Yoga is a popular practice to build strength and flexibility. It provides a positive impact on your life physically, mentally, and spiritually. Moreover, if you are passionate about enjoying this art of yoga and helping others, becoming a professional yoga instructor can be the best career choice. So let’s get started with how to become a Yoga instructor right away!
In this blog, you’ll learn everything about how to become a yoga instructor. That includes a step-by-step guideline, requirements, job opportunities, average salary, and more about this career choice. Therefore, continue reading to know all of them.
Table of Contents
What does a Yoga Instructor Do?
Before you take any step to become a certified yoga instructor, take your time to understand what it takes to become a yoga trainer fully.
So run through this brief checklist once:
- A yoga instructor guides students through the practice of yoga. You have to help them learn the correct form for different poses.
- As a yoga trainer, you may also provide your students with additional guidance in different areas. These areas can include yoga philosophy, meditation, required nutrition, and deep breathing techniques, and so on.
- Also, you will spend your time finding the clients. It means you’ll get the chance to do a bit of everything, including marketing, sales, and social media, etc.
- Yoga teachers design their classes for all kinds. So, you will review your students and branch out them into specialised areas.
- You will have to help your students work on their health and wellbeing.
- A yoga teacher may teach in various settings. Therefore, you can teach in group classes, one-on-one personal training sessions, or workshops.
Did you know? Yoga originated in India and is over 5,000 years old. |
Is Becoming a Yoga Instructor a Good Idea?
Yoga is becoming more and more popular over the years. So, there has never been a better time to turn your passion for this exercise into a career. According to this report by EMD UK, exercising in a group attracts over 4.86 million people a week in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, yoga is ranked at the top of the list, with 1.3 million people taking part in each class every week. Basically, these impressive numbers are proof of the huge appeal of yoga.
Moreover, being a Yoga Instructor will force you to adopt the lifestyle of a yogi. And that can do wonders to your health, mind and spirit. For getting your motivation boosted, read about ten benefits of Yoga in the Morning, and imagine reaping these benefits regularly!
Requirements to Become a Yoga Instructor
When you are qualified in yoga and can lead classes, only then can you be an instructor. The reason is, it’s not enough to just stand at the front and shout out instructions. Your students will be relying on you for some legit and useful Yoga knowledge and guidance.
Firstly, you have to practice hard to become an authority in your own right. Secondly, try to act as a role model to your students. Thirdly, as a yoga teacher, you will be primarily teaching a combination of various poses or asanas. Alongside, you’ll teach breathing activities or pranayamas and relaxation and meditation techniques.
Here is a list of a few common job requirements for yoga teachers:
- Complete training on yoga
- Achieve Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation certification
- Become a registered yoga instructor
- Expertise in various yoga positions
- Thorough understanding of mindful meditation methods and techniques
- Ability to work in a flexible schedule
- Dedication to fitness and a healthy lifestyle
While the best yoga instructors have:
- Positive personality and sharp observation skills
- Strong motivational skills
- Strong organisational and administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Sensitivity and empathy towards students
How to Become a Yoga Instructor in 7 Easy Steps?
In this section, find out about how to have a successful career as a yoga Instructor. Then, follow these steps to become a yoga trainer.
1. Learn Yoga
Before you can dive on your journey, you should commit to self-practice and development. For this purpose, you must see yoga as a lifelong journey rather than a hobby or mere pastime.
For becoming a yoga instructor, you should have a complete understanding and expertise of the practice of yoga on a personal level.
There are different forms of yoga. Such as:
- Ashtanga
- Vinyasa
- Bikram
- Yin Yoga
- Hatha
- Restorative yoga
- Prenatal yoga
- Yoga nidra, etc.
So, you definitely have a lot to choose from. While most yoga studios will focus on vinyasa yoga or vinyasa flow in their certification program, you can totally choose a yoga instructor training that focuses on the yoga and meditation style that most interests you.
However, if the idea of such diversity is daunting to you, you can start with the absolute basics. Learn about the ‘Ten Yoga Poses You Need to Know’ to get started right away!
Also, the way each style is taught may vary based on your instructor and where the class is held. You may consider choosing a current yoga teacher to act as your mentor and help guide you through the process.
Pro Tips: Taking classes in each of the above styles can help you choose the kind of yoga practice best fits your personal preferences.
Is Online Yoga Training Worth Joining?
You can consider joining an advanced online yoga course to gain expertise in yoga. This will provide you with a thorough understanding of it.
Here is an online course Yoga Training-Advanced Diploma, that is totally worth your investments. It will provide you with-
- Thorough knowledge of yoga philosophy along with the system of healing
- Knowledge of how to perform meditations
- More flexibility, core strength, health improvement, and wellness
- Understanding of detox and cleansing process of the body
- Learning the full Thai yoga massage method
- Enhanced everyday living through practised yoga exercises
Also, you’ll get a professional yoga training certificate for only £421.00.
Did you know? There are more than a hundred styles of yoga! |
2. Choose a Training Program
Your next step is to select a registered yoga school. However, check out if the institution follows the guidelines established by the Yoga Alliance. Afterwards, enrol in a yoga training program. Remember that yoga teacher training programs are offered at two different levels.
- Level 1 is a 200-hour yoga certification program
- Level 2 is a 500-hour yoga certification program
Both of the above programs include coursework in physiology, anatomy, yoga philosophy, and instructional techniques. These program levels will teach you everything you need to know about how to become a yoga instructor successfully.
If you are wondering how to determine which program level is right for you, then think about what you want to do after becoming a certified yoga teacher. This may help you decide between these two options.
Besides the standard registered yoga instructor training programs, you may decide to get a certification in a speciality area. For instance, speciality certifications include both registered prenatal yoga tutors and registered children’s yoga tutors. Therefore, if you want to work with a specific group like kids or would-be moms, you will also have to consider these certifications.
Did you know? 21st June is International Yoga Day |
3. Decide What Kind of Yoga Instructor You Want to Be
In this step, you will explore the ways in which you’d like to flourish your career. For doing this, you have to decide how you want to teach your students. Other things to decide early on are the specialisations that you want to achieve.
There are several types of yoga teachers. Some yoga instructor takes their classes to specific groups, while others hold classes in specific places. For example, you may decide to target a niche market by providing yoga instruction to professional athletes, or you may decide to offer classes online or in a yoga studio.
4. Get Some Practice Teaching Yoga
Firstly, being a yoga teacher is not all about being able to do fancy, complicated poses. In reality, it is about cuing, which means using your voice effectively to instruct the learners what to do with their bodies. Secondly, you have to be compassionate towards them. After all, yoga is an art of healing. So, a perfect blend of competence, cuing and compassion, that’s what you need.
Thirdly, be patient and take your time. In reality, it may take years to build up your confidence, to have a presence in your teaching, and to have a strong, commanding voice. So, you should start practising teaching skills by instructing everyone you can. Teach your friend, your neighbour, and whoever listens to you. Also, you can offer free yoga classes to people. Just log in those teaching times as just as anything in life. The more you practise it, the better you’re going to be.
Moreover, you must be aware that yoga doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. And that’s totally okay! So, you have to learn how to deal with your students who are having tough times practising yoga. They can develop it with hands-on experience and will likely improve under your supervision.
Finally, just knowing how to become a yoga instructor and teach is not enough. It doesn’t prepare you completely to start off. Knowing how to do the yoga asanas in theory is different from performing them. So, practice is indispensable here. Likewise, knowing teaching methodology doesn’t mean that you’re all set to teach without practising. So, get as much experience as you can!
Note
Don’t get down on yourself if you can’t do all the super fancy yoga postures. That is because great trainers are all about great cuing and being compassionate with their students.
5. Get Registered
In this step, you have to register yourself for yoga teacher certification. It is an internationally recognised credential that shows you have met the minimum standards of yoga training established by the Yoga Alliance.
To pursue your RYT certification, you will need to have completed at least the 200-hour level registered yoga school training program. This registration requires paying an application fee and your annual dues. Additionally, you will have to pay an extra fee to upgrade your certification to the RCYT and RPYT speciality designations.
Did you know? Only men used to attend yoga classes, whereas women were not invited until 1937! |
6. Be Certified
If you are planning to work in a healthcare or fitness centre, you will most likely need to be certified in CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Generally, these places require their instructors to be CPR certified to make sure they have the sound skills needed to respond to an emergency. For additional certification, don’t forget to check out the course on Yoga and Meditation Teaching by Health & Foundation Academy.
7. Start Teaching Classes
Let’s say that you are now all set to begin teaching yoga classes on your own. In that case, you can choose in between two options.
Firstly, you can be doing it alone as a yoga teacher. For doing this, you may start by offering yoga classes within your community, friends, colleagues, and other connections in your network. However, it is important to establish yourself as a professional. So, charge a fee for your offered courses.
Secondly, teaching yoga for a company. Also, you can begin teaching classes at local yoga centres, gyms, or other fitness facilities.
Marketing
Once you’ve started to become a yoga instructor, you’ll need to let people know! Some useful ways to promote your work include the following:
- Word-of-mouth
- Handing out business cards
- Setting up a website
- Using social media
- Going to networking and industry events
- Printing flyers
So, this is the guideline on how to become a yoga instructor in easy steps. Follow the steps to be a successful yoga teacher.
How Long Will It Take to Be a Yoga Instructor?
The amount of time needed to become a certified yoga instructor varies based on the training program you choose. Also, it depends on your level of prior experience. Generally, a person seeks to take yoga teaching professionally when she already has several years of personal experience practising this art.
Afterwards, they choose between a 200-hour or 500-hour certification program to be a professional in this field. Basically, the 200-hour program takes 3-5 months to complete, while the 500-hour program may take six months to a year to finish.
However, aiming too high and then losing all motivation doesn’t help anyone. And you don’t need to do that at all. Instead, you can start with the easy ‘30 Days Yoga Teacher Course’ by Health & Fitness Academy to learn much comfortably.
Did you know? The largest yoga class was held with 100,984 participants in India. |
Yoga Instructor Job Opportunities
Completing your Yoga instructor training can get a bunch of exciting employment opportunities knocking at your door.
You don’t have to tie yourself to one specific type of job or place. In fact, the most versatile and successful yoga tutors involve themselves with as many opportunities as possible.
Here’s some scope where you can find work as a yoga instructor:
- Self employment, teaching in one-to-one or classroom formats.
- Organising classes in an exotic yoga studio
- Creating online sessions for workouts
- Arranging freelance courses in gyms, healthcare clubs, and leisure centres
- Teaching classes in fancy resorts near the sea
- Working on luxurious cruise ships
- Teaching session on fitness retreats, within both the UK and internationally.
So, the above list should give you some idea of the many available routes.
Now the question is, can you make a living being a yoga instructor? Yes, you certainly can! Though, it depends on your standard of living and how you’re earning money. But the chances of making a very comfortable living by teaching yoga is generally pretty high.
In addition, you can work in shifts as a yoga teacher. Shifts may include days, nights, weekends, and holiday hours. Moreover, you may work full-time or part-time basis. Due to the nature of the work you will do, you might have the benefit of working in relaxing, peaceful environments with strong job satisfaction.
What is the Salary of a Yoga Instructor?
Yoga instructors work various shifts. The salary of a yoga instructor varies based on their level of training, experience, geographical location, the types of classes they arrange, and the number of courses/shifts on their schedule. The average salary for an experienced yoga instructor is £36 per hour, while a newly qualified yoga instructor earns £10.30 per hour.
How to Become a Yoga Instructor: The Essential Considerations
So far, you came across the skills, qualifications, ways to be a yoga teacher. Before you get going and start teaching yoga, there are a few more essential factors you have to consider. They are-
Legal Requirements
It’s necessary to make sure that your yoga teaching practise is lawful. A few points to consider are:
- If you are self-employed, you’ll need to register with HMRC for tax purposes.
- You may have to comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) if you keep records of student personal information.
- If you are thinking of starting a studio from your home, you may require applying for permission.
- Also, if you plan to run your business from a rented place, ensure compliance with your tenancy agreement.
Working Hours
As a yoga instructor, you’re in control of your working hours. You have the freedom to decide when and how often you will work, but certain times of the day are more popular for exercising, including early morning, evening, weekends and holidays.
Additionally, your working hours should depend on the type of students you plan to teach. For example, if you specialise in yoga classes for children, you can expect your work hours to fit in with school days and vacations. Likewise, If you become a corporate class yoga teacher, you are more likely to work weekdays on a more year-round basis.
Equipment and Costs
You should consider the following aspects when working out costs:
- Training and Certification
- Insurance
- Equipment
- Additional facilities, such as a music system
- Licensing, etc.
However, the good news is that you don’t need a great deal of equipment for yoga classes.
Here are the essentials:
- Yoga Equipment: It includes mats, straps, blocks, and other props. You will need all of them for yourself and some for your students too. Additionally, you will need to purchase mat cleaner and other products to keep yoga equipment in good condition.
- Yoga Clothes: You have to select and buy some suitable yoga clothes.
- Music Player: Are you planning to make your classes more lively with the help of music? In that case, you’ll need a suitable device to play it from. For this purpose, you can use your smartphone and connect it to a speaker. However, you may need the related licences to play the music.
Did you know? The yoga mat was invented by Angela Farmer in 1982, who used carpet underlay to make a sticky surface while teaching others yoga. |
How to Become a Yoga Instructor: Are You Ready to Get Started?
While choosing a career path, you might be wondering how to become a yoga instructor. Moreover, you might be thinking that being a yoga teacher is a good choice for you or not! Being a successful yoga instructor requires passion and expertise. So, give your effort to understand and learn yoga at an advanced level. However, if you want to maintain a healthy life, love to do yoga, and are interested in helping others, being a yoga teacher definitely pays off. Also, what can be better than earning money from the work you love? The heartiest wishes of the Health and Fitness Academy for your yoga journey are with you!
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