Yoga Instructor Training Requirements: What You Actually Need to Know

H

ave you been thinking about taking your love of yoga and turning it into a side business? If so, there are a few things you should be aware of before embarking on that journey. Much like any other business endeavor, you will need to obtain certifications to be able to teach yoga professionally. So, what are the requirements for yoga instructor training?

The requirements for yoga instructor training include enrollment in a certified yoga program, a minimum of 200 hours of training, and RYT certification. Before starting yoga instructor training, a decision should be made on what style of yoga to teach.

The requirements for yoga instructor training are completed in a step-by-step manner. Some of the requirements will require you to make some important decisions regarding what style of yoga you want to practice. Continue reading to learn about the requirements for online yoga instructor training and how you can become a yoga instructor.

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What Does It Mean to Become a Yoga Instructor?

Although you may have been practicing yoga on your own for years, taking that next step and becoming a yoga instructor involves a lot more than meets the eye. It is also important to be clear on your reasons why you want to become a yoga instructor. Whether you are doing it to make a little extra money or you want to spread your love of yoga to help others, knowing your ‘why’ is the first step.

After following all of the steps to become a yoga instructor, you will now be certified to teach it to others, both in person and online. The online teaching option has blossomed this past year due to the pandemic. Online yoga programs allow people the freedom to attend a yoga class from the safety of their own homes and reduces the risk of getting sick. This may be the right choice for you if your time to teach is limited.

Yoga instructors are also trained to help others mentally, rather than just physically. You will be trained on the art of meditation and how to incorporate that into your classes. After all, yoga is known for the connection it gives people from their minds to their bodies. Depending on what type of yoga you choose to teach, you may also be required to know about the Chakra System, mantras, and Pranayama.

Here is a list of what to expect from becoming a yoga instructor:

1. You will be conducting yoga classes online or in-person
2. Demonstrate good form and technique to your students
3. Be able to assess your students’ experience levels; this can be more easily done in person, however, you can develop an assessment for students to take upon enrollment to better gage their experience level
4. Lead group meditation sessions
5. Develop and guide your students by mentoring and teaching yoga techniques

By becoming a yoga instructor, you will not only be able to help people improve their overall health and physical appearance, but you will also help them to develop a relationship between their minds and bodies.

(Being a yoga instructor also means you can be flexible with your schedule. You could even host live online yoga courses! It is the perfect career for those who want flexibility in the busy lives!)

Is There a Governing Body for Being a Yoga Instructor?

The simple answer is yes, there is a governing body for becoming a yoga instructor. Like most professions, there is usually always a system in place to ensure that standards are being upheld. Yoga Alliance is the governing body for yoga training and standards in the United States.

Yoga Alliance is a non-profit organization that was established in 1999 to ensure that yoga is being taught both safely and equitably across the US. The organization also strives to ensure that the RYS (Registered Yoga School) standards are being upheld across the 200, 300, and 500 courses offered to aspiring yoga teachers.

Why does there need to be a governing body for becoming a yoga instructor? There are a few reasons for this:

1. To ensure that the highest quality yoga is being taught
2. To ensure best safety practices are being followed
3. To make yoga more accessible in the US and around the world
4. To ensure equitability in yoga training and teaching is being maintained

Yoga Alliance was established to ensure that safety and best practices are being followed throughout the yoga community. The organization has helped to make the process of becoming a yoga instructor more accessible and easier for many people. Now it is time to explore exactly what needs to be done to become a yoga instructor.

What Are the Requirements for Yoga Instructor Training?

There are a few requirements for Yoga Instructor Training before you can become a yoga instructor:

1. Decide which style of yoga you will teach
2. Enroll in a registered yoga school
3. Become RYT certified

By completing each of these requirements, you will go down the path towards becoming a yoga instructor. Each of these requirements is important for giving you the proper training and certification before you can start your own practice as a yoga instructor.

You will want to start by deciding which style of yoga you want to teach. This can be a difficult decision to make for some if there is not a style of yoga that you prefer or stands out to you. Once you decide on the style of yoga you want to do, then you can decide on which school is the best choice based on the style of yoga you have chosen.

After you finish your education and complete a minimum of 200 hours of training, then you can become RYT (Registered Yoga School) certified and start your practice as a Yoga Instructor.

Decide Which Style of Yoga You Will Teach

The first requirement to becoming a yoga instructor is to essentially decide which form of yoga you will teach. There are many different styles and names involved when it comes to yoga because it has been around for thousands of years. The style that you decide on will likely be based upon the style or styles that you are already familiar with.

Here is a brief description of some common types of yoga:

1. Gentle yoga is a great option for beginning students to ease into learning yoga. Teaching this style is generally easier than teaching more advanced styles and is geared more towards calm and relaxation
2. Flow yoga focuses more on transitioning from one pose to the next more quickly than gentle yoga. This style is more aerobic in nature and poses are only held briefly before moving on to the next one
3. Fitness yoga focuses on combining aerobic and strength-based moves to improve overall physical conditioning and stamina
4. Hot yoga is taught in a heated room, sometimes up to 110 degrees fahrenheit, to increase flexibility while performing yoga poses that are fairly simple in nature.
5. Spiritual yoga focuses on connecting the mind and body through yoga poses and meditation. Teaching these classes involves knowing how to meditate, incorporate chanting and yoga philosophy, mantra, and how to develop spiritual growth for your clients.
6. Alignment yoga focuses on performing each pose specifically as it is intended. Poses will be held for a longer period of time and props may also be used to assist students.

Once you have buttoned down which style of yoga you would like to teach, it is time to move on to the next step.

Enroll in a Registered Yoga School

Now that you have decided which type of yoga you will be teaching, it is time to enroll in an RYS that follows Yoga Alliances guidelines.

Each program offered through RYS begins with 200 hours of training that focuses on:

1. Teaching you all of the ins and outs of proper yoga form and posture
2. The relation of human anatomy and physiology in relation to yoga
3. All of the wonderful benefits of yoga
4. The Eight Limbs of Yoga established by Patanjali, AKA ‘The Father of Yoga’ and the meaning of living a purposeful life taught through practicing yoga

Although 200 hours is the base amount of training for becoming a yoga instructor, there is also an option to obtain both a 300 and 500 hour certification. Going for these larger certifications will obviously mean dedicating more time each day to your training. The 200-hour class requires that you personally do 2 hours of yoga each day. That amount will increase with the higher hour courses.

Obtaining a 300 or 500 hour certification will ensure that you are knowledgeable of the most advanced yoga techniques. This will not only allow you to offer more options to your students, but will help you to earn more money through your teachings. Taking the 500-hour course will give you the option to train new yoga teachers, bringing your yoga journey full circle.

Become RYT Certified

After you have completed the required amount of hours for the training you selected through Yoga Alliance, you may now pursue your RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) certification. This certification is not required by all employers, however, making the decision to skip the RYT certification is like going to college for four years and saying you do not want the diploma.

You will apply for your RYT certification through the Yoga Alliance of America, the same organization from which you took your training courses. Having this certification will open up more doors for you in the yoga world and allow you to teach and help more people as a result. Here are some facts about being RYT certified:

1. You will be able to access additional training through your Yoga Alliance membership
2. You will also be able to teach yoga on an international level, giving you the freedom to teach anywhere in the world
3. You will have a public profile through the RYT directory, which will help students and employers find you easily online

As previously mentioned, it is highly recommended to become CPR certified in addition to your RYT certification. This will ensure that you are offering the safest yoga classes to your students, as well as being able to administer live-saving aid in the event of a medical emergency.

Conclusion

The process of becoming a certified yoga instructor can be lengthy, depending on your personal goals. You will have to make decisions on which type of yoga you want to teach, how many hours of training you are willing to commit to, and whether or not you should add any other certifications to your belt, such as CPR.

Once you have made those decisions, it is time to take the first step and get started on your personal journey to becoming a yoga instructor online. Soon, you will be helping others fall in love with yoga, become connected to their minds and bodies, and learn how to live a purposeful life through the practice of yoga.