With a rich history spanning 5,000 years, yoga has long been regarded as a beneficial mind and body practice that can improve your health. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, yoga has recently become a popular form of physical exercise that can help people improve their flexibility and posture, build muscle, increase blood flow, and overall improve health. Due to its increasing popularity, you might have noticed an influx of yoga studios to address the rising demand.
If you are passionate about practicing yoga and have witnessed its health benefits firsthand, the thought of taking a yoga certificate course may have already crossed your mind. Nowadays, it seems as though more and more people are becoming yoga instructors to impart their knowledge and good health to others. Initially, the idea may sound daunting and intimidating, but in reality, the experience can be extremely rewarding. Before you get started with any form of training, you should take some time to familiarize yourself with what it takes to become a certified instructor. You need to learn about the courses that you can take, along with the many ways in which you can use your certification.
Learning Outcomes
With so many different training programs available to choose from, you may be wondering: What exactly will I learn from the course? Certification programs are designed differently based on the teaching institute and the course’s focus, but generally, most of them abide by the standards set by the Yoga Alliance. Many people will usually start by attending a 200-hour Registered Yoga School (RYS 200) or 300-hour Registered Yoga School (RYS 300) course. These two will help you get a better understanding of teaching methodologies, yoga poses, anatomy and physiology, meditation techniques, and a breakdown of the different types of yoga. Essentially, you can think of them as the beginner’s courses that can help you get your feet wet and officially begin your training journey.
While RYS 200 is the most common course that to-be instructors take, you don’t need to limit yourself to this option. Some schools will offer up to 500-hour training programs, so if you want to get more in-depth learning, you can opt for these longer options.
Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Certification
Once you have completed a training program from a Registered Yoga School (RYS), you can proceed to apply for an RYT certification. As an RYT, you will need to have completed your RYS training, with confirmation from the school, and keep up with continuing education and annual fees. While registration for this certification is not mandatory, you get several added benefits as an RYT. For one, many yoga studios prefer to have certified instructors, so you have a higher chance of getting employed with an official credential. Aside from this, you can also market yourself in the RYT directory to let people know more about you as an instructor. Furthermore, becoming an RYT gives you the chance to participate in networking events and have access to useful resources.
Continuing Education
When it comes to yoga, the learning truly never ends. After taking your yoga certificate course and becoming certified, you must complete continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain your credentials. If you are registered with the Yoga Alliance, you will have to take 75 hours of CE every three years. The 75 hours will consist of 45 hours of teaching yoga and 30 hours of yoga training related to one of the education categories. Given how broad the field of yoga is, there will always be new things to learn, explore, and discover. If you are particularly interested in a type of yoga, then you may also benefit from taking courses specifically designed for that type.
For example, an ashtanga vinyasa yoga training program will teach you the fundamentals of ashtanga yoga, as well as the specific poses and asanas for vinyasa yoga. Taking CE is not only a way for you to maintain your certification, but also a chance for you to pursue advanced credentials. While it is essentially a way to ensure that your knowledge is always up-to-date, you will find that there is beauty in constantly learning new things once you get into the world of yoga.
Indeed, the road to becoming a certified yoga instructor will require commitment and dedication, but as long as you are passionate about it, you will find no trouble completing all the requirements. What makes yoga courses valuable and rewarding is the fact that the journey will not just prepare you to become an instructor but also help you grow as a person. If you are still having apprehensions, now may be the time to get rid of them and take that first step.