While a yoga class is often very calming for the students, a lot of work goes into preparing the class. Before you can teach a class, you need to learn the poses and philosophy of yoga and then become a certified instructor. During the training process, you will learn how to correctly perform poses and teach them to your students, use props and modifications to assist students with their poses, and perform other aspects of yoga such as meditation. This is all knowledge you will incorporate into your first yoga class.
Become an Instructor
Step 1
Study the poses and philosophy of yoga in a class or in private lessons, as well as from books or online resources. This will increase your knowledge and ability and show you if teaching a yoga class is right for you.
Step 2
Pick the type of yoga you want to teach. There are many variations to choose from, such as Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar and Kripalu yoga.
Step 3
Enroll in a yoga instructor training program that teaches the type of yoga you want to learn. Make sure your trainer is certified.
Step 4
Start a class in a space you have available. You can also hold your class as an independent contractor in a gym, dance studio, community center or another place that is willing to host your class.
Plan the Class
Step 1
Plan the poses you will teach to your students. Include any meditations and warm-ups in your lesson.
Step 2
Outline the order in which you will have the students perform the poses. A complete yoga session should include a relaxation segment, a warm-up session and a variety of poses, including forward and backward bends, spinal twists, seated or kneeling poses, inversions, poses to limber the legs and abdominal work, says author James Hewitt of "The Complete Yoga Book."
Step 3
Pick the items you will require your students to bring to class. Generally, you should have your students bring a yoga mat, towel and props, such as a blanket, a strap and a block. You should bring the same items, as well as items that add to the mood of the class, such as calming music, aromatherapy, incense, chimes or crystal bowls.
Tips and Warnings
- Choose whether to become a certified yoga teacher or a registered yoga teacher, which is a teacher registered through the nationally-recognized yoga regulation body, the Yoga Alliance. Registration is not necessary to work in many places, but it is for some. Use the Yoga Alliance as a resource to find training programs in your area. Online yoga instructor programs exist as well, although these do not provide hands-on training. It is important to work with a yoga instructor to learn the proper way to perform the poses in addition to taking a training program. Purchase yoga insurance if you plan to be a freelance yoga instructor, as it can cover the costs in case a student is injured in your class. You can check if the place you will be working for will cover you, but the insurance of studios and gyms often does not fully cover your class, according to Michael H. Cohen, J.D. for YogaJournal.com. When planning your class, include props and modifications to your poses so you are prepared for the different ability levels of the students.
References
- "Yoga: The Perfect Companion"; Michele Picozzi; 2003
- "The Complete Yoga Book"; James Hewitt; 1977
- Yoga Journal: Insurance and Dually Trained Yoga Teachers
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