| Once you start practicing yoga, there are very | | | | become a teacher. You're going to be investing a |
| few people who don't develop a love for it. It's | | | | lot of time and money in yoga teacher training so |
| difficult not to, after all you're likely to experience | | | | you really need to ensure that you pursue |
| not only a boost in your overall health but also an | | | | something you're comfortable with. |
| increased level of relaxation as well. In these fast | | | | Once you have made up your mind as to what |
| paced times, this sense of peace is highly prized. | | | | type of yoga you're interested in learning, it's time |
| If your affinity for yoga gets powerful enough, | | | | for you to find a teacher. Remember that not |
| you might even start thinking about taking it up | | | | everyone who gives classes is certified to train |
| as a career. There is a lot of merit in doing | | | | instructors. Yoga has become increasingly popular |
| something that you love, so if you really feel | | | | over the years and there have been a record |
| strongly about it then there's no reason why you | | | | number of schools popping up promising you the |
| should not go after it. The one thing that you will | | | | credentials you require. You're going to have to do |
| need to be careful of is finding effective yoga | | | | your research to find a reputable yoga teacher |
| teacher training. | | | | training program. Luckily there are institutions, |
| Before you start teaching yoga, you need to | | | | such as the Yoga Alliance, which keep a public |
| know exactly what the role of a yoga instructor | | | | database of organizations meeting their criteria for |
| really is. Is it to just show people some | | | | yoga instructor training programs. An effective |
| exercises? Is it to tell them about a few | | | | program must incorporate at least 200 hours of |
| meditation techniques and leave it at that? If this | | | | study so this is big hint if you find a place which |
| is what you think then yoga teacher training may | | | | offers 'short courses' leading to certification. |
| not be for you. As a yoga instructor, your | | | | Some people may wonder why they should |
| students will look to you for guidance on how to | | | | bother. Surely a three week course can cover |
| reduce their stress level, increase their flexibility | | | | the same material? There's a reason why |
| and give them greater health and strength. If you | | | | guidelines for yoga instructor training programs |
| can't do that then your foray into teaching will | | | | were developed in the first place: to protect the |
| never be satisfying. That's why it's important to | | | | students. Of course what you have uppermost in |
| get as much yoga training as possible and that in | | | | your mind is the well being of your potential |
| North America mean you will need to be certified. | | | | students, right? You cannot expect to teach if |
| It is very important to note that you are not | | | | you yourself have not been properly trained. |
| considered qualified to teach yoga by most | | | | Another point to consider if you really want to |
| employers unless you have received your | | | | become a yoga instructor is that most places will |
| certification. | | | | not hire someone who has not completed a yoga |
| You may think that you already know what style | | | | training program and gotten their certification. |
| of yoga you'd like to learn, because you've only | | | | Yes, training to become a yoga instructor is hard |
| been exposed to one and you like it. The problem | | | | work and it is going to take up a significant |
| with this is there are so many different styles in | | | | amount of your time. You will need to patient and |
| existence that it may not be in your best interest | | | | dedicated. If you cannot do this then you will not |
| to limit yourself. Take as many different classes | | | | be able to pass these traits down to your |
| as you can. This will expose you not only to | | | | students and you will not be an effective teacher. |
| different types of yoga but also different | | | | If you can then you will be rewarded by seeing |
| teaching styles, which you may be able to make | | | | your students grow and become better |
| your own. While most training programs will | | | | functioning individuals, knowing that the proper |
| incorporate a component of proper | | | | attitude toward yoga has been passed down to |
| communication, no one can tell you how to | | | | them. |