Got yoga on the brain? Live to go to yoga classes? Dream of one day being a yoga teacher? I do. Currently I am reading through the last two issues of Yoga Journal and my head is literally spinning from the VAST offerings of how to become a yoga teacher. There is EXHALE, YogaWorks, Barkan Method, The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre…that is only halfway through the magazine!
I wrote to Sage Rountree, author of The Athlete’s Guide to Yoga, and asked her, “what’s up with all these yoga trainings?”, “How can a mere mortal like myself become a yoga teacher?” and one question, I forgot to ask was, are yoga teachers actually earning an income or is it mostly about the love of yoga?
Steps to Becoming a Yoga Teacher, by Sage Rountree
*Develop and maintain an abiding love of practice.
*Try many different teachers and find some whose style resonates with you. Ask them where they trained.
*Research your options. There’s a list of Yoga Alliance–approved schools online at http://yogaalliance.org/school_search.cfm
*Decide between a year-long, one-weekend-a-month training, which lets you digest the material, or an intensive, which is a faster-paced program.
*Decide between a homegrown school, perhaps led by a beloved teacher, and a nationally established program, such as those led by YogaWorks, OM Yoga, Baptiste Power Yoga, and Kripalu. Also consider YogaFit, a fitness-based program with a good syllabus.
*Expect to pay. Programs are pricey. You may be able to negotiate a work-study, a trade, or a partial scholarship, depending on your circumstances.
*Go for it. It’s fine–in fact, it may be best!–to undertake a teacher training simply to deepen your practice, with no desire to teach full- or part-time. Education is always a good thing.
“Education is a good thing.” That is what it’s all about, right? Looking at becoming a yoga teacher makes me realize that even if I had a certification, I would always be looking for ways to improve my practice and my students’ practice.
Thoughts, suggestions, advice or wisdom, you all would like to offer? Would love to hear it.
8 responses so far ↓
1 MizFit // Nov 20, 2008 at 11:29 am
I was certified last year to teach toddler yoga with no plans to ever teach either. just for the knowledge and to use it in my own life.
Im always of the GET THE INFO/EDUCATION and even if you dont utilize it traditionally youve grown/learned!
MizFits last blog post..Ready? Set? GO! It’s carb-loading time up in herre!
2 Lori L. // Nov 20, 2008 at 2:19 pm
It’s no secret that the best way to master a subject, whether it’s yoga or long division, is to teach it to others. You will most likely discover new and exciting dimensions of yoga just through your interactions with students. Sounds like a great idea and an exciting path for you to take. Go for it! And keep us updated
Lori L.s last blog post..You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do
3 Tiffany // Nov 20, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I would love to be a yoga teacher. What better job than getting paid to do what you love AND getting a work out in at the same time.
Tiffanys last blog post..Wednesday Blog Tour – How to Deal With Yelling
4 Zandria // Nov 20, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Very awesome that you’re thinking about doing this! All those options would confuse me, too…are you looking at doing an in-person course? In that case, I imagine location would play a big role in the decision-making process.
Zandrias last blog post..Zan Finally Embraces New Technology and Trades in Her Old-School iPod
5 Jill Will Run // Nov 20, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I started practicing yoga nearly 12 years ago. I keep thinking that it would be amazing to get certified to teach, but I’m not prepared to pay that much yet!
Jill Will Runs last blog post..The Inaugural San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon
6 Grounded Fitness // Nov 20, 2008 at 9:18 pm
It seems like there are so many different kinds of yoga, how do you choose which kind!?
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
Grounded Fitnesss last blog post..Q and A: Snacks After a Workout?
7 workout mommy // Nov 20, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I got mine through Yogafit and it was fantastic. It is designed for mere “mortals” like ourselves and teaches the basics from a fitness standpoint.
8 Mark // Nov 20, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I will watch you and take your class! love yoga as a PARTICIPANT!
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Marks last blog post..Workout Motivation
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