Teaching yoga is a lucrative career. Not only does it pays well and gives you opportunities to make a real change in the lives of people, it also helps you stay fit and active. However, it is important to choose a good training program to guide you to your career.
Over the recent years, the world has seen a huge rise in the number of yoga enthusiasts and yoga lovers. With more and more people becoming aware of the benefits of this ancient Indian discipline and lifestyle, the need for certified yoga instructors is on the rise.
A career of a yoga teacher is quite well paid and it also gives you ample opportunities to travel, connect and explore new experiences. If you are contemplating to get into teaching yoga professionally, it is important to find yourself a great yoga teacher-training program. While there are a number of excellent programs in the country and abroad, here is a handy guide on how to select a yoga teacher training program.
Page Contents
While it is not mandatory to have a Yoga Alliance certified training, it definitely comes with a number of benefits. Being an internationally recognized governing body, its certification holds immense value, not only in the country but also abroad. Hence, it increases your chances of getting jobs in various organizations, retreats, and studios.
In fact, certain places would not hire without a Yoga Alliance certification. Its membership also brings with it a number of perks, including insurance, directory listing, better connections, legal help and more. Therefore, it is a good idea to opt for a yoga alliance teacher training certified program, which will help you open up better opportunities and widen your career scope.
There are a number of practical issues of logistics that you need to figure out before you sign up for a yoga teacher-training program. Convenience is a major factor for most people. Choose a program that you are comfortable with, in terms of travel, time duration, group size, and other factors. Check whether the distance to the classes is convenient for you. It might not seem a big deal right now when you are excited about joining, a while later it can be a huge deterrent for you.
Try to avoid break journey distances, as they are expensive and hectic. Check out if the classes are suitable to your schedule. If you are a full-time student or working professional, make sure that you do not rush or jam-pack your schedule as it will leave you tired and you might just end up being tempted to skip classes. The required 200 hours can be divided up into schedules of your convenience.
Every yogi is unique and their way of learning varies and hence, there is no absolute one size fits all solution to yoga teacher training programs and institutes. Yoga is a highly personal and philosophical experience, which means that no two people will have the same experience.
There are a number of excellent options available, but the program has to speak to you. Therefore, check whether you feel the vibes of the program suiting you as a person or not. If an austere Indian program is not something you feel you can commit to, a yoga teacher training Bali program might be more up your alley. Just because a program is good does not mean it is for everyone. There are many options around and attending one where you connect more will help you be a better teacher.
Yoga is more than a few asanas and pranayamas. It is about building a deeper connection, understanding philosophical and rhetorical questions and grasping a whole new world of concepts to apply. It is a highly personal and emotional journey, which can be heightened by a good inter-personal relation.
Therefore, do some research about the teachers on board, their principles and methodology. Connecting with your teacher is very important because not only is 200 hours quite a long time to spend with someone, a better connection will improve your learning experience. If possible, meet the teacher, take a couple of classes and assess how you feel about it. If only you feel that connection, then you sign up for the program.
There are a number of yoga teacher training programs, which cater to various levels, hours and requirements. It is true that there is a right program for everyone. However, before you sign up for it, make sure you check out the yoga teacher training program reviews on the Internet to have a fair idea of what to expect.
Not only does a bit of research and reading up tell you about the authenticity of the program, it helps you understand its focus, vibes, methods and more. It will also give you an idea about the history and rates of success the particular program has had in the past. You will be able to understand how their students’ experiences went and also where they are placed. Look for videos for the best idea.
Confused as to where to start in your journey? Mentioned below are top frequently asked questions regarding teaching training program:
There are several online yoga teacher-training programs available on the Internet, which offer a 200-hour training course. It is essential that you do your research to find the right program for you. Although a hands-on training is highly effective, you can also opt for online training to start teaching yoga.
For the best yoga teacher training abroad, India, the land that gave birth to yoga, would be a top choice. There are a number of brilliant institutes, which are conducted by the top yogis. When it comes to yoga teacher training India follows a traditional strict path, which has been carried forward for thousands of years by dedicated yogis. They believe in strict training, excellent practice and austere lifestyle.
This is a standard Yoga Alliance’s prescribed requirement for a teacher to be registered with the Alliance. It needs an instructor to have gone through a total of 200 hours of training, which must include at least 100 hours of training and practice, 25 hours of methodology, 20 hours of anatomy and physiology, 30 hours of yoga philosophy, lifestyle and ethics classes and 10 hours of teaching experience.
Check up the charges of different training programs and teachers to find the most affordable option. While Yoga Alliance certified teacher training is not the cheapest, it comes with a number of benefits so it is better to save up and opt for it.
To be certified you need to have gone through a total 200 hours of training which usually lasts for about a month. You can also opt for higher hours of training and specialization.
To become a certified yoga instructor, you need to complete a Yoga Alliance approved teaching training program of your choice to get yourself registered with the Yoga Alliance as a certified yoga teacher.
Depending on the location and establishment the costs of a Yoga Alliance acceptable teacher training ranges from about $1000-3000 and more, if you opt for specialization. The prices, however, would vary depending on the amenities, services and trainers involved.
Thus, to Conclude…
Choosing the right teacher and program is important when it comes to your yoga teacher training. You need to do your research to check which program feels the best suited and you can feel a connection with. It is highly recommended that you take up a couple of classes or at least check online videos, if available before you commit to a yoga teacher-training program. Being a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher opens up many avenues ahead for your career.
