Thinking of Becoming a Yoga Instructor? Here’s What You Should Know.

Think of all the ways yoga has changed your life for the better. How cool would it be to help beginner yogis find the calmness, joy, and inner peace that you found? That’s what compels many yogis to become a yoga instructor.

The relaxing benefits of yoga are more in-demand now than ever. Even when the world is not in a global pandemic, the stress-reducing properties of practicing yoga are valuable. As a yoga instructor, you would be able to share that value with your pupils.

Anyone can teach someone else yoga, but to build a career (or side hustle) out of it, you’ll need to jump through some hoops. Don’t get discouraged! It’s not as hard as you might think, and the result will be worth it.

Here are four steps you’ll need to take in order to become a certified yoga instructor.

Become a yoga pro.

First things first, you’ve got to know your stuff! You’ll need to know the basics, such as the different kinds of yoga, yoga poses, yoga philosophy, meditation techniques, and more. Not only will you need to know your stuff, you’ll need to be able to properly execute the poses and postures in order to teach your future pupils correctly.

If you’re just a beginner yogi with dreams of becoming an instructor, never fear. You can get there with time and dedication, especially if you find an expert yogi to be your mentor.

Get certified.

Once you feel confident you’ve learned as much about yoga as you can on your own, it’s time to seek formal training. Before you can become an instructor, you’ll need to complete a training course to receive certification. 

These courses range from 200 to 500 hours in length and take anywhere from three months to a year to complete. VeryWellFit.com outlines the best training programs based on your goals. There are online and in-person courses available, and there are enough options out there that you will be able to find one that fits your circumstances and lifestyle.

During your training, you may find that you learn more than you ever did in your years of taking yoga classes. As you learn more about yoga teaching methodology, you’ll begin to appreciate what it means to be a yoga instructor and admire the ancient practice of yoga even more.

Determine where you want to instruct.

Once you’re officially certified, you can start to build a career (or lucrative side hustle) out of teaching yoga.

Yoga can be taught just about anywhere, which makes teaching it a very flexible line of work. Some instructors own their own studio while others work in a fitness center or other facilities. Others make instructional videos on their YouTube channels for followers to practice yoga at home

Learn how to be a great yoga instructor.

Many traits are important in yoga instructors. Before you start your journey to become a teacher, you’ll want to be sure these are qualities you can demonstrate in order to be a worthy leader for your students.

Here are some qualities that make excellent yoga instructors:

  • Compassion
  • Patience
  • Preparedness
  • Adaptability
  • Strong leadership skills

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