I have two teaching certificates for Ashtanga yoga. They are framed and very proudly displayed in my basement where I practice at home.
The first one I got in 2017 is from Tim Miller’s intensive two week course in Carlsbad, California. I was ecstatic that I was accepted into this amazing opportunity and I was nervous as hell due to having Multiple Sclerosis. I was not sure if I would be physically capable to make it through two weeks of full days practicing and learning how to teach. But it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life and I loved every second of it.
The second one in 2018 is from David Swenson’s one week teacher training course which was held in Honolulu, Hawaii. This too was an awesome learning experience. David’s philosophy was to just get out there and teach. David wrote the quintessential book “Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual” which I reference often.
Both of these teachers were taught by K. Pattabhi Jois the originator of Ashtanga Yoga. Both are world famous renowned respected Ashtanga practitioners and teachers.
And taking those courses would not have been put to use if it were not for Rachel. My teacher took me on as an apprentice and taught me how to apply these teachings along with her own expert advice. I am truly indebted to all my teachers but especially to Rachel who took a chance on some old fart with MS. She entrusted me with her students. A responsibility I took and take seriously and an opportunity that I will be forever thankful for. Teaching Ashtanga is serious stuff and I approach teaching it with great reverence.
So when another one of my daughters asked me to teach her Ashtanga I was more than happy to do it. After our first lesson, my daughter posted on Instagram that she was loving being taught Ashtanga by her dad, a certified Ashtanga teacher. She had seen the certificates in the basement.
I have no social media at all no Facebook no Instagram no Twitter only this blog. However my wife has Instagram and she said look what your daughter posted about you. As soon as I saw the word certified I freaked out. I got a hold of my daughter right away and asked her to delete the post asap which she did.
Why?
I have never been to India. It was something I wanted to do and go on that pilgrimage but MS would have made that a very complicated difficult journey. So I am lacking in the flavour, experience, atmosphere, time, and politics surrounding learning Ashtanga from its lineage holder.
All my original teachers have made that pilgrimage many many many times and spent many tens probably hundreds of thousands of dollars doing so. Currently in the world, under the current lineage holder, there are only 745 authorized Ashtanga teachers of which only 25 are certified. Only the lineage holder can authorize or certify teachers.
My teachers devoted time, money, and a large part of their lives learning and teaching Ashtanga. It’s a system of yoga that is very structured, disciplined, and hard but also accessible – if I can do it… The combination of postures, breath, and movement are what drew me in and expert teachers helped me explore.
I am not a certified or authorized teacher as these two words are used by the current lineage holder of the Ashtanga Yoga system. I was taught by some of the best teachers in the world and how I teach yoga is directly influenced by those teachers whom I deeply respect. I am capable of teaching Ashtanga yoga in a respectful, caring, humble, and disciplined fashion – I was trained that way. I love Ashtanga because it has helped me in so many ways and any chance I get to pass that knowledge on I’m going to do it.
So when my daughter innocently posted that I was a certified teacher I did freak out. Certified or authorized in the Ashtanga world requires a dedication that takes many many years to achieve and those two words can only be bestowed by the lineage holder.
At the studio where I practice there are approximately seven teachers, only one is authorized. In Canada where I live, only 21 teachers are authorized to teach and out of those 21 teachers, only one is certified and she was one of my original teachers.
I’m not authorized or certified but the passion in me to share this awesome mind, body, spirit experience is something I will do any time I get the chance.
Take care
Note:
There are three levels of authorized teachers in Ashtanga Yoga.
Level 1 – can teach Primary Series
Level 2 – can teach Primary Series plus Intermediate Series
Certified – can teach all previous series plus Advanced Series