How to Become a Yoga Instructor

You have been a devoted yoga practitioner for years and you are always being told you should teach, so maybe it’s time to listen to that inner voice and the hordes of people in your class. We get it — you are probably hesitant and a little scared. You are probably not sure of exactly where to start.

In this article, we are going to help you out. We are going to break down how to become a yoga instructor so that one day you may be able to have your own yoga site where you can help other people who are looking to start their yoga journey, like on the Yoga Burn website.

Plus, we will also talk about the reasons why you should start the process of becoming a yoga instructor. So, let’s start with the why behind the question.

What is a Yoga Instructor?

A yoga instructor is a professional in the fitness sphere who teaches yoga, which is a calming, low-impact exercise that asks you to use breathing techniques and controlled postures for you to improve your strength and flexibility.

If you want to become a yoga instructor, no matter what style, you will have to undergo specialized and comprehensive training.

Reasons to Become a Yoga Instructor

Understanding your reason for wanting to become a yoga instructor is key. This could end up being a lifelong career or it could just be a hobby. Either way, it takes a lot of hard work to get to instructor level and doing it for the wrong reason could lead to wasted money and regrets. So, let’s look at some of the best reasons to begin your journey.

Self-Growth

By becoming a yoga instructor you will develop a better understanding of you and your place in the world. One of the reasons that you may consider is to develop a better understanding of your place in the universe so that you can help others do the same.

Build a Business

You may want to get away from your hectic job and you enjoy the practice so much you want to make that your life’s calling. So, if you are looking to expand your influence and do something you love. that is also a great reason to become an instructor.

Develop Leadership Skills

When you get into your program and you are looking to stand up in front of a group of people and teach them yoga you will naturally develop leadership skills. If you want to enhance your skills, becoming a teacher may be a great idea for you.

Grow Your Life Skills

Communications skills are some of the most basic skills you need to live a good life, and taking time to develop them further is a great way that can only benefit your future.

Relationships

If you’re looking to build a tribe and find people of like mind and you are into yoga, this may be one of the best ways to do it while giving back to the community that you love so much.

If you were nodding your head and saying yes to any or all those reasons, then you are doing this for the right reasons. So, let’s talk about how to do it!

How to Become a Yoga Instructor

There are a lot of steps and the process is not quick or easy but if you have a passion for yoga and want to share that with the world then here is something that you should know:

It’s About Them, Not You!

You may think that yoga is all about making sure your class is in the right poses and in a way you are right. But the true trick to be an effective yoga instructor is being able to describe how to get into those poses to your class with compassion and understanding. Oh yeah, and patience.

Yoga Alliance – What is it?

The world of yoga is always kind of up in the air. There are certification processes and programs you can take (see below) but there is also something called the Yoga Alliance. This is an institution that you can join and pay to be able to use their trademark. This could lead to more legitimacy but is not necessary.

Find the Right Program

There are a lot of different programs and once you have decided to take the plunge you need to make sure to choose the right ones for your end goal and your personal preference.

There are in-person and online courses, and each has its benefits. With the in-person class, you get hands-on training, whereas if you do an online course, it is more self-motivation that will keep you going. Also, make sure that if you do an online course, it is very interactive, so you get the best possible results.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you have your certification you may want it gets some practice teaching in before you launch your full-fledged business. So, volunteering to do some classes anywhere you can or even setting up a class or two within your neighborhood could be a great idea.

Insure Yourself

Once you have the practice you can begin thinking about building that business and one of the first things you should do is insure yourself. This will protect you from future legal problems that may arise.

Final Thoughts about Becoming a Yoga Instructor

Becoming a yoga instructor is hard but can be truly satisfying as well. Being able to take your knowledge and help tons of people like Zoe Bray-Cotton on the Yoga Burn website is so life-affirming.

The ability to help others reach a new level of physical and mental understanding is the only reason to become a yoga instructor. So, if that is your goal, hopefully with this article, we have helped you get an understanding of the how. Now all that’s left is to put your plan in motion. Good luck!