By Heather Lusk
The Torchbearer of Tradition – a 200-hour yoga certification program – will be the first of its kind in the country leading teens down a path to become yoga instructors. The program initiated by Blooming Life Yoga will be certified through Yoga Alliance, an association representing the yoga community supporting the integrity and teaching of yoga.
A handful of teens and preteens have already registered, and Blooming Life’s owner Lily Kessler hopes the program is filled to its 30 person capacity when classes begin on Jan. 8.
Kessler developed a curriculum for the program to mirror the adult program she also developed.
“A lot of it came from gaps that I saw,” she said.
While Yoga Alliance has broad topics of what should be covered for yoga training, there is no set curriculum.
According to Kessler, the five-month program will address the larger picture of what yoga is, starting with historical studies as a platform leading the students to explore their inner selves.
“We’ll be helping kids explore who they are in the world they live in,” Kessler said.
Her original intent with Blooming Life Yoga was to create a school to ensure the different facets of yoga are being taught.
“Yoga is being lost in translation with its wide boom,” Kessler said. “These are the next generation of yoga teachers.”
Kessler hopes that this will also be a “program in life skills” for these teens with discussions about self-esteem, how to focus, reacting and responding.
When the teens become certified they will have the opportunity to teach at Blooming Life and will be able to help with after-school programs.
Students aged 12 1/2 to 16 may register online through the Blooming Life website to participate in the training.
