5 Steps to Become a Certified Yoga Instructor

Becoming a yoga teacher has many benefits. One can learn to practice self-care activities and also share their knowledge to help others learn healthy habits.

But the question that arises is how to become a yoga instructor. What are the requirements to become a yoga instructor? Continue to read the article to find out.

How To Become A Yoga Instructor

To teach yoga, one has to maintain a consistent personal practice, finish a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, receive certification, register with Yoga Alliance, and make a commitment to lifelong study.  

Step 1: Decide Your Yoga Style

There are various forms and styles of yoga to accomplish an objective. Finding a style that appeals to you is crucial. One must seek the yoga style that resonates with them, complements their personal beliefs, and that they want to share with others. 

It is also important to determine who is your students that you want to teach or what is your objective. For instance, restorative yoga can be a good option if you wish to teach yoga to a senior community, whereas vinyasa yoga would be a better fit for a younger group in the metropolitan area.

Step 2: Complete 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program 

Courses range from 100 hours to 500 hours of training. Completing the 200-hour teacher training course is the minimum requirement to become a certified yoga teacher.

To get certified as a yoga teacher, students must pass a final test after completing 200 hours of yoga teacher training. A written exam, practical exam, or both is conducted thereafter by the yoga school.

The 200-hour program consists of anatomy, physiology, asanas, philosophy, mantra chanting, pranayama, and other wellness sessions.

A 300-hour YTTC and 500-hour YTTC accreditation may also be earned to further progress and learn advanced yoga techniques and philosophies. 

Step 3: Join An Accredited Yoga School

One might need to have a deep personal understanding of yoga before they can begin teaching others. To become a professional, one should enroll in a registered yoga school (RYS) or yoga center that has been approved by the Yoga Alliance USA.

The Yoga Alliance USA offers an ethical commitment that includes a code of conduct, and an outline of practice, to maintain equity in yoga. The code of conduct addresses acceptable student-teacher interactions, consent-only touching, honesty, and behavior in training programs and classrooms.

The yoga teacher’s role includes both teaching and advising in the scope of practice. 

Step 4: Register With Yoga Alliance

After completion of the yoga course, one may apply to the Yoga Alliance of America for a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) credential.

Although it’s not a requirement for all jobs, having a RYT Certification can lead to many opportunities and advantages like a globally acknowledged qualification, enrollment in the RYT directory lets you advertise yourself in the public, getting discounts in yoga-related goods and services and free online sessions to stay up to date in the domain.

One can get their yoga alliance accreditation from the nirvana yoga school in India situated in Rishikesh.

Step 5: Consistent Practice

This is one of the most important steps to the question of how to become a yoga instructor. After completing the yoga teacher training course it is very important to maintain your regular yoga practice.

A passionate teacher is enthusiastic about their teaching. Without self-practice one may not be able to hold a strong faith and emotion as a teacher.

One may continue their self-learning in any branch of yoga depending on what they want to teach, like, asana, meditation, philosophy, etc., and continue to receive knowledge in that aspect as much as they can. 

Also Read – Yoga Cues- Types of Yoga Cues And How To Memorize Them

What Are The Career Opportunities for Yoga Instructors?

The journey of yoga leads to an endless road of self-discovery and personal development. Aspiring to be in the yoga field may hold a unique meaning to every person whether the goal is to be a learner or a yoga teacher.

Health and wellness programs like yoga are today \in priority and demand more than ever. There are several ways to generate income for qualified yoga instructors.

Some of the them include:

• Teach in a yoga school or studio
• Open a personal yoga studio 
• Yoga sessions for employees in corporations
• Content production in social media, YouTube
• Provide individual or group yoga sessions for yoga schools and yoga retreats

How long Does it Take To Become A Certified Yoga Teacher?

Yoga teacher training courses may take several months to finish, others may be finished in a few weeks. The duration depends on the structure of the program in-person, online, and the number of hours one has enrolled for.

The majority of yoga teacher training courses last between 25 days and 2 months. Generally, the hours are divided between self-studying and hours spent in the classroom. 

How Much Does It Cost To Become A Yoga Instructor?

Studying in India provides a genuine experience if one is seeking authentic yoga training. Depending on the accommodation and location one selects, a yoga teacher training program in a yoga ashram or school might cost anywhere from 800 to 3000 USD.

All tuition expenses, accommodation, daily meals, study materials, sightseeing, and train or airport transfers are included in the course fee.