How to Become a Yoga Teacher

Do you want to pursue a rewarding career in yoga?

Reports have shown that 7.5-percent of American adults practiced yoga in 2004. Since most yoga teachers are self-employed and work part-time, the demand for qualified instructors is growing at a rapid pace in corporate gyms, sports and community centers, health clubs and even in homes for the aged- making it difficult to find a good yoga teacher.

Currently, there are no nationally recognized standards to meet in order to become a yoga instructor. An equivalent of a college degree will be given by a variety of training programs that range from weekend certification courses to one or two-year certification program.

To become a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher), students are required to have a comprehensive knowledge of the following:

  • Anatomy, kinesiology and physiology
  • Asanas (which are the postures of Hatha yoga)
  • Assisting with alignment
  • Bandhas (the 3 primary energy gates or locks used in hatha yoga)
  • Chakras (the body’s energy centers)
  • Meditation & relaxation
  • Mudras (symbolic gestures of the hand or fingers used in yoga meditation)
  • Modifications of poses
  • Pranayama (yoga breathing techniques)
  • Yamas (5 codes of restraint) & Niyamas (5 practices of self-training)
  • Yoga philosophy and methodology.

Yoga can be taught either as a workout in order to increase one’s physical fitness and flexibility; or as a therapy in order to control or combat physical and mental weakness. As a Yoga teacher, you also need to have certain characteristics.

For instance, you should:

  • Be caring, patient and interested in people.
  • Be able to motivate individuals and groups.
  • Have good communication skills.
  • Know and employ the safe practices of yoga exercise.

Becoming a RYT will cost around $3,500 for one school year, depending on the institution. There are also dozens of online training courses packages starting at $400 including books, videos and supplementary books for exams. With online yoga courses can teach yourself and take exams online to get certified. For the safety of you and your clients attending an institution is always recommended. After you become a certified yoga teacher you will have the opportunity to take further training, or even to become a yoga therapist.