How to Choose the Right Yoga School
This YOGA is in trend. Let’s admit it that we are living in a world facing yoga revolution. Yoga is all around us and that also in quite different names and form. There are famous yoga styles of Raj, Hatha, Kundalini, Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. And there are many variations of these like Hot yoga, Aero yoga, Vikram yoga, Power yoga, Yin yoga, Flow yoga and even some very funny sounding names like Paddle yoga, Underwater yoga, Beach yoga, Dog yoga or Paris yoga! A new practitioner may wonder, ‘What is this all about? Which one is the best? Or what should I chose and where?’ In reality this is all the same potato chips in different packets and different flavors. Now you can chose according to your taste. Asking following few questions to yourself will help you choose better and lead maximum satisfaction:
Yoga Holiday or Yoga Learning
Understanding your own goal is an important first step. Are you going for a relaxing holiday with yoga as a theme or you really want to learn it? If planning a holiday, then you can go for a retreat somewhere in Goa, Kerala, Bali or Thailand. These retreats are set up on beautiful beaches or other exotic locations. Yoga is supported by other more relaxing activities like massage, sunbath, aroma therapy and healing. But if you want to really LEARN Yoga then you would decide for a proper yoga school where classes are intense and serious. Yoga classes are followed by proper diet plan, breathing techniques, meditation and lectures. Your destination would be traditional ashrams in Rishikesh, Bangalore or Dharamshala.
Health or Spirituality
Next thing to consider is what do you want to get from these yoga classes? Are you looking for health and fitness? If reducing the weight, Detox or getting a hot slim body is what you are looking for, then go for a more dynamic and exercise based yoga. These include modern Ashtanga Yoga, Flow yoga, power yoga or any other funny name. One time Vikram yoga was also in trend but slowly it is losing its charm. But if focus is more on spiritual aims along with some health then you should look for some yoga school offering mediation courses, philosophy of yoga. Then again Kriya Yoga, Raj Yoga, Bhakti yoga are the right choice. Look for those centers who clearly mention that the focus is on spiritual aspects.
Peace or Party
So do you want to meditate in a peaceful place or looking for party and fun. A school or retreat in secluded place on the side of Himalaya or Ganga is an ideal place for peaceful rejuvenation while a school in the middle of city with all activities nearby is the choice for party animals. Goa is the place where you can do yoga in daytime while disco at the night.
Are you a Moody-Foody
Another very important aspect before choosing a right yoga school is to decide if you are willing to eat the food they provide. Many yoga schools run their courses with Plain and Satwik Diet and others have no rules. So are you looking to do yoga with sea food and beer or in yogic manner?
Career or Fun
The Last aspect is to consider if you are seriously looking to pursue a career of a yoga teacher or if you are just doing it for fun and learning. These days yoga can bring great job opportunities or you can start your own yoga studio or school. If this is the case then look for those schools who have proper affiliation, providing Yoga Alliance certificate and if they have good learned teachers. Also consider which style you want to focus upon, how many students they take in each group. A very big group size may not be ideal in this situation. But if you are looking for fun then try different things and places.
I hope this article will help you choose carefully and will bring what you are looking for. Finally read carefully about various school on this website and decide yourself .
