As yoga teachers, we're often asked by students how they can deepen their practice; some express the desire to teach, while others hope to simply expand their understanding. Teacher trainings offer an ideal situation for either intention, though often classes are held outside of the Vail Valley. This spring, the Vail Vitality Center is offering its first Yoga Alliance registered 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, taught by Gina Caputo, of Boulder, and Julia Clarke, of Vail. Gina and Julia have provided a brief Q&A below to answer common questions about the benefits of teacher training and what students can gain from attending any continuing yoga education program.

Q: What is yoga teacher training?

A: Teacher training programs no matter the discipline help students gain a more comprehensive understanding about the roots of yoga, the philosophy, the techniques of meditation and pranayama, and why you feel the way you do in a yoga pose. Teacher training is the best way to deepen your yoga practice beyond a one-hour yoga class experience, regardless of whether or not you'd like to teach.

Q: Do I need to have an advanced yoga practice to take a basic teacher training?

A: No, but you do need to have a dedicated and devoted practice. Great classes come from our own introspection and self-study on the mat, so it's vital to nurture your practice at home and with teachers.

Q: What makes a great yoga teacher?

A: Great teachers don't need to be able to tie their bodies in knots. Many master teachers stick to more basic sequencing but offer powerful presence, inspiring themes, instill a quiet confidence in their students and are able to be dexterous in a room full of students at different levels.

Q: What inspires you to teach others?

A: There is a huge gap in the modern understanding of the relationship between mind and body; the body-mind feedback loop in not being adequately addressed either in caring for ourselves on a regular basis, or healing schisms that occur. We're so busy treating and medicating the mind and body's woes separately that we've lost sight of their relationship. Hatha Yoga, if taught full-spectrum and not just as a stretchy workout, is an opportunity for people to experience a reunification of the powerhouses that are our minds and our bodies and to understand how intricately intertwined their functioning is. This tends to lead to a greater valuation of presence of life and living today.

Q: Will I be ready and able to teach after training?

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Furthering your practice with yoga teacher training

Heritage College Yoga Teacher Training School Offers No Cost Yoga Classes to Public in Denver

Denver, CO (PRWEB) February 26, 2013

Were proud of our beautiful new studio, said Heritage School Director Jennifer Sprague. It is built with humans in mind. Its a place for students to escape into mind and body with a soft quiet atmosphere. Its a perfect space to share with people of similar mind and goals.

At Heritage, we believe yoga should be affordable. The yoga studio plans to offer free sessions in 2013. Heritage also makes advanced yoga teacher training affordable. Yoga Teacher Training at Heritage is just $995, and includes five independent 3-week courses.

Drop-ins are welcome, but advanced reservations are encouraged. For reservations, visit the schools website for Denver yoga training (http://www.heritage-education.com/denver-yoga-teacher-training.htm)

Heritage College is a Yoga Alliance approved school and offers Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200) courses. These same courses have been approved by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) as continuing education courses. The courses are designed for students who want to incorporate yoga teaching as part of their career or for students who simply want to achieve a deeper level of yoga understanding and mastery.

Yoga teacher training at Heritage consists of five independent 3-week courses. The courses cost $199 each ($995 total). All books are included in the tuition.

The five individual courses have been recognized by Yoga Alliance and students who successfully complete all courses can apply to be recognized as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT-200). These courses make good continuing education and/or professional development course options for personal trainers, physical therapists, massage therapists, occupational therapists, and other wellness practitioners.

This training offers depth, beauty, mindfulness and mastery of the yogic path, said Lead Yoga Instructor Jenn Stewart. Yoga is a workout that unites the body, mind and spirit. Thats why the curriculum stresses reading bodies, physically and emotionally, as well as assessing the energy of a group or individual.

Heritage students learn to sequence asanas (yoga poses) in a fluid manner and unite breath with movement. The curriculum emphasizes alignment and how to avoid injuries, as well as development of strategies for encouraging and inspiring practitioners.

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Heritage College Offers No Cost Yoga Classes at New Yoga Studio