Looking to start your yoga instructor training. Find out more about the yoga instructor certification process and learn how to become a yoga instructor with TRAINFITNESS.
So you’re thinking about becoming a Yoga instructor? Your in the right place, here we will introduce you to our yoga instructor courses and outline the skills you need to become a Yoga Instructor.
The term “yoga” derives from the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning to yoke or concentrate This has been taken to mean the union of mind and body. Those who practice yoga look to find an amalgamation of body and spirit and achieve a greater understanding and knowledge of oneself.
While there is no record of who invented Yoga, the Yoga Sutra (over 2,000 years old) provides the framework for mastering the mind and emotions while offering advice on spiritual growth; the framework upon which all modern-day yoga is practiced.
The benefits of yoga are numerous. As well as the improvements to mental well-being, yoga training has been shown to have a positive effect on physical well-being too. Some benefits of yoga practice include:
- Increased Flexibility
- Increased muscle strength
- Improved athletic performance
- Protection from injury
- Improved respiration and energy
With all these benefits it is clear why the practice of yoga is so popular and why yoga instructors are in demand.
What are some of the characteristics needed by yoga instructors?
Yoga teachers will typically find themselves delivering yoga classes in a gym, health club, private yoga studios or in the homes of clients. There is also the option of working at health retreats, cruise ships, spas and other locations around the world.
During a class, yoga teachers work through a series of choreographed poses, breathing techniques known as pranyamas and also relaxation techniques. You don’t have to be an expert at yoga to take a yoga teacher training course, but a solid grounding in yoga practice certainly helps.
Successful yoga teaching isn’t however, just a case of understanding the yoga poses and breathing techniques.
Success comes from the yoga instructor’s ability to guide a class through the required movements with perfect form. A high level of patience is a minimum requirement for all yoga teachers as the abilities of yoga students will vary greatly from class to class.
Excellent yoga teachers must possess great observational skills to identify problems, help fix form and posture and must have good communications skills to help guide students.
Yoga teachers should also be able to practice what they preach. Constant practice at the movements and a deep understanding of yoga philosophy will pay dividends.
Becoming a certified yoga instructor is less about earning a certificate and more about immersing yourself in a lifestyle.
How do I become a Yoga Instructor?
The TRAINFITNESSyoga teacher training course is delivered part-time. Students work through online material, complete 30 hours practicum and a portfolio consisting of worksheets, a journal (evidencing 60 hours of yoga practice) and session planning.
Finally, a student will book onto and attend the relevant scheduled training course days and assessment day. A student will submit the practicum evidence and hand in the portfolio on the assessment day.
The training course covers philosophy and fundamentals of yoga, programming a yoga session and delivering yoga classes. The training course is accredited by YMCA Awards and is recognised by REPs.
What options do I have once I become a qualified yoga instructor?
Once students have completed a yoga instructor training course, there are a number of opportunities in the health and fitness world. Newly qualified yoga teachers could find themselves teaching yoga in a health club or a gym, delivering a regular schedule of yoga classes.
A certified yoga instructor may also choose to go down the route of boutique/specialist yoga studios.
Yoga teachers have the option of working abroad, teach in spas, health retreats and holiday resorts. With time, patience, finances and some business acumen, yoga teachers could also set up their own yoga studios.
If you build your network and have enough popularity, a yoga teacher could also create and run yoga retreats alongside other wellness packages.
Yoga teachers are often paid on an hourly rate, or paid by class. That pay depends very much on location and type of gym/venue. As there are various forms of yoga to enjoy, bikram yoga, ashtanga yoga, hatha, it shouldn’t prove too difficult to find a class to teach.
Employed or self-employed yoga teachers will generally earn up to £30 per session. To maximise earning potential running yoga classes in a venue that is either rented or owned, is recommended.
Further Reading
Meet former student Ben Cairns
