Gain Credibility with Yoga Certification

Instructors that love the art of yoga are often drawn to the spiritual aspects mixed with physical movement. For many practitioners, the passion for this cleansing art is what drives them to teach and share with students. However, that sharing process can be thwarted if you are not a credible teacher. Students want to know that their teacher knows what they are doing. Yoga certification is one good way to gain credibility and have doors opened for teaching opportunities. There are several yoga certification programs to choose from.

Yoga Alliance

The Yoga Alliance maintains a list of schools and independent teachers that use their certification program. Each training entity must comply with the Yoga Alliance standards, which include between 200 and 500 hours of approved instruction for each trainee. Most Yoga Alliance organizations use a hands-on approach and focus on a deep understanding of the material covered. The Yoga Alliance also requires all partners to maintain their code of conduct and ethical practices. In addition to certification training, the Yoga Alliance promotes yoga to the public, sponsoring events such as the Yoga Week in Washington D.C. If you are serious about getting a job in the field of yoga instruction, the Yoga Alliance is one of the best places to start. Because they are so well-known, it’s likely there is a suitable partner in your area.

Intensive Training

Each Yoga Alliance school has their own programs and techniques, while still maintaining the Yoga Alliance standards. If you can make the time commitment, you might want to consider an intensive or immersion class or workshop, such as the one given by White Lotus in California. These programs take anywhere from several weeks to an entire month to completely steep applicants in knowledge and experience. Some programs include lodging, while others are day programs only. Immersion programs can be expensive, but are usually very in-depth and comprehensive.

Online Options

For those that need a quick proof of certification without spending a lot, an online certification test might be the perfect choice. Don’t make the mistake of thinking these are equivalent to training programs such as what the Yoga Alliance offers, however. Most online certifications provide a basic written test. When this test is passed, a certification is issued. Some employers or clients may not give it much credibility, but these certifications can be a good place to start. Many are available for under $100. No hands-on instruction is given, so it will probably be necessary to prove your experience if this is the only certification you carry.