There is nothing quite like a hot, sweaty yoga session to get you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
It’s a practice that virtually anyone can enjoy, no matter your age or your body type.
There are many benefits of practicing yoga, such as building strength, increasing flexibility, as well as elevating your spiritual, mental and emotional health.
If you love your yoga practice so much that you want to help others along their journey, becoming a certified yoga instructor might be just the career for you.
Here are the steps you will need to take if you want to become a yoga teacher.
The Duties Of A Yoga Teacher
If you have stumbled on this page, you are probably a devoted yogi who is curious about sharing their passion with others through teaching.
The role of a yoga instructor is to guide students through their yoga practice by teaching them the proper form for a variety of different poses.
Yoga teachers should also be knowledgeable in yoga philosophy, meditation, and breathing techniques.
Teaching yoga is not a one-size-fits-all gig. There are many different types of yoga ranging from hatha yoga, to vinyasa and so on.
While most yoga studios will offer a variety of classes, some studios only specialize in teaching one type.
The same is true for teacher training programs.
Some programs will offer you a more general yoga teacher training education, while some programs will focus on one specialization.
It’s important that you choose a teacher training program that best suits your passion and career goals.
Requirements For Becoming A Yoga Teacher
Requirements for becoming a yoga teacher can vary depending on where you want to work, but typically, you must:
- Complete a yoga teacher training program with a registered yoga school.
- Become CPR/first aid certified.
- Have an in-depth understanding of different types of yoga, mindfulness, and breathing techniques.
- Be okay with working at different times of the day.
- Have excellent communication skills.
- Be committed to staying physically fit and living a healthy lifestyle.
How To Become A Yoga Teacher
If you are looking for a step-by-step guide on how to become a yoga teacher, look no further.
Here is a general breakdown of the path to teaching yoga:
- Know how to do yoga and get good at it: Before you can share your yogi knowledge with a class full of students, you must lay a strong foundation for yourself first. Take the time to learn everything you can about yoga on a personal level and practice often. Visit different studios and take different styles of yoga to figure out which one you are the most interested in. This is the time to network with any yoga teachers that you might resonate with and perhaps even consider asking them to mentor you.
- Complete a yoga teacher training program: Once you feel confident in your yoga practice and feel that you are ready to pursue a certification, you will need to enroll in a registered yoga school. The school you choose must adhere to the Yoga Alliance guidelines. Select your program wisely as there are two different levels and various specialties. Depending on your career goals, you may wish to enroll in a 200-hour yoga certification program or a 500-hour certification program.
- Get registered: To become a yoga teacher, you will need to register for a teacher certification that demonstrates you have met the minimum standards of yoga training in accordance with the Yoga Alliance guidelines. To obtain a registered yoga teacher (RYT) certification, you must complete at least the 200-hour level registered yoga school training program as well as pay a $50 fee to apply. To maintain a RYT certification, you must pay an annual fee of $65.
- Get a CPR/First Aid certificate: Most health and fitness centers require their trainers to be CPR certified, so that they have the skills they need to respond to a health emergency.
- Find your niche…if you have one: Not all yoga teachers need to have a specialty, but it doesn’t hurt to find what sets you apart from the rest. Is there a specific style of yoga that you prefer? Do you have a specific group you’d like to teach yoga to?
- Start teaching classes: Once you have completed these steps, you are ready to officially begin teaching classes! You can offer classes in your community and organize events or you can teach classes at a gym or yoga studio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions people have about being a yoga instructor.
How long does it take to become a yoga teacher?
The length of time it will take to become a certified yoga teacher depends on how much experience you have as well as the pace of the program you choose.
Most yoga teacher candidates should have several years of experience practicing yoga under their belt.
A 200-hour program can take anywhere from three to five months to finish, whereas a 500-hour program could take anywhere between six months and one year to finish.
Can a beginner do yoga teacher training?
Most yoga teacher training candidates should already have a few years of experience practicing yoga on their own, but everyone’s situation and learning pace is different.
Can I teach yoga without a certification?
Most yoga studios will require you to have a registered yoga teacher (RYT) certificate.
What do yoga teachers get paid?
A yoga teacher’s salary can vary depending on the place of employment, the types of classes they teach and how full their schedule is.
The average yoga teacher salary in the U.S. is $30.91 per hour, with salaries ranging from $7.25 per hour to $76.00 per hour.
