The Shala Daily

YOGA • PHILOSOPHY • LIFE

March 15, 2026
🧭

Who Gets to Say You’re Ready?

Ashtanga teacher qualifications are messy—certification tries to fix it with checklists, but teaching isn't linear.

🕉️ KEY CONCEPTS

Svadhyaya
Self-study; examination of one's own thoughts, actions, and motivations
Dharma
Individual path or duty; the unique way each person moves through life
Tapas
Disciplined effort; the heat of transformation through sustained practice
Ethics
Moral framework guiding teacher-student relationships and power dynamics

In this episode, MJH delves into the methods of qualification for an Ashtanga Yoga teacher, contrasting traditional practices with modern approaches. Hall discusses the historical context of authorization by Patabi the current certification processes. He highlights issues with evaluation models, explaining the benefits of a non-linear understanding of system dynamics over linear assessments. Hall shares personal experiences, including conflicts in teaching methods, and emphasizes the importance of ethical frameworks and personal growth for both teachers and students in Ashtanga Yoga.

From Video: Ashtanga Teacher Qualifications ( Uh Oh) on michaeljoelhall.com

"A person can nail every posture in the Primary Series and still teach in a way that harms students."

— MJH

Becoming a teacher isn't just about mastering postures—it's about something harder to measure.

— MJH
Original Article: "Video: Ashtanga Teacher Qualifications ( Uh Oh)" by Michael Joel Hall, michaeljoelhall.com

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