Yoga Fitness Certification

Yoga Fitness Certification
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The yoga fitness field has flourished due mainly to the concerns of aging baby-boomers about aging gracefully while placing less stress upon the body. Yoga fitness certification can open the door to a flourishing career, which helps all age levels. Certification may hold you above other job candidates in the fitness field, but yoga certification requirements vary according to the establishment needing yoga instructors.

Facts

Yoga fitness certification will qualify you to work as a fitness worker, a classification given by the U.S. Department of Labor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to expand at a faster rate than other professions, making job prospects very promising. Positions range from part-time to full-time, can be performed on either a group or individual basis, with many workers increasing hours by offering services at a variety of facilities or venues. Venues may include client homes, hospitals, clinics, recreation centers, fitness centers, resorts, universities, yoga centers and health clubs.

Benefits

Obtaining a yoga fitness certification offers many benefits, both professionally and personally. Professionally, yoga fitness instructors can be gainfully employed and work either independently or as an employee of a fitness-related firm in the growing personal fitness field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a yoga fitness instructor, you can help others decrease stress levels and heighten relaxation techniques which aids in lowering high blood pressure levels and risks of developing hypertension, improve mental outlooks while enhancing inner peace, promote positive self-image, promote weight management, strengthen muscles, improve cardiovascular functioning, relieve muscular tension and improve lung capacity by improving oxygen intake and enhancing breathing techniques. Yoga can also provide natural pain relief, which can aid individuals with back and neck pain, multiple sclerosis, joint ailments such as arthritis and health ailments including cancer and auto-immune disease, according to the Yoga Alliance.

Personal Characteristics

Your personal characteristics can play a role in how far you go with your yoga fitness certification. Individuals with compassionate, outgoing and motivating personalities can do well, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Since effective communication is required while dealing with clients and other business professional, yoga fitness trainers must have a positively-oriented personality with a knack for communicating. Strong sales skills are needed for working in many settings. The ability to motivate, encourage, attract and retain clients is imperative, as is a strong sense of awareness to others' needs. On the physical side, you must be in good shape and in excellent health.

Training

Yoga fitness certification requires specialized training to help minimize potential injury caused by inexperienced and/or improperly trained instructors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Training courses range from 200 to 400 hours, according to the Yoga Alliance. Programs exist to train yoga instructors in teaching children, prenatal women or the general public in the intricacies of yoga. Training includes class hours in learning physiology, teaching methodology, yoga techniques and anatomy. Group fitness certification requirements depend upon the individual fitness center or organization.

References

Article reviewed by Lynda Moultry Belcher Last updated on: May 26, 2011

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