How-to-become-a-yoga-teacher

How to become a yoga teacher

Congratulations! You have made the decision to become a yoga teacher. You are about to embark on a wonderful and enriching journey, both on a human and professional level. But before considering different projects, it is important to ask yourself the right questions, choose the right training, and know the right information. This includes the conditions and qualifications required, working hours, salary and how to get started, etc. Indeed, there are many things to consider for something that is likely to change your life. Here is all the information you need.

 

The right questions to ask

Why do you want to become a yoga teacher?
Specify your intentions. This is a good time to reflect on your journey so far and to better understand why you want to deepen your practice. What are your reasons for wanting to teach? What do you hope to share with other yogis on their journey?

In what style do you want to practice?
If you have been practicing a technique forever, then studying a new technique doesn't make much sense. Choose the training that offers exactly the style you like and want to teach. Discover in this article the different types of yoga.

How much can you afford to spend?
Teacher training is an expensive investment. Decide at the outset how much you can spend, and whether you are willing to explore financing options once you have found the training of your dreams. Many courses offer payment plans, or even scholarships.

How much time do you want to spend on it?
Perhaps you have a flexible schedule and can commit for a month or more to a full-time immersion program where you meet with other participants and train every day. On the other hand, if you work full-time, a six- to nine-month training program where you meet on weekends may be more realistic for you. It is also important to consider that there will be a good amount of work to be done outside of training hours. Knowing how much time you can devote to a program can help you decide between an extended course lasting several months, or immersion for a period of time in a foreign country.

 

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What do you want to see in the training program?
Before you start looking for training, sit down and make a list of all the things you want to learn. Don't forget anything. Be specific about what you want to learn and, ultimately, teach. Once you have found the school you are interested in, you can compare your list to the training program.

Are you in contact with the teacher(s) conducting the course?
Spend some time at the location where you are considering taking the training to see if the owner, teachers and environment are right for you. It is not easy to study in a place that is not welcoming. Take classes with the teachers and take the time to personally interact with them to see if a connection is made.

Is the school registered with the Yoga Alliance?
If you decide to train at a Yoga Alliance accredited yoga school (RYS) so that you can become a Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT) after completing your training, be sure to check the directory to see if the schools you plan to attend are listed.

Have others enjoyed and benefited from the training?
Talk to other teachers who have been trained at the school you are considering. If you can't find any on your own, don't hesitate to ask the trainers for some references. Find out what kind of experiences other yoga teachers have had at this school.

Taking the time to think carefully about what you expect from a yoga teacher training can help you find your dream training that offers everything you want.

 

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Required Skills and Characteristics of a Yoga Teacher's Occupation

Yoga has become more and more popular over the years, so there has never been a better time to turn your passion into a career. There are many different paths you can take and it can get a little complicated. That's why below is an explanation of how to become a yoga teacher, including the skills you'll need, the number of hours you'll need, the income you can expect and the opportunities available to you.

Classes to help you get started

So, as we've seen, the first step to a successful career is getting the qualifications you need to get started. You will learn asanas (positions), pranayama (breath control), mudra (hand positions), as well as meditation and yoga kriyas (purification techniques). Whether you wish to give classes or individual sessions, this will allow you to start your career in the field of yoga.

The skills you will need

In addition to the love of yoga, there are a few other skills that are necessary for a successful career as a yoga teacher. You will need :

• Be a sociable person.
• Have the ability to motivate and inspire.
• Be a good listener.
• Be able to work with your clients to get the most out of them.
• You may also need commercial and entrepreneurial skills if you decide to create your own structure.

What is the job of a yoga teacher?

Once you are qualified, the work of a yoga teacher can be varied and rewarding.

You will teach a series of poses, which will become more and more complex over time and according to the level of your clients.

You'll design classes for all levels, review your students and perhaps venture into specialized areas. Finally, you will help your clients work on their health and well-being.

You'll also need to spend time finding clients. That means you'll have the opportunity to do a little bit of everything from marketing, sales and social media prospecting.

Hours of operation

As a yoga teacher, your schedule will have to adapt to the lifestyle of your clients.

Unlike the usual 9 to 5 hours, you will be able to set your own schedule, but you may need to be flexible and work some evenings and weekends. Most teachers choose to work part-time.

Revenues

Your salary will depend on your level and the way you work. Indeed, the income will clearly not be the same if you are an employee or if you are self-employed.

Being self-employed, the higher your level and reputation, the more you can afford to ask for more and have some legitimacy to do so.

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Training and Development

There is no standard training to become a yoga teacher. On the other hand, there are several schools, which offer many trainings : Jnana-Yoga, Hatha-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga, etc., and for each one, many trainings are available. On average, count about 200 to 500 hours of classes to fully study theory and practice. The fees depend greatly on the training chosen, count between 1000 and 2000 dollars.

Then you may want to continue your education and learn more through a continuing professional development course. These courses allow you to continue your career in the field of yoga by expanding your skills in a more specialized area, allowing you to learn new things and expand your techniques.

Do a training course in India

India is a fantastic place to visit for yoga teacher trainings, and often these trainings are cheaper than in Europe, with much more competent teachers who know "real yoga". Indeed, yoga originated in India and has existed since 5000 years before Christ. Learning in this country is therefore a great opportunity. If you are looking for a yoga teacher training in India, you will find that there is a LOT to sift through, and it can seem like a real headache. So we have some of the best yoga ashrams in India that offer training courses.

Yoga teacher training courses in Rishikesh and Goa are the most popular options. Goa is the land of the hippies at the time and Rishikesh is where the Beatles used to cool down in an ashram, which made both places famous. This is why most of the best ashrams to train as a yoga teacher in India are in Rishikesh and Goa.

You can of course search for others on the Internet. Try to find detailed information, such as the location, the teachers, the course and even the complete daily schedule.

These are two of the best courses in India, even though there are plenty of them.

1. Ashiyana Yoga Teacher Training, Goa, $3,350

It is a 28-day, 200-hour course. You will stay in amazing rooms in an old Portuguese house, or in beach huts by the sea, or in the jungle. Here they focus on the search for well-being and inner peace and their training is inspired by Satyananda, their spiritual master. According to them, "the course will focus on the four main paths of yoga - Jnana, Karma, Bhakti and Hatha (Raja). There will be an in-depth examination of the traditional and most common interpretation of yoga according to the eight members of the Raja Yoga of Patanjali. Link to the training

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2. Purple Valley Yoga Teacher Training, Goa $3113

It is a 28-day course, 24 of which are instructional. World-renowned teachers come here. This course is located in a magical place in Goa, the jungle of Assagao (only 10 minutes drive from the beach). This course has been featured in magazines and websites as one of the best. It is simply a beautiful place. Regarding the certification, here is what they say: "It is important to learn Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga from a qualified teacher who follows the traditional lineage of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Please note that only the Ashtanga Krishna Pattabhi Jois Institute can grant you an official authorization or certification to teach Ashtanga yoga. The instructor is Joey Miles, who has extensive expertise in Ashtanga. Link to the training

 

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Conclusion on the profession of yoga teacher

Becoming a yoga teacher is not something you do on a whim. It is necessary to follow several steps to guarantee you a solid professional knowledge. Of course, your practice counts a lot, but it is nevertheless essential to follow a training course that provides you with a diploma, in order to have a certain credibility and legitimacy with your future clients.

 

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