Qualifications of Yoga Instructor
NOTE: A colleague remarked that the man in the photograph is not appropriately dressed for this website, and of course, she is correct. But I decided to keep it until I have a chance to acquire one that is less suitable.
My experience with yoga spans more than 35 years. I hold a certificate bearing the signature of His Holiness Swami Chidananda Saraswati, successor to the late Swami Sivananda. Chidananda is President of THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY, located in the village of Muni-Ki-Reti, near Rishikesh, India.The certificate documents the completion of a four-day training program in yoga. It was obtained in 1992 during a period of nearly five months in which I lived and travelled throughout India. I attended numerous lectures, participated in a course of vedantic study, resided at an ashram (yogic monastery), rendered selfless service and made pilgrimage to holy sites.
I have instructed yoga at such institutions as UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO (Department of Physical Education), Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology, Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology, North York Board of Education, York County Board of Education, York Region YMCA. Under my own auspices, I established a course at York University and taught yoga to both staff and students.
In addition, I published several articles dealing — in whole or in part — with yoga, including paid articles in Miss Chatelaine, (now Flare) and Score, Canada's national golf magazine. My Eastern training is supplemented by a Master of Arts in psychology from the University of Regina.
Fitting the practice of meditation into my busy schedule has not been easy. I struggled with this for many years. However, in April 2004, I had a breakthrough: I was able to arrange my affairs so as to practice meditation daily. Since then, I have averaged approximately 25 minutes per day. It has made a world of difference.
I also practice physical exercises and study the writings of yogic saints, on a daily basis. I practice asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), kriyas (purification exercises), bandhas (locks), and mudras (gestures).
Unless one actually engages in regular spiritual practice, one cannot begin to imagine the benefits; they pervade all facets of life. This is particularly important for a teacher. If teachers can't motivate themselves to practice, how can they motivate their students? If students don't practice, how much can they realistically expect to benefit? For this reason, I consider regular, systematic practice one of the most important qualifications of a spiritual teacher.
Yoga-Related Services
Further information is available at the following Websites:
Affordable Counselling ®
Here I reveal the major techniques I use to help people overcome individual and interpersonal difficulties, reduce stress and achieve fulfilment. I often incorporate elements of yoga philosophy into my counselling sessions. I was surprised to find how open people in Toronto are to yoga concepts—even those with no previous exposure to yoga.
Change Your CharacterTM
A more detailed site, touching on the moral and spiritual aspects of self-development and espousing values consistent with classical East-Indian yoga.
Location for Yoga Instruction
My office (which serves as my yoga studio) is situated in Downsview, Ontario, near the intersection of Wilmington Avenue and Overbrook Place. "Downsview" is a postal zone within the community of North York, in the city of Toronto — the fifth largest in North America, after Mexico City, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.Contact
By calling toll free 1 877 866 54-54, you can speak to somebody about yoga instruction, live, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 365¼ days per year. Please let the phone ring until the connection is established. Someone will answer live, usually within 30 seconds. Ours is one of the few yoga organizations in greater Toronto that offers this level of service.
Kindly address snailmail to Howard Earle Halpern, 167 Pannahill Road, Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3H 4N6.
1 866 844 3210 Back -Up or (416) 410 7 - 24 - 7 Toronto
About This Website
This site was conceived, written, graphically designed and HTML-scripted September 29, 1998, by Howard Earle Halpern—the yoga instructor himself. Thank you very much for visiting. Feel free to contact me any time with comments, suggestions or constructive criticisms.
1998, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008
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