A Step-By-Step Guide To Getting Certified As A Yoga Teacher

Yoga has been identified as one of the best holistic practices today. And why not? As we enter into the fifth year, since the pandemic, many have realized that yoga cannot just help manage diseases, but prevent them, too.  Moreover, it is known to strengthen the body, mind and spirit in totality. Thus, more and more people are turning to yoga, while giving the gym a miss. However, you need to know yoga inside out, to be able to practice it correctly. And only when you do that, can you reap the benefits. Joining a yoga teacher certification seems to be the best thing in such a situation. 

However, most of you who are stepping into the realm for the first time may be confused. With a huge number of yoga schools mushrooming across the globe, you may find it difficult to find the route to learn authentic yoga. Additionally, many yoga enthusiasts will be interested in taking up a yoga teaching career. So, whether it is for self-practice or for professional accomplishments, an international yoga teacher certification can do you good. 

Let us see how you can get certified as a yoga teacher, to propagate authentic yoga. 

How To Become A Certified Yoga Teacher?

There are a few steps which you need to cross, to learn, practice, and then certify in yogic studies. 

• Joining A Yoga School 

There will be yoga practitioners who may have engaged in self-practice for a long time, and then there may be absolute beginners. No matter which category you belong to, there is no shortcut to becoming a pro. You must join a Yoga Alliance accredited yoga school, to learn yoga professionally. India is one of the best places where you can do that, as yoga truly originated in India. It will help you to imbibe the essence of yoga. Enrol yourself in a yoga teacher certificate course, to learn about yoga. 

The courses revolve around not just physical poses, or asanas, but meditation, Pranayama, Shatkarma kriyas, bandhas, mudras, mantra chanting, and a lot more. You will learn about the philosophy of yoga, its background, and significance in spiritual terms. Additionally, such courses also comprise anatomy, physiology, and teaching pedagogy. When you leave the school after the completion of the course, you will be fully equipped to handle yoga as a subject for knowledge sharing.

• Self-Practice And Teaching Practice 

These are important steps without which you cannot really become a yoga teacher. After completion of the course, you can go back home and engage in regular yoga practice. It will help you to analyse if you are missing on something. And you can get back with your doubts to the best yoga school, where you accomplished your course. Many of the renowned yoga schools in India offer volunteering opportunities to the students as well. Many will also take you as an assistant teacher. This is the best way forward, if you are serious about a teaching career in yoga. Most courses of such stature will also include observation classes when you are still studying. You should ensure to get involved so as to get the right techniques to teach yoga. 

• Yoga Alliance Certification 

You can apply for RYT 200, which is the qualification required to teach yoga at the best schools. It ensures that the education you have received is of standard and global levels. After you receive your certificate of completion from the yoga school, you need to apply separately for this certification. Yoga Alliance is a non-governmental independent body based in the USA, which certifies yoga ttc. After you get your RYT 200, you can also go for advanced yoga courses like 300 hrs yoga teacher training. 

• Applying For Yoga Teaching Jobs 

After you have received the certification, you can start applying for teaching jobs. There are lots of opportunities waiting for you after you get the best yoga teacher certification. You can either apply in your nation or any other. That is a huge plus related to the Yoga Alliance certification. It is accepted worldwide. You can also diversify into other yoga forms and styles. Most yoga teacher training include Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. After getting certified, you can go for Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and others. Moreover, you can also go for refresher courses to get updated. There is no end to learning, and it will be a lifetime activity for the best teachers. On the other hand, you can also gather some teaching experience and then open a school of your own. 

• Getting Accreditation For Your School 

If you are opening your own school, you need to make it look credible enough for others to join. So, apply for accreditation. Yoga Alliance needs you to abide by certain rules and regulations, after which your school will be considered a Registered Yoga School. You can go ahead with recruitment of RYT 200 teachers and make the courses a success. Additionally, you can start with allied programs apart from the yoga teacher training programs, like meditation teacher training, Pranayama special courses, and start retreats as well. There is no dearth of options in the holistic wellness field today. 

• Maintaining Your Certifications 

You are not done yet, especially if you are serious about your yoga career or business. You must maintain your certifications by appearing for examinations from time to time. You become a part of the Yoga Alliance community, after you get your RYT 200 or above certifications. There are continuing education certifications under Yoga Alliance, which will help you to propel forward. As more advanced courses come up, you will be notified by the board as well. 

So, it is an ongoing journey, where you keep growing. The RYT 500 is the highest certification at the moment for yoga teaching professionals. However, you can do specializations in other forms and styles as well. It will open a huge world of possibilities for you. 

Conclusion 

This is your step-by-step guide to getting certified as a Yoga teacher. Join a school which has been around for more than a decade and is registered. Verify the antecedents properly, before trading your time and money for the yoga teacher certification. It will help you to unearth many different pathways in the world of yoga.