How Do I Become A Certified Yoga Teacher In India?

It goes without saying, or any introduction, that yoga is a 5000-year-old science. Moreover, it is much about the body, as it is about the mind and spirit. Yes, yoga is a holistic science. Yoga originated many years ago in Northern India, which is considered as the hub. It is not just a great form of exercise, but more than what others perceive it to be. It is meditation, in motion. At least, that is how, most people would describe it. If you want to become a yoga teacher, anybody will tell you what to do. You have to go for a certified yoga teacher training in India.

What Qualifications Do You Need To Become A Yoga Teacher?

Today, anybody can become a certified yoga teacher, but with some basic qualifications. You have to fulfil certain criteria, so that you can understand, what is being taught in the yoga school. There are many kinds of courses in India, like the 200 hour yoga teacher training course. Additionally, there are a few courses that are run by some renowned yoga schools. Some courses are of 4-weeks duration, whereas others are of 2 months duration. You will also come across courses that are of one-year duration.

You can take your pick, depending on your situation and education. Interests and how much time, you are ready to devote also matters. If you are a graduate and want to study yoga, then that is possible as well. Many adults are leaving their careers midway, to pursue yoga. You may be one of them, looking for a second career. Always go for a yoga teacher training course at one of the renowned yoga schools in India. There are many places that have plenty of them, one being Rishikesh. However, you have to chose Rishikesh among all others, as it is exactly the spot, where the gods provided the knowledge of yoga to the mere mortals. Sages and seers were the first ones, who received the knowledge from the gods.

Education-wise, you should be able to understand what is being taught in the class. Most courses are conducted in the universal language, which is English. Sanskrit is also used, but only in the original texts. The yoga teacher training courses, just does not teach the subject yoga, but also the business side of it.

Skills That You Require To Become A Yoga Teacher

There are a few inherent skills, that can help you to forward your yoga career. Apart from academics, and a certified yoga course, you also need to pay ample attention to these skills. Then only, you can become a fully-proficient yoga teacher.

  • Communication Skills – This is without any doubt, the main skill that teachers require. It does not matter, which subject you are studying. If you cannot get your message across, then there are high chances, that students will not be comfortable with you. Thus, you need to work on your communication skills, from the very moment, you decide to become a yoga teacher. You may even join the course after that. If you have good communication skills, then the students can understand your lessons and instructions clearly.
  • Coordination Skills – As a yoga teacher, you also need to have adequate coordination skills. You could be teaching mixed groups of students, where there will be 10-15 students. You have to be excellent in addressing the issues of the students at all levels. Neglecting one, at the cost of the other will affect your prowess as a teacher. Your role is to guide all the students, no matter what level, depending on their abilities and limitations.
  • Discipline – No class can do without discipline. And, this is something that should be ingrained in your psyche by now. Discipline is an inherent part of school life. As a yoga trainer, it is one of your primary responsibilities to see that your students are paying attention inside the classroom. They should maintain silence and concentrate on nothing, but yoga. If you want, you can also ask or request your students, to refrain from using technology inside the class, as long as the lessons are on. When one student speaks to someone on their smartphone, it can create a lot of noise and disturbances. Others may feel intimidated and get disturbed. Furthermore, the students will find it difficult to meditate.
  • Patience – As a yoga trainer, you should have another important quality, and that is patience. If you want to build a good client base for yourself, you need to be patient in your dealings. Always remember, that you cannot convince all students, that you are the best. People have preferences. It takes time to grow conviction. So, you have to have that. Your class may get delayed at times, due to one student coming in late. You cannot get angry as such. At least, that is something yoga practice must have taught you. In order to become a successful teacher, you have to develop patience.

If you have a passion for learning and teaching yoga, you can turn it into a career. That is what many people are doing today. Moreover, you should be ready to become a lifelong learner. A 200 hour yoga teacher training course can give your career a jumpstart, but you have to do the rest.

There are various benefits, that you can get as a yoga teacher. You should also know about them.

Benefits of Becoming a Certified Yoga Teacher

Considering that you have immense love for yoga teacher training, and making a career out of it, you will get some benefits, almost instantly.

You will get to explore the subject in totality. If you do regular yoga classes, at your neighbourhood studio, then you may not get all the knowledge, that you want. As a part of the yoga classes that you attend at a renowned yoga school in Rishikesh, you will be able to delve deeper and deeper. You will study philosophy in great detail in the course. It is important, as you have to develop a wide scope of knowledge in the same, to be effective as a teacher. If your knowledge is vast, then only, you can impress your audience, who in this case, will be your students. You will also get a proper understanding of anatomy and physiology. Learning about the body parts and biological processes, will help you to suggest movements and poses, to students who have body limitations.

Expect to meet students with chronic illnesses and injuries. There could be someone, who just had a surgery and wants therapeutic yoga. So, in order to fulfil the wants of all types of students, you get to learn in-depth only through the certified courses. In the process, you will also learn a lot about your own body. Moreover, you will feel more energetic and will form happy relationships, with your peer group and family members.

There are some of the best yoga teacher training schools in Rishikesh, and you have to take admission to one of them, to get maximum knowledge and experience. The ambience is also quite suitable for your pursuits. You will also get a Yoga Alliance certification, which gives you the international pedestal. Work anywhere across the globe, after you get your certification. Hari Om Yoga Vidya School is one of the top schools, teaching yoga at Rishikesh.

Pramod Sahoo
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