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What is the path to becoming a yoga instructor?
Started
by Rogue Vegan
on February 23, 2010
I am extremely interested in becoming a yoga instructor. I am hoping to be able to move soon, and I am pretty sure there aren't any schools here for it anyway. I was just wondering if anyone could give me some tips, ideas, must-knows, or just directions to the path I need to start on. I've been doing yoga off and on for years, but due to some health issues it's been more off. I am working on getting back in the habit of daily routines now, but am unable to join a class. Any and all tips are greatly appreciated!!!
I had a friend that became an instructor recently and (I don't have a ton of details) but she found out about some training seminar while from the yoga studio she had been going to. She went to a weekend seminar and then had to come back and teach so many hours volunteer and then became certified. Again, I don't have many details, but I know that it wasn't a super long and drawn out process. She had been doing classes at her yoga studio pretty frequently for about 1-2 years. I would also think, if you picked up Yoga Journal magazine or something, they would have information in the back about seminars, training, etc.
Good luck! I think that would be so fun and fulfilling to do.
Thanks, LuluBelle (love your name, by the way). I do have that magazine and reading the last one's info about seminars is what brought me to ask about it. I haven't taken an actual yoga class since college, and with being sick so long I kinda have been putting doing it at home to the side. Sadly I'm not in the position (no pun intended) to be able to join a class, but also I'm planning to move soon. Here isn't the best place for all the stuff I'm into, though there may be more than one yoga studio around. One thing is that I figure it's a great way to be sure I stick with doing it daily... plus I'm looking to be more of my Dharma side than Greg (if you don't get the "Dharma & Greg" tv show reference, please google it; I love that shows sillyness). Thanks for your advice!
Dharma is awesome! I'd love to embrace my Dharma side aswell. And I am also trying to figure out how to become a yoga intructor.. eventually.
Hi Kris,
I've been teaching yoga for about 15 yrs now. There are many diff ways to become a yoga teacher, depends on whether you want to be 'RYT' (registered yoga teacher) or some other official certification.
The yoga profession has no 'regulating', in other words, someone could watch a yoga dvd and suddenly they are calling themselves a yoga teacher and holding classes (I've seen this many times!!)
There are residential programs you can go to that are about a month in length (check out Shoshoni in Boulder, CO). Go to yogajournal site and look for training programs or ask on the forum there.
If you can't do residential, you might find something that is weekend trainings over a course of a year or so.
It's important that you have a strong home practice, attend classes regularly, before even considering. Yoga teacher training is not about learning the actual yoga-you should know that before you even get to training. It's about the actual teaching methods, anatomy and so on.
If you go the 'official' route and get training, expect to spend about $3000 or more. Don't do the 'at home' things you may see in ads, that is just irresponsible, IMO. You can't learn teaching by yourself at home.
Personally, I did weekend trainings until I got my required hours (200 hours minimum, 500 for 'RYT 500') I also did student teaching for several years under a master teacher. At the same time, I was attending classes 4 times a week and had a strong home practice.
It is a great job, doesn't pay all that well unless you are in a big city, and the market is currently flooded w/yoga teachers, so jobs can be difficult to come by.
But if you have a huge PASSION for yoga, then check out the various ways to become a teacher! Go to Yoga Alliance website for more info on RYT programs in your area.
Namaste
Anda
Ditto what Anda posted =)
I also suggest YogaAlliance.com to find schools/teachers in your new locale.
Anda,
Thank you so much for your post. I had a wonderful Yoga instructor in California that met with for a couple of years before I moved out of state. I have been on a search for a yoga class and have been concerned with the teachings that I have found. People can hurt themselves if not taught properly.
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