For the best in yoga studios and yoga teacher training, California is second to none. Programs that offer teacher certification for budding yoga teachers can be found throughout the state, and in a variety of yoga styles. You can study hatha yoga, ashtanga yoga, sivananda yoga, and bikram yoga. Certification programs differ in their prerquisites, with some of them requiring two years of previous practice in yoga. There are 2 levels of certification, one with 200 and the other with 500 hours of training. Instructors in yoga retreats such as Ignite Yoga Fusion are all certified and hold at least the 200 hour certificate.

Among the requirements for certification in California yoga teacher training, mandates a certain number of contact hours. These hours are fulfilled by time in the classroom and in real-time training by a yoga instructor certified in the discipline. The program should include yoga poses (asanas), techniques for breathing, methods for teaching yoga such as demonstrating and observing, and curriculum and lesson planning. Also covered are business practices and other practical knowledge about the process and practice of teaching yoga. Practice teaching gives the prospective teacher real-world classroom experience under the guidance of a certified instructor.

In these classes for California yoga teacher training, students do not jus study the basic subject matter as indicated by course titles like Human Anatomy and Physiology. All classes offered through certification programs have a yoga-related component. In anatomy and physiology, principles of yoag are introduced as they apply  to the body, ideas such as energy flow, the chakra system, and how the practice of yoga affects the body-mind connection to the energy system. Other topics related to yoga include history and traditions, philosophies as applied to modern lifestyles, and the ethics of yoga and the yogic belief system. Meditation, visualization, and energy activation are other standard class subjects.

For anyone interested in yoga teacher training, California is a mecca. But no one who has only a passing interest or no yoga experience should consider getting certified as a yoga instructor - it's a serious calling. A good example of the qualities of a good yoga teacher can be seen in the qualifications and resume of instructors at Ignite Yoga Fusion - they have had experience both prior to and after certification that demonstrates their dedication to yoga. Following their lead, a prospective student should look into the variety of training programs that are available and what each one has to offer - the style and any specific approaches or systems the program or school may espouse. A good teacer training program will also provide instruction on teaching the elderly, the disabled, children, and other special groups of people. The setting of the program is also important, because there needs to be a good fit with the student - it may be in an ashram, a studio or an educational institution. A prospective student should visit the site to get a flavor for what the setting is like. Finally, cost is an important consideration on California yoga - fees for certifcation programs can vary and should be known upfront.