As you are reading this article, I believe you and I have something in common—a shared interest, a passion and love affair with yoga!
You are beginning to recognise that your dedication to yoga practice has developed into something beyond asana. You find yourself asking am I ready to take my practice to the next level? How can I help others develop their personal and spiritual practice?
How can I turn my passion into a livelihood? These questions signify the beginning of your transition from student to teacher! Here’s my easy-to-follow 5 step guide on how to become a yoga instructor.
1. Do Your Research
It can be very daunting knowing where to begin on your path to becoming a yoga teacher. With the continually increasing popularity of yoga, you will find many different yoga teacher training courses and finding the right one for you is paramount. A few key things to consider are style, accreditation and logistics.
Style
During your research, try out different classes of yoga. It’s good to experience the contrast between, say, a restorative and a hot yoga class! When you find the style that resonates and suits you the most, this will help determine which school or training facility offers the style of yoga you would like to teach.
Accreditation
There are four main yoga teacher associations to choose from: The British Wheel of Yoga, Yoga Alliance UK, Yoga Alliance International, and Independent Yoga Network.
Each association has their own requirements and offer different types of training. Courses range from a minimum of 100 hour to 500 hours, over an intensive course to over 2 years or more. Be practical and choose what works for you. This will only help your commitment to your teaching training.
Logistics
Finally, consider logistics as teacher training courses will involve a certain amount of travelling…especially, if you choose a far away location like India! Ask yourself how does course fits with your lifestyle, family and work life.
2. Find a Teacher You Resonate With
You will spend a significant amount of time with your teacher so it’s important that you resonate and relate to their personality. A great teacher will inspire you to find your own inner teacher to develop your teaching voice and help you become the kind of authentic teacher you want to be.
No two yoga teachers are the same! Take the opportunity to meet your teacher, attend their class to experience their style of teaching and ask lots of questions. As the saying goes “when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.”
3. Consider Your Resources
Teacher training is an investment, so it’s important to consider your finances. Ask yourself questions like:
- Am I going to transition from regular employment to becoming self-employed?
- Am I going to teach at yoga studios and/or start my own classes?
- What other costs should I look at if I’m setting up my own studio (insurance, room hire, marketing costs)?
This can be quite a fearful transition, but also a very rewarding one to develop yourself personally and professionally!
4. Radiate Your Passion
There will come a time when you stop modeling yourself on other teachers. When you accept your own creative being, you will live and teach your own passion! You can only be you, so be yourself, teach your own style and teach from the heart.
That’s the “something special” that will set you apart from every other teacher —being uniquely you.
5. Take Time for Reflection
So, if you are still with me reading this article then you are on the cusp of making a change and taking the first step towards your new path. Take some time to reflect on the reasons why you want to make this change.
When I reflect over the period of the course to completing my teacher training, I faced my own fears, found my own voice and gained confidence leading large groups. Yoga truly takes you on a journey of self discovery, personal growth and spiritual development.
Do you have any tips you want to share for our fellow yogis and yoginis who are about to take teacher training? Share them in the comments below!
