Yoga and Pilates - Selecting a Program

Whether you choose yoga or Pilates, or perhaps both, it is of primary importance to find a qualified instructor. Both modes of exercise require in-depth training to fully grasp the range of the subject. Well-trained yoga and Pilates teachers are expected to have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, human movement, and exercise physiology, as well as the individual specialties of the discipline. Schools and training courses vary in the depth and quality of instruction they offer. Some courses last a day or a weekend. Others last for months or years and may require an apprenticeship before certification is achieved. How do you choose?

The Yoga Alliance is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead the yoga community, set standards, foster integrity, provide resources and uphold the teachings of yoga. A searchable database is available on their Web site, www.yogaalliance.org, where students can find instructors who meet the training requirements of the Yoga Alliance. Teachers are listed at the minimum 250-hour level of training or at the 500-hour level.

The Pilates Method Alliance, www.pilatesmethodalliance.com, also offers a searchable database to help you find qualified teachers, as well as guidelines for training standards and a list of questions to ask your Pilates instructor that will help you confirm his or her qualifications. The mission of the Pilates Method Alliance is to protect the public by establishing certification and continuing-education standards for Pilates professionals.

With a little knowledge and footwork, it should not be difficult to find a yoga or Pilates class near you and begin to enjoy these effective methods of exercise and self improvement.

Reprinted with permission of the American College of Sports Medicine, ACSM Fit Society® Page, Spring 2005, p. 2.