Becoming A Yoga Teacher A Step-By-Step Guide
Yoga teacher training is in trend, but that is no reason to jump into it. As the yoga industry gets more saturated, due to a certain eagerness to turn into Yoga coaches, you need to find a sure-shot way to remain impactful. Globally, yoga has turned into a career and lifestyle. Therefore, you must also be looking at a career to become a yoga teacher. Yoga teacher training is a must, if you want to become a professional yoga teacher.
But, before you jump into the process, there are certain other things that you need to take note of.
Who Is Yoga Teacher Training For?
If you are someone who is of the idea that Yoga TTC is the way out, as yoga teachers are in demand, then wait! Yoga is a career later, and a way of life at first. You need to find out if you are ready to give up on certain things, like late start to the day, fast food, or loud aerobics. Yoga is a journey of self-discovery, so you need to take some time out from your busy schedule to look within.
Additionally, you must have a lot of dedication and passion. The first one is to practice yoga yourself, on a daily basis, and the second one is to teach it to others. Your physical and mental fitness also matters. You must also be communicative, as you have to deal with people from all walks of life. And, empathetic as well.
Basic Requirements To Become One
Now, there are some basic requirements or rather criteria that you need to fulfil. You must be at least 18 years old. Most yoga schools today ask for a basic 200 RYT, but something more is always welcome. You can also start off with the 200 RYT. You should be eager to maintain your qualifications by going for refresher courses as well. The more knowledge you gather, the better it is for you.
Now, let us gear up to find out the steps leading to a career as a yoga teacher.
How To Become A Certified Yoga Teacher?
- The first step to become a certified yoga teacher is to start your practice. It will help in building a strong foundation for yourself. Start as early as you can, so that you can practice the fundamentals. The background of yoga and yoga ethics is extremely important in this context. You can also attend religious sermons, to understand the Vedas and Upanishads. Such knowledge will help you to gain an edge over the other teachers.
- Choose a yoga style. It makes sense to do some research on your part. Hatha Yoga is the simplest foundational form that you can start with. It helps in creating a strong foundation, which will help you to move ahead in your yoga career. Some of the other styles that are generally taught, after you have mastered Hatha Yoga to a certain extent, are Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga and Yin Yoga. After you have strengthened your core and purified the internal organs to a certain extent, you will be able to reach new heights in your spiritual quest.
- Find out the right yoga teacher training courses. This is absolutely essential as there are so many schools and so many locations that boast of being conducive for yoga practice. Some of the top locations in India are Goa, Dharamshala, Rishikesh, Gokarna, Mysore, and Kerala. After you have finalized the location, search for reviews and updates on each school there. The courses are also varied. You have to start with the 200 hours TTC. Yoga Alliance accreditation is also important, as it gives you an edge over the others.
- The 200 hr yoga teacher training course is one that has garnered a lot of popularity in this context. It is a well-curated and sequential training that prepares one for accuracy and teaching skills. It has been designed to deepen your knowledge in yoga. For the layman, yoga is about twists, turns, and inversions. However, real yoga is much more than that. It includes meditation, Pranayama, bandhas, mudras, and Shatkarma Kriyas, as well. It also includes yoga history and philosophy. The study of these subjects completes your knowledge and makes you appear more convincing in front of others.
- After you have successfully completed the yoga teacher training, you must apply for the certification. It is a separate process, in which you need to apply to Yoga Alliance with your candidature number. Thereafter, your name goes up on the yoga directory. You can be looked up across the globe, and that is how students land jobs. It is the RYT 200 that we are talking about.
- Launching your teaching career. After you have completed your yoga teacher training and have received the certification, as well, things do not end there. Do not think that, now everything will be a bed of roses. You need to be open about job searches. Always be vigilant, and keep an eye and ear open to notice job vacancies. In this rush, you may otherwise miss a good one. Apart from that, you must keep contact with the other students who are from other nationalities. They are the ones who can help you to secure a job elsewhere. Their references may also be needed, when you are applying for jobs in their country.
Final Words
Shree Hari Yoga School is one of the best schools in India, with several branches. You can complete your yoga TTC from their school. Apart from being Yoga Alliance accredited, they are also quite adept and responsive. You will also get ample job assistance from them. Volunteering at any of their branches will help you to secure jobs later. References also work that way.
You can join the best school of yoga, and pave the pathway for success. There will be ample scope, as you get motivated by the best teachers teaching at the school. You will come out to be a changed human being and a good teacher. And that is what the sector needs today.