Want to bring your yoga experience to the next level? Or maybe, you are interested in starting a new career and want to know all the ins and outs of becoming a yoga teacher.
Whatever the case may be, we’ve got you covered. Together, we’ll explore different steps that you should undertake to become a certified yoga instructor.
Let’s start!
How do You Become a Yoga Instructor – 4 Steps
1. Take a Yoga Training Course
The first step to becoming a yoga instructor is to start and complete a yoga training course. Your best bet is to pick a yoga school that follows all of the parameters set by the Yoga Alliance.
Yoga teacher training programs have two levels. But, don’t worry, you don’t have to complete both of them to get your certification. Which level you choose will strictly depend on your preference and your decision on what you wish to do after you get yoga certified.
- The first level of the yoga certification program is a 200-hour long training course that includes classes in physiology, anatomy, philosophy, and instructional methods.
- The second level offers mostly the same coursework, but it lasts 500 hours and is more in-depth. You’ll also be prepared and prompted to create your own yoga teaching method.
Besides getting a yoga teacher certification, you can also look into getting certification for teaching specialty yoga classes. Here are a few examples of specialty classes:
- Hot yoga – practicing yoga in a heated space (up to 110F).
- Flow yoga – yoga that involves a lot of aerobic elements.
- Prenatal yoga – a form of yoga designed to accommodate pregnant women and changes in their bodies.
- Gentle yoga – classes are centered around relaxation and stress release. Poses are usually not physically demanding.
- Yoga for seniors – yoga classes for people over the age of 60.
2. Get a Yoga Certification
Once you’ve completed your 200-hour-long yoga teacher certification program, it’s time to get your certification and become a registered yoga teacher. To do that, you’ll have to pay a $50 application fee and $65 in annual charges.
If you want to upgrade your certification into a specialty one, you’ll probably have to pay a little extra. For example, to become a prenatal yoga certified teacher, you’ll have to pay an application fee of $50.
3. Get Certified in CPR
You took the course, got your certificate, and became a registered yoga teacher, can you now finally start teaching yoga? Well…
Most health or fitness centers will require you to have a CPR certification. The reason behind this, is to ensure all employees or contractors working in a specific health or fitness center have the knowledge required to respond to an emergency situation.
You can get CPR certification online, or, you can look for classes in your region.
If your plan is to open your own yoga studio, depending on the state you reside in, you might need to get a first aid certification. The good news is that CPR training is a part of every first aid training course.
4. Retain Your Yoga Certificate
Once you’ve got your yoga certification, the next step is to keep it!
To retain your yoga certificate, you’ll need to pay your yearly dues. You may also need to complete continuing coursework and additional training. The same goes for your CPR certificate. For example, in California, you can easily get a CPR certificate in just a couple of days, but it needs to be renewed every 2 years.
How Long Does It Take To Become a Yoga Instructor?
On average, a course that will prepare you to become a yoga instructor will last between 3-5 months. The length depends on your availability and what level of yoga training you opted for.
There are two basic levels of training to become a yoga instructor:
- A 200-hour long course
- A 500-hour long course.
To become a yoga instructor and teach it to a specific group of people, for example, seniors, you will require additional training to get the required certification.
To get certification to teach yoga to children you will need to invest an additional 80 hours, on top of the minimum 200 hours required for the basic yoga instructor certificate.
FAQ
How to Become a Yoga Instructor in CA?
To become a yoga instructor in California, you are not legally obliged to obtain a yoga teacher’s certification. However, you might find it difficult to find clients or gainful employment without having a yoga certificate.
How to Become a Yoga Instructor in Texas?
To start teaching yoga in Texas, you do not need a certificate, registration, or a specific license. There are no legal restrictions or regulations for becoming a yoga teacher.
However, having a yoga certificate can help you find jobs and new clients.
Do You Need to Be Certified to Teach Yoga?
To teach yoga in the US you do not need a certificate, registration, or license. Yoga teachers are not regulated, meaning there are no legal restrictions or rules to becoming a yoga instructor. So, legally speaking, no, you do not need to be certified.
But, on the other hand, getting a yoga teacher certification may help you get a job in a fitness or health center. Also, a certificate can help you get new clients.
How Long Does It Take To Get Yoga Certified?
On average, a training program to become a certified yoga instructor will last between 3-5 months.
There are also more intensive courses that can be crammed into a month or two, depending on your availability, time restrictions, and the type of certificate you are going for (a 200-hour or 500-hour yoga certification).
Also, any additional training for specialty yoga classes can vary in length. For example, in order to become a certified prenatal yoga instructor, you’ll need to invest an additional 80 hours along with the 200-hour basic yoga certificate program.
How Much Does It Cost to Become a Yoga Instructor?
On average, to get all the yoga teaching certifications, you will have to spend in the range of $1,000-$3,000, depending on your location.
Yoga certificates are not legally required to start teaching but can be a great way to attract clients. Also, many health and fitness centers require their yoga instructors to be adequately certified.
Where to Become a Yoga Instructor?
You can become a yoga instructor almost anywhere in the world. To get your certification, just check out the courses available near your location, and you’ll be good to go.
Why Become a Yoga Teacher?
By becoming a yoga teacher, you’ll start a journey of personal growth, which will enable you to not only earn money from it but also to raise the bar when it comes to your yoga practice. You will also develop skills that will help both, your physical and mental health, and, it will allow you to share those skills with others – making the world a better place one pose at a time.