Teacher training - not just for teachers anymore

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The positive psychology movement is now about ten years old. Prior to that, psychology explored the questions, "what's wrong with these people and how do we fix them?" 

Positive psychology asks very different questions. "Some people are happy and thriving. How do they do that?" "How do we teach other people who are not thriving how to thrive?"



This new science has employed experiments, surveys and interviews and has come to some "ah hah" conclusions that make a lot of sense.

One is that most people are not naturally optimistic and happy. Probably millions of years of history in a very hostile environment has got our genes to favor preparing for the worst. But secondly, people can learn to be optimistic and happy. Three, the ancient techniques found in yoga are proving to be great aids to learning to be happy, just as the ancients claimed.

Just like yoga, happiness requires practice. That's right. We are naturally wary and pessimistic. If we like happiness, we have to practice.

One of the most common questions among yoga students is: how do I cultivate a personal practice? It's a really good question. Lately, I've been advising that they consider taking a teacher training course. The immediate answer is: but I don't want to be a yoga teacher, i don't think.

I say so what. It's a spectacular way to energize your practice. You will establish and reinforce your daily practice. It will take your practice to he next level where you will incorporate meditation and pranayama. 

The course will prepare you to deal with stress. Stress can be an amazingly creative force, but not if it cripples you. The stress of working on the course will help you deal with the daily stresses of life. Kundalini yoga is known as "householder" yoga. That means it's for ordinary people coping with the ordinary stresses of daily living.

Pessimism is safe. The idea is, "if I expect the worse, I won't be disappointed. But pessimism keeps a heavy lid on potential. Pessimism is why so many of us exclaim, what has happened to me? I know that I'm more than this?

 
Happiness is the opposite of pessimism. Yoga helps us adjust to the stress of not knowing and thriving in each moment. It releases infinite potential. 

So whether you're contemplating being a teacher or not, consider the Kundalini Yoga teachers training. You may never teach, but you will surely learn.