Yoga Teacher Training Graduates: The Eight Limbs of Yoga at Work

Document Type

Poster Session

Department

Leadership and Organizational Studies

Faculty Mentor

Elizabeth Guryunova, PhD

Abstract

Yoga teacher training programs continue to grow in popularity. Rigorous yoga teacher training programs in the United States move beyond the physical practice of asana (yoga postures) to study the eight limbs of yoga. The practice of yoga consists of eight limbs, they are defined as: (a) yama (restraint); (b) niyama (practice or observation); (c) asana (posture); (d) pranayama (control of the breath); (e) pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses); (f) dharana (concentration); (g) dhyana (meditation); and (f) samadhi (total absorption). Yoga teacher trainings are immersive environments where students train with their fellow trainees and teachers. Upon graduating from a yoga teacher training program, not all trainees choose to teach yoga. This USM IRB approved study examines how five graduates of 200-hundred hour yoga teacher training programs apply their knowledge of the eight limbs of yoga to their professional roles. The study focuses on the potential benefits of the practice of yoga and explores possible connections between yoga and leadership. The results of the study could assist yoga practitioners in considering the application of yoga beyond the mat.

Comments

This poster has been restricted to bibliographic information only at the request of the author.

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May 8th, 12:00 AM

Yoga Teacher Training Graduates: The Eight Limbs of Yoga at Work

Yoga teacher training programs continue to grow in popularity. Rigorous yoga teacher training programs in the United States move beyond the physical practice of asana (yoga postures) to study the eight limbs of yoga. The practice of yoga consists of eight limbs, they are defined as: (a) yama (restraint); (b) niyama (practice or observation); (c) asana (posture); (d) pranayama (control of the breath); (e) pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses); (f) dharana (concentration); (g) dhyana (meditation); and (f) samadhi (total absorption). Yoga teacher trainings are immersive environments where students train with their fellow trainees and teachers. Upon graduating from a yoga teacher training program, not all trainees choose to teach yoga. This USM IRB approved study examines how five graduates of 200-hundred hour yoga teacher training programs apply their knowledge of the eight limbs of yoga to their professional roles. The study focuses on the potential benefits of the practice of yoga and explores possible connections between yoga and leadership. The results of the study could assist yoga practitioners in considering the application of yoga beyond the mat.

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