Fantastic news that you’re on your way on learning more about the options on how becoming a yoga instructor. Before you start checking out your options for yoga teacher training courses, you’ll need to know about the different options available. Let’s start with types of yoga and the three most popular courses.
Types of yoga teaching training courses
Before you start checking out your options for yoga teacher training courses, you’ll need to know about the different options available. The three most popular courses are:
This is the foundation teacher training course for yoga. Without it, you can still teach yoga, however, completing your 200-hour YTT will put you in greater stead. Your 200-hours may be completed over the duration of anything from 14 intensive days to being spread out over a whole year. The course is geared towards those who wish to become yoga teachers or who are simply curious to deepen their knowledge of yoga.
This is an advanced level of certification that may be completed only after you complete the 200-hour yoga teacher course. The course is more physically demanding and shows the world that you mean business. You are more likely to find employment once you reach this level
If you have the time (and the energy!) you can opt to commit to both of the above teacher training courses together. This can be beneficial if you know without a doubt you are committed to progressing swiftly and are ready to put your entire core into a career in yoga
Once you have completed at least your 200-hour yoga teacher course, you can enhance your studies to specialise in a specific type of yoga. This might be yin yoga, yoga nidra or yoga for kids! A variety of niche yoga teacher training courses are available in 50-hour, 100-hour and 200-hour offerings.
How do I choose a yoga teacher training course?
Before you begin browsing yoga teacher training courses, ask yourself a few important questions:
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- What is your budget? Can you afford to study abroad in a far-flung destination such as Rishikesh or Ubud? Or will you need to enrol locally?
- Would it suit you better to study yoga online?
- If you study abroad, what additional costs will you need to budget for? Are accommodation and all food provided?
- Can you commit to an intensive course over the duration of a couple of weeks, or will you need to study part-time alongside working or taking care of your family?
- Do you want to study a general 200-hour course which will most likely focus on Hatha and Vinyasa, or would you rather incorporate Ashtanga, Yin or Kundalini into the dynamic?
- What do you want to achieve from this course?
If you intend to teach upon completion of your yoga teacher training course, note that some centres will request an RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) distinction. This is applied to those who take yoga teacher training courses at a Registered Yoga School (RYS). These schools are registered under Yoga Alliance, the largest internationally recognised yoga organisation. Upon completion, you will need to register as an RYT with the Yoga Alliance and pay the necessary fees yourself. Not all venues require their yoga teachers to have this standard but as some do, so it’s worth weighing up the options whilst searching for courses.
Once you have figured out the logistics of what you are looking for, your key is to seek out reputable courses. Read honest reviews and testimonials from previous students online. If something looks unclear, email the school directly. Can you ask your own yoga teachers for advice or any recommendations? And of course, you can rely on Yoga Teacher Land to provide some friendly guidance.
Is certification mandatory to teach yoga?
Surprisingly, there is no law against teaching yoga without a teaching certification. However, teaching yoga requires a great degree of skill. Most studios, gyms and retreats will expect to see evidence of a YTT course plus some teaching experience. It bestows confidence in your students if they know you have the credentials to teach them at a professional standard.
Some schools do require that their instructors have completed a yoga teacher certification course from an RYS, and have in turn registered with the Yoga Alliance as an RYT. If you have your heart set on a specific yoga school, city, or region, we would advise doing a little research before choosing your YTT course. It might be in your favour to study at an RYS.
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