We all have busy lives with little time for both the essential and the more esoteric activities. We hear the expression ‘lifelong learning’ and many people find learning new skills should play an important part in their lives but they just don’t get time for weekly attendance and commitment. There are many reasons for self-development and skills neglect - family pressures, work, distance from a suitable college or just not enough time. For years there has been an answer to this problem - studying at home! This originated in 1873 and has come a long way since. Call it home study, call it distance learning, call it home learning, (call it whatever you wish!) but it means that the flexibility allows everyone access to education. In essence it means that the theoretical side, (and in many cases the practical elements of learning a new skill) can, with adequate supervision and course material, be studied in your own time, in your own home. Distance Learning is flexible and gives students the freedom to map their studies into the every day patterns of their lives. It is manageable, dynamic and very interactive.

Although this has been available for many years, it is only much more recently that this form of education has been seen as the norm. Great strides in home learning came about with the formation of the Open University. The latter showed that even highly technical skills could be learned away from the classroom setting. It is only much more recently that complementary therapies have accepted that this is a legitimate form of training, despite the fact that the medical profession has been using home study for many years. Well-written, well-illustrated study material can not only provide all the theoretical knowledge required for being a safe therapist, it can also set you on the road to developing the practical skills as well.

If you take massage, and some utter a little incredulously ‘How can you learn massage at home’, if offers the a perfect example of the fusion between DL and students choosing their own attendance time. You can learn the skills of massage by illustrated study material, supporting videos, and practice these skills on family and friends who become your case studies. You let us (Kevala) know from the feedback from your subject whether they are receiving the benefit intended. Whilst there are basic massage strokes, it is fair to say that few masseurs practice in exactly the same way. What is important later in your studies, and before you qualify is, that you have the opportunity to attend your college for a practical assessment and to adjust your technique where necessary. You can then return to your subjects and advance your technique even further.

In addition most colleges take their pastoral support very seriously and we have a whole range of measures at Kevala: a study buddy system, a Student Forum, a Student Newsletter, a Learning Support Team and direct telephone and email contact with your own personal tutor.

Yoga is a slightly different matter for DL. While it is possible to get a basic understanding of yoga at home, it is also important to attend a local yoga class to further your practice. This is not a problem as there are many yoga classes in all areas, both large and small and at convenient times either throughout the day or in the evening.

Having practised yoga for a number of years, you may feel that you would like to pass these benefits on to others and train as a yoga teacher. Most of this study can be done by distance learning in progressive modules, and has been done so for many years in this way. The most important part of being a yoga teacher is that you conduct your class in a safe and professional manner. You must have a good knowledge of anatomy and physiology; you must have a good knowledge of health and safety and all aspects of yoga – not just the asanas. The skills that you impart to your students will be largely based on the way you were taught yourself and to some extent upon your own beliefs and philosophy. Therefore, while you are studying the theoretical elements of safe class organisation, you will still be attending your local yoga class and keeping a complete record of your attendances. Discussing various aspects with your own yoga teacher and your progress is important.

Yoga is about sharing and few yoga teachers will object to helping a student become a teacher – chrysalis to butterfly and beyond. At Kevala the student has a full supportive programme – interactive modules with lots of personal research, a portfolio and essays and articles to write as well as taking advertising and business set-up, philosophy and much more and all this is balanced with their local classes and assessment weekends with their special tutor at the Centre. Distance Learning is, then, a magical and flexible process.

The above contribution represents the personal views/researches of the author - a founder member of: www.independentyoganetwork.org. Peter White (Principal) may be contacted directly at: peter@kevala.co.uk or www.kevala.co.uk (International tel: + 44 1803 215678 fax: + 44 1803 215609 UK tel: 01803 215678 fax: 01803 215609)

You may also wish to discuss/debate the issues raised in this article in our IYN Forum by clicking on the link below:
(IYN-107) Distance Learning. We value your feedback, information and personal experiences and would be pleased to hear from you.