Question:
Hello! I'm interested in working at sport centers and spas and New York Sports, for example, requires their Yoga instructors to be "Yoga Fit" certified. It sounds cool because they teach you how to work with elderly and physically challenged persons, but on the other hand, is it really worth paying all this money just to audition for one club?
Has anyone had any experience with either Yoga Fit or New York Sports Club? Are Yoga Fit certifications useful in other environments? Also - has anyone had to get CPR training to teach Yoga somewhere? Thank you!
Answer:
YogaFit certification is somewhat controversial. As I understand it, the woman who founded YogaFit, Beth Shaw, is a fitness instructor who trained with White Lotus in Santa Monica. I have a deep respect for their style of yoga, so I think that only reflects positively on her.
Shaw takes a very physical approach to yoga and though I think she "gets it", she has made some alienating statements like, "We burn fat, not incense" and something along the lines of, "don't worry- we're a different kind of yoga- no religion here." Basically, I think she makes it sound as if she is the only one who can bring yoga "to the people", and all other yoga instructors are too mystical/spiritual/religious/whatever to give you a workout.
Having said that, a friend of mine enrolled in her Level 1 and 2 classes despite some initial reservations and said that she felt that the training was very solid- she understood the positioning for some of the asanas better and felt confident that she could deliver a class. As part of the Level 1 (and possibly Level 2) training, participants are required to provide 8 hours of community service.
To muddy things a little further, YogaFit trainees do qualify for Yoga Alliance membership, but only after they've completed Level 4. That course, I believe, does delve into yogic philosophy as well as Anatomy.
I know that YogaFit also has supplementary certifications, such as for Seniors, Pre- and Post-Partum and Kids. I think the expense of those classes (in conjunction with the Level 1 and 2 classes) are much less than a lot of other certifications around. I'd say if the training is readily available, go for it, but also look around for other places where you can continue your education.
