How to teach yoga
Imagine setting out your yoga mat, sitting, shutting your eyes, and settling into the first asana. So far, so yoga. You’re the teacher this time, guiding the postures. But how does one become a teacher at yogi times.
Do you want to teach yoga but are unclear about the legal requirements? Do you know your qualifications? What additional abilities should yoga teachers have besides enthusiasm and knowledge?
There are even more practical concerns. For example, how much does it cost to teach yoga? How much cash can you make?
We’ll walk you through the process of becoming a yoga instructor, including skills and training. We’ll also discuss possible earnings and share teacher perspectives.
If you’re just interested in one stage, click the link above to get to that section. Or, read the entire article to learn the essential stages of becoming a yoga instructor.
- Know the abilities required to teach yoga
If you wish to teach yoga, the first step is to determine the required abilities. Here are some essential qualities that instructors should possess:
Yoga skill
It’s no surprise that teaching yoga requires a high level of proficiency. This usually means years of constant practice, gaining the necessary practical knowledge and insight to apply to your student’s needs, as well as the confidence to correct conditions when necessary. In the following section, we’ll go through the different levels of yoga teacher training and the minimal prerequisites.
Personable
Teaching yoga isn’t just about leading a class through a series of poses. You’ll probably be engaging with students a lot.
This may be a casual chat before class or responding to specific questions about injuries, goals, or other needs. So you must be someone others can relate to and trust.
Adaptable
As a yoga instructor, you choose your hours and prices. So naturally, this implies you’ll need to adapt your teaching method to the class’s location, style, and level.
An hour of introductory Hatha yoga at a community center may follow a 30-minute high-level Ashtanga training in a gym. These classes may have varying prerequisites!
Independence
While you may spend a lot of time around others when teaching, you will need to be able to work alone for extended amounts of time. So enjoy being active and having a flexible work schedule.
IT skills
From fundamental tasks like spreadsheet creation and emailing to more sophisticated functions like social media marketing, you may find yourself spending more time on computers and the internet than you expected.
know-how
Yoga teaching doesn’t end when you leave the mat. So, aside from your practical skills and charisma, it would be best if you grasped how your teaching business operates.
You are researching studios and centers to collaborate with and discovering possibilities that best fit your business.
Also, just like any business, you may benefit from attending networking events to meet people in your field. Finally, depending on your business goals, you may wish to hire personnel.
“Yoga teachers must undergo a yoga teacher training,” says Michelle Taylor, proprietor of Live Happy Live Healthy. Depending on the training, the syllabus will include anatomy, physiology, yoga history, and postures. You must have prior yoga experience to begin.
Because yoga teaching is a business, you must be organized. Managing your diary, costs, and bookings are all part of the work.
“Your pupils may be fragile, sick, or injured. You must be able to relate to pupils regardless of their experience or competence. Therefore strong people skills are required. For me, a good teacher has empathy.”
Tao’s Yoga instructor Shuntao Li adds: “Yoga teachers educate students how to practice safely and help them reap the advantages of yoga. “The capacity to notice and offer clear and simple coaching suggestions is critical.”
“A desire to learn and compassion go a long way,” says Annie Clarke, creator of Mind Body Bowl and Lululemon yoga ambassador.
- Choosing a yoga tutor course and certification
While there are numerous reasons to attend a yoga teacher training course, we’ll focus on picking qualifications for those who are determined to become instructors.
There are several aspects to consider while choosing the ideal yoga teacher training course for you. These are:
Level
Courses are usually 200, 300, or 500 hours long. You may also find instruction at level three or four. This is an essential requirement, although additional classes and hours give more advanced education.
Location
You may train at several locations both in the UK and abroad. That depends on your lifestyle, money, and preferences.
Regulation
A short Google search reveals a plethora of training companies. Look for a course that has formal accreditation or regulation, like Ofqual.
Testimonials
Find out what other students thought of the course. You may discover testimonials on a course provider’s website or read forums and articles online. And if you know someone who has finished the yoga teacher program you are considering, ask them for advice.
Curriculum
Examine the course’s content, organization, and emphasis. For example, some teacher training courses emphasize the physical, while others emphasize the spiritual.
Teachers
Because the training is intensive, you’ll want to interact with the instructors.
Try out a few regular classes before committing to teacher training. And go to the studio where the course is held to see whether it’s right for you.
Time
Depending on your situation, there are several ways to get a teaching credential.
It is feasible to complete a full-time course in one month. Or, the instruction might be prolonged over time, such as an evening and weekend course.
Style
Review which courses match the sort of yoga you wish to teach, such as Iyengar or Hatha.
You’ll probably take additional training courses in the future. You may, for example, specialize in a yoga style.
