Yoga Teacher Certification

If you’re an avid student of yoga, you may have considered the advantages of becoming a yoga teacher. Yoga teacher certification is quite popular among yoga fanatics, and for good reason. Given the surge in popularity of yoga, there’s been an increased need for new yoga instructors who are qualified to take classes. Many more people are starting to try out yoga to see if they like it, or see if it’s a fit for their lifestyle.

So Why Get Yoga Teacher Certification?

The most important reason is liability. While yoga may not be as vigorous as other types of exercise, there is always the possibility of injuring oneself. Yoga instructors must be familiar with the individual needs of each student in a class to ensure that any special needs or medical concerns are addressed. Teachers who have been certified understand these risks and responsibilities.

With the potential for injury, liability insurance becomes a necessity for today’s yoga studios. Yoga certification of instructors enables studios to obtain and carry liability insurance much more easily. While some studios might request that a yoga instructor be registered to teach yoga, many more will ask that teachers have yoga certification before conducting classes.

Yoga Certification – Then What?

Yoga certification is only the first step in becoming a competent yoga instructor. Yoga instructors should have a minimum of 200 hours of study and two years of practice under the guidance of a yoga teacher before considering the certification process. A person who is considering teaching yoga should also have good communication skills, along with a strong awareness of safety and a good knowledge of yoga. Often studios will hire an instructor on a trial basis to ensure that the person will be an effective teacher in classes.

Once yoga certification is complete, additional courses should be taken to keep an instructor up to date on information regarding the impact of sports medicine, anatomy and physiology on yoga. It is also important to stay current on safety, modifications, and props in the yoga program. If you meet a student with particular medical needs, you may need to do your homework to learn how to address his individual issues most effectively.

Finally, it is a good idea to attend yoga workshops and camps after yoga certification is completed so that you continue to fine tune your own yoga skills. The more you study and learn after your certification is completed, the better yoga teacher you will be for your students.