A Guide To Becoming A Yoga Teacher

Becoming a yoga teacher is immensely rewarding. For one, you get to enjoy a flexible working schedule and look forward to training other people to help them achieve a better work-life balance. You can also enhance your understanding of yoga by learning beyond the basics–experiencing it in new, meaningful, and interesting ways. If you’ve been a yoga student for quite some time now and have enjoyed the experience throughout, you may want to level up and consider becoming a yoga teacher.

Before becoming a yoga teacher, there are specific training courses that you must complete, like the ones offered at Blooming Lotus Yoga. Completing a yoga teacher training course will get you the required certification that’ll help you qualify as a yoga teacher.

But to get you started on the right track, here’s a short guide to help you prepare for the journey:

1. Take A Yoga Retreat

Contemplate the idea of becoming a yoga teacher by taking a yoga retreat. You can undergo intensive yoga training and retreat at the same time, giving you the time and experience you need to make a decision to finally step up, kick-starting your yoga career.

2. Complete An RYS 200-Hour Yoga Training 

The Yoga Alliance, a U.S.-based nonprofit organization for yoga teachers, sets requirements for aspiring yoga instructors to undergo a minimum of 200-hour yoga training from a Registered Yoga School (RYS). These standards and requirements are applicable for all international trainings. Sunshine Ross, founder of Awake Space Formation Prof Yoga, explains that “upon successful graduation of a YTT you will be able to register and once you receive your RYT200 certification, you can begin your teaching career.”

Topics for yoga teacher training include five educational categories, which include the following:

• Techniques, training, and practice: The total number of hours to complete this category is 100 hours. It consists of combined analytical training and guided practice of yoga techniques. The topics discussed and practiced in this category include traditional yoga techniques, such as asanas, kriyas, pranayamas, meditation, mantra, and chanting.

• Teaching methodology: Aspiring yoga teachers must complete at least 25 hours learning the principles of demonstration, communication skills, the business aspects of yoga teaching, the establishment of boundaries and priorities, addressing the specific needs of special populations and individuals, qualities of a good yoga teacher, the student learning process, and teaching styles.

• Anatomy and physiology: This category includes a minimum of 20 hours, which involves learning human anatomy and physiology. It also includes learning the anatomy and physiology of energy–chakras and nadis.

• Yoga philosophy, ethics, and lifestyle: This training takes a minimum of 20 hours, involving the study of yoga text and philosophies, such as Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, and Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Aspiring yoga instructors will learn about the yoga lifestyle, including the dharma and karma concepts, as well as the precept of non-violence (ahimsa).

• Practicum: The practicum takes at least 10 hours, which includes teaching, observing others yoga teachers, receiving and giving feedback, and assisting yoga students.

3. Obtain RYS Certification

Once you’ve completed the 200-hour minimum yoga training, you’ll be considered a Yoga Alliance graduate. Basically, you’re now more knowledgeable about various yoga poses, techniques, and core principles. You can then apply for a registered yoga teacher (RYS) credential or certification, which will open a wide range of career opportunities.

Here are the benefits of becoming RYS certified: 

• You’ll have an internationally recognized yoga teacher credential.

• You’ll have access to unlimited free online workshops, keeping your yoga training up-to-date.

• You’ll be included in the RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) Directory. This means that you’ll have a public profile that you can use to market your yoga teaching services.

• Enjoy great discounts and perks on yoga-related businesses and products, such as yoga-related publications, insurance, business software, and apparel.

4. Become CPR Certified 

Provide additional certification to your future employers and students by becoming CPR certified. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training is a type of emergency training, commonly recommended for healthcare professionals. But yoga instructors can undergo CPR training and get certified so they can help in case there’s someone experiencing cardiac arrest.

Also, being CPR certified increases your hiring potential since both employer and student will have confidence in you. Also, you get to earn the privilege of helping other people in times of emergency situation, which may arise in the yoga training venue or elsewhere.

5. Marketing 

After completing all the necessary yoga training programs and certifications, it’s time to create your marketing plan. So, how do you plan to render your professional yoga teaching services?

You can apply as a part-time or full-time yoga instructor in gyms and wellness centers. Search for local gym and wellness centers in your area and submit applications personally or via their website.

Eventually, as you gain experience and students, you can put up your own yoga fitness center. Also, you can conduct free and paid yoga teaching sessions online, such as through social media channels.

Have a yoga website and showcase your portfolio to market your professional services.

Conclusion

Kickstart your yoga teaching journey by getting professional yoga training from an RYS, and see your yoga teaching dreams come true. Training is just the beginning. Just because you already have yoga certification, it doesn’t mean you stop reaching greater heights in your yoga career. Take additional courses to have an edge, like CPR training. You also need to think of effective and long-term ways to market your yoga training services.