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New Hot Yoga Teachers No Longer Need To 'Memorize' Their Classes

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:58:31 EST

Frustrated with Hot Yoga's quality of class instructions and the teacher training programs that mandate that a 90-minute class must be 100% recited from memory, Gabrielle Raiz (the Hot Yoga Doctor) is running a new style of teacher training in Costa Rica that adopts the latest in adult learning techniques.
 
"In 2008, I created an online forum specifically to help students from around the world improve their Hot Yoga practice. Every day its since inception we have been dealing with issues and injuries, which for the most part could be easily addressed with a more appropriate and expert style of instruction,' Ms Raiz explains.
 
The Hot Yoga Doctor Pro 200 easily exceeds the requirements for a Yoga Alliance 200-hour accredited program, but it is its refusal to require new teachers to teach a yoga class to a 'script' or 'dialog' that is drawing attention.
 
'Not many people realize that the mass-marketing of certain Hot Yoga styles has had a negative effect on class instruction,' Gabrielle continues, 'in fact almost ALL classes rely on the teacher having memorized a rote-learned 'dialog' and in my opinion, this is depriving students from receiving quality instruction and attention. Even worse, students are unknowingly risking injury because their instructors are not properly informed of correct anatomical and physiological techniques. It's my aim to reverse this and raise the level of instruction.'
 
The program begins on May 19 this year and is the second year running it is being held over four weeks at Pura Vida Spa, a purpose-built wellbeing retreat, nestled in the beautiful mountains of Alajuela in Costa Rica. The resort has views to coffee fields and the capital, San Jose; with freshly prepared, organic food; friendly and attentive service.
 
Graduates from the 2011 program are also on hand to provide mentoring and coaching as well as teaching hot yoga classes. 'We've had some amazing success stories coming from last year's graduates,' says Gabrielle, 'with many of them not only finding work immediately, but also creating an instant following because of their level of instruction and attention to each individual student.'
 
Amongst many other things, students are taught the foundational skills of teaching as well as   expert facilitation skills along with non-violent communication skills.
 
Participants will learn how to express themselves uniquely, precisely and effectively, as well as how to deliver a high quality, inspiring and safe experience for their students, time after time.
 
The course is designed around innovative experiential exercises which help the trainees discover their own teaching identity while learning about the body's profound physical connections and how they can use these to facilitate personal transformation in themselves and their students.
 
Learning how to be the best teacher one can possibly be, is the Hot Yoga Doctor's the ultimate promise to everyone who is ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
 
'I believe in being 100 % present with my students. This is something everyone coming to Hot Yoga Teacher Pro 200, will experience and learn to do for themselves.' promises Gabrielle Raiz.
                                                                                                       
Gabrielle Raiz is also the author of the best-selling Hot Yoga Master Class manual, which has sold in more than fifty five countries; and is the creator of the world's most popular hot yoga forum.