Yoga is among the fastest growing natural health practices in the world. In fact, the popularity of yoga within the Australian community has grown significantly in recent years as it has been well-documented as a complementary therapy for several chronic conditions.
Want to explore yoga as a career, deepen your practice, or understand what's involved in the discipline? You're not alone. In the teachings of Patanjali: Yoga begins now. The steps below show you how to turn your passion for yoga into a fulfilling career as an instructor.
What's your objective?
The first step is to know your purpose for teaching. The more you reflect on the true reasons for deepening your practice, the more clarity you'll gain. Bear in mind that studying to become a yoga teacher takes more than just clinching that qualification; you must have a genuine interest in stimulating your personal growth and that of others.
Study at a Certified Yoga School
Once you're ready, go and look for a certified yoga school with qualified training programs. The ideal school not only teaches different yoga styles, but also provides its students the ability to tailor the discipline to their client's specific needs. Aside from the theoretical and practical aspects of yoga, its coursework also covers topics on setting up and running your own private practice.
It's worth looking into the following schools:
- Space Foundation Wellness Centre provides progressive yoga courses that are facilitated by experienced yoga and Pilates instructors.
- Health and Harmony Colleges offers a wide range of natural therapy courses, including a Diploma in Yoga.
- Australian College of Classical Yoga prepares you for a successful career in the field of yoga through its Diploma of Classical Yoga.
- Health Institute Australasia offers comprehensive teacher training programs, including certificate, diploma and advanced diploma courses.
Gain Your Qualification
To qualify as a yoga instructor in Australia, you need to complete a minimum of 200 hours in a yoga teacher certification training program, which is equivalent to 10 or 12 weeks of study. But if you want to teach yoga extensively, it's worth considering a diploma course that requires at least 500 hours of study time.
Before enrolling, find out if the course has an online program which allows you more flexibility in schedule, especially if you have to juggle your study time with a nine-to-five job. What's more, distance education allows you to learn the pranayama and asana techniques from proficient yoga instructors regardless of their location.
Register with a Professional Association
Joining a professional organisation that's relevant to your practice will swiftly further your career. You want to register with the International Yoga Teachers Association of Australia (IYTA), Yoga Alliance or Yoga Australia. Being the largest governing bodies for yoga internationally, they regulate and maintain the highest standards of yoga teacher training programs.
As a registered member of an accredited yoga association, you will be automatically listed in their directory of teachers and recognised by potential employers worldwide as a yoga instructor who has met the highest standards of yoga training.
Take up Continuing Education
Studying yoga doesn't end after earning your qualification. A good teacher is one who constantly updates their knowledge base so that they can help their students maintain their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.
Aside from gaining real-life teaching experience, seek the guidance of a mentor. Doing so will deepen your practice and widen your professional network consisting of like-minded yogis.
Taking a yoga course not only prepares you for a rewarding teaching career, but it also deepens your understanding of self and others. You become the embodiment of confidence, resilience and absolute wellness.
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