By Dr. David McLaren, MD — Certified Transcendental Meditation Teacher and Retired Neurologist, Columbia, Missouri
In the practice of yoga, we are always reaching toward balance — the quiet harmony between effort and ease, movement and stillness, teaching and being. Yet even the most devoted yoga instructors often find it challenging to maintain this inner calm amid the constant energy of guiding others.
The Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique offers a simple, natural way to restore that balance from within. TM is not a new practice; it is a continuation of the same ancient Vedic tradition that yoga comes from — a direct and effortless method for allowing the mind to settle into a state of deep inner silence.
When a yoga instructor learns TM, the benefits go far beyond personal well-being. The deep rest and clarity gained through regular meditation enhance the quality of teaching itself. Scientific research on TM shows that regular practice increases creativity, intuition, and overall coherence in brain functioning — qualities that naturally enhance authenticity and presence in teaching. TM naturally refines awareness, allowing teachers to guide students from a place of centered calm rather than physical effort alone.
Physiologically, TM provides the nervous system with profound rest — much deeper than ordinary relaxation. This reduces stress, lowers fatigue, and increases resilience. The mind becomes more alert, the body more balanced, and the heart more open. In this way, TM beautifully complements asana and pranayama, completing the journey inward to the source of thought, the field of pure consciousness.
Continuing Education for Yoga Instructors
For yoga instructors, TM is also a professional enrichment opportunity. The TM course is approved for 13 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit through Yoga Alliance’s Continuing Education framework.
Yoga Alliance, which is one of the most widely recognized organizations in the yoga community, requires Registered Yoga Teachers (RYTs) to complete continuing education every three years to maintain their credentials. TM instruction now qualifies as part of this continuing education. This aligns perfectly with Yoga Alliance’s emphasis on lifelong learning and personal development.
To learn more about how TM instruction provides 13 CE contact hours for Yoga Alliance–registered teachers, visit the TM for Women – Registered Yoga Teachers Program.
Instructors who are members of other professional organizations, such as the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), may also be able to count TM instruction toward their CE requirements, as TM supports the key competencies of yoga therapy: self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and the integration of mind and body.
By learning TM, yoga instructors not only deepen their personal growth and teaching practice, but they also fulfill professional education requirements in a meaningful and transformative way.
A Return to Inner Stillness
In a world where constant movement can easily eclipse stillness, TM invites us back to the source — to the silence that gives rise to every breath, every pose, every insight.
To learn more about learning the TM technique and earning CE credits, click this link to contact me DavidMcLarenTM.com or call / email me directly for details on upcoming TM instruction opportunities.
Wishing you balance, clarity, and renewal in your journey of teaching and self-discovery.
Dr. David McLaren
Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®
Columbia, Missouri
David@DavidMcLarenTM.com