You’re rolling your mat after a wonderful practice at a local Yoga studio. You’re feeling great and can’t exactly describe this feeling of ease with the world around you. One thing is for sure, you want to share this feeling with more people, share this ease, this joy and this feeling of oneness. Look no further, because you want to be a yoga teacher.
In the era of social networking one can be easily influenced with the ‘image’ of a yoga teacher. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter has scores of Yoga instructors who make it seem like being a yoga teacher is about quoting Rumi, drinking Coconut water and organizing your next yoga retreat by beach.
To be a Yoga teacher is much more than meets the eye, because leading a group or individuals through a good Yoga class requires dedicated practice and learning. Let’s look at a few basics on how to get started.
1. Begin with a thorough research
There are many different styles and forms of Yoga – Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, Iyengar Power, Jivamukti, Yin and much more. Read up on these different forms of Yoga, and take a few classes of these different styles to understand what makes them different and why.
2. Save up and plan ahead
Getting certified comes at a price and it is steep. Most Yoga Teacher Training Courses are expensive. Whether you decide on taking a course at a local studio or want to travel to India to spend a month or more learning, they all cost money. So plan your finances ahead. Remember that your Teacher Training Course is an investment, not only on your future career, but also on yourself and your growth.
3. Getting Certified
Keep your expectations to a minimum from your Teacher Training Course and its outcome. You might not nail Sirshasana (Headstand) or the Scorpion, the way your classmate glides through it. Sometimes, the Sanskrit names might be an earful and the philosophy a bit tough. It is during your course that you will understand how the physical practice is only a tiny percentage of what is Yoga. You are training yourself in an ancient science and the changes you will experience and see during your certification course will be on subtle level. Remember, in Yoga the biggest opponent is your Ego and it is about understanding your limits and capacity. So absorb as much as you can and be kind to yourself.
4. Put theory to work
Post your Teacher Training course, you will gain deeper insight into your own Sadhana (Spiritual Practice). Put all the theory and practice lessons you received to use in your daily life. Try and maintain a dairy about the progress of your Sadhana, plan your own Asana routines and work on your physical practice. It is essential for teachers to use the wisdom from their own self practice to lead a class and that is the only sign of a good teacher. As Ashtanga legend K Pattabi Jois once famously said, ‘Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory’
5. Start networking
Start connecting with Yoga teachers and studios in your area. Create a resume and drop in at these studios and let them know you would like to teach a few classes. Begin by substituting classes for teachers. Also, ask teachers who inspire you, if they need assistance in any of the classes they are leading and learn from these teachers. You might not start making money on your first few classes, and don’t hesitate to offer a few free classes. Develop an online profile and regularly share information that is relevant to your classes or inspires you.
6. Keep learning
Your learning does not stop after your teacher training course. In fact one of the best things about a Yoga teacher is that you never stop learning. You might want to break a routine slightly and experiment with a new flow and these ideas you will stumble upon only through learning and reading. So always be open to learning, it could be from your own class, a senior teacher, literature on yoga or your own practice.
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