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| How to Become a Yoga Instructor |
What does it take to be a yoga instructor? Teaching yoga is different than teaching most other fitness programs because you are
helping people physically, mentally and spiritually. Maybe you think of yourself as a "healer" when it comes to helping people,
maybe you feel comfortable with movement, or maybe you have always been spiritual.
Before I decided to get certified as a yoga instructor I was taking about 3 to 4 yoga classes per week. I was already a trained
dancer and very spiritual. I decided to do yoga because my mind was in turmoil. With a failed relationship and a stressful life my
whole being just needed some peace. Yoga class was my sanctuary where I could relax and let go of the outside world.
At the same time I was taking these yoga classes I was feeling the urge to do something more meaningful with my life than working
at my current office job. I had no idea what to do so I posed the question to myself, "what can I do that is purposeful?"
One day when coming out of savasana (the relaxation at the end of a yoga class) I heard a whisper in my ear that said "be a yoga
instructor." It was one of those experiences where you just know it is your inner voice or your spiritual guides speaking to you. I
answered back "Are you crazy? I can't do that!" As I thought about it I decided to observe my yoga instructor as she was teaching
to see how she operates. She was talking non-stop for an hour without even any notes! There were 20 people in
the class. At that time I was not comfortable speaking in front of groups of people at all!
Once again I heard that voice during another yoga class. "Be a yoga teacher," it said. To which I again answered,
"Are you crazy? I can't do that!". To which the voice answered, "but you have to!" Okay to make a long story
short I listened to my calling. I quit my job and went to yoga school full-time to get certified as quickly as possible
and started teaching yoga right away. Five years later and here I am with this website!
helping people physically, mentally and spiritually. Maybe you think of yourself as a "healer" when it comes to helping people,
maybe you feel comfortable with movement, or maybe you have always been spiritual.
Before I decided to get certified as a yoga instructor I was taking about 3 to 4 yoga classes per week. I was already a trained
dancer and very spiritual. I decided to do yoga because my mind was in turmoil. With a failed relationship and a stressful life my
whole being just needed some peace. Yoga class was my sanctuary where I could relax and let go of the outside world.
At the same time I was taking these yoga classes I was feeling the urge to do something more meaningful with my life than working
at my current office job. I had no idea what to do so I posed the question to myself, "what can I do that is purposeful?"
One day when coming out of savasana (the relaxation at the end of a yoga class) I heard a whisper in my ear that said "be a yoga
instructor." It was one of those experiences where you just know it is your inner voice or your spiritual guides speaking to you. I
answered back "Are you crazy? I can't do that!" As I thought about it I decided to observe my yoga instructor as she was teaching
to see how she operates. She was talking non-stop for an hour without even any notes! There were 20 people in
the class. At that time I was not comfortable speaking in front of groups of people at all!
Once again I heard that voice during another yoga class. "Be a yoga teacher," it said. To which I again answered,
"Are you crazy? I can't do that!". To which the voice answered, "but you have to!" Okay to make a long story
short I listened to my calling. I quit my job and went to yoga school full-time to get certified as quickly as possible
and started teaching yoga right away. Five years later and here I am with this website!
| Where do you find yoga teacher training? |
The first thing to do is to decide what style of yoga you want to study and thus get certified in. There are several
styles and each yoga school specializes in their style. Do your own research by looking into Kripalu (which I teach),
Iyengar, Sivananda, Integral (a fusion of styles), Vinyasa, and Bikram (hot yoga), to name a few. Once you decide
on the style you can start looking for schools. To get the national yoga certification recognized by the Yoga Alliance
you would look for a 200-hour program. Some schools will have a full-time program where you can finish the 200 hours in 5 weeks.
Some of them have weekend programs. Some have you waking up at 6am to meditate and keep you going until 9pm living at an
ashram (yoga residence). Some of them are just 9 to 5 and you can live at home. Pick the one that works for you. There is plenty
of information on the internet. That's how I found my school in St. Augustine, FL.
What will you be doing in yoga school? You will be doing yoga everyday! You will study anatomy and yoga philosophy. You will
learn all the asanas (poses) and then learn how to make hands-on adjustments for individual students. You will practice teach with
your fellow students. Every program is different. In my program there was alot of emotional sharing, as yoga really is about opening
the heart and quieting the mind. I found yoga school to be very cathartic and it released alot of my stored-up emotions.
Once you get your certification you will want to continue your education by taking workshops or other people's classes. You will
always need new material and there is so much to learn. Also, I found that with the 200-hour certification it is usually not required to
also get certified as a Group Fitness Instructor. You will however be required to get CPR certified if you work in a health club. You
can do this through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or any private class you can find. It is a half-day class
that costs around $25.
styles and each yoga school specializes in their style. Do your own research by looking into Kripalu (which I teach),
Iyengar, Sivananda, Integral (a fusion of styles), Vinyasa, and Bikram (hot yoga), to name a few. Once you decide
on the style you can start looking for schools. To get the national yoga certification recognized by the Yoga Alliance
you would look for a 200-hour program. Some schools will have a full-time program where you can finish the 200 hours in 5 weeks.
Some of them have weekend programs. Some have you waking up at 6am to meditate and keep you going until 9pm living at an
ashram (yoga residence). Some of them are just 9 to 5 and you can live at home. Pick the one that works for you. There is plenty
of information on the internet. That's how I found my school in St. Augustine, FL.
What will you be doing in yoga school? You will be doing yoga everyday! You will study anatomy and yoga philosophy. You will
learn all the asanas (poses) and then learn how to make hands-on adjustments for individual students. You will practice teach with
your fellow students. Every program is different. In my program there was alot of emotional sharing, as yoga really is about opening
the heart and quieting the mind. I found yoga school to be very cathartic and it released alot of my stored-up emotions.
Once you get your certification you will want to continue your education by taking workshops or other people's classes. You will
always need new material and there is so much to learn. Also, I found that with the 200-hour certification it is usually not required to
also get certified as a Group Fitness Instructor. You will however be required to get CPR certified if you work in a health club. You
can do this through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association or any private class you can find. It is a half-day class
that costs around $25.
| How do you get jobs teaching yoga? |
This is a good time for yoga teachers. So many people are looking to get healthy and fit. Yoga is now well publicized as a way for
people young and old to improve wellness, relieve aches and pains, rehabilitate injuries, and as a way of relieving stress, anxiety
and depression. Start by going to any health club, gym, yoga studio or YMCA and tell them that you want to teach a yoga class.
Start up a class at any recreation center, community center, corporate or residential facility. Offer private group classes at
someone's home. Offer to be on a sub list for any teachers.
The pay rate varies. Health clubs normally only pay an hourly rate of $15 to $25, maybe more in bigger cities. Yoga studios and
places like recreation centers will give you a percentage of the fees they take in, so you can make more especially if you have a
large number of students. If you do private lessons you can ask for $50-$75 per class.
people young and old to improve wellness, relieve aches and pains, rehabilitate injuries, and as a way of relieving stress, anxiety
and depression. Start by going to any health club, gym, yoga studio or YMCA and tell them that you want to teach a yoga class.
Start up a class at any recreation center, community center, corporate or residential facility. Offer private group classes at
someone's home. Offer to be on a sub list for any teachers.
The pay rate varies. Health clubs normally only pay an hourly rate of $15 to $25, maybe more in bigger cities. Yoga studios and
places like recreation centers will give you a percentage of the fees they take in, so you can make more especially if you have a
large number of students. If you do private lessons you can ask for $50-$75 per class.
| Can you make a living as a yoga teacher? |
I have struggled with this for five years now, and now realize that you teach yoga because you love it and it is your calling, not to
make a whole lot of money. Unless you are a celebrity yoga instructor such as Shiva Rea or Rodney Yee, you will probably have to
make yoga teaching a side job. Start out teaching at night and keep your day job! Find other ways to earn money by teaching
other forms of fitness or personal training. This is true for most any other type of fitness instructor. Avoid burnout and don't take on
too many classes that you start to get bored with it. Keep learning by taking more classes, learning more styles of yoga and
keeping it fresh!
make a whole lot of money. Unless you are a celebrity yoga instructor such as Shiva Rea or Rodney Yee, you will probably have to
make yoga teaching a side job. Start out teaching at night and keep your day job! Find other ways to earn money by teaching
other forms of fitness or personal training. This is true for most any other type of fitness instructor. Avoid burnout and don't take on
too many classes that you start to get bored with it. Keep learning by taking more classes, learning more styles of yoga and
keeping it fresh!
| Teaching yoga is very rewarding! |
You will be helping so many people in so many ways by teaching them yoga! You will be helping them become more flexible, have
stronger bones, become more toned, have more balance, and most of all become more relaxed. You will be giving people the
chance to have a higher quality of life physically, mentally and spiritually. You will be contributing to creating peace in the world!
Just read these comments from my students:
Good luck and namaste!
stronger bones, become more toned, have more balance, and most of all become more relaxed. You will be giving people the
chance to have a higher quality of life physically, mentally and spiritually. You will be contributing to creating peace in the world!
Just read these comments from my students:
Good luck and namaste!
| "thank you for all of your support. you are the best yoga instructor"! "thank you for making me realize how important it is to care for my body." "to Sue, a great yoga teacher. thank you for helping me on my journey." "you are a terrific teacher. I always enjoy your classes so much." "That was a wonderful class today! Thanks for the good stretch and peaceful energy"! "I appreciate it very much that you've helped me improve my health." "This yoga class has helped me through some tough times! Thank you for being a great teacher." "you have no idea how much you have enhanced my life with your yoga direction." |