Introduction
Yoga is one of the most used practices to reduce stress and improve physical and mental fitness. Earlier, it was not very popular unlike some of the other forms of exercise.
But now more and more people worldwide are turning towards yoga for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Moreover, Yoga Instructors are in high demand globally due to the ever-increasing need for a healthy lifestyle.
If you are considering pursuing a career in teaching yoga, you need to understand the role, skills required, and employment scope for career advancement.
So, let’s delve deeper into this fascinating career.
Career Scope as Yoga Instructor
Every individual desire for a healthy life. This is where yoga plays an important part in keeping the body and mind balanced.
Yoga has become increasingly popular as a means of promoting wellness. This increasing interest in yoga has created a demand for qualified and experienced yoga instructors worldwide. Further, 21st June is declared as International Yoga Day by the UNO, which has further popularised yoga and its benefits. With a rising demand for Yoga Instructors worldwide, this profession will have strong job stability and several career opportunities.
Role & Responsibilities of Yoga Instructor
Yoga Instructor plays a crucial role in promoting the physical and mental well-being of its students. There are various responsibilities of a Yoga Instructor apart from training the students.
Some of the key roles and responsibilities of Yoga Instructor include:
- Teaching the various asanas or postures through demonstration.
- Educate about the numerous yoga forms and their effects on the body and mind.
- Monitor the fitness level of the students or participants and accordingly design the classes to suit their individual needs.
- Guide dietary needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Encourage students and build their confidence to try new poses and provide proper feedback, whenever necessary.
- Ensure the safety of the students during the practice sessions by providing proper alignment and modifications as needed.
Employment Scope Career Options for Yoga Instructor
Yoga teaching is a unique profession. Yoga Instructors are in worldwide demand as yoga helps to bring harmony between mind and body.
There is a wide range of career options available to them. Right from working in yoga studios, fitness centers, and resorts, to providing services in top corporate offices like Hyatt, gouvernement schools, and hospitals like ESIC General Hospital.
Some Yoga Instructors also have personalized training centers. They also travel extensively and conduct workshops to explain the importance of yoga in day-to-day life. They can also provide personalized sessions for individuals with specific health concerns or goals.
In addition, Yoga Instructors can also conduct online training sessions for clients who cannot visit their centers due to time constraints.
Salary Range
The salary of a Yoga Instructor depends on the experience, qualifications, and the workplace. On average, a Yoga Instructor can earn around 15000 per month in India at a starting level.
The salary can increase significantly as they gain experience. Also, the salary depends upon whether you are working in the government or corporate sector, teaching online, or privately taking your yoga classes.
People who own their yoga centers can earn more compared to those who teach at local community centers. Likewise, Yoga Instructors working in high-end gyms and big resorts can earn more. Yoga instructors who work with multiple corporate clients and celebrities also earn a handsome salary.
How to Become a Yoga Instructor?
The yoga Instructor course does not have strict educational requirements, but certification from a recognized yoga institute is important. There are numerous institutes worldwide that provide Yoga Instructor courses, available both online and offline.
One should follow the below steps to become a Yoga Instructor in India:
Train from an accredited yoga training center
The first step towards becoming a Yoga Instructor is to join a recognized institution accredited by the Yoga Certification Board (YCB). This is essential as you must be first certified before you start training others.
Once you join a YCB-recognized center, you can choose between getting yoga education and training or being trained as a yoga therapist. Both course is designed to help you achieve five levels of certification i.e. becoming a Yoga Volunteer, Yoga Protocol Instructor, Yoga Wellness Instructor, Yoga Teacher and Evaluator, and lastly Yoga Master.
Get the certification from the YCB
The next step is to get the certification from the YCB. Each certification requires candidates to sit for different exams and clear them.
The first certification exam that is of Yoga Volunteer is completely theoretical, while the other four certifications include practical as well as theory.
Start Working
Once you receive the desired certification, you can start working professionally. As mentioned earlier, there are various job opportunities in corporate and government sectors, fitness centers, hospitals, resorts, etc.
You can even start your own training center, but additional work is required to get your practice accredited by the YCB.
Maintain the certification
The last step is to maintain the certification. All 5 yoga certifications have a validity of 5 years from the date the results are declared by the YCB.
The board offers the Continuing Yoga Education (CYE) program for certificate renewal. However, your performance is assessed before the renewal.
Skills Required For A Yoga Instructor
Yoga is a whole-body exercise including mental and spiritual practice. The instructor is important as he/she guides the students in various postures and techniques. So, a good Yoga Instructor should be able to create a safe environment for students of all levels. They should also be able to build a good rapport with their clients to make them comfortable.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, patience, time management, and a good understanding of yoga philosophy, anatomy, and physiology are some of the skills required by a Yoga Instructor. Finally, in-depth knowledge about the various yoga asanas and styles is of utmost importance.
How long does it take to become a yoga teacher?
The amount of time required to become a Yoga Instructor depends upon how well-aware you are of some of the yoga practices and the training program you choose.
If you are an undergraduate without any prior experience of yoga training and want to learn right from the basics, a 3-year Bachelor’s degree course in Yoga Shasta is recommended.
There are even short-term courses of 200 and 500 hours available for people having prior experience in yoga teaching. So, if you already have some experience of yoga practices, you can choose between a 200 or 500-hour certification course. The 200-hour course can take around 3 to 5 months to complete, while a 500-hour course takes around 6 months to 1 year to complete.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Certified Yoga Instructor?
There is no formal education that is necessary to become a Yoga Instructor. However, to become a certified Yoga Instructor, the training and experience must meet the minimum eligibility criteria set up by the Yoga Alliance Standards.
This criteria includes completing at least 200 or 500-hour training courses from a registered yoga institute, payment of the applicable fees, keeping oneself updated, and taking continuous education courses to keep the certification current.
You can even pursue a full-time 3-year course of Bachelors of Yoga Shastra after completing the HSC. Further, a Master’s or a PhD degree in Yoga Shastra can also enhance your career as a certified Yoga Instructor.
Note: The yoga course should be completed under the Yoga Certification Board (YCB), Ministry of AYUSH.
Syllabus
A formal training and education are given to individuals who wish to become a certified Yoga Instructor.
The syllabus for Yoga Instructor training covers topics such as yoga philosophy, anatomy, yoga history, origin, and development, information on yoga Maharshis such as Swami Aurobindo, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, etc. and yogic lifestyle, nutrition, and health secrets.
One of the most important training is the Yoga Asanas or postures. Pranayama and meditation are other important aspects of yoga that are taught to train the mind and body to achieve a state of inner peace.
Top Institutions Offering Yoga Education
The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) in New Delhi, run by the Ministry of Ayush, is a leading institution for yoga training and education.
You can pursue short-term courses of 3 to 6 months or a full-time course of 3 years after HSC to get formal training in Yoga.
Some of the top institutes that offer Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) are listed below:
- Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute — Mumbai
- Isha Yoga Centre — Tamil Nadu
- Himalaya Yog Institute
- Kushi Yogalaya — Bangalore
- Sivananda Ashram
- Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute – Pune, etc.
Fees for Yoga Instructor Course
Yoga Instructor courses are generally available as full-time, or short-term. Hence, the fees largely vary depending on the course duration, institution, and certification level.
Short-term courses of 3 to 6 months can range from Rs. 25,000 to 60,000 in India. Full-time courses that span for 1 to 3 years can cost anywhere between 1 to 4 lacs.
The fees also depend on whether you are enrolling for online, residential, or non-residential training. The residential course training costs are higher as they also include the accommodation cost along with the course fees.
Conclusion
Becoming a Yoga Instructor requires immense passion, dedication, and commitment towards learning yoga practices. You need to continuously upgrade your skills and knowledge to become a successful Yoga Instructor.
So if you’re passionate about creating a healthier and happier society, there’s nothing better than a yoga teaching profession. With the right training and qualifications, you can build a fulfilling and rewarding career that not only benefits your well-being but also that of others.