The Truth about Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 1

When, or if, you decide to become a Yoga teacher, you should start with a basic Yoga teacher training course that gives you an overview of all of the fields within Yoga. If you decide to specialize, it is best to do it when the need becomes apparent. This is not always the case for every Yoga instructor. For example: You may have a calling for Prenatal Yoga or Kids Yoga.

This is fine - as Yoga teachers, and Yoga practitioners, we all understand passion. However, please make sure there is a market for the Yoga teaching niche you desire in your local area. After you get your feet wet, teaching Yoga to different groups, you will more accurately see your own destiny.

This may not happen right away, and some Yoga instructors are very comfortable working with the general population. When I look at my weekly schedule, I teach Yoga to kids, seniors with various levels of mobility, Gentle Yoga to a targeted middle aged group, Restorative Yoga (which also attracts students in the middle-aged range), Vinyasa Yoga classes to students in the 20 to 30 years of age range, and private sessions, which can cover just about anything.

To be honest, this is not for everyone, but if you teach Yoga full time, you tend to go where the needs are. Yoga students will seek you out, and you may have a specialized market that screams for your help. This will guide you toward a needful population of motivated Yoga students.

This is exactly what happened to me with Chair Yoga. When I received a call from a local senior center for Yoga classes, I had no idea it would become so popular. That led to filling up my morning Yoga class schedule, Later, I trained Yoga instructors, in my area, to address a need that is far beyond my ability to fulfill. The fact is, more Chair Yoga teachers are needed right now.

In our next section, we will go over some options for Yoga teachers, who have students, or potential students, seeking a specific form of Yoga instruction. Some of these niche markets will give you no passion at all, but it is good to look at your teaching options and then decide which sort of Yoga training you want to get involved in.

Always remember to keep an eye on which forms of Yoga are in demand, even though they may not appeal to you personally.

Copyright 2006 Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Teaching Hatha Yoga - Student Retention Tips
What separates successful Yoga teachers from the rest? Yoga studios and ashrams are founded on a core of students who keep c...

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Designing a Lesson Plan - Part 2
Whether a Yoga class should start from a standing, or seated, position has always been a subject for debate, but both methods...

Yoga Teacher for a Day, Part 2
It is not advisable to mentally design a Yoga lesson plan during your commute. After all, with all of the things some of us ...

What to Look for When Hiring a Yoga Teacher (Part 1)
How can you tell which Yoga teacher is the best fit for your health club, ashram, spa, or wellness studio? Does it depend on...

The Truth about Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 3
Power Yoga: Many things come to mind when we hear the words Power Yoga, but the roots of Power Yoga are usually related to A...

Yoga in Practice: The Impact of Yoga Teachers on Society - Part 2
Now, lets cover the next issue of Anti-Aging and Yoga. With regular Yoga practice, your health will be the best it can be. ...

Facts About Successful Yoga Teachers, Part 4
In the last part of this series, lets pick up where we left off about success as a Yoga teacher. With regard to attracting, ...

What Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know? - Part 2
Yoga teachers should have good working knowledge of Yoga posture alignment and know how to assist a Yoga student who is holdi...

Yoga Teacher Certification or Registration - Part 1
Lately, there has been a lot of confusion as to what credentials are needed to teach Yoga. There have been some recent chang...

The Philosophy of Yoga and How It Applies to Modern Society
Yoga in the west is primarily associated with hatha yoga postures. Hatha yoga is actually only a small part of an ancient sys...

What to Look for When Hiring a Yoga Teacher (Part 2)
Safety is a number one priority. Yoga teachers, who take risks with their students, put your business at risk. The Yoga tea...

Insider Secrets to the Business of Teaching Yoga, Part 1
If you are a Yoga teacher, or thinking about becoming a Yoga teacher, the concepts contained within this series will save you...

How to Shift Gears, Change Careers, and Become a Yoga Teacher, Part 2
How would you pay your bills by teaching Yoga for a living? Everyone needs a certain amount of income to live on and Yoga te...

Yoga Teacher for a Day, Part 1
Many Yoga teachers are often asked what a typical working day is like. This is a very broad question, as there are so many t...

Yoga Therapy
What exactly is Yoga therapy, and what are its origins? Should a Yoga teacher consider becoming a Yoga therapist? Where will ...

Fourth Niyama - Svadhyaya
The fourth Niyama is, "Svadhyaya," as described by Maharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. Svadhyaya literally means self-in...

Yoga for Pain
Is Yoga really a cure for pain? What kind of Yoga teacher should you visit for pain management? What style of Yoga would be...

How to Become a Yoga Teacher Who Everyone Wants to Learn From
What are a Yoga teachers biggest challenges? Is it the hours of Yoga teacher training? Is it the continuing education? No,...

Teaching Hatha Yoga - Order in the Class
Yoga teachers should establish control over their classes. A Yoga class is not an open campus. If you expect everyone to fo...

Teaching Hatha Yoga: My Yoga Students Do Not Want to Meditate
Recently, I received an Email from a colleague about local Yoga students and their desire to skip meditation. It seems some ...