How to Become a Yoga Teacher

If you want to instruct students in yoga classes, first you will need to learn how to become a yoga teacher and the steps that are involved. Most yoga instructors go through teacher training programs that end with a certificate after a certain number of hours. Then you will simply need to find a job at a gym, fitness center, yoga club, spa or other facility where yoga classes are offered. If you are passionate about yoga and have a calm demeanor, this may be an excellent job for you.

A good yoga teacher training program should be registered by the Yoga Alliance. Being accredited by this nationally recognized organization is a sign of a quality educational program in this field. There are 200-hour and 500-hour certificate programs. You will be able to find jobs at yoga studios with 200 hours of training, but the higher level of certification will help advance your career opportunities. And, if you want to teach a specialized type of yoga such as Anusara, Baptiste Power Yoga, Bikram or Iyengar you will need to complete an additional training program.

If you're thinking of becoming a yoga teacher, it would be a good idea to ask some of your favorite instructors where they completed their yoga training or if there is a training program nearby that they recommend. If there are no good schools nearby you may have to consider relocating. The Yoga Alliance Web site should have a list of suitable programs from which you can choose.

During your education you can expect to pay upwards of $3,000 for the training program, but you may be able to get financial aid or pay in installments. Most programs last from one month to a year. The additional training for some of the specializations may last only a month or two, but it will be intensive.

The average salary for yoga instructors varies depending on the years of experience and specialization of the instructor, how many hours they work, and where they work. Annual salaries range from approximately $40,000 to $80,000. If this sounds good, the next step is figuring out where to get your training and get started!

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What is Chair Yoga?

Chair Yoga is a gentle form of Yoga. With so many types of Yoga available, here is one that most of us can practice. Inversions and complicated maneuvers are not necessary in a Chair Yoga class.

All it takes is the motivation to get started. Most Chair Yoga classes don't use a Yoga mat, but the main prop used is a chair. This helps with balancing poses, and most common Yoga postures can be modified for the chair.

We have one particular Chair Yoga class, in Pawtucket, RI, that uses both chairs and Yoga mats. Within this type of Yoga class, you can cover standing, seated, supine, and prone postures. Most of our classes use the chair only, due to the difficulty of getting up, or down, on the floor.

Chair Yoga sessions are most commonly seen in senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, adult day care centers, and physical rehabilitation units. Clients can learn any number of Yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and stage-by-stage relaxation, with the aid of a chair.

Standing postures, such as Triangle and Warrior variations, can be practiced seated, or standing, with the aid of a chair. You can practice Sun Salutations or Vinyasa, (flowing postures), from seated or standing positions.

Contrary to popular opinion, Chair Yoga is not for seniors only. Most of us take our good health for granted. The physically handicapped have no age boundaries, and they are very enthusiastic students.

Due to trauma, or a debilitating disease, at any time, any one of us could become physically handicapped. Most of us drive cars every day, and there is always a risk of an auto accident.

Some younger family members of seniors, and the physically handicapped, get involved in classes and private sessions. When family members participate in a class, or private session, it is always a good quality time for everyone.

Chair Yoga teachers must continually educate themselves, be knowledgeable of body mechanics, use of props, and a variety of ailments. This field requires teachers with compassion and the patience to help those who are doing their personal best.

It is also a field with growth opportunities; as the population is aging, there are not enough Chair Yoga teachers to go around. Some estimates indicate there are 1.5 million, or more, Yoga practitioners, over the age of 55, within the United States. Therefore, the demand far outweighs the supply of Yoga teachers for this particular field.