How to become a yoga instructor

Is becoming a yoga instructor right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do yoga instructors do?

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How to become a Yoga Instructor

Becoming a yoga instructor is a deeply transformative and rewarding journey. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and a genuine passion for sharing the profound benefits of yoga with others. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you pursue a career as a yoga instructor:

  • Develop a Personal Yoga Practice: Cultivate a consistent yoga practice to deepen your understanding of yoga postures, alignment, and philosophy. Try various yoga styles (such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, or Bikram) to find the one that resonates with you.
  • Participate in Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Program: Choose a Yoga Alliance Accredited School: Select a Yoga Alliance registered yoga school for your training. A 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program is the standard certification level.
  • Certification: Upon completing your YTT program, you can register with Yoga Alliance, a widely recognized organization for yoga professionals. Yoga Alliance provides different levels of certification, starting with Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) 200 hours.
  • Continued Education: Stay updated with your education through continuous learning. Many yoga instructors pursue advanced teacher training programs (300-hour YTT) to deepen their knowledge and skills.
  • Teaching Practice: Gain practical teaching experience by leading classes, workshops, or private sessions. Many new teachers start by offering classes at local studios, gyms, or community centers. Seek feedback from experienced instructors or mentors to enhance your teaching skills.
  • Specializations: Consider specialized certifications in areas like prenatal yoga, yoga therapy, or specific yoga styles to broaden your expertise.
  • Diversify Skills: Explore related practices like meditation, pranayama (breathwork), or holistic wellness practices to offer a well-rounded experience to your students.
  • Networking: Connect with other yoga instructors, attend yoga workshops, and join local or online yoga communities to network and learn from fellow professionals.
  • Online Presence: Build an online presence through a website or social media to showcase your classes, philosophy, and expertise.
  • Self-Practice: Continue your personal yoga practice to stay connected with the essence of yoga and maintain your own physical and mental well-being.

Certifications
Aspiring yoga instructors can pursue certifications from various reputable organizations that provide standardized training and recognition. Here are some well-known yoga instructor certifications in the US:

  1. RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) Certification - Yoga Alliance
    Provider: Yoga Alliance
    Yoga Alliance offers certifications for yoga teachers at different levels. The basic level is the RYT 200-hour certification, which is the standard level for new yoga teachers. There are also advanced levels such as RYT 500-hour and E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) for instructors with more teaching experience.
  2. YogaWorks Certification
    Provider: YogaWorks
    YogaWorks, one of the largest yoga studio chains in the US, offers a comprehensive yoga teacher training program. Graduates receive a certification recognized by Yoga Alliance.
  3. Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training
    Provider: Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
    Kripalu offers yoga teacher training programs based on the Kripalu approach, focusing on compassionate self-inquiry and teaching from the heart. Graduates receive a Kripalu Yoga Teacher Certification.
  4. Baptiste Yoga Teacher Training
    Provider: Baptiste Institute
    Baptiste Yoga, founded by Baron Baptiste, offers teacher training programs that focus on power vinyasa yoga. Graduates receive certification as Baptiste Yoga Teachers.
  5. Integral Yoga Teacher Training
    Provider: Integral Yoga Institute
    Integral Yoga offers comprehensive teacher training programs based on the teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda. Graduates receive certification as Integral Yoga Teachers.
  6. Iyengar Yoga Teacher Certification
    Provider: Iyengar Yoga National Association of the United States (IYNAUS)
    Iyengar Yoga emphasizes precision and alignment in yoga poses. IYNAUS offers a rigorous certification process for Iyengar Yoga instructors.
  7. Anusara Yoga Teacher Certification
    Provider: Anusara School of Hatha Yoga
    Anusara Yoga focuses on heart-centered and alignment-based yoga. The Anusara School offers teacher training programs and certification for Anusara Yoga instructors.
  8. Viniyoga Teacher Training
    Provider: American Viniyoga Institute
    Viniyoga, developed by T.K.V. Desikachar, emphasizes personalized yoga practices tailored to individual needs. The American Viniyoga Institute offers teacher training programs and certification.