 2-week free trial here and take as many or as few as you want!\\n\\nYoga for core strength\\nWe’ve talked about it. You’ve talked about it. Virtually every trainer in every possible sport has talked about it. \\nCore strength.\\nAnd what is one huge benefit of yoga? A stronger core, of course!\\nFor runners, having a strong core means better torso stability when they’re running. Core strength allows a runner’s hips, pelvis, and lower back to work together seamlessly. Smoother operation of those areas means less lower back pain and fewer lower back injuries. Having a stronger core also means runners recover from missteps or loss in balance better, which may also help to prevent ankle and foot injuries!\\nPower yoga and vinyasa yoga are awesome choices for runners who are looking to improve their core strength and underused muscles.\\nBreathwork for runners: Yogic breathing\\nRunners are very focused on getting plenty of oxygen when they run. It’s a good thing, right? Right.\\nOne of the benefits of yoga for runners is that their lung function improves! Yogic breathing not only teaches runners how to breathe better, more steadily, and with more control while they’re running, it actually increases their lung capacity and strengthens the breathing muscles.\\nAnd since all yoga practices include some form of breathwork, runners benefit from yoga in an organic way.\\nYoga for runners: Flexibility\\nWe’ve mentioned this briefly in another article you’re welcome to check out titled \\nYoga for Athletes: 5 Reasons Yoga Should Be Included in Athletic Training.\\n\\nFlexibility for runners is important for keeping their overused muscles stretched out. Runners notoriously have tight hamstrings, hips, glutes, and quads. Tightness in these areas, in the long term, can cause postural problems, back pain, foot pain, and a rotated pelvis.\\nThis is where taking a yoga class for runners specifically helps them. Becoming more flexible will help their majorly used muscle groups recover while also helping to prevent injury during their runs and in their future.\\nYoga helps runners recover\\nOne of the most underused training tools in existence is...time. Recovery time, that is.\\nRecreational and hardcore athletes alike don’t spend enough time letting their bodies recover, much less use yoga as a recovery tool.\\nThe truth is yoga is the perfect recovery activity for runners. While a yoga class for runners is particularly helpful, any yoga class that involves passive stretching, such as yin yoga, will help runners release tension and relieve soreness in their muscles.\\nStretching also restores range of motion so runners can perform better after yoga.\\nBetter balance for runners\\nBalance for runners is important, particularly for trail runners, who often don’t run on an even or paved surface. Losing balance is an easy way to sprain or break ankles, incur foot injuries, and even fall, causing other injuries as well.\\nRunners who practice yoga reap more benefits than just the obvious ones. Balancing poses strengthen all the tiny muscles in the ankles and feet, which helps runners maintain their balance on uneven surfaces or regain it with more ease if they do lose it.\\nYoga poses such as tree pose, crescent lunge, extended hand-to-big-toe pose, eagle pose, high lunge, and chair pose are great yoga poses for runners to practice to help with balance.\\nPerfect yoga poses for runners\\nIf you’re a runner, we get that you may be busy or not all that comfortable participating in a yoga class (yet). So we want you to have some specific yoga poses for runners to use before and/or after your daily run. \\nButterfly pose\\n\\n\\n\n\\nHalf pigeon pose\\n\\n\\n\n\\nHappy baby pose\\n\\n\\n\n\\nDownward facing dog pose\\n\\n\\n\n\\nLizard pose\\n\\n\\n\n\\nForward fold\\n\\n\\n\n\\nToes pose\\n\\n\n\\nQuad stretch\\n\\nWe recommend holding each pose for 1-5 minutes on each side, and be sure to come out of each pose slowly. Only stretch so far as you don’t suffer. A bit of discomfort is ok, but if there is serious pain, back off on how far you’re stretching or release the stretch completely. You will feel the difference in your muscles immediately after this series of yoga poses for runners!\\nAre you a runner or a walker? We’d love to see you on the mat here at \\nMyYogaTeacher\\n! There are many classes offered that will improve your performance, help your body recover, and help you prevent injuries common for runners. Not to mention all the other benefits that everyone gets from practicing yoga! \\nGet your free 2-week trial membership here\\n and try any of the amazing group yoga classes taught by expert, highly experienced yoga instructors from the birthplace of yoga, India. \\nSee you there!\\n\\n"}},{"id":"cl77o54vxciuw0ck85uv39v9x","slug":"yin-yoga-for-digestion","author":{"name":"Bharath","teacherMytSlug":"bharath-1","pictureUrl":"bharath-pro.jpg"},"title":"Yin Yoga for Digestion: 10 Restorative Yin Yoga Poses for Digestion","createdAt":"2022-08-24T13:45:35.992969+00:00","coverUrl":"kfzbgmsrthjpcvpiht8o.jpg","content":{"text":"If you experience bloating, gas or upset stomach but don’t exactly know the source, yoga can be great to help aid in your daily digestion. Yoga can help you to regulate your digestion, get a detox or relieve stomach pain from a meal gone wrong. If you’re looking to add yoga into your routine, we’d recommend yin yoga for help with digestion and stomach issues\\nWhat is Yin Yoga?\\nYin Yoga is a slower, restorative style that targets your deep connective tissues. Rather than a traditional vinyasa class that fatigues your muscles, yin goes deeper to connect under your skin to your ligaments, deep tissue and bones. This practice goes back centuries and is actually based in Chinese medicine.\\n“The practice of yin yoga is based on ancient Chinese philosophies and Taoist principles which believe there are pathways of Qi (energy) that run through our bodies. By stretching and deepening into poses, we’re opening up any blockages and releasing that energy to flow freely.” - Mind body green\\nWhy Yin Yoga?\\nYin Yoga allows you to come to your mat and answer the question “what does my body need today?” When you come to your mat for this style class, you can do a body scan and connect to your body. Notice how you feel and what’s bothering you today. Then, you can target your practice for your specific need or ailment. If you’re taking a live \\nyin yoga\\n class, the instructor will usually open class by giving you an opportunity to answer that question.\\nHow does yin yoga aid in digestion?\\nWhen you do yin or restorative poses for digestion, the poses target your spleen and stomach to aid in your digestion and promote detox qualities. You may think if your stomach is bothering you, it’s definitely something you ate. However in reality, the spleen can also carry worry. If you are stressed, upset or chronically worried, you may be experiencing pain due to stress. So coming to your mat and releasing your stomach and spleen may not only detox bloating or pain, but could also lighten your mental or emotional load. \\nWhen should you do Yin yoga to relieve stomach distress?\\nThere is no perfect time to do yoga. Every hour of the day is good for yoga if it fits in your schedule! But for maximum results, we recommend first thing in the morning or right before bed. \\nIf you choose to do your yin practice in the morning, your detox will continue all day and help your body to maintain homeostasis throughout the day. If you choose to do it at night, not only will you continue to detox while you sleep, you will benefit from a deeper more restful sleep and wake more rejuvenated. \\nSo what Yin yoga poses will help with your pain or symptoms? Try these poses to help with tummy issues or to \\nloosen up hip\\n whenever and wherever you are! If you prefer to practice alone or have a tight schedule, find time to fit these poses in during your busy day! Make sure to drink water after to aid in the process.\n\nFollowing are the 10 recommended yin yoga poses for digestion :\\n\n1. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Seated twist)\\nThis move will release anything trapped in your GI tract and beat bloat. \\n\\n\\n2. Marjaryasana/Bitilasana (Cat/Cow)\\nThis set of poses massages the inner abdominal and stimulates digestion. \\n\\n\\n3. Supta Matsyendrasana (Supine Twist)\\nThis pose is said to relieve constipation and bloating\\n\\n\\n4. Pawanmuktasana (Wind Reliever)\\n This pose eases gas and bloating and increases blood flow in the stomach. \\n\\n\\n5. Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)\\nThis pose stretches the stomach and supports digestion. \\n\\n6. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog)\\nBreathing into your belly in this shape can help to create space in your intestines. \\n\\n\\n7. Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)\\nThis pose releases stress and stimulates your organs. It will help to speed up normal digestion.\\n\\n\\n8. Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)\\nThis pose brings new blood flow to the stomach & helps to wake up fatigued tissue and muscles.\\n\\n\\n9. Uttana Shishosana (Puppy Pose) \\nThis pose helps to stretch your belly. It’s suggested for after a large meal. \\n\\n10. Viparita Karani (Legs Up The Wall)\\nReverse your blood flow, give into the ground and let go. Letting go will slow down your heart rate and release any blocked stress. \\n\\n\\nTry these poses on your own time when you’re experiencing stomach distress or add them to your morning routine for digestive support throughout your day! Don’t think you’re ready to flow on your own? Join us for a class! \\n[CTA-GC]\\nClasses to take to aid in digestion or detox: \\n\\nYin Yoga with Annelise\\n - This intermediate class is great for before bed and will help with an overnight detox. \\n\\nRestorative with Swathi\\n - This all levels class will keep you in long holds to aid in detoxification and target deep tissue release. \\nOther holistic ways to relieve stomach issues:\\nIf you want to take your new digestive practice off your mat, add these simple things into your daily routine to keep your belly happy all day long! \\nTea\\nIn many scientific studies, Tea has been found to be great for digestive health because of its flavonoids. This ingredient can be found in many teas and is proven to calm the stomach and help to regulate the digestive process\\nGreen Tea\\nGreen tea is known to aid in a healthy daily detoxification because of its high levels of flavonoids which occur naturally in the fruits and veggies used to make green tea. Green tea will detox the liver and other major organs. The high level of antioxidants will keep your skin clear and refreshed as well! \\nGinger Tea\\nGinger is like nature’s pepto bismol. It can release gas and improve digestion by moving along what may be blocking your digestive process. While green tea is great for a slow all day detox, ginger tea is fast acting and gets to work immediately after drinking.\\nPeppermint Tea\\nPeppermint has been known to relieve gas, bloating and pain in the stomach. It’s a great choice for days when you feel cramping or intense stomach pain. Peppermint tea is great for staying hydrated if you’re not feeling well and is also great for a full day detox. \\nWhich brings us to our next category, When your belly is bothering you, it’s important to hydrate! It can feel overwhelming when your stomach hurts to drink water or remember to focus on your hydration, but being dehydrated could cause you much more pain or trauma. If you’re already not feeling well, try these options for hydration! \\nLemon Water\\nLemon water can aid in digestion because the citric acid in the lemon helps to break down and digest food. Lemon water also works harder to hydrate your system than plain water. It won’t run through your system or sweat out as quickly. \\nCoconut Water\\nDrinking coconut water after meals helps with digestion and helps your body to avoid bloat. The electrolytes in coconut water also help to keep your system functioning normally which promotes healthy digestion! \\nSo if you want fries on the side of your salad or ice cream after dinner tonight, no worries! Just keep this list of digestive aids handy and tomorrow, you’ll be good as new! Every day is a new day to start again…and your belly will thank you for incorporating these healthy options into your life. "}}],"relatedPosts":[],"blogContent":{"id":"ckk605xyw0pay0925k147bj9f","slug":"find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"How To Find The Best Yoga Teacher for You","createdAt":"2021-01-20T22:33:23.314902+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-05-17T11:45:42.42611+00:00","coverUrl":"shutterstock_1801286311.jpg","seoDescription":"It is important to choose a well qualified yoga instructor who can help practice yoga, improve your yoga poses, and should be someone you’re comfortable with.","content":{"text":"Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.\\n\\nAnd having a regular \\nyoga practice\\n is the \\nonly way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:\\nFeeling more \\npeaceful, calm, and relaxed\\nGaining \\nstrength and flexibility\\nBeing more \\nfocused and clear minded\\nHaving \\nmore energy\\n throughout the day\\nBalancing your hormones\\nFeeling \\nhappier and more satisfied\\n in life\\nLosing weight and maintaining a fit physique\\n\\nYou can read a lot more about the \\nbenefits of yoga here\\n (all scientifically verified in medical studies).\\n\\nWithout regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any \\nlasting change\\n.\\n\\nWhen you \\nbuild a yoga habit\\n — that's when the magic happens! That's when you \\nstart to feel incredible as your default setting.\\n\\nAnd \\none of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice\\n — is finding the right teacher for you. \\nThe rest of this article will show you secret to finding the \\nbest yoga teacher\\n for you.\\n\\n\\n1. Do you like the teacher's personality?\\n\\nThis might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.\\n\\nThe reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. \\nYou can't rely on discipline in the long-run\\n. Discipline takes effort — \\nhabits are effortless\\n. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.\\n\\nIf you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.\\n\\nSo \\nthis is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up\\n... finding a teacher that you like.\\n\\n\\n2. Can they teach to your level of experience and flexibility?\\n\\nThis is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's \\ncritical to find a teacher and class at your level\\n. \\nOne that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.\\n\\nIf the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off\\n. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.\\n\\nAnd of course, this has to be balanced. \\nYou won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either\\n.\\n\\nIf you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.\\n\\nSo when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.\\n\\nBut when you find that Goldilocks teacher...\\n When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!\\n\\nFinding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers \\n35+ daily classes live\\n, and has over \\n80 incredible teachers\\n. \\nYou can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial\\n (no credit card required).\\n\\n\\n3. Are they a good teacher?\\n\\nNOTE:\\n While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!\\n\\nThis is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because \\nlearning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries\\n. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.\\n\\nBut don't worry, I'll give you some \\nkey things to look fo\\nr. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).\\n\\nOne of the first things to look at is:\\n \\nHow many hours of certified training does the teacher have?\\n\\nIn the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.\\n\\nIf the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.\\n\\nIn India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.\\n\\nMost yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find\\n teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, \\nyoga therapists\\n, and many with 900+ hours of certified training\\n.\\n\\nThis means that \\nyou can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body\\n heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. \\nEspecially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.\\n\\nYoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.\\n\\nIf you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — \\nyou can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n.\\n\\n\\nSummary\\n\\nIf you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — \\nyou should look for:\\n\\nA yoga \\nteacher you like\\nA yoga teacher who's \\nclasses challenge you but aren't too difficult\\nA yoga teacher who has \\nat least 200-hours of certified training AND 4-years of experience\\nOr better yet\\n, an expert teacher from the birthplace of yoga, India, who studied yoga in University (similar to a Dr or Nurse in the US)\\n\\nIf you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,\\nyou can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here\\n.","html":"<p>Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>And having a regular <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">yoga practice</a> is the <strong>only way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:</strong></p><ul><li><div>Feeling more <strong>peaceful, calm, and relaxed</strong></div></li><li><div>Gaining <strong>strength and flexibility</strong></div></li><li><div>Being more <strong>focused and clear minded</strong></div></li><li><div>Having <strong>more energy</strong> throughout the day</div></li><li><div><strong>Balancing your hormones</strong></div></li><li><div>Feeling <strong>happier and more satisfied</strong> in life</div></li><li><div><strong>Losing weight and maintaining a fit physique</strong></div></li></ul><p></p><p>You can read a lot more about the <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\" href=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\">benefits of yoga here</a> (all scientifically verified in medical studies).</p><p></p><p>Without regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any <strong>lasting change</strong>.</p><p></p><p>When you <strong>build a yoga habit</strong> — that's when the magic happens! That's when you <strong>start to feel incredible as your default setting.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p>And <strong>one of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice</strong> — is finding the right teacher for you. </p><p>The rest of this article will show you secret to finding the <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\">best yoga teacher</a> for you.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>1. Do you like the teacher's personality?</h2><p></p><p>This might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.</p><p></p><p>The reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. <strong>You can't rely on discipline in the long-run</strong>. Discipline takes effort — <strong>habits are effortless</strong>. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.</p><p></p><p>If you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.</p><p></p><p>So <strong>this is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up</strong>... finding a teacher that you like.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>2. Can they teach to your level of experience and flexibility?</h2><p></p><p>This is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's <strong>critical to find a teacher and class at your level</strong>. </p><p>One that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off</strong>. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.</p><p></p><p>And of course, this has to be balanced. <strong>You won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either</strong>.</p><p></p><p>If you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>So when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>But when you find that Goldilocks teacher...<strong> When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!</strong></p><p></p><p>Finding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers <strong>35+ daily classes live</strong>, and has over <strong>80 incredible teachers</strong>. <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>You can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial</strong></a> (no credit card required).</p><p></p><p></p><h2>3. Are they a good teacher?</h2><p></p><p><strong>NOTE:</strong> While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!</p><p></p><p>This is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because <strong>learning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries</strong>. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.</p><p></p><p>But don't worry, I'll give you some <strong>key things to look fo</strong>r. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).</p><p></p><p><strong>One of the first things to look at is:</strong> <em>How many hours of certified training does the teacher have?</em></p><p></p><p>In the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.</strong></p><p></p><p>In India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.</p><p></p><p>Most yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find<strong> teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, </strong><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\"><strong>yoga therapists</strong></a><strong>, and many with 900+ hours of certified training</strong>.</p><p></p><p>This means that <strong>you can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body</strong> heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. <em>Especially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Yoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.</strong></p><p></p><p>If you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher</strong></a>.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Summary</h2><p></p><p>If you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — <strong>you should look for:</strong></p><p></p><ol><li><div>A yoga <strong>teacher you like</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who's <strong>classes challenge you but aren't too difficult</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who has <strong>at least 200-hours of certified training AND 4-years of experience</strong></div><div><ol><li><div><strong>Or better yet</strong>, an expert teacher from the birthplace of yoga, India, who studied yoga in University (similar to a Dr or Nurse in the US)</div></li></ol></div></li></ol><p></p><p>If you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,<a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here</strong></a>.</p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"loading":false,"blog_content":[{"type":"HTML","value":"<p>Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>And having a regular <a\n class=\"inline-cta\"\n id=8a307523-60c8-4019-b49f-3a3830b334dc\n href=\"/free-trial-o?utm_source=MYT__article&utm_medium=ckk605xyw0pay0925k147bj9f&utm_campaign=inline_cta&utm_content=CTA-INLINE&entity_name=How To Find The Best Yoga Teacher for You&entity_slug=find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you&page_or_popup=/articles/find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you&entity_location=hyperlink_midst_of_article&article_cta=CTA-INLINE&from_article_page=true\"\n onclick=trigger_mixpanel_sign_up_cta(\"8a307523-60c8-4019-b49f-3a3830b334dc\")\n title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" \n data-title=\"How To Find The Best Yoga Teacher for You\"\n data-slug=\"find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you\"\n <u>yoga practice</a></u> \n </a> is the <strong>only way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:</strong></p><ul><li><div>Feeling more <strong>peaceful, calm, and relaxed</strong></div></li><li><div>Gaining <strong>strength and flexibility</strong></div></li><li><div>Being more <strong>focused and clear minded</strong></div></li><li><div>Having <strong>more energy</strong> throughout the day</div></li><li><div><strong>Balancing your hormones</strong></div></li><li><div>Feeling <strong>happier and more satisfied</strong> in life</div></li><li><div><strong>Losing weight and maintaining a fit physique</strong></div></li></ul><p></p><p>You can read a lot more about the <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\" href=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\">benefits of yoga here</a> (all scientifically verified in medical studies).</p><p></p><p>Without regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any <strong>lasting change</strong>.</p><p></p><p>When you <strong>build a yoga habit</strong> — that's when the magic happens! That's when you <strong>start to feel incredible as your default setting.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p>And <strong>one of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice</strong> — is finding the right teacher for you. </p><p>The rest of this article will show you secret to finding the <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\">best yoga teacher</a> for you.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>1. Do you like the teacher's personality?</h2><p></p><p>This might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.</p><p></p><p>The reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. <strong>You can't rely on discipline in the long-run</strong>. Discipline takes effort — <strong>habits are effortless</strong>. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.</p><p></p><p>If you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.</p><p></p><p>So <strong>this is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up</strong>... finding a teacher that you like.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>2. Can they teach to your level of experience and flexibility?</h2><p></p><p>This is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's <strong>critical to find a teacher and class at your level</strong>. </p><p>One that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off</strong>. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.</p><p></p><p>And of course, this has to be balanced. <strong>You won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either</strong>.</p><p></p><p>If you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>So when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>But when you find that Goldilocks teacher...<strong> When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!</strong></p><p></p><p>Finding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers <strong>35+ daily classes live</strong>, and has over <strong>80 incredible teachers</strong>. <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>You can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial</strong></a> (no credit card required).</p><p></p><p></p><h2>3. Are they a good teacher?</h2><p></p><p><strong>NOTE:</strong> While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!</p><p></p><p>This is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because <strong>learning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries</strong>. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.</p><p></p><p>But don't worry, I'll give you some <strong>key things to look fo</strong>r. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).</p><p></p><p><strong>One of the first things to look at is:</strong> <em>How many hours of certified training does the teacher have?</em></p><p></p><p>In the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.</strong></p><p></p><p>In India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.</p><p></p><p>Most yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find<strong> teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, </strong><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\"><strong>yoga therapists</strong></a><strong>, and many with 900+ hours of certified training</strong>.</p><p></p><p>This means that <strong>you can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body</strong> heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. <em>Especially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Yoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.</strong></p><p></p><p>If you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher</strong></a>.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Summary</h2><p></p><p>If you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — <strong>you should look for:</strong></p><p></p><ol><li><div>A yoga <strong>teacher you like</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who's <strong>classes challenge you but aren't too difficult</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who has <strong>at least 200-hours of certified training AND 4-years of experience</strong></div><div><ol><li><div><strong>Or better yet</strong>, an expert teacher from the birthplace of yoga, India, who studied yoga in University (similar to a Dr or Nurse in the US)</div></li></ol></div></li></ol><p></p><p>If you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,<a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here</strong></a>.</p>"},{"type":"CTA","value":"[CTA-DEFAULT]"}],"isSlugACategory":false,"searchCategory":"find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you","showPopUp":false,"popUpType":null,"showedPopup":false,"windowWidth":null,"ctaPath":"free-trial-o","redirectURL":"#","current_url":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you","student_details":"","facebookUrl":"","twitterUrl":"","copyUrl":"","emailUrl":"","ctaContent":[{"id":"ckxrz2i14tov40c25g1dpicsg","name":"[CTA-DEFAULT]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice with Authentic Indian Yoga Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckxrz6nq0tqdr0c258titvagg","name":"[CTA-REVIEWS]","description":{"html":"<p>Find out what all the hype is about! <strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions and 2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong> with authentic yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Hatha Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>with Authentic Indian Teachers</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cky90p88g3zgc0d23yz6taont","name":"[CTA-NASAL]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private sessions </strong>to relieve post nasal drip and clear out your sinus. </p><p><strong>PLUS, 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>with authentic Indian yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Learn Trataka (Candle Gazing) Meditation Today!</strong></p><p></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyisqh482ck60b79rp1r1jcg","name":"[CTA-YIN]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions</strong>, work with an experienced yoga therapist to reduce (and even eliminate) your back pain. <strong>PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group classes </strong>(like ‘Yoga for Back Pain’) with authentic yoga teachers. 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No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Classes – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>Practice Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation Today!</strong></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckyitxgyg2pot0b79lu1fcpp1","name":"[CTA-BREATH]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions </strong>for yogic breathing techniques (pranayama) and <strong>2 weeks of unlimited group classes</strong>, like ‘Stretch and Breathe’, ‘Kriya, Pranayama, and Meditation’, and many others. No credit card required when you sign up today!</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong> Learn Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Pranayama!</strong></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"ckykb6i2o1o7f0b368s1m7qow","name":"[CTA-LYMPHATIC]","description":{"html":"<p><strong>Get 2 free private yoga sessions</strong> for lymphatic drainage & immunity enhancement. <strong>PLUS 2 weeks of unlimited group yoga classes</strong> (including daily yin-yoga) when you sign up today! No credit card required to sign up.</p><p></p>"},"title":{"html":"<p><strong>Online Yoga Sessions – </strong><u><strong>Live & Interactive</strong></u></p><p><strong>for Lymphatic Drainage & Boosting Your Immune System!</strong></p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cl2vqlpyfe3yh0biohgxyx2hg","name":"[CTA-LEAD]","description":{"html":"<p>Lead Form</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p>Lead Form</p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"},{"id":"cl4gnwnrlga640ck37gutx7sn","name":"[CTA-GC]","description":{"html":"<p>CTA-GC</p>"},"title":{"html":"<p>CTA-GC</p>"},"linkText":"Start Free Trial","linkUrl":"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signup"}],"post":{"id":"ckk605xyw0pay0925k147bj9f","slug":"find-best-yoga-teacher-for-you","author":{"name":"Will","teacherMytSlug":"will-1","pictureUrl":"will.jpeg"},"title":"How To Find The Best Yoga Teacher for You","createdAt":"2021-01-20T22:33:23.314902+00:00","updatedAt":"2022-05-17T11:45:42.42611+00:00","coverUrl":"shutterstock_1801286311.jpg","seoDescription":"It is important to choose a well qualified yoga instructor who can help practice yoga, improve your yoga poses, and should be someone you’re comfortable with.","content":{"text":"Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.\\n\\nAnd having a regular \\nyoga practice\\n is the \\nonly way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:\\nFeeling more \\npeaceful, calm, and relaxed\\nGaining \\nstrength and flexibility\\nBeing more \\nfocused and clear minded\\nHaving \\nmore energy\\n throughout the day\\nBalancing your hormones\\nFeeling \\nhappier and more satisfied\\n in life\\nLosing weight and maintaining a fit physique\\n\\nYou can read a lot more about the \\nbenefits of yoga here\\n (all scientifically verified in medical studies).\\n\\nWithout regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any \\nlasting change\\n.\\n\\nWhen you \\nbuild a yoga habit\\n — that's when the magic happens! That's when you \\nstart to feel incredible as your default setting.\\n\\nAnd \\none of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice\\n — is finding the right teacher for you. \\nThe rest of this article will show you secret to finding the \\nbest yoga teacher\\n for you.\\n\\n\\n1. Do you like the teacher's personality?\\n\\nThis might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.\\n\\nThe reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. \\nYou can't rely on discipline in the long-run\\n. Discipline takes effort — \\nhabits are effortless\\n. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.\\n\\nIf you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.\\n\\nSo \\nthis is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up\\n... finding a teacher that you like.\\n\\n\\n2. Can they teach to your level of experience and flexibility?\\n\\nThis is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's \\ncritical to find a teacher and class at your level\\n. \\nOne that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.\\n\\nIf the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off\\n. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.\\n\\nAnd of course, this has to be balanced. \\nYou won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either\\n.\\n\\nIf you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.\\n\\nSo when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.\\n\\nBut when you find that Goldilocks teacher...\\n When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!\\n\\nFinding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers \\n35+ daily classes live\\n, and has over \\n80 incredible teachers\\n. \\nYou can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial\\n (no credit card required).\\n\\n\\n3. Are they a good teacher?\\n\\nNOTE:\\n While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!\\n\\nThis is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because \\nlearning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries\\n. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.\\n\\nBut don't worry, I'll give you some \\nkey things to look fo\\nr. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).\\n\\nOne of the first things to look at is:\\n \\nHow many hours of certified training does the teacher have?\\n\\nIn the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.\\n\\nIf the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.\\n\\nIn India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.\\n\\nMost yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find\\n teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, \\nyoga therapists\\n, and many with 900+ hours of certified training\\n.\\n\\nThis means that \\nyou can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body\\n heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. \\nEspecially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.\\n\\nYoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.\\n\\nIf you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — \\nyou can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher\\n.\\n\\n\\nSummary\\n\\nIf you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — \\nyou should look for:\\n\\nA yoga \\nteacher you like\\nA yoga teacher who's \\nclasses challenge you but aren't too difficult\\nA yoga teacher who has \\nat least 200-hours of certified training AND 4-years of experience\\nOr better yet\\n, an expert teacher from the birthplace of yoga, India, who studied yoga in University (similar to a Dr or Nurse in the US)\\n\\nIf you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,\\nyou can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here\\n.","html":"<p>Most people don't know this, but finding the right yoga teacher for you is the most important part of building a regular yoga practice.</p><p></p><p>And having a regular <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/\">yoga practice</a> is the <strong>only way to start reaping the benefits of yoga:</strong></p><ul><li><div>Feeling more <strong>peaceful, calm, and relaxed</strong></div></li><li><div>Gaining <strong>strength and flexibility</strong></div></li><li><div>Being more <strong>focused and clear minded</strong></div></li><li><div>Having <strong>more energy</strong> throughout the day</div></li><li><div><strong>Balancing your hormones</strong></div></li><li><div>Feeling <strong>happier and more satisfied</strong> in life</div></li><li><div><strong>Losing weight and maintaining a fit physique</strong></div></li></ul><p></p><p>You can read a lot more about the <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\" href=\"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/body-on-yoga_n_4109595\">benefits of yoga here</a> (all scientifically verified in medical studies).</p><p></p><p>Without regular yoga practice, you may feel more calm, more flexible, and happier on the days you practice. But after a few days, you'll feel just like you did before. One or two classes is not enough to make any <strong>lasting change</strong>.</p><p></p><p>When you <strong>build a yoga habit</strong> — that's when the magic happens! That's when you <strong>start to feel incredible as your default setting.</strong></p><p><strong></strong></p><p>And <strong>one of the fundamental keys to building a regular practice</strong> — is finding the right teacher for you. </p><p>The rest of this article will show you secret to finding the <a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/signUp\">best yoga teacher</a> for you.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>1. Do you like the teacher's personality?</h2><p></p><p>This might seem obvious to you, but to most people it's just an 'icing on the cake' situation.</p><p></p><p>The reason this is #1 , is because even if you have the discipline to force yourself to show up. <strong>You can't rely on discipline in the long-run</strong>. Discipline takes effort — <strong>habits are effortless</strong>. So we need to create a Yoga Habit.</p><p></p><p>If you don't like the teacher, you'll always be forcing yourself to show up. When you do like the teacher, showing up becomes easy. In fact, you might show up even when you don't want to (but know you should), just because you don't want to disappoint your teacher.</p><p></p><p>So <strong>this is one of the easiest ways to help yourself show up</strong>... finding a teacher that you like.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>2. Can they teach to your level of experience and flexibility?</h2><p></p><p>This is a tough one to find at your local studio. But it's <strong>critical to find a teacher and class at your level</strong>. </p><p>One that is challenging enough to push you forward in your practice. But easy enough that you can keep up.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the class is too easy, you'll get bored and drop off</strong>. You don't have to strain and push yourself to new athletic levels. But you do have to be challenged - even if it's just holding the asana for a few seconds longer.</p><p></p><p>And of course, this has to be balanced. <strong>You won't stay long in a class that is too difficult for you either</strong>.</p><p></p><p>If you feel like you can't do any of the asanas, and like the teacher is leaving you behind. You will become discouraged or feel a sense of failure. Then, the risk / reward mechanism in your mind will tell you to stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>So when the class is too easy, you get bored and stop showing up. When the class is too hard, you feel like you can't do it, and stop showing up.</p><p></p><p>But when you find that Goldilocks teacher...<strong> When it's just right — then you feel motivated and excited to show up every day!</strong></p><p></p><p>Finding the right class for you can be impossible at your local studios. Its hard to find that perfect class when there are only 4 or 5 options. That's why myYogaTeacher offers <strong>35+ daily classes live</strong>, and has over <strong>80 incredible teachers</strong>. <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>You can click here to sign up for a free 14-day trial</strong></a> (no credit card required).</p><p></p><p></p><h2>3. Are they a good teacher?</h2><p></p><p><strong>NOTE:</strong> While finding a 'good' teacher is fundamental, it has to be #3 on the list. Because if the teacher's personality and class difficulty are not a good match, you won't stick with it!</p><p></p><p>This is a difficult one to answer if you're not a teacher yourself. But it's really important to get right — because <strong>learning from an unskilled (yet often well intentioned and kind) teacher can lead to injuries</strong>. Sometimes serious injuries, if you're already struggling with issues like back-pain or knee-pain.</p><p></p><p>But don't worry, I'll give you some <strong>key things to look fo</strong>r. So you can see if the teacher is skilled at teaching (not just flexible or good at practicing yoga).</p><p></p><p><strong>One of the first things to look at is:</strong> <em>How many hours of certified training does the teacher have?</em></p><p></p><p>In the US, it's common for people to take a 200-hour certification course and then jump right to teaching at a studio. A 200-hour certification is amazing for going deeper in your practice. And you can be an excellent teacher with only 200-hours of certification. But it takes time and experience for these skills to develop.</p><p></p><p><strong>If the teacher only has a 200-hr certification, look for at least 4 years of teaching experience.</strong></p><p></p><p>In India, yoga is practiced, taught, and learned at a whole different level than in the US. It's more like the medical field.</p><p></p><p>Most yoga teachers go to university and study yoga the way a physical therapist, nurse, or doctor does in the US. With myYogaTeacher you'll find<strong> teachers who are literal Doctors of yoga, </strong><a title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/articles/\"><strong>yoga therapists</strong></a><strong>, and many with 900+ hours of certified training</strong>.</p><p></p><p>This means that <strong>you can trust the teacher to give you a safe practice that will help your body</strong> heal and become stronger and more flexible, without the risk of injury. <em>Especially when you have back pain, knee pain, injuries, or are recovering from surgery.</em></p><p></p><p><strong>Yoga is a natural way to heal many illnesses and injuries. But only when your teacher truly knows what they are doing.</strong></p><p></p><p>If you're interested in trying classes with an expert Indian teacher, someone who has 900+ hrs of certified training, went to University for yoga, or even a Dr of yoga — <a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can click here for a free 2-week trial of myYogaTeacher</strong></a>.</p><p></p><p></p><h2>Summary</h2><p></p><p>If you want to find a teacher that will naturally motivate you to be consistent with your yoga practice, heal any injuries or illnesses, and help you feel stronger, more flexible, and more at peace — <strong>you should look for:</strong></p><p></p><ol><li><div>A yoga <strong>teacher you like</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who's <strong>classes challenge you but aren't too difficult</strong></div></li><li><div>A yoga teacher who has <strong>at least 200-hours of certified training AND 4-years of experience</strong></div><div><ol><li><div><strong>Or better yet</strong>, an expert teacher from the birthplace of yoga, India, who studied yoga in University (similar to a Dr or Nurse in the US)</div></li></ol></div></li></ol><p></p><p>If you want to try yoga (for free) with an expert teacher like this,<a target='_blank' title=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\" href=\"https://www.myyogateacher.com/free-yoga-classes.html?utm_source=MYT&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=SEO&utm_content=find-right-teacher\"><strong>you can signup for a 2-week free trial of myYogaTeacher by clicking here</strong></a>.</p>"},"category":["yoga"],"utmCampaign":null,"utmMedium":null,"utmContent":null,"utmSource":null,"utmTerm":null,"utmSearchString":null,"imageHyperlink":[]},"recommendations_group_class":null}
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