Establishing A Yoga Business Without A Diploma
So far, we’ve ascertained that it is entirely possible to teach yoga without any formal training or certification. Indeed, your students will be more impressed by your experience and knowledge of yoga, and your enthusiasm, more than by graduating from a certain training.
To wit, the salary of an uncertified yoga teacher is not so different than salaries of certified instructors. Across the UK and on Superprof, a yoga instructor’s average salary is £27.5 per hour.
You might earn more if you can show that you have:
- practical internship with confirmed yoga masters
- an internship abroad, including yoga classes in India
- regular practice of many aspects of yoga
- experience with private tutoring to differing students
As a freelance yoga teacher with such credentials, you’re free to set your own schedule and teach any style of yoga you’d like.
You might want to lead Iyengar yoga group classes on Monday, Kundalini yoga sessions on Tuesday, Private Hatha yoga sessions on Wednesday and then, spend the rest of the week making instructional videos on pranayama, meditation and discussing how yoga can lead to better physical and mental health.
My Superprof yoga teacher had no special training or yoga teaching diploma. While discussing his experiences with yoga, including his internship at Parmath Niketan ashram in India, I asked him: “Where did you train?” He replied, “At the school of life”.
Ending Thoughts On Teaching Yoga Without Certification
The ultimate answer is, yes, you can teach yoga without a certification. Yoga teacher certification is not required, however, it is advisable. It would be wise to check the advantages and disadvantages of being a registered teacher.
Being a certified yoga teacher has its benefits in terms of career opportunities and development. It enhances credibility as a professional, enables demonstration of commitment to certain industry standards, and it creates better career opportunities such as promotion, pay increase, and a bigger client base.
Still, remember that yoga teacher certification is not compulsory. A lot of well-established yoga instructors are not members of any organizations such as the Yoga Alliance. If you have the passion, skills, and knowledge to teach yoga, then definitely, you can hold your own yoga classes and students.
Starting Your Yoga Teacher Training Journey
While it may seem unnecessary at first, getting a yoga teacher certified will ensure your place in the yoga teaching world. Without it, you can find yourself missing out on great job opportunities and students, weakening your brand overall. Even if you have a secure position now, finding additional work or work after the current course can be difficult without the certification.
Yoga teacher training and certification can be a life-changing experience. It can be bumpy, and there can be many laughs and tears throughout the process. On the other side of that, you will find friends and other yogis you can trust and rely on for advice and stories. As long as you find a course that is right for you, you are sure to get the best experience!
Once you attain your certification, there is no door you cannot open and no yoga teaching experience you cannot handle. While it can be costly in time, money, and emotional availability, in the long run, if you want to be a yoga teacher, it can be the best investment you have ever made in yourself.
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What Is Yoga Alliance
Founded in 1999, the Yoga Alliance is an organization that sets standards for yoga professionals and teacher training programs around the world. Their aim is to promote and support the integrity and diversity of the teaching of yoga.
What began as a small group of passionate yogis has now grown into the largest international organization in the yoga community. The standards that they created are followed by yoga schools around the world.
The idea was to create a program that could help hold yoga schools and yoga instructor accountable for what they were putting out into the world.
Basically, it was intended to protect the practice of yoga. An RYT certification, then, would mean that you have an in-depth understanding of yoga history, the anatomy of the yoga postures, pranayama meditation, and teaching skills.
To become an RYS , a program needs to have a set number of hours spent studying and teaching on each of these subjects.
Having standards seems like a good way to maintain the integrity of the practice. They ensure that core knowledge is held by all teachers.
However, those standards are only helpful if they are enforced.
Currently, there are no initial visits or observations before becoming an RYS. If a school wants to apply, they simply need to submit a copy of their syllabus., which could easily include all of the requirements of a certified yoga school without any accountability attached to it.
How To Get Certified As A Yoga Teacher
Seeking certification can be extremely difficult. Thats because there are so many options available for a person seeking to become a certified yoga teacher! So what can you do to get certified?
- Choose Your Yoga Style
- Find & Complete Yoga Teacher Training
- Register with Yoga Alliance
First, meditate on what your favorite style of yoga is and what you would want to teach. This can be difficult as there are so many to choose from, from Vinyasa to Nidra and everything in between. Consider what brings you the most joy if you dont have a dedicated class you attend. Once you found it, its time to find a course.
Take your time to really look for a yoga teacher training location that suits your needs. If you are lucky enough to have a home studio that offers YTT, you are already a step ahead. It can be amazing to have a crew of people you already know from your yoga journey, helping you take that next step to become a wonderful yoga teacher!
Finally, after you finish your courses, you might think, Thats it! I got my certification! Now I can teach. Before you go blazing off into your first class, take the time to register with the Yoga Alliance. They are one of the sorts of yoga sheriffs who can help you find retreats, other teachers, and possibly even other jobs.
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Can A Personal Trainer Teach Yoga
Generally, a personal trainer can teach yoga if they are familiar with the style they are teaching.
Yoga is a form of physical exercise similar to many aerobic exercises a personal trainer would be familiar with.
Its important that the personal trainer is aware of the yoga poses, and teaches yoga safely.
Acquiring Tools To Motivate Children
There is nothing more frustrating when leading a yoga class than to look out and realize youve lost your students attention. While this is challenging with adults, it can be very tough to bring kids back into focus.
A training will go over many techniques to handle this, such as being flexible with your class plan so when these times occur, you can move to something more interesting.
In kids yoga classes, there will be many situations that occur on a regular basis where the focus is lost, and the reasons can change from week to week and class to class.
One of the biggest disruptions Ive found is when one kid decides to show off to me what they can do to make a pose more interesting or challenging and the rest of the class either starts creating their own version or decide to play during this time.
Attending a training gave me a whole toolbox of resources to get things back on track such as whispering, being funny, and telling everyone to hold a bubble in their mouth and blow it out when everyone is quiet.
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Do You Need A Yoga Alliance Ryt Certification
This one is simple, no.
BUT ,
A lot of studios and retreat centers do prefer their staff to be educated through Yoga Alliance registered programs, ensuring their knowledge and principals match that of the venue.
Upon successful completion of a Yoga Alliance registered 200 hour TTC you have the option to register directly on the Yoga Alliance website.
Another benefit of having a Yoga Alliance Certification? They provide insurance for teachers of all skills levels to cover any unintended surprises.
Now That You Know Get Out There And Be The Best Yoga Teacher You Can Be
Every yoga teacher is different, and we each bring something unique and special to our teaching.
As we discussed in #5, show up authentically to every class you teach. Establish trust amongst your students, never stop learning and seeking out new information to enhance your teaching, and maintain your personal practice .
As a yoga teacher, you have an amazing opportunity to help others. Embrace this role and be the best yoga teacher you can be. Your students and your career will thank you! Namaste.
Have questions or want to share your own tips for other yoga teachers? Please share in the comments below we love hearing from you!
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Is It Illegal To Teach Yoga Without A Certification
There is no need to take a yoga teaching course in order to teach yoga. Yoga teachers are not prohibited from teaching yoga without taking a yoga training course. It is true that many yoga teachers do not have the necessary training to teach yoga. Due to the fact that yoga is not a fully regulated field.
You Feel Ready To Follow A Yoga Teacher Training So Now What
In the end, the goal is to become a person that can lead a class with confidence. This confidence comes not just from your own practice, but from the knowledge and hands-on skills you take home from your teacher training. A well rounded yoga teacher training will give you knowledge in yoga philosophy, teaching methodologies and functional anatomy. This will form your basis on which you can build your teaching career. Ask yourself, how do you study best? Do you work well under pressure? An intensive training of a month could be your thing. Would you like to have more time to digest and reflect? Then there are many teacher trainings spread out in weekends.
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Types Of Courses Available To Become Certified Yoga Teacher
Whether you are a beginner or advanced personnel, different types of certified yoga teacher training courses are available according to your level of yoga training. For beginners with little to no knowledge about yoga practice, 200 hour yoga teacher training is the go-to option.
If you have already completed certification in the 200 hour yoga teacher training and want to level up your knowledge, a 300 hour yoga teacher training course will be perfect for you. It makes you an expert by teaching you advanced yoga poses and knowledge.
There is another advanced yoga teacher training program as well, which is 500 hours. Taking care of the minute details, this course provides everything you need to be a professionally certified yoga instructor. If you wish to enroll in any of the above-mentioned certified courses depending upon the level of your yoga practice, feel free to join yoga teacher training in India.
What Degree Do You Need To Teach Yoga
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Basic Yoga Teacher Certification
A 200-hour course is the standard for yoga instructor certification, and most yoga studios require it before you can schedule a class.
Basic certification can be set up in several different ways, including an intensive month-long retreat or a series of weekend workshops spread over several months to accommodate trainees who may have other responsibilities.
Some programs may require your yoga practice or classes to be watched and evaluated, while others may require mentoring with experienced teachers.
How Long Does It Take To Get Yoga Certified Online
On average it takes about 3 months to complete a 200 hour yoga teacher training certification course. You can complete the training in as little as 8-10 weeks if you work at a fast pace, but rushing through the course isnt always best. Remember, the YTT course is just as much for your own personal learning, as it is for achieving the certification itself.
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Understand The Skills You Need To Become A Yoga Instructor
Once you decide that you want to teach yoga, the first step you need to take is identifying the necessary skills. Here we profile some of the main competencies that teachers should demonstrate:
Yoga ability
Its no surprise that to teach others yoga, you need to be at a fairly high standard yourself. This is likely to mean a regular, consistent practice developed over a number of years, so that youve gained the practical experience and understanding that can be applied to your students requirements as well as the confidence to correct postures when necessary. Well explain the different levels of yoga teacher training that are available and the minimum requirements in more detail in the next section below.
Personable
Teaching yoga isnt only about standing at the front of the class and moving through a sequence of poses for others to follow. Youre likely to be interacting with your students a lot, too.
This could be friendly conversation before class begins, or responding to peoples individual requirements about their injuries, aims, or other requirements. So you need to be a person that others can relate to and feel at ease talking with.
Adaptable
As a yoga teacher, you can create your own schedule and offering. This means youll need to be able to tailor your teaching style, depending on the location, style, and level of each class you lead.
Independence
Computer skills
Business savvy
Can I Teach Yoga Without Doing A Yoga Teacher Training Course
Yes, you can teach yoga without doing a yoga teaching course.
There is nothing illegal about teaching yoga without doing a yoga training course.
In fact, there are many yoga teachers who havent done a yoga teacher training .
This is because yoga is not a fully regulated industry. This guide shows how yoga in Australia is regulated!
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Drawbacks Of Joining Yoga Alliance:
- Application and Registration FeesTo get started, all new members are required to pay an application fee, which is $50 for teachers and $400 for schools. There is also a mandatory registration fee which is $20 for Yoga Alliance Continuing Education providers, $115 for teachers, and $640 for schools.
- Annual Renewal FeesOnce you have officially obtained your designation, all members are required to pay an annual renewal fee in order to withhold their Yoga Alliance title and place in directory. This fee is $20 for Yoga Alliance Continuing Education providers, $65 for teachers, and $240 for schools.
- Minimum StandardsFor such a well-recognized organization, many will assume extensive measures are required to obtain a Yoga Alliance designation. Yet some of these designations only require a minimum of 200 practice hours, it could be questioned whether such a low amount of study time is enough.
- Lack of VerificationYoga Alliance relies on an honesty system, meaning completion hours are not verified. While everyone should be honest in reporting the accurate amount of completion hours, this may not always be the case.
Trust And Credibility Are Key
You cannot teach anyone anything until they start to trust you. Be prepared to be judged and watched by your new students in their first classes with you. They want to see what you do, how you walk, sit and talk.
Most importantly, your training matters. Having the necessary qualifications will give you the knowledge you need to be confident in what you teach.
These 9 Questions Will Help You Decide If You Should Take a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training
Confidence is key for building trust amongst your students. In addition, having the necessary knowledge will keep your classes and students safe and keep them coming back. If students begin to doubt your credibility as a teacher, the trust is lost.
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How Do I Find A Job As A Yoga Teacher
You should find a yoga studio or style you want to teach yoga for, and progress in that style.
Cold calling yoga studios in an attempt to get a yoga teaching job will unlikely work.
Its better to train at the studio you want to work in and get to know the students and staff.
You should also chat to studio owners, and work on becoming a substitute teacher first.
Focus on providing value to a yoga studio or teacher, so that the studio will be more likely to hire you.
What Will A Yoga Studio Look For In Their Yoga Instructors
Since the government doesnt set the requirements for a yoga teacher, its really up to a studio to set those requirements. And each studio will have their own hiring criteria, but generally speaking they will want their students to have completed at least a 200 hour yoga teacher training. More frequently, studios are looking for teachers with a 500 hour certificate.
One helpful tip is that studios will often run their own teacher training programs and look to hire students from within those programs. If theres a specific studio youd like to work with, stay late after class one day and ask them what they look for in their teachers. Often, youll hear a studio mention Yoga Alliance but what is Yoga Alliance?
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