IS VIRTUAL WELLNESS THE NEW NORMAL?

Yoga, Reiki, and Ayurveda Classes Go Virtual

In this article, I wanted to explore how wellness practices like yoga, Reiki, and Ayurveda are transitioning into virtual spaces. These holistic approaches to better living, usually taught on far-away beaches or local studios are now online, but are they just as effective?

Let’s dive in, what are Reiki, Ayurveda, and yoga certification classes?

 

Photo by Retha Ferguson from Pexels

What Is Ayurveda (and Could It Be Helpful for Doulas To Learn?)

Ayurveda can be translated from Sanskrit as meaning, “the science of life or knowledge of life.” As an Ayurveda practitioner, you set out to study the body its connection to the surrounding environment. 

When you study Ayurveda, your someone who wants to cultivate a sustainable and balanced lifestyle for yourself. You’ll be studying technical subjects like Ayurvedic Anatomy & Physiology, but also spiritual elements like the Philosophy of Ayurveda. Studies will cover subjects like Aphrodisiac, Therapy, Fertility, and Conception, and could be helpful to midwives or Doulas. 

Doulas play an important part in guiding women in their natural or home births. Some question if it’s safer for black women to birth at home over a hospital-birth, regardless. 

The Ayurveda diet focuses on whole foods and mindful eating and is based on a person's Dosha. “One of the primary characteristics of an Ayurvedic diet is that you eat according to your dominant constitutional type or Dosha. You can think of your Dosha as your most prominent energy,” says VeryWellFit.com.

John Hopkins Medicine states the path to Ayurveda follows these steps:

• Internal Purification 
• Special Diet 
• Herbal Remedies
• Massage therapy
• Yoga 
• Meditation

The multidisciplinary study ensures that you’re educating yourself on how to get the most out of your body and life. 

“The concepts of universal interconnectedness, the body's constitution (Prakriti), and life forces (Doshas) are the primary basis of Ayurvedic medicine. Goals of treatment aid the person by eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, reducing worry, and increasing harmony in life. Herbs and other plants, including oils and common spices, are used extensively in Ayurvedic treatment.” - John Hopkins Medicine 

 

 Ayurvedic practitioners

Beyond the obvious allure of healing oneself, becoming an Ayurvedic practitioner is a lucrative trade. On the report of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ayurvedic practitioners, categorized under health diagnosing and treating practitioners, can make up to $83,640 a year. To become a certified Ayurvedic practitioner, you must progress through the three levels of study. 

Most Ayurvedic classes are offered within Yoga schools and may even integrate yoga- but the practice itself isn’t Yoga. Ayurvedic Medicine has been around for a long time, tracing back to practitioners in India around 3,000 years ago. 

Can you learn Ayurveda online?

Yes, you can! Distance learning might not be as immersive as in-person, but it can be done. Some distance programs are a cost-effective way to learn. By the time it’s safe to resume in-person classes, you can take some hands-on refresher courses, so don’t stress starting online. It might even be a better investment to start at a distance and then move into a classroom, anyway.

You can find a list of program offerings here. 

What Is Reiki?

This wellness practice is energy healing. Throughout the session, the practitioner is seeking to transmit Universal life energy into the client. This energy transferral is done to ease stress, which can help reduce healing time and pain.  

While universal life energy sounds a lot likes new-wave, self-help it’s deeply rooted in a person's ability to connect to their spirituality or sometimes to God.

“Universal life force is the energy that is created and available to all of humanity from God, the Divine, Creator, Spirit. It is the energy that runs through your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies. It regulates and supports your life!” -naturespathways.com. 

 Reiki practitioners

The nationwide average income for a Reiki is higher than an Ayurvedic Practitioner. As a practitioner, you could make $95,340 a year, but to make that much, you’d have to commit to the study of energy healing and become a reiki master. Post-social distancing you can continue your practice, but remote-learning is a great way to begin your journey.

Can you learn Reiki online?

While this literal hands-off practice is usually a more sublime experience in-person, there is an online opportunity to experience Reiki, says JohnHopikinsMedicine.org. 

“Reiki can also be done “long-distance,” as a form of prayer. According to many versions of its origin, Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese seeker of spiritual truths, brought the Reiki method of healing into human awareness in 1922 after a deeply spiritual experience. He is said to have taught others after a serious earthquake hit Japan and he felt urged to spread his knowledge.”

Insight Holistic Health offers Beginners Reiki I, II, & III online training in October, November, and December respectively. 

 

What Is Yoga Teacher Training?

Yoga as a form of exercise is a staple in American Culture, (we’ve even named a pair of pants after it.) But very few people think about the philosophies of yoga when they integrate it into their routine. The practice born out of Hinduism is not considered a religion but a philosophical approach to life. The main idea of yoga is that our minds, bodies, and spirits cannot be separated and are one-in-the-same. This approach to oneness births deeper tenets that Yogi’s deepen through regular practice.

The American Psychological Association, says the benefits of Yoga have made it a staple in psychotherapy treatments. During your YTT experience, you may be taught about Pranayama-methods. Pranayama is about learning to guide your breath (also known as your life-force, control, and energies.) Pranayama seeks to make us aware of the power we already have within ourselves. You’ll learn how to calm yourselves, endure, and prepare yourself for any life experience. 

Yoga Teacher training is divided up into hours, the most popular being 200hr teacher training. The 500hr teacher training is a more immersive experience and gives you deeper insights into your practice and teaching methods. 

But I think while Yoga Teacher Training or (YTT) sounds like a transformative experience you should heed this advice from Yoga Journal quoting Annie Carpenter, creator of SmartFLOW teacher trainings:

“Teacher training should be transformative and not just teaching a set of skills," Annie says. “It’s a learning experience but extremely spiritual. It’s important to understand yourself on your mat before you can create that space for your students. You’ll need to be ready to dive in deep so you can fully transform yourself to become a teacher who has the power to do that for their students.”

Can You Make a Living As A Yoga Teacher?

As a certified Yoga Teacher, you can make anywhere from $48,421 to $66,022 a year. You’d be devoting your life to your practice and helping others, all while being able to pay your bills.

Can you Become A Yoga Teacher Online?

Why yes you can. Try here, for the top ten Yoga Alliance approved 200hr YTT courses. 

 

-Klarrisa Arafa, BCRX Content Writer

 

(Cover Image via Yoga Green Book)