Is It Illegal To Teach Yoga Without A Certification
Yes, it is possible to teach yoga without completing a yoga teacher certification program. It is not against the law to teach yoga without first completing a yoga training certification course. In truth, there are many yoga instructors who have not completed a yoga teacher training program . Yoga is not a completely regulated sector, which is why this is the case.
Do You Have To Be Flexible To Teach Yoga
Yoga teacher training is not need that you be a specific size or have a certain appearance, and you will find people of all shapes and sizes pursuing this career. Actually, this is quite essential because, while you are practicing teaching, you want to teach a variety of bodies so that you become accustomed to making a variety of changes and variations.
Work Out A Legal Structure For Your Yoga Business
Yoga teachers are often self-employed as you could be working at a range of fitness centres, studios, and gyms, but also running your own private classes. Many are sole traders, but you might choose to set up a limited company for your yoga business. Our guide on the difference between a sole trader and limited company goes into more detail on this.
One of the first things you need to do is register with HMRC so you can pay your taxes. Heres a summary of key tax year dates and guidance on how to do your tax return.
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What Can You Expect From The Yoga Teacher Training Courses
With so much to learn in yoga, the best yoga teacher training programs cover a range of key topics and include teachings from experts in each specialist subject.
In our training, you will learn from our most senior teachers at BodyMindLife and guest practitioners from around the world. Over the course you will:
- Advance your personal asana practice, mind-body connection and emotional resilience
- Learn classical alignment of yoga poses, including an in-depth understanding of asana and yogic technique
- Gain all the skills you need to teach others with confidence
- Create intelligent, fun and creative sequences and understand how to lead a class
- Understand the origins of yoga history and philosophy
- Learn breath and meditation techniques to help manage stress and anxiety
- Take a deep dive into yoga anatomy and physiology
- Get personal coaching, support and guidance from our most senior yoga teachers
- Be able to start your teaching career through our community classes and understanding of the business of yoga including personal coaching from our founder Phil Goodwin on how to create your own private yoga business, and even start your own studio
Interested in taking the next step?
Preparation To Become A Yoga Instructor
As you can see, it doesnt take many years to get certified as a yoga instructor. You can get certified in two weeks if you get 100 hours of YTT. In contrast, it takes four to twelve weeks if you sign up for a 200-hour YTT program. Once you decide which type of certificate and format of training you want, its time to prepare for YTT and finish it successfully.
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What Does A Yoga Teacher Do
A yoga teacher guides students through the practice of yoga by helping them learn the correct form for different poses. Yoga instructors may also provide their students with additional guidance in areas such as yoga philosophy, nutrition, meditation and deep breathing techniques. A yoga teacher can teach group classes, workshops and one-on-one personal training sessions.
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Should My First Training Be 200 Hours Or 500 Hours For My Yoga Instructor Certification
When wondering how to become a yoga teacher, one of the first choices you may be confronted with is whether to do a 200-hour or a 500-hour training.
Today, 200 training hours appear to be the global minimum required to be recognized as a yoga instructor. After a 200-hour yoga instructor training, some yoga teachers will pursue their learning with an additional 300-hour yoga instructor certification. A 500-hour yoga instructor training is simply a 200-hour course plus a 300-hour yoga instructor certification, sometimes offered together as a 500-hour course. Confusing? Not really.
You can consider your 200-hour yoga teacher training as your foundation course to become a yoga instructor. With your diploma in hand, you can already start teaching and gain experience. A 300-hour yoga instructor certification is a bit like doing your Masters degree it furthers your knowledge or allows you to specialize in a particular style or approach, but its not required and not for everybody.
The recommendation I always give my students is to start with a 200-hour yoga instructor training, then gain some teaching experience for at least a year before considering a 300-hour course. Why? Because the experiential learning gained by teaching yoga classes will allow you to narrow down which skills or specialty you want to focus on and select the proper 300-hour training.
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Advantages Of Becoming A Yoga Instructor In India
Now, Lets have a look at what are the benefits of becoming a yoga instructor.
Improves your Own Yoga Practice
As a student, while you are practicing yoga you might be doing what you like, and leave it what you dont like to do. But when you become a Yoga instructor, however, you will be challenged to improve your Practice. You will be inspired to take it to a deeper level than you ever could as a student.
You need to explore and attempt new poses, new methods of breathing, and new yoga philosophies will expand your personal practice. You can share that with your students, and also use it as a foundation for your own growth and development.
Practice yoga Anytime, Anywhere
One of the biggest benefits of becoming a Yoga Instructor is you can be your own Yoga teacher. And you can practice yoga whenever you want and wherever you are, No need to rush to the classes to be on time.
As a Yoga Instructor, you wont have to depend on anyone other than yourself to practice. Every time you go to your yoga mat, youll be able to design a practice that gives you exactly what you need on that day and at that moment.
Growing Career Opportunity
Demand for a yoga instructor is increasing day by day. In Todays fast-paced life, many people are leading stressful lives. So, they arent able to take care of their health.
Flexibility in Job
So How Do You Become A Yoga Teacher In Australia
First you will need to complete a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. At BodyMindLife there are two course options that are accredited with Yoga Alliance and Yoga Australia, which will give you the certification to teach.
You can take the plunge and live and breathe yoga for one month at our dedicated training studio in Surry Hills or choose a flexible program that involves a beautiful week-long immersion retreat in Byron Bay followed by a five month course with weekend intensives.
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Get Some Practice Teaching Yoga
Step number four is, you want to practice so teach. I think a lot of people think theyre gonna do their 200-hour certification and feel really confident right off the bat.
The reality is it takes years to build up that confidence, to have a presence in your teaching, to really have a strong voice.
So you wanna start practice teaching everyone you can.
Teach your mom, your dog, anyone wholl listen to you. Offer free yoga classes and practice yoga both on and off the yoga mat.
Just start logging those teaching hours, because, just like anything in life, the more you do it, the better youre gonna get.
While you certainly learn to teach in training courses, it doesnt mean that youre necessarily ready to do so. Just like knowing the yoga asanas doesnt mean that you can stick them, knowing teaching methodology doesnt mean that youre ready.
So get as much experience as you can!
The Requirements Of Teaching Yoga
Since the introduction of yoga in America, there has been an increase in demand for yoga instructors. Many people are turning to this ancient practice for its many benefits, however there are also some requirements that must be met before one can become a certified yoga instructor. These requirements include taking a number of classes with an instructor, attending workshops on teaching yoga, and then passing a 200-hour certification course. The process takes about three years on average before one can get certified to teach yoga.
There are some requirements to become a yoga instructor.
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Complete A Minimum Of 200 Hours Through A School Following The Yoga Alliance Guidelines
Starting with a 200-hour program, you will learn everything you need to know about all the yoga forms and postures as well as alternative modified forms, the benefits of yoga, and human anatomy and physiology as they relate to it. You will also learn about the philosophy of yoga according to Patanjalis Eight Limbs of Yoga, which dives into the background and meaning behind living a meaning and purposeful life. In addition to learning about the science, techniques and philosophy, you will practice the art of yoga for at least 2 hours daily. While the 200-hour Yoga Certification will allow eligibility for applications as a Yoga Instructor for most establishments, a 300-hour and 500-hour certification may also be obtained. 300-hour yoga certifications can be acquired to learn more advanced techniques and lifelong cultivation of Yoga practice and Yoga philosophy into daily life, while a 500-hour Yoga Certification allows even further advancement, including training new Yoga Teachers.
Your Own Props And Gear
If youve got the willingness to learn and the basic knowledge of yoga covered, then having the proper gear is also a great way to start your teacher training journey! Yoga is one of the exercises that make use of props sometimes because they serve as support to the positions that you execute. As much as possible, you need to have your own yoga gear such as a good quality yoga mat, blocks, strap, and others that you might need for a yoga class.
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Is Yoga Teacher Training Worth It
There are so many aspects to explore before making the commitment to yoga teacher training. Is it worth your time, money, and energy?
You may be wondering:
How much does yoga teacher training cost?
How long does it take to become a yoga teacher?
Will yoga teacher training consume all my free time?
Lets break each of these down.
What Is The Average Time It Takes To Become A Yoga Instructor
So, we have established that youll need a qualification that is regulated by Ofqual, but how long does it take to complete one of these courses?
We did some research into a variety of regulated yoga courses to work out an estimate of the average time it would take you to complete a course, heres what we found:
Typically, a yoga course that is both approved by an Ofqual awarding body, and accredited by an organisation such as REPs or CIMSPA, will involve around 200 hours of study time.
This is how long it takes to become a yoga instructor if you only want to be level 3 qualified, however if you want to become a master yoga instructor, this can require upto 400 hours of study altogether.
We looked into the average completion dates for a number of different yoga teacher training providers, and found that the average time to get through the 200 hours of study was anywhere between 3-5 months.
Of course, this is only an average, and the answer to how long does it take to become a certified yoga teacher is dependent on a number of factors that are completely personal to you.
Very soon, weve listed all of the factors that you should consider when working out how long it will take you to get qualified.
But first, wed say that the study method you choose is definitely the factor that will have the most significant impact on the time it takes you to become a yoga teacher.
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Decide What Type Of Yoga Teacher You Want To Be
There are several different types of yoga teachers. Some yoga teachers cater their classes to specific groups while others hold classes in specific locations. For example, a yoga teacher may decide to target a niche market such as providing yoga instruction to professional athletes or they may decide to offer classes through a yoga studio or online.
Why Take Yoga Teacher Training
There are many reasons to participate in a yoga teacher training program. Here are some of the most common reasons:
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You want to be more present in life, and you know that regular yoga practice helps with that.
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You want to learn more about the roots of yoga – its history, philosophies, benefits, etc.
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You want to become a certified teacher so you can share yogas life-changing power with others.
No matter what your motivations are, taking a yoga teacher training course can help you learn more about yourself. Yoga helps you identify and heal emotional wounds. It encourages you to quiet your mind and awaken to your true nature.
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Which Is The Best Yoga Teacher Training Program
There is no single answer to this question. The best yoga teacher training program for you is the one that fits your vibe, budget, and schedule.
I recommend testing the waters before you commit to a program. Take yoga classes by the teachers who lead the YTT programs that youre considering.
If youre in Huntersville, NC or the Lake Norman or Charlotte areas, check out Genevieve Boulanger and the incredible teachers at iShine Yoga & Wellness. Genevieve and her team offer a robust 200-hour yoga teacher training program with double doses of warmth and humor.
In 2022, iShine will be partnering with Rolf Gates, world-renowned yoga teacher and best-selling author, to offer a 300-hour yoga teacher training.
about iShines yoga teacher training programs.
Connect with Us! We love hearing from our #iShineYoga tribe! iShine on INSTAGRAM:
Free Download: Create A Yoga Website You Love
During your search for a credible teacher training program, you will inevitably stumble onto the Yoga Alliance accreditation.
Although the Yoga Alliance certification is not regulated by any specific organization, it serves the yoga community as a whole. In particular, it is helpful for studios hiring new teachers.
It is important for studios to trust that their teachers meet a standard of safety and instruction abilities. If a program is certified through Yoga Alliance, it means they meet a level of criteria through their teaching program. Which in the end means that you, as the student, will hopefully receive quality instruction.
Taking a teacher training course that isnt accredited by the Yoga Alliance is not critical, as experience holds the most water. However, it will certainly help you to find a job at most yoga studios.
This article on Book Retreats provides a handful of credible 200hr teacher trainings all across the globe. Depending on your location, one of these may be a viable option for you.
The Yoga Journal is another great resource with a plethora of articles on choosing a yoga teacher training. One can use them as a compass, to determine the credibility of a yoga teacher training.
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What Does It Take To Become A Yoga Teacher
Lets do a quick mind exercise.
Start by thinking about what yoga means to you. Think about how your yoga practice has deepened your understanding of your body, mind, breath, and everything in between. Think about the many different ways in which you can help people to make similar self-discoveries.
If becoming a yoga teacher is your calling, then these types of thoughts probably already flow in your mind.
Becoming a yoga teacher is a rewarding, fulfilling, and empowering process which can help you deepen your understanding of the practice while also guiding others toward their own personal aspirations and finding their true potential.
But what does it take to become a yoga teacher? Were glad you asked. At Yoga Pod Denver West, we offer top-notch yoga teacher training for aspiring yogis looking to earn their certification.
With our 200-hour yoga teacher training courses, you too can learn to expand your potential, ignite your heart, and empower yourself.
Learn more about what it takes to become a yoga teacher and start your journey today at Yoga Pod Denver West.
How Long Does It Take To Get Yoga Certified
This depends on the level of training that you get, including continuing education courses. It also depends on where you complete your training. A standard 200-hour immersion course will be about a month long, whereas your local yoga studio likely offers courses over weekends over the course of 6 months.
Read more:200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: What To Expect, How To Prepare, Where To Do It
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Is It Worth Being A Yoga Instructor
Being a yoga instructor can be a great way to meet people, explore your spirituality, and make money. Yoga instructors usually earn an average wage of $25.44 an hour.
Yoga and fitness instructors rank among the top-earning self-employed professions in the U.S., and the demand for their services is only going to grow as we continue to fall out of shape and struggle with obesity rates.
