How to Become a Yoga Teacher

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that allows you to help others, or a way to combine your love of yoga with an active and fulfilling job, then becoming a professional yoga teacher is a great option.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps you’ll need to follow to become a yoga teacher, as well as frequently asked questions and training options, giving you all the information you need to start working towards your new yoga teaching career.

The Steps to Becoming a Yoga Teacher

Becoming a yoga teacher involves several steps and a commitment to deepening your practice and knowledge of yoga. Here’s how to get started:

Deepen your practice

You’ll firstly need to deepen your own practice - consider taking yoga classes with various instructors to explore different teaching styles and find what resonates with you.

Take a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course

Next, to become a professional yoga teacher you’ll need to complete a Yoga Alliance-accredited Yoga Teacher Training course that aligns with your goals and interests. These programs typically come in the form of 200-hour courses.

Look for programs that cover a comprehensive curriculum, including yoga philosophy, asanas (postures), anatomy, teaching methodology and meditation.

Some yoga teacher training programs may have prerequisites, such as a minimum number of years of yoga practice or a specific number of classes attended. Many YTT courses also include opportunities for students to practice teaching yoga classes to their peers. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building confidence as a teacher.

Once you’ve completed your course, you can then register as a certified yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance.

Develop your skills holistically

It’s helpful to dedicate time to self-study and reflection. Read yoga philosophy texts and anatomy books, and explore the spiritual aspects of yoga. Consider journaling about your personal growth.

Guidance and feedback from experienced yoga teachers is a great source of knowledge, and mentorship can provide valuable insights to help you refine your teaching skills.

Start your yoga teaching career

Now you’re ready to begin teaching yoga classes! Initially, you may start as an assistant or substitute teacher at a studio. Over time, you can build your client base and potentially teach private lessons.

As you develop your teaching style and build a positive reputation within the yoga community, you’ll find that your classes grow by word of mouth.

To stay committed to your own growth as a teacher, you can continue to attend specialist yoga workshops and advanced yoga teacher training courses to further hone your skills.

Why start a career as a Yoga Teacher?

Yoga is not just an exercise; it's a way of life that promotes physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. As a yoga teacher, you'll have the opportunity to inspire and empower others to lead healthier and more balanced lives.

Becoming a yoga teacher is a transformative journey that requires dedication, self-discovery and ongoing learning. It's a fulfilling path that allows you to share the many physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga with others.

Here are a few compelling reasons to consider becoming a yoga teacher:

Share the gift of yoga: Spread the joy and positivity that yoga brings to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Deepen your practice: Strengthen your own yoga practice and understanding of yoga philosophy.
Fulfilment and purpose: Help others discover their potential, overcome challenges, and find inner peace.
Flexible career: Enjoy a career with flexible hours and the potential to work in various settings, from studios to wellness centres.
Healthy lifestyle: Live a healthier and more mindful life as you embrace yogic principles.

Do you need training to be a Yoga Teacher?

Yes, in most cases, you do need training to become a yoga teacher.

While there is no legal requirement for yoga teachers to be certified, obtaining a formal certification is highly recommended and often expected by yoga studios.

Some yoga studios may also require their instructors to have liability insurance, which is often more accessible to certified teachers.

Certification provides credibility to your teaching, making it more likely that students will trust you as an instructor, and equips you with the necessary skills to effectively teach yoga classes.

This includes understanding how to sequence poses, instruct students safely, and offer modifications for various skill levels, as well as anatomy and physiology relevant to yoga practice, ensuring that you understand how yoga affects the body and how to prevent injuries.

A good yoga teacher training course will teach you how to manage a yoga class, create a welcoming atmosphere, and handle various student needs and challenges.

You'll learn about the ethical considerations and professional conduct expected of yoga teachers, including respecting student boundaries and maintaining a safe environment.

You'll also gain a deeper understanding of yoga philosophy, history and spirituality, which can enhance your ability to guide students in their practice.

While certification is highly recommended, it's essential to choose a reputable and accredited yoga teacher training program.

Completing a Yoga Alliance-accredited teacher training program can lead to certification, which is recognised and respected within the yoga community and by many studios and employers.

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Is yoga teaching right for me?

Deciding if yoga teaching is the right path for you involves self-reflection and consideration of your interests, values and goals.

When looking at becoming a yoga teacher, it’s important to be genuinely passionate about yoga and its philosophy, as teaching yoga is most rewarding when it's driven by a deep love for the practice. If you’re already dedicated to your own yoga practice and willing to continue learning and evolving as a yogi, then teaching yoga could be the perfect next step.

Many yoga teachers have a strong desire to share the benefits of yoga with others and help them on their wellness journey. To be a great yoga teacher, you’ll need to be patient and compassionate, as teaching often involves working with students of various abilities and backgrounds, and empathy is crucial. You should be comfortable with public speaking and able to effectively communicate instructions and guidance to students, and physically fit enough to demonstrate yoga poses and movements.

Lastly, as a yoga teacher you’ll need to be comfortable with the potential for a flexible schedule, as yoga teaching may involve working early mornings, evenings or weekends.

Teaching yoga can be a deeply rewarding and fulfilling path for those who are genuinely passionate about the practice and dedicated to helping others discover its benefits. If you can envision teaching yoga as a lifelong career, a part-time pursuit, or as a complementary skill to another profession, taking a Yoga Teacher Training course is a great way to start your new career path.

How long does it take to become a qualified Yoga Teacher?

The time it takes to become a qualified yoga teacher can vary depending on several factors, including the type of teacher training course you choose, the number of training hours required, your prior experience and your personal schedule.

A standard 200-hour yoga teacher training course typically takes around 6 months to complete, depending on whether it's an intensive full-time program or a part-time program that you could fit around your lifestyle.

If you have time constraints, an online yoga teacher training course could be a great way to learn while you keep up your current job or commitments.

It's important to note that becoming a qualified yoga teacher is not just about meeting the minimum hour requirements. It also involves dedicating time to your personal practice, studying yoga philosophy, anatomy and teaching methodology, and gaining teaching experience through practicums and assisting in classes.

After becoming qualified, many yoga teachers continue to expand their knowledge and skills through workshops, retreats, and additional training throughout their teaching careers.

How to find the best Yoga Teacher Training course

Before enrolling in a teacher training course, research the syllabus, schedule and requirements to ensure that it aligns with your goals and availability. Additionally, check if the program is accredited by Yoga Alliance, as this accreditation can be important for certification and recognition within the yoga community.

Become a Yoga Teacher with Academy for Yoga Training

Embark on a rewarding journey to become a certified yoga teacher with the Academy for Yoga Training.

Our comprehensive yoga teacher training courses will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to guide others on their own yoga journeys.

At the Academy for Yoga Training, we're committed to providing a comprehensive and transformative yoga teacher training experience. Here's why you should choose us:

Experienced instructors: Learn from certified yoga instructors with years of experience and a deep passion for teaching.
Holistic approach: Our training covers asanas (postures), meditation, pranayama (breathing techniques), anatomy, philosophy and teaching methodologies.
Personalised guidance: Benefit from personalised attention and guidance throughout your journey.
Certification: Earn a Yoga Alliance-accredited certification upon successful completion of the course.
Community: Join a supportive community of like-minded yogis who share your passion and are embarking upon this new journey with you.

Reviews from Academy for Yoga Training graduates

“An enriching, enjoyable and in-depth course! A beautiful, challenging and highly rewarding 6 months. Comfortable and well-equipped studio in the heart of Bath - a safe space in which to gain confidence and learn. Highly recommend!”

“Amazing course! Not only will you start your journey learning about yoga, you will start your journey learning about yourself. I felt fully supported throughout the course, and the online portal is fantastic - the video explanations are very in-depth and you can easily track your progress.”

“This is a terrific teaching academy. I learned so much. I developed teaching classes and 1:1s using the assignments to inspire me. Days at Bath Studio were such a pleasure.”

“Diane runs a fantastic course along with other knowledgeable and inspirational teachers. The course covers interesting and relevant topics to become a well rounded yoga teacher. I’d been looking to join a teacher training course for a while and I’m so glad that I came across Academy for Yoga training and would recommend it to everyone!”

“An immersive yoga teacher training which does just what it says it will. Teaches you to communicate in a style authentic to you and challenge you to really live yoga, on and off the mat. A deep learning experience on a personal level, one that will bring you closer to yoga, to yourself, and to your future students.”

“What a wonderful course! Diane is fabulous. Supportive from the get-go and full of encouragement. The course content is brilliant too. Learning about yoga philosophy, Ayurveda and functional anatomy were eye opening and deepened my love and understanding of yoga as a way of life. This course has changed the way I approach my own practice and made me more confident.”

“A fantastic and highly recommended course from start to finish. I am so glad I chose to complete my YTT with the Academy for Yoga Training. Diane Lee is an exceptional teacher and mentor, and was so positive, supportive and knowledgeable throughout my training. A high quality and challenging course which covers everything from anatomy and philosophy to learning how to deliver safe and inclusive classes to your clients, I graduated feeling confident and inspired.”

“This was the best course I have ever done. The course leader was so attentive to our needs and always answered all our concerns in a positive and supportive way. If you want a life changing experience I can thoroughly recommend it! It has given me the confidence to start a new career teaching Yoga and ensuring that the wonderful gift of yoga is shared widely.”

“I LOVED this course, Diane and the rest of the team are so full of knowledge and I ended the course feeling so confident and competent! I would highly recommend this training.”

How to get started

Ready to embark on the path to becoming a yoga teacher?

Browse our range of yoga teacher training courses and choose the one that aligns with your goals and schedule, sign up for your chosen course, and you'll receive all the necessary details to prepare for your training.
Your journey to becoming a yoga teacher starts here.

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