Posts Tagged ‘Yoga course’

What to Look for When Hiring a Yoga Teacher (Part 2)

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009

Safety is a number one priority. Yoga teachers, who take risks with their students, put your business at risk. The Yoga teacher, who physically abuses, his or her students, is not in the right profession.

Compassion is more than diplomacy and popularity, but these are a big help. When a Yoga teacher has compassion, the class is motivated to come back to the next Yoga class. This is a “win-win” situation for any facility, which employs compassionate Yoga instructors.

Communication is more than good cueing skills. Students learn primarily by seeing, listening, and feeling. One of these senses will be more dominant than the rest. A competent Yoga teacher will be able to reach all of these types of students.

Cueing is a skill refined by describing specifically how the body moves from one posture to the next. This is the hardest communication skill for most Yoga teachers to master.

Assisting is another communication skill, but must be applied gently, and with knowledge of alignment. Yoga teachers should ask for permission before making an assist. Otherwise, this can lead to misunderstandings. Assisting is great, but should not take over the entire class.

Demonstrating is very important. Some Yoga instructors like to walk around and cue. This is fine for part of the class, but what about the Yoga student who learns visually? This student is looking around at the Yoga teacher and everyone else.

Knowledge of alignment is not hard to learn, but some teachers get carried away with “their own demonstration” and forget about everyone in the room. If a Yoga student is showing poor posture, it should be corrected.

Listening does not seem like a “big deal,” but what about the Yoga teacher who doesn’t listen to his or her students? For example: A student has a problem in the L-5 area and the Yoga teacher decides to push the lower back a little. This could also be a lack of compassion, but some Yoga teachers do not listen to their students at all.

Modifications for beginners, older students, or those who have limited range of motion, due to skeletal compression are very important. The Yoga teacher, who makes no allowance for these conditions, also puts your facility at risk. Therefore, all Yoga teachers should know how to use props and have a good grasp of body mechanics.

Lack of teacher ethics can put you out of business. We are all aware of the consequences of harassment suits, so we do not have to go too deeply on this one. The best Yoga teachers treat everyone fair and equally. Discrimination of any kind is wrong and very costly.

Continuing education is important in any field, and Yoga is no different. Yoga teachers should stay current in their knowledge of safety, modifications, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. They should also learn how to keep Yoga classes interesting with fresh ideas. In turn, this keeps members coming back for more.

Therefore, the best selection is a Yoga teacher with a balance of all these factors. The one dimensional Yoga teacher is not an optimum fit for any organization. Within this current climate of liability suits, safety is the most important factor of all.

Lastly, ask each Yoga candidate do an audition, and do not hire him or her until you have been part of the Yoga class. Always remember, “Seeing is believing” and “talk is cheap.”

© Copyright 2005 – 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

[tags]Yoga teacher training, Yoga certification, teach Yoga, Yoga instructor, Yoga teacher, Yoga course[/tags]

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Yoga Teachers, Prepare for the New Year’s Rush – Part 3

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

This is the last article of this series, and by now, you should be getting some fresh ideas that will help you design a couple of new Yoga classes in your studio.

Yoga on the Ball: This has been around for awhile, but it still can add some excitement to a Yoga class. Whether you use it in a workshop, or to break up a class, the stability ball can put some life into a class.

However, not everyone will like it, especially those students who have difficulty just sitting on one of these balls. Make sure anyone who is unsteady is made aware of the hazards. It is best for some to practice near a wall, or in the corner, for stability. In this case, the wall is a secondary prop. Suzanne Deason has some interesting information on using the “Balance Ball” as a prop, in DVD format

Family Yoga: This is a great concept for most families, but it is worth noting that this type of class can attract some parents who desire to be in control of every aspect of their child’s life. This type of parent will be easily noticed from the start, when he or she corrects their son’s or daughter’s every move.

Therefore, it is best to establish who will do the cueing, assisting, and correcting. One unchecked parent can ruin the entire class. Kids acting like kids are understandable, but when parents act like kids, it is time to put your diplomatic skills to the test. That’s why it would be wise to have guidelines in place.

Partner Yoga for Singles: My wife, Marie, and I taught classes like these, and they do “break the ice.” Helping and assisting someone breaks down all the barriers. This class works better as an occasional workshop.

Laughter Yoga: The first I heard of this was when a friend of mine attended a Laughter Yoga class in Ireland. Some of the Chair Yoga classes I teach have a little humor injected into them. With all the stress people get these days, this is a stress management method that will allow Yoga students to be less serious about everyday situations.

Pet Yoga: This is a nice idea, but this is for friendly and “house trained” pets, only, unless you teach the class outside. Dog Yoga has been referred to as “Doga.” This is a great workshop concept, as long as there are no hostile pets present.

Chair Yoga: Most of these classes are held at senior centers, assisted living complexes, nursing homes, and physical rehabilitation facilities. It will be hard to establish a following at most Yoga studios, as this group is less mobile and transportation is a big issue.

© Copyright 2005 – 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

[tags]Yoga, Yoga teacher, Yoga instructor, Yoga certification, teaching Yoga, Yoga class, Yoga course[/tags]

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Five Reasons Why You Should Not be a Yoga Teacher

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

Truthfully, there are no reasons why any of us cannot be, or do, what we want, as long as you are not hurting anyone. You should always strive to be the best you can be. However, you may find that many people create obstacles, in front of themselves, to avoid success.

This is truly ironic that we hold ourselves back from making achievements, and teaching Yoga is just one of many goals that are not fully realized. Below is a list of common reasons why many good Yoga practitioners do not pursue their goal of becoming a Yoga instructor.

“I am too old to teach Yoga.”

Actually, age is not a factor. There are many styles of Yoga; and the most common, outside of India, is Hatha Yoga and its many sub-styles. Although Hatha Yoga is the Union of physical mastery, it has many gentle and vigorous styles.

There is a need for mature, passionate, safety conscious, and gentle Yoga teachers. The world’s population is aging and Yoga students are living longer. Who would have thought that hospitals and religious centers would seek out Yoga teachers ten or twenty years ago?

Therefore, Yoga is becoming readily accepted by mainstream society and does not have to apply to any one particular religious group. Some of the old barriers that prevented the masses from being exposed to Yoga are gone.

“Dancers, Martial Artists, and Gymnasts perform better Yoga asanas than I can.”

Yoga is not dance, martial arts, or gymnastics. This is not to take away the importance of any of the above-mentioned arts. After all, I am a martial artist, and I was originally introduced to Yoga in a martial arts setting.

Being a little more flexible than the average person is a gift. However, it doesn’t serve as a top priority for teaching Yoga. The best Yoga teachers are those who can communicate, and those teachers usually have to struggle to excel at Yoga.

Yoga teachers who are naturally flexible think that everyone else should be, as well. This is not always the case, as there are skeletal limitations within some Yoga students. This is not to say that they cannot increase, or improve, their flexibility, but each person’s body is unique.

“Teaching Yoga costs too much money.”

This is true in some cases; however, you can shop around for the best course at the most affordable price. Some onsite Yoga training facilities have Seva Programs, where you can work for partial tuition. This is much like a college, where there are scholarships for students who perform tasks around the campus. There are also a variety of Yoga correspondence courses, which allow flexible study hours, little or no travel, and no extra expenses. My wellness center offers such a Yoga course, and we have interns and graduates worldwide.

“I only want to teach Yoga to a few students and I don’t want to go into the Yoga business.”

Many Yoga practitioners feel this way and that’s fine. This is not a problem because if you are teaching a few friends, as a hobby, it is not necessary to go through the certification process.

If your circle of friends starts to expand, it would be wise to get some type of liability coverage. There are a number of liability insurance programs to choose. You could purchase a sports, Yoga, or home liability policy to cover your specific needs.

You should also learn as much as you can about safety, anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology. The reason I mention this is so that you do not hurt your Yoga students. The compassion and knowledge to become a safe Yoga instructor is very important.

“I have a good paying job and teaching Yoga may not support my family.”

Like all start up small businesses Yoga cannot offer “instant bundles of cash.” You would want to build your business as an independent contractor first. In our Yoga teacher course, you will find 16 ways to grow your business, with little or no overhead. When you build up enough accounts, the decision, as to whether or not to open your own independent Yoga studio, will be clear.

This has been a radical job change for all of us, who go into teaching Yoga full time, but you do not have to take any sudden or financial risks. Growing your own Yoga business can start on a part time basis and later develop into full time, if you get the right guidance and take the proper steps.

Bear in mind that the business and marketing information in our Yoga course is current and “field tested.” This information is specific to Yoga instructors and contains successful methods used, with regard to return on investment.

Right now, there are a lot of Yoga studios that “flounder” economically, because the owners have insufficient business or marketing skills. Within this kind of climate, it is not hard to get your market share of Yoga students within your geographic area.

Lastly, there are so many reasons to avoid progress, you could create a book of excuses, but the reason to succeed at anything is your passion. If you are passionate, safe, and knowledgeable about Yoga, this is an excellent starting point for anyone who wants to become a Yoga teacher.

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

[tags]Yoga teacher training, Yoga teacher certification, Yoga teacher course, Yoga training, Yoga course[/tags]

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Yoga Teacher Guidelines for Assisting, Part 3

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

You can take this advice “to the bank.” Invest in your career by expanding your education with books, videos, online courses, Yoga teacher correspondence courses, workshops, seminars, and Yoga retreats. By making continuing education a necessary part of your company policy, you will be a “safety-minded” Yoga teacher, with impressive knowledge and credentials. So, on top of being a safe Yoga teacher, and attracting more students, you will also protect your business.

Your other option is to take risks, and there is no excuse for it. Books, videos, and correspondence courses, are relatively inexpensive. Seminars, retreats, and workshops, for Yoga teachers, can be somewhat more expensive, but the value of continuing education is so important; add to this that you may be able to network with local Yoga teachers after you have taken a Yoga course.

Why would anyone want to short change their own Yoga business? The only justification I hear is cost, but if you are serious about teaching Yoga safely to others, you can invest in education one book at a time. Later, take a Yoga teacher course that fits into your budget.

Do physical assists in Yoga postures make you feel uncomfortable? Some Yoga instructors dread assisting their students; while some students leave Yoga classes that have “hands on assists.” This “hang up” about touching may seem ridiculous to some Yoga teachers, while other Yoga instructors avoid touching like the plague. Remember that touching another person can be difficult if you have a personal history where touching was used to gain trust, and later betrayed. It is also not looked upon favorably by some cultures.

For example: As a child and a younger adult, when I met martial arts masters, from Okinawa and Honshu, students were informed to bow and keep the small talk to a minimum. Hand shakes were not to be offered, as this was an intrusion of personal space. I understood because my next door neighbor was Japanese and explained enough to satisfy my curiosity about Japanese culture and history.

Is it really necessary for Yoga teachers to give a physical assist? Not really, some teachers are very good at verbal cueing. Some classes are based on movement, such as Vinyasa Yoga. If you teach Iyengar Yoga, assisting is a regular part of your daily practice.

Just remember to always get permission, in writing, and verbally, before you place your hands on your students.

© 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

[tags]Yoga teacher training, yoga certification, yoga instructor, yoga teacher, yoga course, yoga training[/tags]

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Yoga in Practice Teaching Yoga

Monday, February 2nd, 2009

When most people consider the idea of teaching Yoga, they usually perceive the superficial physical requirements of a Hatha Yoga instructor. There are many styles of Yoga, and Hatha Yoga is just one of them. In fact, within the sub-styles of Hatha Yoga, there are a number of “gentle” styles. So, being really flexible, young, and having the body of a super model, are not required in order to teach Yoga.

The above attributes can be used to your advantage, if you have them, but let’s go over a prime ingredient within all Yoga teachers. “In a nut shell,” it is the passion to help others. This is the common denominator among Yoga instructors, regardless of which style of Yoga is taught. Teaching others the benefits of Yoga, becomes a “calling” for students who aspire to teach Yoga.

A Yogic lifestyle will improve any person’s life. Interestingly, a quality life is founded upon positive thought. Therefore, Yoga has “all the bases covered,” when it comes down to helping people.

When you look at your own life – reflect on the following questions. How do you want to be remembered? Do you feel complete satisfaction in your accomplishments, so far? What do you stand for?

How we are remembered is through our actions. This relates to Karma Yoga: Union by selfless service. When we help people, that action helps people who we never meet because a single action creates a chain reaction. Just look at all the coincidences that add up to you reading these words, at this moment.

What we accomplish in life is, for the most part, based upon our own actions. There are exceptions to this such as: poverty, illness, and bad luck. However, the person who never gives up will realize achievement, success, and goal realization. When we stop trying, we “short circuit” our potential.

Satisfaction with your life depends upon finding your purpose (dharma). When you have found your purpose in life, you are living a fulfilled life. Whatever you do in life, helping friends, family, and associates will give you the greatest satisfaction.

If you are feeling incomplete, at this time, write down your passions, reflect on them, and notice that one will stir an overriding desire within you. This is most likely your dharma. When we leave this life, it is gratifying to know that we helped people along the way, as this also gives us a deeper sense of purpose.

Getting back to teaching Yoga – there are many excuses to avoid becoming a Yoga teacher, but when you feel the calling, all you have to do is share the gift of Yoga with others to find out if that is your purpose in life.

© 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

[tags]Yoga teacher, teaching Yoga, Yoga certification, Yoga teacher training, Yoga instructor, Yoga course[/tags]

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Yoga Teacher Certification for the Rich and Famous

Wednesday, January 7th, 2009

Do you think the high cost of becoming a Yoga Teacher is too far out of reach? Will you have to sacrifice your family’s life savings to become a Yoga instructor? How will you be able to justify the time off from work needed to gain your Yoga certification?

There are cost-effective, and less expensive solutions, to learn to teach Yoga by becoming a certified Yoga instructor, without the cost of an “arm and a leg.”

Recently, I was talking to an intern from an outside Yoga Teacher Training program, which had paid nearly $10,000.00 for on-site training, on an exclusive tropical island. He was upset, since he had borrowed tuition costs from his parents, and possibly sacrificed his job, in order to become a certified Hatha Yoga Teacher.

He visited my web site for a Yoga teacher correspondence course and discovered my course was a fraction of the cost he and his family paid. He asked me how this is possible. I explained that we do not need to feed, house, or supply hundreds of Yoga interns. On top of that, there are no transportation costs to be concerned with, when using a Yoga home study course. The only cost is for materials, tutoring, and Yoga teacher certification.

Further, I explained that to be trained in a face-to-face setting, by a Master Yoga Teacher, is more expensive due to the “hands on” time spent with his teacher. After all, we have an onsite Yoga Teacher program that is more expensive than our correspondence course.

Time spent learning Yoga from a Master Teacher, or a Guru, is a valuable service. Our course is designed for an experienced Yoga practitioner who doesn’t need as much hands on help or who has a local Yoga teacher for guidance.

He continued the conversation to ask me about technical support, and I explained that we handle it by Email, over the phone, and some interns stop by for our Yoga teacher workshops. We have had Yoga teacher trainees visit us from California and Great Britain to attend a workshop. By the sound of his voice, he seemed depressed, and I asked him, “What is wrong?”

He told me that he hadn’t been taught anything about the marketing involved in the Yoga business or about business in general. He felt it would take a long time to pay his parents back and didn’t know if his job would still be available to him when he gets back home.

Then, I explained that we have Yoga marketing and business tools in our standard course and as a separate course for experienced Yoga teachers. I invited him to come to a Yoga marketing workshop when he gets back to the States, and, we both, made a new friend.

We all feel a “calling” to do work that gives us satisfaction. It helps to have a passion about our work and to know that you are helping others along the way. This is one of the many benefits of teaching Yoga, but I advise you to research the cost of Yoga instructor education, and to be careful not to put yourself too far in debt. Otherwise, your passion for Yoga could turn into a financial worry – well into the future. This would make it difficult to teach the benefits of Yoga to your students, while you are stressed out over your bills.

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

[tags]Yoga Teacher training, Yoga certification, Yoga teacher, Yoga course, Yoga study, Yoga training[/tags]

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Yoga Teacher Guidelines for Assisting, Part 2

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

The best action Yoga teachers can take is to have good liability insurance, know the law, have written and documented guidelines, enforce guidelines for safety’s sake, “cover your back,” and continue to learn about the laws as they change.

Even if your Yoga teaching career is limited to teaching a few Yoga classes per week, as an independent contractor for a Yoga studio, or the local health club, you still need to establish guidelines. These guidelines become your “company policy,” and need to be enforced for student protection and for your livelihood.

Here is a little additional “food for thought.” Imagine a new student – arriving late, skipping the warm-up, who didn’t sign a release form, and no one had time to explain any precautions to him or her. This student could possibly be pregnant or have a serious medical condition.

Are you just a nice person, giving by nature, or just plain foolish, when it comes to protecting your own interests? The law does not care, and negligence is dealt with quite harshly. One lawsuit is all it will take for most Yoga businesses to permanently close. It does not matter if you win, or lose, if you have to pay an attorney to defend you. The cost of a legal defense is “staggering.”

Now let’s get back to assisting. As a Yoga teacher, you should also get verbal permission each time you touch a student for a physical assist. So, it is always wise to ask before making an adjustment to an alignment.

Have you ever had an assist that didn’t really help much? Assisting Yoga students, into proper alignment, is an art form, and some Yoga teachers are much better at it than others. However, after what you just read, you may also be more cautious with your Yoga students, as well.

Have you ever had a physical assist that hurt you physically or in any way? Some Yoga students have, and this is why Yoga instructors should ask for feedback. Most Yoga teachers do not want to push their students beyond the comfort zone, but may not have the skill for feeling skeletal compression or muscular tightness. On top of this, some Yoga teachers don’t know the difference. This is why establishing a track record of continuing education is so important for Yoga teachers.

© 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

[tags]Yoga teacher training, Yoga certification, Yoga instructor, Yoga teacher, Yoga training, Yoga course[/tags]

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Yoga Teachers, Prepare for the New Year’s Rush – Part 1

Monday, December 15th, 2008

The doors will fly open on January 2nd with enthusiastic mobs of Yoga students. What can you do to prepare for the busiest stretch of the year? How can you keep their interest all year long?

If there was ever a time to clean up your Yoga studio or health club, now is the time. Depending on where you live, most of your Yoga students may be out Christmas shopping right now. This season is like the “eye of a hurricane.” It is a temporary slow spell before the busiest season for Yoga and fitness.

Bear in mind, there is a “second wind” in spring, when many Yoga students are preparing for “bathing suit season.” If you need a fresh coat of paint, or the rugs need to be shampooed, take advantage of this brief respite.

You should also have a game plan for keeping Yoga students’ interest. Do not get too far off the track, but spice up your schedule with special workshops or “pilot” classes. Yoga classes are much like spice; too many flavors can ruin your dish, or in this case, your class.

Keeping student interest has always been a challenge for teachers of any subject. With fitness or Yoga, it is easy to get flocks of students during January, in North America, with a little help from cold weather, and New Year’s resolutions. The big question is: How to keep the enthusiasm going all year long?

Therefore, open a special event class to “test the waters” for student interest. There is no sense in starting another Yoga class without researching, if there is a demand. If the crowd loves the class, you will have no problem getting sign-ups. Be certain that your sign-ups make, at least, a down payment on a class package.

It is very easy for people to sign up for a yoga class and never show up again. This is the culture of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), and people move on to other things – like butterflies on flowers. So, you have to capture their attention and keep it. Below are some examples of workshops and classes to try in your yoga studio.

Mommy and Me Yoga Classes: This requires special patience on the part of the Yoga teacher, and female teachers will usually fare much better, especially, if the Yoga teacher has children of her own. This is an age specific niche, but there are always new mothers and new toddlers willing to try such a class.

© Copyright 2005 – 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

[tags]Yoga, Yoga teacher, Yoga instructor, Yoga certification, Yoga workshop, Yoga course, teaching Yoga[/tags]

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The Truth about Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 8

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Let’s summarize and “recycle” a few points in the previous pages about options for Yoga teachers, who may be considering specialization. These are not all of the options for Yoga teacher’s, to consider, when thinking about how to find employment “outside of the box.” You will need to work on your intuitive feelings to get an idea for the next popular Yoga trend, if that is what you are after.

As any experienced Yoga teacher will tell you; there are many more employment opportunities for Yoga instructors outside the Yoga studios and health clubs. Over the years, I have coached and trained many Yoga teachers who were certified by other programs, but needed to see that employment opportunities for Yoga teachers are everywhere.

One of the most lucrative salaries I have ever been paid, as a Yoga teacher, was for teaching Yoga to teen students within a juvenile correctional facility. Now, this would not be for everyone, but this is a good example of opportunities for employment, when you decide to become a Yoga teacher.

Some Yoga teachers do very well teaching private or semi-private lessons to their Yoga students. Teaching Yoga privately is really a matter of demographics. You have to solicit neighborhoods with residents who have disposable income.

Therefore, to be effective, you must gear Yoga private lesson offers toward “upscale” neighborhoods. As a Yoga instructor, you have to pay your overhead too. If you charge $80 per hour for a private lesson, you will work half as hard as the Yoga teacher who charges $40 per hour.

To find out what price your local market will bear, inquire about the private rates of local Yoga teachers and personal trainers. Then, work your marketing efforts toward those clients who will actually pay for private Yoga sessions. If you have to travel to teach private Yoga lessons, your rate should reflect your travel time.

About your own students: One way to find out what your current students want is by creating survey forms. This will give you feedback as to what kind of Yoga specialization is in demand, in your local area.

Yoga student feedback is essential, but some Yoga students will walk by your survey forms for months, or years, without giving you any information. How can you create an incentive for honest feedback from your current Yoga students? Offer them a free Yoga class in return for the time it takes to fill out your survey.

Continuing education is the most important part of your Yoga teaching career. All Yoga teachers must establish a steady routine of learning more information that applies to their students. The purpose of all this Yogic education is for student safety, liability protection, and to be the best Yoga teacher you can possibly be.

© 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

[tags]Yoga teacher, teach Yoga, Yoga certification, Yoga instructor, become a Yoga teacher, Yoga course[/tags]

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