Becoming a Yoga Teacher: Unlocking Your Path to Mind-Body Harmony
Namaste, fellow yogis and aspiring teachers!
Are you ready to take your love for yoga to the next level?
Becoming a yoga teacher can be an incredibly rewarding journey, allowing you to deepen your practice, share your passion with others, and create a positive impact in the lives of those around you. But discovering how to train as a Yoga teacher can be a little bewildering. Let’s explore the steps you can take to become a certified yoga teacher and embark on a fulfilling and purpose-driven career.
Undertaking my teacher training was a pivotal moment in my life, and I truly cherished every moment of my teacher training. Getting up at twilight hours to practice and learn for a whole month was an experience I will never forget, and one I cannot believe I did! But then I remember the community spirit, the love and guidance from the teachers, and I am full of gratitude.
I should say I didn’t feel like a Yoga teacher, in that I didn’t look Instagram perfect, but the calling to train was strong, and that carried me through any barriers. I hope, if you feel there are barriers, that you continue onwards with your head held high - You can do this!
Step 1: Cultivate Your Practice
Before you can guide others on their yoga journey, it's important to establish a strong personal practice. Dedicate time to explore different yoga styles, attend local classes, and learn from experienced teachers.
By immersing yourself in your own practice, you will deepen your understanding of yoga and also develop the self-discipline and commitment required to be an effective teacher.
Step 2: Choose the Right Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Program
While there are numerous YTT programs available, it's crucial to choose one that aligns with your goals, values, and preferred teaching style. Look for programs accredited by reputable yoga organisations, such as Yoga Alliance, as this certification will lend credibility to your qualifications. Your own Yoga studio will likely run training.
Consider factors like program duration, style of yoga, location, and cost, to find the program that suits you best. Cost can be a huge block to many when it comes to teacher training, typical costs of YTT is anything from £2000 - £3000, depending on studio.
Step 3: Immerse Yourself in Yoga Philosophy and Anatomy
To become an exceptional yoga teacher, it's important to have a solid understanding of yoga philosophy and human anatomy. Dive into the ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita.
Additionally, familiarise yourself with the major muscle groups, alignment principles, and modifications for different body types and conditions. Yoga often gets confused with Mobility training, a vital skill for ageing, so make sure you seek out good CPD courses. Yoga also attracts students with injuries, who have been told by their doctors to try Yoga. Making sure you’re equipped to deal and adjust for any student coming to your classes will give you extra confidence. Likewise, any knowledge you gain will help you create safe and well-rounded classes for your future students.
Step 4: Embrace Practical Teaching Experience
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! Teach! Teach! Teach! I taught my first public class to one student, who gave me a bar of chocolate as payment!
Seek opportunities to gain practical teaching experience by offering to assist experienced yoga teachers, teaching at local studios, or organising donation-based community classes.
This hands-on experience will not only boost your confidence but also allow you to fine-tune your teaching skills, learn to read the energy of a room, and adapt your instruction to suit different individuals. It may often seem like the route to becoming a workign teacher is tough, it can time to get your name out there. There’s some advice that you should start practising at a studio that you’d like to teach in, which, in my opinion means you’re more a student than a teacher, and making the transition is not easy. But there’s a way to ensure your CV will get noticed, and it’s in the next step.
Step 5: Deepen Your Knowledge Through Continued Education
The learning never stops when it comes to yoga. Consider pursuing specialised training in areas like prenatal yoga, yoga for athletes, or therapeutic yoga to broaden your skillset and cater to diverse populations. Additionally, attending workshops, conferences, and retreats will expose you to different teaching styles and enable you to learn from seasoned yogis. This combined will give you a varied skillset and mean it could be more likely you’ll pique the interest of a studio looking for a new teacher. Know your craft!
Becoming a yoga teacher is a transformative journey that goes beyond the physical practice. By immersing yourself in the philosophy, anatomy, and practical aspects of yoga, you will gain the tools and confidence to guide others on their path to well-being.
Remember, it's not just about perfecting your asanas; it's about connecting with your students, fostering a safe and inclusive space, and spreading the profound benefits of yoga.
If you're passionate about sharing this ancient practice with others, don't hesitate to take the first step towards becoming a certified yoga teacher.
The world is waiting for your authentic voice and compassionate guidance! If you feel compelled to teach, then you must!
