How to become a Certified Yoga Instructor
Sick and tired of being in the rat race working in an unfulfilling career? Do you want to turn your passion for yoga into a career? Becoming a certified yoga instructor may be for you if that’s the case. You’ll need to get certified, and you’ll certainly need to do your footwork, but if your overriding passion is to spread the light and peace which yoga practices can bring it may be just the thing for you.
We’re here to help guide you into taking that first step to change your lifestyle, and offer some suggestions for your schooling. The way may be hard, but if it is your calling, you’re sure to find it extremely fulfilling and rewarding
Who Should Take the Training?
Anyone with the time and money for a course, who truly wants to deepen their knowledge of yoga is certainly welcome at these courses. They aren’t just for those who wish to follow it as a profession.
If you’re seeking to become a professional yoga instructor though, you definitely want to get yourself registered through one of the Yoga Alliance approved programs, this body of instructors is the closest thing to an official body in the yoga world. The course isn’t easy, but as long as you do your best, you’re sure to come out on top.
What Certification do I Need?
One you have undertaken your training, you’ll be able to be listed with the Yoga Alliance which acts as a kind of governing body for yoga instructors. They primarily recognize 200 and 500 hour types of certificate. The most common courses are for the 200-hour certification, and you’ll be required to fulfill their laid out requirements:
- Techniques and practice: 100 hours
- Teaching methodology: 25 hours
- Anatomy and Physiology: 20 hours
- Philosophy, lifestyle and ethics: 30 hours
- Practice leading classes: 5 hours
As you can see, it’s pretty extensive and not something you’ll just be banging out over the course of a weekend. These courses often take place over several weeks, with you training only on the weekends although some are intensive affairs that will be over rather quickly comparatively.
The Yoga Alliance is widely recognized as an authority on the subject, and they maintain a database of the people who’ve met their standards through training courses which can be quite useful when it comes time to prove that you’re capable of teaching. Of course, a lot of people become certified teachers only to expand their own understanding of the art, and what you do with it from there is up to you.
Picking the Best Training Program for You
Here we come to the quandary, with so many programs widely available, how do you pick the best one?
If you intend to teach professionally, it’s highly recommended that you go with an approved course in order to get your certification, these schools or programs will be designated as RYS. The visibility and trust behind the Yoga Alliance approved courses is sure to further your career more quickly than having to rely merely on your class’ trust.
While the Yoga Alliance approved courses must have a certain number of hours of training, you’ll also find that they can vary quite differently in their actual course material. For an RYT-200 certification there is no real specialty certification available, but you’ll be pleased to know that with a little bit of research you’re sure to find a school that caters to the type of yoga you wish to learn.
Many of these programs will work in-house with the teaching parts of their schools, requiring you to complete some of their courses before you attend the teacher’s training. This is probably for the better, as it prevents people from simply taking a course and attempting to market unsafe techniques.
There are hundreds of courses out there, and it’s hard to just recommend just one. You’ll need to take into account what exactly you want out of the training, and whether you want to continue your teacher training and obtain an RYT-500 certification as well. The Yoga Alliance website maintains a database of all those who have the ability to train you to their standards, and this useful tool can get you started on the right path.
Becoming a Yoga Instructor
Once you’ve got your RYS-200 certification you’ll have the exposure and recognition you’ll need to start teaching. With a fairly small annual fee the Yoga Alliance will maintain your credentials for people to check up on.
While it might seem like a great dream to quit your boring job in disgust and just dive headlong into teaching, you may want to dial down that urge a little bit. While it is certainly possible to make your living as a yoga teacher, you would do best to regard your current job as a blessing and begin on a smaller scale. Often smaller studios and gyms will have openings for you to teach a class or two a week and that’s a good place to start for now.
You can also offer private sessions for those you teach, meeting them a time that is convenient for both of you for some one-on-one instruction. You’ll have to agree with your client on a rate, but often these sessions will produce the bulk of your living.
Another thing to keep in mind through this process is that the average price of an RYT-200 course is between $2,000 and $3,000 dollars. This cost may be a bit lower or higher though, depending on the location, teacher, and schools.
These realities can be some hefty stuff to take in for those who consider yoga education their real calling, but if you put in the work you’ll rapidly find yourself in the coveted position of a professional yoga instructor. It’s important to be practical, even while following your heart, but as long as you tread carefully at first you’ll find it to be both a profitable and fulfilling profession.
There is no stopping you now!!
Whether you feel it is your mission to spread peace and light, or if you simply want to deepen your understanding of your chosen physical art you’ll definitely find value in becoming a certified yoga teacher. The experience is sure to prove transformative and to be a milestone on your path to cultivating inner peace, and if you’re inclined that way you may have an exciting career ahead of you.
