Yoga is an age-old discipline that combines physical activity with breathing exercises and meditation to improve both physical and mental well-being. It has become a widespread form of exercise that has gained popularity worldwide. According to a recent survey, one in seven adults in the U.S. has practiced yoga in the last 12 months. Therefore, becoming a certified yoga instructor can be a long-term, secure, and satisfying career for someone who loves yoga and is passionate about teaching others.
In this article, we take a closer look at what you need to know to become a yoga instructor, including training requirements, the various types of certification, long-term career prospects, and typical salary.
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A yoga instructor is a wellness and fitness teacher who conducts yoga classes. In addition to promoting general welfare, they teach their pupils how to do the different stretching postures, engage in meditation, and practice mindfulness. Yoga teachers may offer their pupils further advice on topics including yoga philosophy, diet, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. A yoga instructor may conduct one-on-one personal training sessions or teach groups in classes.
Yoga instructors can find employment in various settings, including community yoga studios, fitness centers, or other health and wellness centers. Today, they also provide online courses to yoga students, and they can work either part-time or full-time. Such specialists often enjoy working in serene, tranquil settings and frequently express high levels of job satisfaction.
Before starting on your path to becoming a yoga instructor, you need to have a solid grasp of the discipline personally. With firsthand knowledge, you will have the understanding, compassion, and authenticity necessary to be a great yoga teacher.
Yoga comes in various styles, and taking lessons in each will enable you to choose the one that most closely matches your interests. Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram, Kripalu, and Hatha are just some types of yoga. To help you discover your teaching style, try various yoga classes taught by multiple instructors.
To become a yoga instructor, you need to take the following steps:
There is no regulatory body you must register with to teach yoga in the United States. Still, most establishments, including yoga studios and fitness centers, will only let you train with certification from a recognized yoga institution. They will generally want their teachers to complete at least a 200-hour yoga training program. However, studios are increasingly searching for yoga teachers with a 500-hour credential. Students want to be sure their teachers have received the proper training and are well-versed in crucial areas like safety, anatomy, and other subjects. Some yoga studios conduct their own training programs for instructors.
Yoga Alliance is a body that certifies yoga instructors and yoga institutions in the United States. Ideally, you should participate in training provided by a school and teachers registered with Yoga Alliance. Each school registered with Yoga Alliance adheres to a set of standards defined by this nonprofit and professional organization. For instance, they might demand that you complete a particular amount of hours on anatomy, practice, technique, etc. The various registration certificates offered by Yoga Alliance align with how training is delivered.
The first step is to do a 200-hour yoga teacher program. Only after a 200-hour program has been completed should a 300-hour program be started. Yoga teacher training programs of 200 and 300 hours are combined to form a 500-hour certification.
RYT is an acronym for Registered Yoga Teacher. You will need to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher program registered with Yoga Alliance to designate yourself as an RYT-200. It is a certification that is unique to Yoga Alliance. Someone who has earned the designation of RYT-500 has finished a 500-hour program (or completed a 200-hour course before moving on to a 300-hour course, which equals 500).
Training as a yoga instructor has become more accessible than ever, thanks to online training. This enables students to complete their training program at their own pace while juggling a job, raising children, and other obligations.
There are numerous differences between online and in-person training. Each will have benefits and drawbacks. Online training typically offers considerably more flexibility. However, live interaction with instructors should be a part of both in-person and online training so that you may get feedback and ask questions at any time during the course.
Online groups, study partners, and social media can all be used as social components of online training. Since all interaction occurs on-site, in-person training often does not include online groups or social media involvement.
Insurance is essential for any yoga teacher as you will need it to teach at any physical location. The instructor must have insurance at a yoga studio in addition to the studio’s insurance coverage. The onus of ensuring a safe environment in the classroom is on the instructor. Even if you want to rent your space, the owner or management of the premises would typically want proof of insurance before allowing you to utilize the area to teach yoga.
After completing your training and obtaining your RYT certification and the necessary insurance, you are ready to start teaching yoga classes. You can start teaching yoga at nearby yoga studios, gyms, or other fitness/health centers. If you plan on running your own yoga studio, an excellent place to start would be to invite your friends, family, and others to your yoga classes. These can be conducted in your own home to begin with or at rented premises.
Yoga instructors fall under the category of fitness trainers and instructors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average growth rate for all occupations is substantially less than the expected job growth rate for this group, which is 13% between 2018 and 2028. This implies that yoga instructors should enjoy high levels of job security and have a wide range of career options.
Yoga instructors can earn anything from $7.25/hour to $76.00/hour, with the national average hourly wage being $30.90. The potential earnings of a Yoga instructor will depend on their level of expertise, experience, location, the kinds of sessions they lead, and how many lessons they schedule per week.
