When faced with an interview question about teaching yoga philosophy, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the benefits that yoga philosophy can bring to those following its teachings. My response focuses on the threefold benefits of understanding yoga philosophy: physical, mental and spiritual.
Physical Benefits By practicing yoga according to its philosophical principles, practitioners can expect rapid healing from physical issues such as joint pain, muscle soreness, poor posture and digestive problems. A well-rounded yoga practice that includes focused breathing techniques, asanas (poses) and meditation creates a balanced internal environment which often leads to quick improvements in both existing and chronic physical conditions.
Mental Benefits Daily self-practice of yoga gradually helps to improve mental health in ways such as reduced stress levels, better concentration and greater self-awareness. Yoga also encourages practitioners to let go of negative thoughts while developing feelings of inner peace and an ability to find joy even during challenging situations. These mental skills help students better navigate relationship difficulties and emotional traumas caused by stressful life events.
Spiritual Benefits Perhaps the greatest benefit of studying yoga philosophy is gaining knowledge that relates to the cosmic energy – or universal consciousness – that lies within each individual. Meditation is the key for unlocking this connection between the body and spirit, allowing practitioners to access spiritual energy through mantra chanting; integrating soulful practices into personal life becomes automatic when these lines are explored further.
As a result, individuals come to understand themselves on a deeper level while deepening their connection with those around them.
The Basics
Yoga is an ancient practice, which has been around for centuries. It includes a combination of physical exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation retreats or classes to promote physical and mental wellbeing, as well as connecting with the divine power within each person. As a yoga teacher, I strive to understand not only the physical postures and practices but also the deeper spiritual philosophy surrounding it.
When teaching about yoga philosophy, I start by briefly explaining the concept of Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu: The three primary deities in Hinduism and their associated symbolism and gods. This sets the stage for further discussion on how this core belief impacts many aspects of yoga such as meditation practices, asana positions or body movements related to yoga poses; psychological concepts such as karma and ahimsa (nonviolence), and ethical principles like satya (truth).
Once students have a basic understanding of yoga’s core beliefs and values, I move on to discussing more detailed information about important topics. These include:
- The Eight Limbs of Yoga
- The Yama & Niyamas
- Karma & Dharma
- The Chakras & Prana
- enlightenment.
Then, I offer students – always adapting my approach depending on their age range – an opportunity to express what they already know about yoga philosophy if anything at all. By embracing an inclusive atmosphere where all opinions are welcome without judgment or pushback, each student can then decide for themselves whether there are any practices that they want to take away from class that evening or in future lessons.
It is immensely rewarding to watch students open up to exploring both spiritual practises while at the same time discovering something new about themselves along the way.
Common Interview Questions
When applying for a teaching position of yoga philosophy, it is important to have an understanding of the topics you may be asked about in the interview. Understanding and formulating thoughtful responses to questions about yoga philosophy and your teaching approach can help make you stand out in the competition.
How would you define yoga philosophy?
Yoga philosophy is grounded in ancient Vedic texts such as The Yoga Sutra’s of Patanjali and other Hindu scriptures. It is a system of beliefs and practices that began over 5,000 years ago and has since been refined through various authors and schools.
At its core, yoga philosophy demonstrates how to attain inner peace through specific physical, mental, moral, spiritual, and energetic practices. It teaches us that our minds are ultimately tranquil when we learn to quiet the fluctuations of the mind with meditation. Furthermore, that tranquility can then carry over into every area of life if we create clear boundaries between our ego self-our social roles or masks-and our true enlightened consciousness-our essential nature or soul identity.
What does your approach to teaching yoga look like?
My approach to teaching yoga blends philosophical mindfulness with physical practice so that students can cultivate a deeper connection with themselves on both a physical level as well as within their mind-body-spirit connection. I have found this type of holistic approach to be transformative for students of all levels as they deepen their relationship to self-discovery through this exploration tool they have not been previously exposed too.
My classes focus on five main parts: Pranayama/Breathwork (which combines traditional Eastern breath control techniques with more modern Western applications); Meditation; Asana (or postures); Sequencing; and Dharana/Concentration Exercises aimed at deepening your practice both on mat and off so that its effects are felt far longer afterwards than just during class time.)
To leave my classes feeling inspired yet relaxed from within is my goal each time I come together with my students regardless if it’s online or live in person. Ultimately my objective is for everyone involved to gain joy from experiencing not only their own personal growth but also seeing each individual reach towards understanding the underlying connection between their mind-body system will unite them even further at their core being level.
Guidelines for Crafting Response to Yoga Philosophy Questions
Studying yoga philosophy is an essential part of teacher training and understanding. It helps the instructor become familiar with the philosophical underpinnings of teaching methods, poses, and meditation practices. Thus, it is important to understand how to craft thoughtful responses when asked questions about yoga philosophy during an interview.
Be Authentic
When responding to questions regarding yogic religious philosophy, it is important for the instructor to be authentic. In other words, they must answer in a way that reflects what they truly believe rather than trying to please interviewers or give politically correct answers.
The interviewer will be able to detect false responses and lack of a genuine interest in yoga’s spiritual aspects. If an instructor does not hold certain beliefs but respects them nonetheless then they should share this instead of pretending otherwise.
Knowledge vs Opinion
It can be helpful for instructors to also make a distinction between their own opinion and what knowledge they have acquired from studyiing texts such as The 10th Bhagavad Gita or Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras. Interviewers are interested in knowing if the instructor has studied Patanjali’s works thoroughly because these texts provide much of the basis for modern yoga practice.
By making clear distinctions between personal opinion and acquired knowledge, it shows interviewers that the instructor has indeed studied the foundational literature on yoga philosophy and can speak on it intelligently.
Address Specific Topics
Yu When answering questions related to particular topics within yoga philosophy (e.g., raja-yoga, moksha), instructors must make sure they understand its meaning before responding with an answer. This will ensure that the response glosses over generalities rather providing specifics backed up by thoughtfully considered, relevant information about that particular concept or idea being discussed by interviewer from a yogic perspective.
Demonstrating Your Knowledge
Yoga philosophy is an important part of the practice of yoga. Explaining the concept to students is a challenge, but can be done with enthusiasm and clarity. When asked about teaching yoga philosophy during an interview, candidates should show that they have a deep understanding of the topics involved.
Knowledge Is Essential
In order to demonstrate knowledge of yoga philosophy, it helps to understand the roots of it. It is essential to begin by referencing the core texts which provide the basis for these teachings. Whether Sankhya, Patanjali or Vedanta Sutras are referenced, being able to discuss this material shows a strong groundwork from which further exploration can take place.
Looking To The Masters
Many modern interpretations borrow heavily from sources such as Thisvada Buddhism, Hare Krishna and other sources like Krishnamurti. Demonstrating an awareness of these diverse currents shows respect for their contribution to ongoing discourse and education around yoga philosophy. By looking at how these diverse streams intersect and explore different ways in which foundational concepts are expressed by renowned teachers adds new perspectives for students visioning where their paths may lead them too.
Personalizing The Experience
While knowledge is essential when presenting faculty on this subject matter, so too is personal experience. Having studied or practiced beneath skilled teachers will allow any applicant to share stories or practical examples which bring theory into reality for their class participants. Coupling scholarly approaches with anecdotes helps link philosophical thought into current experiences showing that yogic principles are grounded in daily life events.
Strategies for Answering Interview Questions
When applying for a position as a Yoga Instructor, it is important to be prepared to answer questions related to Yoga Philosophy. Here are some ideas for carving out an answer that is both informative and meaningful:
- Integrate into Practice: One way to demonstrate understanding of Yoga Philosophy is to try to incorporate the principles into actual practice. For example, being mindful while going through the postures or taking time in between poses and emphasizing breath work. In this way, interviewers can observe first-hand the practitioner’s commitment and knowledge.
- Consider Yogic Points of View on Lifestyle Habits: Showing that one is familiar with concepts such as Ahimsa (nonviolence) or Mitahara (intelligent eating habits) provides assurance that yoga philosophy has been fully digested. These concepts can be applied daily life which demonstrates their value.
- Become Familiar With Scriptural Texts : It’s implicit in these texts that we simultaneously learn about yoga’s history, while also examining its philosophy. Becoming well-versed in this area affords one an internal understanding of the yogic texts and will help restore focus to one’s practices.
- Understand Primary Concepts & Have an Intuitive Interpretation: Ideas such as Dhyana (deep meditation), Pranayama (breath control/extension) and Asanas (yoga postures) are all essential terms but interpreting what they mean intuitively can typically show more dedication and insight than saying them off-by-heart.
- Integrate into Teaching Methods: Tying Yoga Principles in with teaching methods provides additional insight, as well as showing practical application of theory. Mentioning how certain principles can influence decisions regarding length of class times, props used etc., has merit and conveys comprehension.
Further Demonstration of Knowledge towards Understanding
Interviewers ideally want applicants who are able to provide deeper knowledge regarding philosophical concepts. So it’s important for those interviewing for instructor positions to read up on ideas such as Bhakti (devotion), Svadhyaya (self-study) or Karma Theory (cause & effect). Demonstrating a thorough working knowledge on these topics through an insightful dialogue further highlights a good command of yoga philosophy.
Integrating the Yoga Sutras
As a teacher of yoga philosophy, I place great importance on incorporating the Yoga Sutras into my teachings. In my classes, I strive to give students the opportunity to learn from the sutras’ timeless wisdom and challenge them to bring its teachings into their daily lives. I believe that by connecting students with these key yogic texts, they gain a broader understanding of the practice and develop greater self-awareness.
When using the Yoga Sutras in my class teachings, I try to engage students with interactive conversations and activities that help bring out the lessons within each sutra. I find these discussions help foster meaningful connections between the student and the text as they form direct links between yogic thought and their own personal experiences.
Some of my favourite activities include group debates on alternative translations or extrapolations from a sutra; comparing different English translations of a single verse; brainstorming chants or mantras based on a specific sutra; or providing visual references for abstruse concepts within various sutras as an aid to enhance understanding.
In addition to offering up various strategies for teaching yoga philosophy through engaging exercises and activities, I also make use of modern technology in my teaching approach – such as podcasts, videos, blogs and online discussion boards – to supplement and reinforce traditional classroom approaches. With this combination of traditional and modern methods, I hope to foster an inclusive atmosphere that encourages student participation in intellectually stimulating conversations revolving around different interpretations of yoga philosophy texts like the Yoga Sutras.
Summary and Resources
Yoga is an ancient practice that offers countless benefits both on and off the mat. Its philosophy promotes wellness and peace for both body and mind. With yoga’s growing popularity, many health professionals are turning to teaching yoga philosophy in addition to physical postures in order to support the physical practice.
When asked how I would teach yoga philosophy, I describe it as having a few key components: understanding the mind-body connection, exploring breath techniques, discussing spiritual principles from various traditions, and encouraging self-reflection and self-study.
The mind-body connection can be explored by discussing how our mental, spiritual, and emotional health relates to our physical wellbeing. This helps students recognize that our “inner selves” have a major impact on our outer bodies. Breath techniques can help increase focus, reduce tension in the body, and cultivate mindful awareness of breath patterns during a physical practice.
A discussion of spiritual principles from various traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism) can offer insight into the literal building blocks of yoga and help foster a deeper understanding of its vast history. Finally, I emphasize self-reflection and suggest meaningful ways for students to explore their own values and beliefs beyond yoga classes – such as through reading related books or attending workshops – both inside and outside of the studio setting.
These components provide further context for students who want to gain more from their physical practices than just poses or stretches – they give access to something much greater based on self-discovery that is often rooted in tradition but adapted for modern times.
And while I try my best as an instructor to provide knowledge around these concepts in class format – I always encourage students take personal responsibility for continuing education outside class too if they truly want to become proficient trainers on their own paths to expanded consciousness.
To this end there are many workshops about yogic philosophy available all over the world, as well as online reading materials which can provide resources necessary when learning more about this ancient practice.
I am passionate about yoga and this is my blog. I have been practicing yoga for over 10 years and teaching for 5. Yoga has transformed my life in so many ways and I love being able to share that with others. My hope is that through this blog, I can help people learn more about yoga, connect with other yogis, and find inspiration to live a healthier, happier life.
