If you think being a yoga teacher is only a teaching job, then you are wrong because it’s a journey of understanding your yoga practice, learning its roots, and sharing it with others.
A yoga certification is the first step to be confident, learn new skills, and get knowledge to teach yoga safely and effectively. This YTT certification is the base for a fulfilling yoga teaching career.
Yoga Certification – Definition
In simple words, a yoga certification shows that you’ve completed professional studies for yoga teaching and have an understanding of yoga poses, anatomy, techniques, and teaching methods.
Yoga Alliance is a globally recognized organization that will help boost your teaching profile and offer you teaching opportunities. The certification is a proof of authenticity.
Let us find out in this blog, how to get a yoga certification, the time duration to get the certification, and more information about yoga certification.
Who Can Be a Certified Yoga Instructor?
You can be a certified yoga teacher, no matter what your age or gender is, or which background you are coming from! For example –
- Fitness Lovers with a Love for Yoga
If yoga is already a part of your life, TTC will help in making your practice better so you can share it with others as well. - Career Changers
Yoga teaching is a flexible and meaningful career if you are thinking of quitting traditional jobs and starting a career in the field of health and wellness. - Holistic Wellness and Teaching Enthusiasts
If you care about your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being along with teaching, yoga instruction is the best way to combine your two interests. - Yoga History and Traditional Spiritual Seekers
If you like to go deep and learn about the traditions, and roots of Indian spirituality, then yoga can be a good start.
How to Get Your Yoga Certification?
To know how to get yoga trainer certificate, you are at the right place as we will walk you through the process of getting certification, preparation before, after, and during the certification, the time taken to get a certification, and fees for the certification. So let us get started :
- Pick Your Yoga Style
As you know there are different types of yoga styles, so you must begin with finding out which yoga style you would like to pick for certification. There are a number of yoga styles to choose from, such as hatha yoga, ashtanga yoga, pre-post natal yoga, vinyasa yoga, and many more.
Every style has its own different knowledge, ways, and characteristics. Finalize that one style you are looking to learn and develop your skills in.
- Choosing the Right Registered Yoga School
Making a choice of the right yoga school is one of the most significant steps for your yoga career. You must start looking for yoga schools accredited by Yoga Alliance, as this non-profit association gives quality training that meets the international standards of yoga training. Siddhi Yoga is one such unique yoga institute that maintains high training standards. Now, you can keep an eye on some other points while finding a yoga registered school like-
- Location – The location of the yoga school must be safe and convenient for you. Take a look at its campus and environment because –
| A beautiful environment = Focused practice |
- Syllabus – Being aware of the course curriculum is essential as you are investing your time and money into the course. It should be clear, meaningful, and cover all the important topics of traditional yoga philosophy and its teaching practices.
- Experienced teachers – Knowing who your teachers are and how many years of quality experience they hold is very important as teachers are the soul of course learning. As it’s believed in India, a teacher (guru) always leads you in the right direction.
3. Select a Yoga Course for you
Yoga Alliance has created different types and hours of yoga teacher training programs for students. To begin with, you should select a beginner level course which is the 200-hour teacher training program, it covers basic learning of yoga, anatomy, and teaching methodology.
There are more courses you can do as you move forward in your yoga career, like the 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training program, 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training program, and 900-hour YTT program.
4. Take Admission and Start the Course
Now that you have chosen the right school and YTT program, take admission by paying for the course and start with your course learning. You will be welcomed with study material, orientation, and class schedules.
By attending the classes, you can get to know new classmates, your teachers, and a community of yoga learners. Make sure to focus on this phase and enjoy it fully.
5. Finishing the Course Hours
So, finishing the YTT course is not about completing the theoretical part only. It involves completing your practical teacher training hours which shows you are ready to guide students. Once you’re done with this, you will receive your yoga certification on passing the minimum required scores. It’s all about building confidence and becoming the best teacher.
6. Become A Certified Yoga Alliance Teacher and Member
As you know, we always remain students, so consistent learning helps us improve everyday. After being a certified Yoga Alliance teacher, you have the chance to register as a Yoga Alliance member which is helpful in revising your study curriculum, skills, get opportunities, be a part of the yoga community, get book recommendations from yoga experts, and know when to do the next YTT course.
Follow these steps, and you’ll know how to get a yoga certification. Stay disciplined, value the process, and decide wisely – soon you will be ready to teach confidently.
Preparation before Yoga Certification
It’s completely fine to be excited about your yoga training! Here are some useful tips to help you prepare for your yoga certification in advance.
Start a Basic Yoga Practice
Before you enroll in a certification program, practice stretching or simple body movements regularly. The more you practice, the more you’ll be able to understand your body.
Do a Basic Research
You can find out basic things and know-how about Yoga and its origin on the internet or from books. This will be fun for you and raise your curiosity.
Pick Up the Right Tools
If you’ve picked an online training program, you’ll need a good yoga mat, props (blocks, straps, etc.), and comfortable clothes. This will be helpful during and after your training.
Mental Preparation
You must be mentally prepared as teaching yoga is about understanding your students and their body. These challenges will take you out of your comfort zone to help you grow and learn new things.
After Yoga Certification
The process does not stop here because after your certification, you can follow a few more steps to become a full-fledged professional yoga teacher.
1. Improve your Skills
You can begin with teaching small groups, like your friends, or family to furnish your skills. This will make you confident, you can create your own unique teaching style, and guide others better.
2. Teaching Experience
You can take yoga classes at yoga studios, gyms, or community centers, or online to get teaching experience. Slowly, start hosting workshops, and retreats to reach more people. The more you teach, the more you reap!
3. Show your Services
After certification, you can start promoting your yoga services on social media, or create a website or a YouTube channel, and try reaching out to a larger audience to start your classes.
“Teaching yoga is not about being perfect, it’s about connecting with your students and creating a space for them to grow.” – Unknown
During your Certification
- Be present and engaged: Pay close attention to your instructors and fellow trainees. Being present in the class will help you obtain clarity of concepts.
- Ask questions: Don’t hesitate to clarify anything you don’t understand.
- Keep practicing: Even during some free time, keep practicing as it is the core of a teaching career.
- Do some self-care: Get good sleep, eat healthy, and prioritize self-care.
| Fun Fact – Did you know as of December 2016, over 52,000 certified yoga instructors and more than 18,000 yoga schools were registered with Yoga Alliance? This means thousands of people around the world have completed yoga teacher training and are part of the global yoga community. It’s a sign of yoga growing worldwide and a number of people sharing its benefits with others. |
How Long Does It Take to Get a Yoga Certification?
If you have a busy schedule and are still eager to join a YTT program, don’t worry! We have got you covered here on the time duration of the yoga certifications. Though, it completely depends on the program you choose and the type of learning model. Still, the below information is for your reference:
200-Hour Certification – Most 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate (YTT) programs take 3-6 weeks, if done full-time and 2-6 months, if you enroll for a part-time course. It starts with choosing the right program that suits your life schedule.
500-Hour Certification – A 500-hour yoga instructor certification program takes 6-12 months to complete as it is an advanced level program, which includes a detailed yoga curriculum.
Flexible Learning Options
- The yoga programs come with different learning options like full-time, part-time, or online. You can choose according to your schedule requirements and which one fits you well.
- The full-time option will help you complete the course faster as more study hours are devoted to it.
- The part-time or online option will take more time to complete as it is more flexible and fewer study hours are spent on it.
Before we move ahead, this is for you –
| Why did the yoga teacher go to the bank? To get some balance! 😄 |
Fee for Yoga Instructor Certification and How to Budget for It?
The fee for yoga teacher certification depends on the choice of course, location, and learning model you choose. Most teacher training programs cost $1,000 to $3,000 with an extra $100 to $300 for materials like books and props. If you are going for a destination-based yoga teacher training program you might require some extra budget for travel and accommodation.
Yoga Alliance membership fees ranges from $50 to $150, annually. You can also go for local or online programs to reduce expenses. Don’t forget to save for hidden costs, like exams or workshops, when you are planning for certification.
Conclusion
Earning a yoga certification is definitely more than a certificate. It is a life-changing journey that helps improve your practice and knowledge. Also, you get opportunities to learn and connect with yourself. Always choose a certification that suits your schedule, be it online or in-person as choosing the right certification that suits your goals is the rule.
Whenever you get started in this journey, know that yoga is a constantly evolving practice of learning, growth, and self-transformation. Remember to be compassionate with yourself when you are improving your skills and embrace the journey with a smile on your face.
