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Yoga classes continue to be among the leading fitness trends around the country, and many spas, hotels, resorts and wellness centers are looking for well-trained, professional yoga instructors. If you want to be a yoga instructor, you will need to complete a yoga teacher training or yoga certification course at an accredited school. There are several different levels of yoga certifications to choose from, and obtaining certification will allow you to teach yoga classes at a fitness studio, hotel or resort, or even offer classes privately to clients as a personal instructor.
How to Get Yoga Certification
If you want to become a registered yoga teacher, you will need to have some experience as a yoga practitioner at least at the intermediate level. Since yoga is practiced as a path toward self-realization, it is important to practice regularly and continue to work toward improving different techniques, poses and exercises. Some yoga schools offer multi-day course programs that are intensive, accelerated yoga instructor training programs.
You can also find several yoga certification programs online. These yoga instructor training programs can be completed at your own pace, and may include instructional DVDs, online chat or training session with a professional yoga instructor, and online quizzes and exams.
If you take yoga certification courses at a community college or trade school, you will need to log in both classroom hours and studio training hours in order to obtain your certificate.
Choosing a Yoga Instructor Training Program
If you want to obtain a professional yoga certification, you will need to complete a yoga instructor training program at a school that is listed with the Yoga Alliance. The Yoga Alliance sets the standards for professional yoga training courses, and has created both 200-hour and 500-hour standards to ensure that all aspiring instructors and teachers have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver the right level of expertise to their students. The Yoga Alliance sets these standards to ensure that all registered yoga schools and yoga teachers maintain consistency with their approach, and follow a specialized curriculum.
Most yoga instructor training programs are comprised of the following elements:
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Practical training
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Lectures
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Yoga teachings
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Sanskrit and learning Yoga words
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Examinations
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Ayurveda techniques
Types of Yoga Classes
Different types of yoga certifications require the completion of various types of yoga classes, and your program may have both standard and elective course options. Some of the most common types of yoga classes in a basic training program include:
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Asanas
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Pranayma
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Bandhas
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Cleansing Processes
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Meditation
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Hatha Yoga Principles
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Ashtanga Yoga Principles
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Yoga Sutras
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika
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Karma Yoga
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Applications of Yoga
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Yoga Therapy
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Prenatal Yoga
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Ethical Guidelines as a Yoga Teacher
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Mantra Practice
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Anatomy & Physiology
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Introduction to Ayurveda, the science of life
Many yoga instructor training programs also include an alternative health or wellness component where students learn about the Indian sciences of using medicines, herbs and tinctures to manage pain, reduce stress and alleviate the symptoms of many health problems.
What to Expect at Yoga School
Students who attend a yoga school are usually taught by a professional and experienced yoga teacher in an organized class setting. Yoga schools and training institutes typically offer accelerated programs where students stay on campus throughout their training. Some yoga schools offer the following amenities and benefits:
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Hands-on learning and teaching
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Attractive location on the oceanfront or in a quiet, wooded setting
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Retreat center powered by solar electricity
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Organic vegetable and fruit gardens
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Well-balanced, nutritious meals
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Access to a community of musicians, yogis and instructors
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Eco-yoga products
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DVDs and other training materials
Attending yoga school can be a great way to complete your yoga training through an immersion experience. You will have the opportunity to work with trained yogis, learn some valuable techniques and insights about yoga, and can work with other aspiring yoga teachers to meet all of your yoga certification requirements.
Applying to Become a Yoga Teacher
When you have completed your required hours of a yoga instructor training program, you can apply for credentials through the Yoga Alliance. The Yoga Alliance maintains a voluntary registry for teachers who meet minimum educational standards and have attended a registered school. You will need to fill out an application based on the number of hours you have completed, and can expect a response within four to eight weeks of your application.
You can also continue your education and obtain additional credentials by:
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Reading books or articles that deepen your understanding of yoga practice
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Taking online courses related to yoga
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Taking a correspondence course related to yoga
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Being mentored by telephone through a yoga-related program
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Developing yoga class materials for students
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Producing yoga videos
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