YOGA INSTRUCTOR AS A CAREER

YOGA INSTRUCTOR:

They are fitness professionals who impart knowledge of both yoga and meditation. It is a great career option as it is an ancient art which teaches us the ways to have a fit and healthy body.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

A specialized training or a certificate program is required to teach yoga. There are several courses which can help a person to become a trained yoga instructor or teacher. They are-

Certificate Course In Yoga (CCY)- a one and a half month course Eligibility- only candidates who have passed class 10 are eligible and there is no age limit.

Course

Bachelor in Arts(Yoga Philosophy)-a three-year degree course. Eligibility- only plus two passed candidates of any stream having minimum 45% marks are eligible.

Diploma in Yoga Education-one year course with 6-month internship.

Eligibility- graduates from any discipline with a certificate in Yoga are eligible.

Master Course

PG. Diploma in Yoga Therapy- one year course

Eligibility- graduates from any stream but from a recognized university.

Master of Arts in Yoga-two year course

Eligibility-graduates from any stream

Colleges for learning Yoga-

• Sivananda Ashrams
• Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute
• Parmarth Niketan
• Ashtanga Institute
• Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari
• Gordhandas Seksaria College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis

SYLLABUS-

• Traditional Yoga techniques
• Teaching methods
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Yoga Philosophy and History

According to one’s interest, one can specialize in any particular style of Yoga

They are: Hatha Yoga– which teaches postures, meditation and breathing techniques

Vinyasa Yoga– coordinates breath and movement

Iyengar Yoga- focuses on correcting body alignment so that body is protected from injuries.

Kundalini Yoga-it helps to free energy of the lower body and this free energy moves upward. Helps to coordinate breath and body movements.

Bikram Yoga-helps to develop strength, endurance and cardiovascular health.

Asthanga and Power Yoga- it teaches synchronized breathing and the difficult poses of Yoga.

Anusara-it teaches physical alignment.

Jivamukti-focuses on chanting, meditation and music

Forrest-focuses on deep breathing techniques and strengthening postures

Kripalu-focuses on increasing inner awareness and concentration

Integral-focuses on breathing exercises, chanting, meditation and gentle postures.

Sivananda-focus is on proper breathing, meditaton, doing 12 key postures and relaxation.

Skills Required-

• Good communication skill
• Interpersonal skill
• Motivational skill
• Focussed and determined to learn difficult asanas
• Having achieved these, one can specialize in the following-
• Yoga exercises
• Yoga therapy
• Spiritual Yoga

Yoga for couples, children, seniors, couples, prenatal, postnatal and corporate

CAREER SCOPE-

It offers a vast career scope both in India and abroad. Yoga instructors can work in health clubs, yoga and Pilates studios, Special needs centre, private gyms and in clients homes.

One can procure jobs both in government and the private sector. One can open one’s own yoga center. Yoga teachers are required in research institutions, schools, hospitals, management institutes etc

One can work as… Yoga instructor, Yoga therapist, Yoga manager, Yoga consultant.

DUTIES-

• Create and plan the lessons
• Analyze fitness level and requirements of clients
• Demonstrate the Yogic poses to teach the clients
• As per the requirement of the client, plan the Yoga program.
• Monitor the client performance

SALARY-

The salary of a Yoga instructor in India is quite good ranging from 10k to 25k per month. Having acquired a Masters degree or a Doctorate in Yoga can be an asset and salary can go up to 1lakh a month. So anyone wanting to take up this career has a long way to go.

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