Are you passionate about yoga and want to take the next step to make it your career? Great decision! There’s no doubt that it will be an eye-opening and fulfilling path you’ll take in life, and we say this from experience.
The question is, where do you even start? It might feel like a daunting task, or perhaps you’re overwhelmed with all sorts of information and you don’t know how to begin. Don’t worry! We’ve put together an easy step-by-step guide to help you on your journey.
- Do your research.
Before you make the call, it’s important that you know it’s the right path for you. Talk to your mentor or your current yoga instructor to get an idea of what to expect from the job. Ask yourself some critical questions, like how and where you want to work.
A part of research is also trying out different styles of yoga so you know what you want to teach. Explore the contrast between hatha, restorative and hot yoga; the experience will help you find the style that resonates most with you and in turn, the training school that makes the right fit.
- Set aside funds for courses.
Training and classes costs money, whether you decide to study near home or travel abroad. Some schools will offer options for loans or flexible payment plans, but it’s likely that you will need to set aside at least a decent amount for a deposit and regular payments each week or fortnight.
- Complete training in an accredited training school.
This is the first official step to becoming a certified instructor. You need to complete a 200-hour program first, and then you can choose to continue education.
To qualify for enrollment in a nationally accredited course, you should have completed Year 12 (or equivalent) and be at least 18 years of age — especially for the advanced classes. Courses could take anywhere from a couple months to a year or more, depending on how much time you can dedicate to training!
- Network.
Amazing opportunities could potentially open up to you if you connected with your peers and instructors and the local yoga communities. Keep up a regular practice at a studio that is a great fit for you while you are studying also. Opportunities could arise as you become ready to assist with teaching classes for example. All of these could help you find a job with ease.
- Find and apply for different opportunities.
Once you’re certified, it’s time to start working professionally as a yoga instructor. You have different options to choose from: apply to gym establishments, yoga studios, fitness centers; open your own studio; be a private instructor, or teach online!
You can also choose to travel and work as a freelancer. This is a very popular option for self-employed yoga teachers. You can get involved with many establishments around the world and experience new cultures and people. The sky is the limit!
Jump-Start Your Yoga Career With Us!
Take it a step further and delve deeper into your practice by specializing with us at Demi International. Our yoga academy offers a course for the Advanced Diploma of Holistic Classical Yoga Practices for those who want to specialize in teaching Therapeutic Yoga. Call us to find out more!