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Designing a Plan to Become a Yoga Teacher, Part 1
By Paul Jerard
If you have decided that becoming a Yoga teacher is your passion, your next step is to create a plan of action. When doing anything that requires a major change, a call to action is one of the hardest hurdles to overcome. There are so many people who wish for goals, but do not plan to go after them. Let's look at a few ways to make your plan of action to become a Yoga teacher.
What kind of help or support system do you need to teach Yoga? Remember the saying, "no man is an island." Everyone needs encouragement, even if you are very confident in your abilities. Will you need financial help, educational resources, or to be mentored by a local Yoga teacher? Make an assessment of what you need and plan accordingly.
Become a Yoga Teacher
What should you learn about becoming a Yoga teacher?
If you really want to teach Yoga, you should explore every resource available about how to teach Yoga classes. You should also learn about how to succeed in the Yoga teaching business. These factors will also determine how fast you progress once your Yoga teacher training course has concluded.
Where should you learn to teach Yoga?
There are many options for Yoga teacher training, so let's cover a few of them. If you decide to take an on-site Yoga teacher training, please avoid the weekend certifications. These programs may teach you a few postures and breathing techniques, but you will likely know little more than the average Yoga student.
Complete Yoga Teacher Training
Having a complete syllabus is important.
A complete Yoga teacher training program should contain information about: Asanas, Modifications, Contraindications, Proper use of props, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Methodology, Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, Assisting with Posture Alignment, Working with Special Populations, Insider Yoga Teaching Tips, Yoga Teacher Ethics, Chakras, Bandhas, Mudras, Doshas, Yamas, Niyamas, Pranayama techniques, Meditation, Relaxation, Yoga Business Development, Communication, Marketing, and Networking.
How, in the world, can someone expect that kind of knowledge to be transmitted and processed in a weekend? There is a logical reason why 200 hours has become the Level 1 minimum International Yoga teacher training standard.
There is an unforeseen problem for Yoga interns, who desire to take a "weekend certification" course, in order to open the door to Yoga teaching as quickly as possible. This creates a dilemma of not having enough knowledge to be a safe Yoga teacher and not having the knowledge to stay in the Yoga teaching business.
Yoga Teacher Training Course
© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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Designing a Plan to Become a Yoga Teacher, Part 2
By Paul Jerard
Many of the "quickly certified" Yoga teachers, come to a realization and later join other Yoga teacher programs to be re-educated, and re-certified again, because they, themselves, did not learn about contraindications, modifications, working with special populations (senior citizens, children, students with ailments, less flexible students, handicapped, etc.), Yoga methodology, and a multitude of other previously mentioned Yoga subjects.
Yoga Teacher Education
Unfortunately, these Yoga teachers are often trained to teach Yoga as an exercise program by learning a dozen or two dozen asanas, and not much beyond this. The fact is, Yoga is much more than an exercise program. Yoga is the most complete health maintenance system known to mankind, with a lineage of thousands of years. Whole health needs to be addressed by much more than an exercise program.
On-site training is not cheap and can vary from the low $2000.00 range to very expensive. When you consider travel, lodging, and all of the expenses involved a typical Yoga teacher training may well cost you $6000.00 or more. Does anyone offer Yoga teacher interns a guarantee? Not often, and as of today, I only know of only one guaranteed Yoga teacher training course in existence.
Yoga Teacher Correspondence Courses
On the other hand, Yoga teacher correspondence courses are much more reasonable, but can vary in the number of study hours and overall quality. For example: A forty hour Yoga course is just not enough time for anyone to safely learn to teach Yoga students. Once again, you should research the syllabus and get a complete Yoga teacher training course.
If you are considering a Yoga teacher correspondence course, you should have sufficient knowledge of Yoga. Also, make sure that customer service is always a priority to the Yoga teacher training center after the sale has been made to the Yoga teacher intern. If you call during business hours and get a live person who answers your questions diplomatically, that will give you some indication of the technical service you should expect.
While you are at it, make sure that you are calling a Yoga teacher training center and not a "diploma house." If they certify everything from pet sitting to web design, what do you think they really know about teaching Yoga?
Once you have received the study material, there will undoubtedly be questions, concerns, or need for further assistance, via email, or telephone, from the intern who has purchased the Yoga teacher course. Make sure you get answers if you are "stuck" during your Yoga teacher internship.
Your Goal: Become a Yoga Teacher
What are your goals in regard to your Yogic career? Plan long term and short term goals, but add your continuing education to both lists. At least, make it a point to read Yoga books and watch Yoga DVD's. Audio books are handy too.
What is your estimated time frame to become a Yoga teacher? All you have to do is pencil in a realistic deadline. It does not have to be tomorrow and the idea should not create any stress. You should have fun, and "enjoy the journey," when you are working toward your goal of teaching Yoga.
Yoga Teacher Salary
What kind of salary can you expect to earn as a Yoga teacher?
If you are looking at an hourly rate, anywhere from $35 to $120 is about right in North America.
There are many factors involved in pricing, such as demographics and demand. If a Fortune 500 company hires you to teach Yoga, or stress management, to their executive staff, you know the price should reflect your preparation and travel time.
Lastly, if you feel the calling to teach Yoga, please do the following. Write your plans down, take action, and go after your goal of becoming a Yoga teacher. The public needs more compassionate Yoga instructors and the job is very rewarding.
How to Become a Yoga Teacher
© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
