By Denise Everheart
Looking to learn meditation? You need to find the best meditation instructor! Read to learn how plus bonus info on becoming a meditation instructor!
So perhaps you have already tried to learn meditation on your own, maybe from a book or even your bestie? It wasn’t so easy, was it? Attaining peace of mind shouldn’t be so difficult! And it doesn’t have to be!
When you want to learn something well, what do we do? We find an expert to teach us! Whether it be learning to play tennis well or anything that requires competence, we set ourselves up for success when an expert guides us. So let’s help you find an expert meditation instructor so you too can enjoy a personal practice and master inner peace!
What makes a good meditation instructor?
First things first, what makes a good meditation instructor? Certainly, they need to be properly trained, more on that later, but also a meditation teacher should embody particular qualities. Here are some of the most important qualities you should look for when looking for an instructor for your meditation journey!
Pleasant / Peaceful vibe. This might seem obvious, but if someone has a bad vibe clearly their meditation isn’t working well for them. That’s not to say that someone can’t have a bad day, we are all human after all. But how a person’s energy comes across gives us an idea of whether they are walking the talk. A meditation instructor should be an example of what meditation can do for you.
Patient. This too connects to a person’s vibe. If an instructor can be patient and present in the face of technical or logistical issues, or any other challenging situation or person even, can be patient, calm, move through these challenges with grace and a smile- then they are worthy of taking the seat of being a meditation instructor.
Non-judgemental. We all want to be accepted and not judged for anything, frankly. Each person has a life path and certain experiences that come with that path. We arrive at the door of the meditation world with different levels of experience and understanding. If we are made to feel ‘less than’ how can we make any progress with a meditation practice? It's not just that it's nicer to learn from someone who isn't judging you, but someone who is established in meditation/themselves also wouldn't judge. Additionally, when we feel an instructor is non-judgmental then we can truly feel there are no stupid questions.
Compassionate. Daily life can be hard on us at times. Isn’t it easier when someone has compassion for us? Compassion is a sign that meditation is working!
Authentic. It is fairly easy to spot a faker. While not expecting perfection, a meditation teacher should not put on airs or pretend to be better than they are. Someone who says they're all that, but doesn't consistently exhibit the above qualities is likely not authentic.
Understanding. Somebody who understands life from a broader perspective, who has the knowledge of consciousness/mind, who is well versed in the ancient tradition of meditation and can share in a way that is easily absorbed.
All of these qualities are what I look for in a meditation teacher. What other qualities would you like to see in your meditation teacher?
Meditation Teacher Training
Just like a certified yoga instructor needs specific training, you want your meditation instructor to be properly trained also. But when it comes to meditation teacher training, every meditation organization has a different requirement to become a certified meditation instructor. Some organizations require 200 hours of training similar to a certified yoga instructor, some much less and some more.
For instance, the Art of Living Foundation has extensive training for its pillar program, SKY Breath Meditation. Here are some of the requirements to become a SKY instructor which adds up to significantly more than 200 hours of training, closer to 1000 hours! This ensures that by the time you finish your training, you will be well on your way to cultivating the above qualities and you are not just making it up as you go.
Completed the SKY Breath Meditation program a minimum of 1 year before applying, practice regularly, and attend weekly follow-ups.
Learn Sahaj Samadhi Meditation (a mantra-based meditation technique) offered by the Art of Living.
Attend a minimum of 2 Silent Retreat weekends.
Watch 33 hours of Ashtavakra Gita videos. The Ashtavakra Gita examines the mind, ego, conflict, and the self with unparalleled insight by meditation master and founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. This series is available in the Art of Living Journey app with membership.
Watch 11 hours of Patanjali Yoga Sutras videos, which is a set of aphorisms that elaborates on the science, art, and philosophy that is yoga, commentary by Sri Sri. This series is available in the Art of Living Journey app with membership.
Listen to 10 hours of Narada Bhakti Sutras. Inspiration and practical insights for the seeker of truth and explores the unfolding of love in a larger context of life, commentary by Sri Sri. This series is available in the Art of Living Journey app with membership.
Attend 2 back-to-back weekends of preliminary training which aims to strengthen the individual and help them overcome boundaries that restrict them from being dynamic.
Lead 4 introductory programs online (or in-person) via Facebook Live or other platforms. These often involve teaching simple breathwork and leading a guided meditation.
Assist on 3 SKY Breath Meditation programs with a certified Art of Living instructor.
Participate in mentor supervised projects.
Attend a residential training program for two and half weeks.
Co-teach SKY courses with continued mentor support until ready to teach solo.
A longer, holistic, well-integrated training based on ancient traditions creates well-qualified meditation teachers skilled in teaching meditation. The Art of Living has groomed more than 30,000 meditation teachers worldwide from various different socio-economic-cultural-professional backgrounds, and through these teachers, millions of people are educated on how to meditate properly, and effortlessly! You couldn’t be in better hands than those of our meditation instructors!
Get to know some of our senior faculty
Seeking highly skilled meditation instructors just got a whole lot easier! Although the Art of Living is filled with literally thousands of wonderful certified instructors we would love to tell you just a little about just a few of our senior faculty members.
To find a meditation class taught by any specific instructor just click here.
What are some of the other programs the Art of Living offers?
Typically once you have completed the SKY Breath Meditation course a wealth of other programs are available to explore if you choose to. Here are just a few of the offerings, two of which are prerequisites for becoming a meditation teacher with the Art of Living:
Sahaj Samadhi Meditation. This mantra-based meditation practice can be learned before or after learning SKY. We have a separate teacher training program to be able to teach this course.
Silent Retreat. SKY is a prerequisite for this retreat which leaves you feeling like you just took the best vacation ever!
Sri Sri Yoga. No prerequisites are needed to take the introductory Sri Sri Yoga. Visit the Art of Living Yoga Studio for their online schedule. We also offer training to become a certified yoga instructor.
More about the SKY Breath Meditation course
You might be wondering what makes SKY so great? To start, it is a breath-based technique and everyone breathes- it is easy to learn, easy to practice, and benefits start right away! Here are just a handful of the evidence-based benefits that millions of people are experiencing:
78% reduction in serum cortisol levels
Significant decrease in depression
Significant decrease in anxiety
33% increase in immune cell count
Greater mental focus and mindfulness
Healthier blood pressure
Reduces PTSD
Enhanced deep sleep
Reduced addictive behaviors
Enhanced optimism and joy
To learn more about SKY and have any questions you might have answered, you can attend a free breath and meditation session online, called Beyond Breath with a live instructor. You will also learn a simple breathwork technique and experience a guided meditation.
Whether you are looking for a meditation instructor or to become one, I hope what I have shared has been helpful to you and your journey!
Denise Everheart is a freelance writer, life-long meditator, SKY Breath Meditation instructor, party planner, veg chef, and recipe designer. Follow her @everheartstudio4meditation and @celeplateyourlife on Instagram.
