If you are a practicing yogi, a student undergoing yoga teacher training, or an avid admirer of the ancient science of healing, in all likelihood, the thought to transform into a yoga teacher would have crossed your mind. Well, there is no greater service than becoming a yoga teacher and serving mankind selflessly.
But, there are blurry lines as to what is the real meaning of being a yoga teacher. For many, being a yoga teacher equals to teaching a group of student yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation. For others a yoga teacher is one who spends days traveling around the globe practicing sadhna with the aim of attaining salvation.
We Have Decoded For You The Real Meaning Of Being A Yoga Teacher!
Inspire. Teach. Propagate. These three golden words define the world of a yoga teacher.
A yoga teacher is a one who doesn’t just make the students master the art of contorting the body into postures, but make them understand how each posture heals the tissues, cells, and organs of the body.
A yoga instructor doesn’t just guide a practicing yogi to sit in meditation for tranquilizing the mind waves but encourage the students to walk on the path of spirituality where they come in close contact with peace, contentment and joy.
A yoga master doesn’t just teach yoga to the yoga enthusiasts but make the students live and breathe a yogic life characterized by the Yamas, Niyamas, and the golden teachings of great yogic souls.
Like others if you are undergoing yoga teacher training in India (the motherland of yoga), and eager to take a leap towards the dream of becoming a yoga teacher. Then, we are pleased to be sharing this piece of writing with you.
As said, being a yoga teacher extends much beyond teaching the number of postures, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. Therefore, such a noble job demands consideration. And to help all the yoga practitioners wishing to become a yoga teacher, we have listed down a few things to consider before becoming a yoga teacher.
Let’s Enroute The Yogic Voyage!
Explore the Science of Yoga:
Let’s just be honest that knowing or practicing one-two yoga asanas and a few breathing and meditation exercises will not make you a yoga teacher. Exploration, dedication, and practice will. The science of yoga has a rich long history, great pioneers, and many layers. Unfold each layer, read about the magnificent history, and explore the various dimensions of yoga, practice asana, pranayama, meditation regularly. Read the yoga manuals, books on yoga by great teachers, start to incorporate Yamas and Niyamas into your life. And, if you are able to understand and connect with yoga, then you are ready to further walk down the path of being a yoga teacher. Here is a list of reads:
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- The Upanishads
- The Yamas and Niyamas
- Bhagvad Gita
Develop Love & Passion For Yoga:
Once you have started exploring the fathomable sea of the yogic science, and you think you are ready to become a yoga teacher, we advise you to rethink. Besides the understanding and practice of yogic science, love and passion for this art is necessary. Patience, love and strong character are the jewels of a yoga teacher. Only if it comes from the bottom of your heart, you can endure the process of transforming from a practitioner to a yoga teacher. During the process of exploring and understanding, if you develop love and passion for yoga, do take the step further.
Learn and Master the Science of Yoga:
As a yoga teacher, you need to hone your skills. And the veritable route to master the science of yoga is to enroll in a 200 hour yoga teacher training India. It is a beginner-level yoga course to learn the basics of yoga. After successful completion of 200-hour YTTC, you become eligible to enroll in a 300-hour (intermediate level) and 500-hour (advance level) yoga teacher training course that hones your yogic skills perfectly. After successful completion of each course, you are rewarded with a certificate that verifies you as a yoga teacher. That very moment, your journey of a yoga teacher begins.
- 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: The entry level course where you will learn primary yoga series
- 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: The intermediate level course where you will learn secondary yoga series
- 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training: The highest level course where you will learn advanced yoga series
Gain Validity and Authenticity:
Across the globe, many yoga schools provide yoga teacher training programs. But, not all are affiliated with Yoga Alliance– the non-profit organization representing the yoga community. The sole mission of this community is to promote and support the integrity and diversity of the teaching of yoga. So, if you desire to become a recognized and celebrated yoga teacher, enroll in a yoga school recognized with Yoga Alliance. The certificate provided by them to students upon successful completion of the course bears the stamp of Yoga Alliance, which will give you the recognition and honor of a yoga teacher across the globe. Another highlighting factor of choosing a Yoga Alliance certified school for an YTTC program is a detailed and comprehensive curriculum.
Associate with Affiliated Schools:
The real journey of being a yoga teacher begins now! You have successfully completed your yoga teacher training program from a reputed school. Congratulations! To turn your passion for yoga into a profession, you need to associate with an affiliated yoga school. Work as a yoga instructor in an affiliated yoga school because that’s where your journey started. Also, it is the best platform to escalate your practice to another level. You have learned a lot as a student, now learn as a teacher. There is so much to learn. And, a good teacher never stops learning.
Connect with Your Teaching Soul:
The yoga teacher training courses affiliated with Yoga Alliance organization offers an immersive curriculum with a balanced theoretical and practical approach.
- Hatha Yoga: The yoga practice to balance the opposites
- Ashtanga Yoga: The Mysore style of yoga asana practice
- Kundalini Yoga: The practice of yoga to channelize the Kundalini through the Chakras
- Pranayama: The art of controlling and expanding the life force
- Meditation Techniques: The yogic technique to calm the body, mind, and soul
- Shat-Kriyas: The yogic practice to cleanse and purify internal organs
- Ayurvedic Knowledge: Introduction to the knowledge of health and life
- Yogic Lifestyle: Living a pragmatic yogic lifestyle
- Teaching Methodology: For learning the art and technique of taking a yoga class.
And More….
As a teacher, you must find your niche. Are you more of a Hatha yogi or an Ashtanga yogi? Connect with your teaching soul, and then you will love teaching. Make a place of yours in a world of innumerable yoga teachers.
Preach The Science:
Yoga is for the betterment of humankind. It does not differentiate between the young and old, male and female, healthy and unhealthy. Therefore, as a yoga teacher, why would you? Even when you are teaching yoga at a school or running your yoga shala, preach the science to all those who come in contact with you. Not only yoga, teach people to be humble, compassionate, and selfless in their acts. Karma yoga is a type of yoga that allows the practitioner to work for the betterment of humanity. Teach and preach from a noble soul.
Empower Others:
A yoga teacher teaches asana, pranayama, and meditation. However, a great yoga teacher encourages and empowers his or her students. If you wish to become a great teacher, you need to understand the difference between teaching and empowering. Teaching is taking a class of half-an-hour or an hour. But, empowering is instilling the students with the confidence, guiding them at every step, and watching them transform into a yogic soul. Be a great yoga teacher and not just a teacher. And this is how you can empower your students:
- Involve the students in practicum and group discussions
- Take teaching methodology classes where they can conduct live sessions
- Take them on excursions where they can explore.
- Encourage them to lead a true yogic life
- Be a source of inspiration to them
Be a Yogi:
Never cease to be a yogi, while teaching, practice every day. Deepen your practice. Explore the areas you haven’t while you were studying. Develop your signature style of teaching that gives you an identity. A true yogi never stops learning and teaching.
Evolve into a yoga teacher of greatness, righteousness, morality, and nobility. Illuminate the lives of all the earnest yoga students and practitioners with the wisdom of yoga.
May You Live Your Dream!!!
