So You Want to Become a Yoga Instructor

Yoga has allowed countless numbers of people all over the world the opportunity to improve their physical and mental health. There are many modalities and methods in practice and anyone can do it. Indeed, there is a style that is applicable for just about any body type, desired end goal or belief system. However, for some, simply being committed to yoga as a regular form of exercise isn't satisfying enough - they want to do or know or learn more. An easy way to gain a deeper knowledge of yoga is to become a teacher of yoga. Being inspired by your own body and health improvement is a wonderful feeling, but delving into teaching yoga instead of just practicing it is generally uncharted territory. How do I become a teacher? What credentials are required? Do I need to take special course at a special school? As a teacher you will need to focus on exactly what type of yoga it is that you want to teach. It may be a simple as wanting to teach what you already know and have been taught, or perhaps you're looking to teach as a way of branching out. Either way, being focused is the key. Knowing exactly what style you want to teach will be helpful in getting started properly. If you're considering teaching yoga you're likely fairly advanced in your ability, but there is always room to improve or supplement your established ability level and knowledge-base. Head to your local library and see what kinds of books or instructional videos are available, the additional practice will only serve to solidify what you currently know and add to your overall ability. If you've got friends who practice different types or styles of yoga, ask them to show you some poses or techniques that are not part of your normal regimen. Practice makes perfect! Find out what kind of yoga workshops are available in your area. While these may be a bit more intense than your usual one hour-three times a week regimen, they are an invaluable way to learn a lot. And the best part is, you'll likely be learning from highly qualified, experienced individuals - this will go a long way in assisting you in your teaching goal. If you have the opportunity, approach the instructor(s) at the workshop and explain what you are seeking to do and see what kind of advice they might offer you. Find out where they received their training. If you live in an area with no available teacher-training programs, consider doing an intensive program at a yoga institute or ashram. Once you feel comfortable in your physical abilities and your knowledgebase has been spread out, you can start looking at options to obtain official certification. This part of becoming a teacher will vary greatly depending on where you live - you may be able to complete certification courses locally, or you may need to take them away from home. It may even be possible to gain certification on-line. Explore all of the options available to you and logistically possible in the context of your day to day lifestyle. Be aware that certification credentials may differ greatly from state to state. Make sure you know exactly what you need and then you can determine an appropriate course of action. In the U.S., the teacher-training programs that meet specific standards are registered and recognized by the Yoga Alliance, a national organization. There are two levels of Yoga Alliance certificates you can obtain - 200 hour and 500 hour, the numbers refer to the length of the program. New trainees will first be expected to complete a 200-Hour program, which most yoga studios require as the minimum training for their teachers. Some teachers then opt to continue their studies by undertaking the 500-hour training. Newly certified teachers who have completed a Yoga Alliance registered teacher-training program may use the acronym RYT (which stands for - Registered Yoga Teacher) after their name. It may seem like common sense, but it would be wise to know the cost of any training upfront. Be prepared for financial obligations that may be higher than you might've expected - certification that allows any individual to teach others is not likely to be inexpensive. Before signing up for time intensive teacher certification courses, make sure you have met the instructor and that you feel as though you will get along with personally as you'll be spending a lot of time with them you will want to ensure you are compatible. Becoming a certified, professional yoga teacher is certainly not for everyone, but if you've decided to become a teacher chances are you're already well aware of the time and discipline required. Eventually, you will be able to teach others the power and healing that yoga can grant the human body and mind.