Becoming a yoga instructor is a career choice thousands of people have made in Canada. Some choose to become a yoga teacher because they have been practicing yoga for years, and want to share their expertise with others. Yoga instruction is also a popular choice for fitness professionals who want to incorporate it into their skills repertoire.
Others earn their yoga teaching certification to open a fitness studio for yoga and other wellness activities, such as meditation and physiotherapy. Whatever the reason is for choosing to become a yoga instructor, you will be qualified to perform the rewarding job of helping others improve their physical and mental well-being.
Yoga is a popular fitness activity that has become a mainstay in the fitness industry. Once considered trendy, yoga is widely regarded by athletes, fitness experts, and fitness enthusiasts as an excellent way to stretch, condition, and strengthen the body. There are so many varieties of yoga for people to choose from: Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin, Iyengar, Restorative, Aerial and Ropes, just to name a handful.
There are even yoga fusion classes, where yoga is combined with another workout like Pilates or strength training. You can use yoga to build muscle, meditate and relax, stretch, or achieve greater mindfulness. Because yoga is so diverse and versatile, it is no surprise it has been adopted by millions as a regular activity.
With so many people learning and teaching yoga, it is important to have a system of certification to ensure that teachers understand how to appropriately support yoga students with so many different physical needs. While it may seem strange, yoga can potentially cause injury when practiced incorrectly. Studios and students want people who understand yoga safety, in addition to deep knowledge about its history and practice.
If you have been considering becoming a yoga instructor and are wondering what certifications are required to practice in Canada, you have come to the right place. Let's take a closer look at how to become a yoga instructor in Canada.
Thousands of Canadians teach yoga, or have combined yoga with other health and wellness practices like nutrition, personal training, lifestyle coaching, and meditation. Those that have a love for fitness and want to build a career as a yoga teacher have many options to get started!
What Factors are Important to Consider When Seeking Yoga Instructor Certification?
Certification to teach yoga is typically a prerequisite for any studio or established fitness facility. Fitness businesses want qualified professionals that will take safety into serious consideration, not to mention knowledge of how to plan and sequence an effective class that will attract new and returning clientele. There is no shortage of yoga teacher training schools in Canada, so you may want to take a number of factors into consideration when choosing the right class for you. Here are some key factors.
What are My Career Goals?
If your goal is to work in a studio environment, you will want to consider getting your teaching certification in an established studio. Many studios offer 200 hour yoga teacher training courses, meaning that the course will take about 200 hours to complete. Some studios may offer longer courses for those who want to specialize or finish with a deep knowledge of yoga.
At a studio, you may get the opportunity to use the space for learning and practice teaching. Learning in a studio is also an excellent choice if you want to eventually open your own business or studio, and want to see the workings of a studio for yourself.
Strong yoga instructors will have years of experience and training in practicing yoga as a student and as a teacher.They will also be certified and have spent hundreds of hours in a yoga teacher training course.
Do I Prefer to Learn Online or In Person?
Prospective yoga teachers may also choose to earn their certification through an online course, which is great if you live in a remote area, do not have a training studio near your home, or simply prefer the convenience of learning online. Online fitness options have burgeoned in the last few years, with so many people choosing to workout at their home gyms.
While you will not have the benefits of working and learning in a studio context, you can enjoy your classes from home and possibly do some practice teaching in a community center or a gym.
How Much Time Can I Invest?
When searching for courses, you will notice that they are titled based on the amount of hours you can complete the course in. If you have a lot of time to invest in your learning and want a comprehensive knowledge of yoga, a longer course may be the right one for you. Should you want to start with a shorter course, you can still earn your yoga teaching certificate. After practicing for some time, you can always return to a yoga school to learn new skills or approaches.
Practitioners of yoga can often become so devoted to the activity that they want to share their expertise with others. As a yoga instructor, you can truly invest your time into learning not only how to create engaging and dynamic classes, but also understanding the human body.
Do I Need Qualifications to Become a Private Yoga Instructor?
While studios will typically require teachers to have certification and membership in the Canadian Yoga Alliance, private yoga teachers that run their own practice can choose to teach without yoga certification. However, it is important to keep in mind that many students see certification as an asset, especially when it comes to yoga. By earning your certification, you will not only be acquiring a higher level of knowledge about yoga and yoga teaching, but getting a credential that will make you more appealing to clients.
What is the Difference Between working as a Private Yoga Teacher and a Regular Yoga Instructor?
Private yoga teachers will typically work with individuals and small groups that have arranged for classes at a private gym, park, or even at home. Yoga teachers of public classes will work in a studio, gym, or community centre and teach classes to those that have a membership at the gym or studio and prefer to take classes in a larger group.
Some yoga classes can be rather large, so teaching such groups can be more difficult than a private class. Private yoga teachers may also work more with students that have unique needs that may not be accommodated in a regular studio.
Becoming a yoga teacher is a role that many seek: in the world of fitness, there are few things more rewarding than sharing your expertise and promoting health and wellness in the community. Learn more about yoga teacher training in Canada.
Are Private Yoga Classes Difficult to Teach?
The difficulty of teaching a private yoga class will depend on the student and the experience of the teacher in yoga instruction. For example, you may initially find private yoga classes hard because you must be so focused on supporting the client. They may have injuries, exceptionalities, or want you to work with them intensively on their form.
You may also get clients that just want a class in the comfort of their own home or at a time that works for them. In those scenarios, teaching will be relatively comfortable and easy.
Is it Hard to Find Work as a Personal Yoga Trainer?
Finding work as a personal yoga trainer can be easy with Superprof Canada. Superprof is a site that connects instructors of all activities and disciplines, including yoga, with students that want a more bespoke approach to learning.
Simply set up an account and profile as a teacher on Superprof, and individuals will be able to browse your listing to see if you will be a good fit for them. Prospective students can contact you directly through the site, and you can collaborate with them to create an arrangement that will suit both of your needs. You may choose to offer your services in person or virtually, whatever suits you best!
Yoga is a highly profitable industry with many opportunities for yoga enthusiasts to create an additional stream of income or build a successful business. Yoga instruction is a great entry point to build a fitness and wellness career.
How do I Find a Yoga Instructor Near Me?
Looking to practice yoga with a private instructor? You can also use the Superprof site as a student to search the profiles of yoga teachers in your area. You can use the search tool to explore different yoga teacher profiles, and contact those that have the right qualifications and background for your fitness or learning goals.
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