Blunt Truths About Becoming A Yoga Instructor
Youve practiced your postures with dedication and possibly have even mastered bhakasana, crow pose. But are you really ready to become a yoga teacher? Here is the real scoop on what its like.
Now you want to become a yoga instructor.
Are you sure thats your path? Sharing the benefits of yoga with your community is a wonderful goal. But before you invest in an expensive teaching training program, it pays to consider a few things.
1. Yoga is more than asanas. The 8 Limbs of Yoga:
Many practitioners have a devoted asana practice but neglect the holistic view of what yoga encompasses. There are actually eight limbs to yoga, and flowing through downward dog and triangle pose is just one little aspect.
1. Yama: universal morality4. Pranayama: breathing exercises and control of prana, life force energy5. Pratyahara: control of the senses6. Dharana: concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness7. Dhyana: devotion, meditation on the Divine8. Samadhi: union with the Divine
Still on board? Keep reading!
2. Your mission is to shed light for students, not to master.
3. In todays yoga market, you have to specialize your education.
4. Its essential to find the right teacher.
5. To get paid by teaching yoga, remember the 20/80 rule.
6. Be smart about your finances.
7. Find your own style.
8. Its OK to get support!
Becoming a yoga instructor is a rewarding journey and not for everyone.
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Teaching Yoga Online Vs Teaching In Person
Teaching yoga online isnt new. As soon as there was YouTube, there were YouTube yoga teachers. And nowadays, anything can be taught via Zoom and yoga is no exception.
Teaching groups or private classes online requires clear and precise cueing.
While you always want your personality to shine through, keep your instructions straightforward and easy to follow since your students wont be in a room filled with yogis to copy if they misunderstand you.
If you want to create a permanent online presence on YouTube, I recommend studying SEO or search engine optimization for YouTube, so that the videos you work so hard to create are found by the students who need them.
No matter where you teach online, keep your background clear of clutter and make sure your audio is perfect.
If youre teaching group classes on Zoom, have students mute their mics and speak loudly. For YouTube and other online platforms, invest in a microphone. Audio quality will make the difference in how professional your videos turn out.
In the end, teaching yoga online versus teaching in person is a personal decision.
With Zoom classes, you eliminate the travel time between classes. You can also teach students anywhere in the world, allowing you to maintain long-term student relationships no matter where you live.
Identify And Attract Your New Client
Admittedly, step number five is closely related to your marketing strategy. After all, your ultimate goal with any type of marketing is to identify and attract new clients. But it is also somewhat different in that it requires a more in-depth look at your target audience.
For your marketing to be successful, you must be able to connect with your ideal client. This involves understanding how they think so you can create content that speaks directly to them.
As a yoga practitioner who is also a teacher, you likely have an idea of who this person is. Another option is to talk to your target audience and ask them questions so you get to know them better.
What are their biggest stressors? What does their typical day look like? Who lives in their household? What type of jobs do they have? Try to learn as much about them as you can. The clearer your image of them, the easier it becomes to come up with more appealing marketing materials.
Also ask about what theyre looking for when it comes to yoga. For example, why do they want online classes versus going to a physical yoga studio? What does an ideal yoga instructor look like to them? When youre teaching yoga, what approach do they prefer you use?
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Twitter Bio Ideas For Men
94. Not like most guys. I lie and I accept it.
95. Dont check my grammar because my money speaks.
96. I come with an instruction manual. Handle with care.
97. The kinda perfect guy you love in your books.
98. Cant do epic shit with basic people.
99. If you want to cry, use a tissue, not your tweets.
100. I do what I want.
101. Swag is for boys, class is for men.
102. Favorite pastime: Listening to lies when I know the truth.
103. Bad boys aint no good but good boys aint no fun.
104. I dont have an attitude, I just have standards.
105. Because personality never goes out of style.
106. Black suit and messy hair. Thats how I roll.
107. Collected every stone thrown at me and made myself an empire.
108. I appreciate charisma and character, in myself and others.
109. Taking small steps in being myself every day.
110. Its never too late to be what you might have been.
111. My hobbies are breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
What I Love About Corry Frazier Photographys Bio:
- Thought-provoking question: Instead of jumping right into her bio, Corry starts with a self-reflective question that speaks to her audiences main pain point and giving them an opportunity to take action in her title.
- Welcoming brand voice: As someone reads through Corrys bio, they will either be immediately attracted to her fun and friendly voice or look elsewhere. This is a good thing!
- Relatable background: While not everyone who comes to Corrys website will know what its like to be a military spouse, she relates her experience to others who may have experienced other hardships in their career through no fault of their own. This is a great way for Corry to connect with them on a deeper level.
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Seek Out What You Need
My practice has taken on many different shapes over the years as it evolves along the ebbs and flows of my life. I love the heat, I hate the heat, why do all vinyasa teachers sound the same? Kundalini is weird, I LOVE Kundalini..
This means, at different times, Ive craved different things. This has helped me diversify my practice and get a more broad understanding of the never ending practice of yoga.
Ive committed to seek exactly what Im curious about, whether thats a specific style, posture or instructor Ive heard about. I make time to attend workshops specific to what Im curious about, or finding yoga teachers who exemplify what Im seeking.
If you dont take time to seek out what you need and want, youll be waiting a long time for it to come to you .
Can I Get My Yoga Certification Online
It is possible to obtain your yoga certification online. This is a great option for those who are working or who do not live near an in-person training facility. Keep in mind that in-person training will likely give you a better grasp on the positions you will be teaching, but if you have been trying to work out how to become a yoga teacher without access to in-person training, this may be an ideal option for you.
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Start Making Money Teaching Yoga
Step five is charging money for people to take your classes. This could mean that youre teaching in a studio, or maybe youre hosting events in your home.
Maybe youre teaching in corporations, like youre going into businesses, and teaching there, or partnering with local restaurants to have yoga and wine nights.
You could lead retreats.
You could teach yoga online, like me.
There have never been more opportunities to find success as a yoga teacher in the way that you really enjoy, and are passionate about.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Yoga Instructor
A yoga teachers journey begins even before signing up for a teacher training course. Indeed, it is ideal to have already developed a consistent yoga practice prior to attending a 200-hour program. This way, your body will already be reasonably fit for the physical rigor, and your mind will be prepared with an idea of the asanas and what goes on during class. Is There Anything You Can Do Before A YTTC To Better Prepare Yourself?
Your first official step to becoming a certified teacher will be completing a 200-hour program. After that, if you wish to continue on and become a 500-hour RYT, you can go for a 300-hour program.
Ideally, youd be able to assist a senior yoga teacher for a few months. Learning directly from someone will definitely fast-track your path to expertise.
In short, there is no definitive timeframe whereby after x amount of time, you will become a yoga teacher. Yoga is very hands-on, and the more experience you have with itregardless of whether its with asanas, philosophy, or meditation the better equipped you will be to teach.
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Value Your Day Jobor Its Skills
Toward the end of my teacher training, Rodney Yee made one of his outlandish blanket remarks, which Ive always appreciated for their candor. He said, You need to realize that this two-year teacher training may have just trained you to stand in line at the soup kitchen. He was affirmative in other ways, but he was honest about the difficulty of making it as a full-time teacher. Teaching yoga is an extremely new profession, and we dont have much historical data that leads us to say, Yes, I expect it to follow such-and-such a cycle. So your guess is as good as mine about the long-term possibility of living the lifestyle that you want to live as a yoga teacher.
For now, then, lets think outside the mat and consider what other yoga-affiliated income sources exist. If you have writing skills, you may be able to put them to work writing for any number of magazines. More and more publications are turning to journalists to write their yoga articles, but if you have good skills and experience, consider pitching a story or two to any magazine that features yoga. Ive seen yoga articles not just in Yoga Journal but in publications from Cosmopolitan to Martha Stewart Living to Cooking Light. So be creative and see where your writing experience may lead you.
Membership Spotlight
What Is A Yoga Instructor
A yoga instructor is someone who has completed a teacher training certification.
The training program should be well-rounded, focusing on anatomy, sequencing, cueing, and even the business of yoga.
Not all instructors are created equal. Pardon the pun, but teaching yoga is an incredibly flexible career path. Think about what it is about yoga that you love.
Do you prefer a sweaty vinyasa practice or a more relaxed, meditative practice? Find a training program that focuses on the style you prefer.
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Yoga Instructor And Teacher Job Opportunities
After completing your yoga teacher training studies and gaining a qualification, several exciting employment opportunities can become available to you. The list youre about to read is far from an exhaustive one, but it should give you some idea of the many available routes.
Do remember that you dont have to be tied to one specific type or place of work. The most versatile and successful yoga teachers involve themselves with as many opportunities as possible.
Heres where yoga instructors and teachers can find work and apply themselves:
- Working with clients on a one-to-one basis
- Teaching yoga as part of an exercise referral scheme*
- Teaching classes in a boutique yoga studio
- Creating and distributing online classes and workouts
- Teaching freelance classes in mainstream gyms, health clubs and leisure centres
- Working on cruise ships or teaching classes in holiday resorts
- Teaching classes on fitness retreats, either within the UK or overseas**
* As discussed, this requires the Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
** To learn more about the exciting opportunities that can be found with general fitness or yoga-specific retreats, be sure to read our interview with Antonia Johnston, notable HFE graduate and co-founder of the internationally-renowned YogaFit Retreats.
Forget The What Instead Ask Why
If you dont ask, youll never know
This has helped me so much while learning about yoga. Both as it relates to my own body and practice, and helping my students move safely and appropriately in their bodies.
Instead of learning what sequence your favorite instructor uses imagine how powerful it would be to learn WHY that instructor chose that sequence. This makes you a more dynamic teacher.
Example: Forward folds and hip stretches are important after lots of back bending.
During a recent class led by a well-respected instructor in my community, someone interrupted her to ask a question. The instructor encouraged this type of feedback and conversation, even if it meant stopping during the middle of a class to break something down.
Whether in class or not, asking questions and getting curious will only help you gain more knowledge about the practice, which will feed your teaching beautifully
What helps you become a better teacher? Leave a comment below!
-Anne
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Your Willingness To Learn & Intention
Its important to understand that training to become a yoga teacher involves a deep commitment. If you are unable to devote the required time or energy, it will be a seemingly impossible goal to complete.
You must be willing and ready to give it the time, energy and effort needed to learn the different poses, the related philosophy and the anatomy, and this is by far more important than your level of expertise.
Explore New Studios Teachers And Styles
Yoga is everywhere. Chances are, you can find a studio or gym that offers classes in your community.
Its easy to get stuck at the same studio week after week. I have noticed a positive difference in how I teach, when I started attending a variety of studios and started taking classes from a myriad of instructors.
Every opportunity on your mat is an opportunity to learn. Even if you walk away with a bad taste in your mouth, you still learned something!
I understand it can be difficult to take classes from a bunch of different studios if youre on a budget. Yoga is not cheap!
Thankfully, more and more donation-based studios are popping up. Check out the local co-op and community centers in your area they often provide free yoga.
Karma Yoga programs are worth exploring too. Some studios offer a karma yogi program, where you can donate some time to help out at the studio in exchange for a free or discounted membership.
The more you can diversify your practice by attending a variety of styles and teaching, the better off you will be as a teacher!
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How Much Does A Yoga Teacher Make
Another fair question.
The best part about being a yoga teacher is the flexibility to make your own schedule. Some may work full or part-time, some are self-employed, teach classes at a yoga studio or gym, private classes, retreats, workshops, and even at places of businesses, hospitals or nursing homes!
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the median annual salary for a yoga teacher at $34,817.
Teachers can make anywhere from $60 to $100 a class. If were looking at hourly rate studios, they often require you to be there 30 minutes before to set up then 30 minutes after to clean up and on average youll teach anywhere from a 60 to 90-minute class.
Many people teach volunteer and free classes in the beginning to get hands-on experience and build a network. Teaching yoga works well as a passive income on top of another job as those who teach work very hard on the marketing side and rarely have health insurance or a 401K.
If youre looking to get rich quick, this is not the job for you, but if youre looking to enrich your mind, body and spirit while gaining the tools to transfer this knowledge to your students while shining your unique light and love out to the world jump on in!
How Do You Practice Yoga
Yoga can be practiced individually or in a group.
With new technology, it is very easy to start practicing yoga by watching videos on the internet.
However, group or individual yoga classes are also very useful because it is difficult to determine if a posture is good on your own. Yoga is also a good way to meet people.
Like most sports, yoga needs to be practiced regularly to really benefit from it. The sessions dont have to be very long if they are regular: you can start with as little as 10 minutes a day.
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What To Consider When Choosing A Yoga Instructor Course And Qualification
While there are many reasons why someone may want to take a yoga teacher training course, such as for personal development or to enhance their own practice, well focus on how to choose qualifications for those who are set on becoming teachers.
When deciding on the best yoga teacher training course for you, there are a number of factors you should take into consideration. These include:
Level
Courses tend to be offered at lengths of either 200, 300, or 500 hours. You may also see training available at level three or level four standards. The 200 hour or level three courses are a minimum requirement, while the higher levels and greater hours offer more advanced training.
Location
There are a number of places throughout the UK, as well as internationally, that you can do your training. Which you choose is likely to depend on your lifestyle, budget, and preference.
Regulation
A quick Google search will show you that there are many training providers available. However, its wise to look for a course with an official accreditation or regulation, such as Ofqual.
Testimonials
Find out what others who have been on the course thought of it, if possible. You might be able to find testimonials on a course providers website, or search online for forums and articles to gain insight. Also, if you know anyone whos completed the yoga teacher training youre thinking of doing, you could ask them for their thoughts.
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