online yoga teacher training: learn anywhere, anytime

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Do you want to become a yoga instructor but don’t have the time or money to enroll in traditional classes?

Yoga instructor certification online to the rescue! Distance learning allows you to study whenever and wherever you want. You can easily get a yoga teaching certification without leaving the comfort of your home.

Courses offer the same advantages as those delivered in a traditional classroom, with the extra flexibility of studying when it is most convenient for you.

Supplementary video lessons, audio lectures, and other study materials are typically provided as you prepare for certification.

Online yoga teacher training makes it possible for everybody to acquire the expertise necessary to teach yoga effectively. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide of need-to-knows.

Key Takeaways

Yoga is an ancient practice that aims to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being by training body, mind, and spirit to achieve inner peace and release from suffering.
Key practices of yoga include physical postures, breath control methods, meditation, and reciting mantras, which help practitioners become more attuned to their inner world, regulate energy levels, sharpen focus, and gain a deeper understanding of reality.
Enrolling in an online yoga teacher training program can be a more affordable and accessible option than in-person classes, and it provides access to a global pool of highly trained yoga professionals to draw knowledge from.
To enter the field of yoga education, you must first graduate from a yoga teacher training program of at least 200 hours and gain practical teaching skills, including how to communicate with students and structure your own course.
Popular varieties of yoga include Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa yoga, and Yin Yoga, each with different focuses on physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditative states.
When choosing an online course provider, it’s essential to research the qualifications of the company and its instructors, read reviews and testimonials, and determine whether live or on-demand classes are best suited to your needs and schedule.

What is yoga?

Yoga is a practice with roots in ancient India that improves physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This method of achieving enlightenment and self-awareness has been used for thousands of years.

By training body, mind, and spirit, yoga aims to assist its practitioners in achieving inner peace and releasing them from suffering.

Key practices of yoga include physical postures (“asanas”), breath control methods (“pranayama”) and meditation (“dhyana”). Depending on the form of yoga, practitioners may also make use of reciting mantras.

These practices aid the yogi in becoming more attuned to their inner world, regulating energy levels, sharpening focus and more philosophically, gaining a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.

Perhaps one of yoga’s best gifts is that it teaches people to become more present and accepting in their daily lives, which in turn can improve ability to maintain fulfilling relationships and navigate challenging emotions and life events.

Advantages of getting your certification online

Now that we’ve outlined the main tenets and benefits of yoga, let’s talk about the many advantages of enrolling in an online teacher education program.

Online classes have a far more affordable price tag than their in-person alternatives. Further savings are also typically available for students who sign up for a bundle of courses. This lowers the barrier to entry for those interested in studying yoga with budgetary constraints.

As well as the cost benefits, going for an online yoga teacher training program gives you access to a global pool of highly trained yoga professionals – a far wider group of experts to draw knowledge from than sticking with your area.

Many online courses also involve careful monitoring of each students’ individual development and provide specific advice based on that data. Through this structured process, students develop confidence in their abilities in a personalised way.

Learning requirements

There are minimum training requirements that one must meet to enter the field of yoga education. You must first graduate from a yoga teacher training program of at least 200 hours.

During the course, you will acquire invaluable knowledge, including that of yoga’s origins, body anatomy, meditation methods and philosophy. You will also learn practical teaching skills, including how to communicate with students and how to structure your own course.

It is possible that gaining an additional certificate from the Yoga Alliance or the International Yoga Federation is required to access certain opportunities. Earning one of these credentials demonstrates to employers that you have extra thorough training in yoga theory and practice.

To advance in your teaching career, you must stay up to date with the latest developments in your field and pursue ongoing professional development. Meeting up with other educators and participating in seminars are great ways to learn about new trends in the yoga industry.

Which yoga tradition should I choose?

One of the most popular varieties is Hatha Yoga, a discipline distinguished by its emphasis on physical postures and breathing exercises. If you’re a beginner to yoga, this is a great option since it teaches a balance of strengthening and stretching.

Vinyasa yoga focuses on linking breath with movement. The synchronised flow of connected movements promotes coordination, strength, and pliability.

Yin Yoga is characterized by seated or lying postures kept for three to five minutes or longer. The hips, lower back, and shoulders are usually targeted in these poses, and the goal is to release tension while also easing the mind. This form involves more practice entering meditative states and less cardiovascular strain.

Well known course providers

The online library at Yoga International has more than 800 live courses available on subjects like alignment and anatomy as well as teaching methods. In addition, you can browse their archive of on-demand media, which has clips and articles on topics including yoga’s history and philosophy.

The Yoga Medicine Teacher Training Program is another excellent resource. The comprehensive curriculum of this training program encompasses all facets of yoga instruction, including physiology, movement concepts, and sequencing techniques. They also offer mentorship matching with seasoned educators who can address concerns and coach you through the process of entering the yoga teaching profession.

What are the potential pitfalls of online learning?

By taking courses online, students can study wherever and whenever they have free time. As there are no out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending an online course due to travel, it is also often less expensive than attending a conventional classroom-based course.

However, there are a few disadvantages to online yoga teacher education programs. It’s possible that students won’t get the same degree of attention from teachers as they would in a conventional classroom.

Because there isn’t always a teacher or assistant present during an online session, students need to be very self-motivated and disciplined to succeed.

And what about when your internet cuts out? Technology also isn’t always dependable, which may cause problems when trying to watch an instructional video or downloading guidance documents.

Differences in teaching approach

Depending on the course, students may have access to libraries of recorded lectures (with supplementary materials to review alongside) or participate in real-time video sessions with their peers. Live meetings make it possible to receive immediate responses to queries and obtain feedback straight away. These also act as check points to keep students accountable to their practice.

However, an entirely on-demand course offers maximum flexibility and means students are unbound by any scheduling requirements. Ultimately, it depends on the level of time commitment you are able to give which option is better.

Choosing the best school for you

It is crucial to look into the qualifications of the online yoga teacher training company before enrolling. Finding the right online course provider may be challenging, but doing some research can help.

Choose a service provider with a solid track record. If you’re curious about what other students think of their services, check out their testimonials and ratings. In addition, verify that they use yoga instructors who have enough experience in the field.

Next, consider how much you’ll have to pay for the online program. Verify that the tuition that you’re paying is reasonable for the amount of contact time and resources you are receiving. If you want the best deal, it is also a good idea to shop around and compare prices from various service providers.

Essential parts of a good yoga teacher training program

The success of an online yoga teacher training program depends on a few things.

First of all, there has to be a detailed curriculum or course structure for participants to follow.

This gives the learner a direction and purpose, managing expectations of the modules to come and giving them a framework for assessment so they may prepare properly.

The program must feature high-quality content, including thorough and engaging explanations and practical examples. The most effective virtual courses often include videos of yoga postures being demonstrated by its pupils, highlighting common corrections and adjustments.

Accessibility is another critical aspect of a successful online training program. The program needs to be hosted on convenient platforms so that material can be navigated easily for your intended audience, with inclusiveness in mind.

Consider using closed captions, a high contrast colour scheme and compatibility with different device screen sizes.

Lastly, beyond all the bells and whistles, a program is only as good as its teachers. Enroll in a course with teachers with a proven history of being well-versed and enthusiastic about their material.

Think about how much contact time you will have with them and if needing more coaching, opt for one with support messaging and additional device delivered by video call.

What to do after completing the course

If you have just graduated from an online yoga teacher certification program, the next step is to deepen your yoga practice.

You’ll need to commit to a regular yoga practice for this to be possible. Having a set routine with clear objectives will keep you motivated and on track while you work to develop your abilities.

Establishing reasonable goals is crucial – but remember to be kind to yourself. Don’t stress if you skip a day of practice or if your practice becomes stale; just get back into it as soon as you can.

Changing up your yoga practice by trying out new postures or traditions like Iyengar or Ashtanga is a great way to keep things interesting.

To delve further into yoga’s philosophical and anatomical underpinnings, you may also take additional lessons from various instructors or perform some research – there is a plethora of engaging yoga literature to get your teeth stuck into.

Your consistency will pay off in the long run as you gain competence and become a true expert in the field.

How to promote your services as a qualified teacher

Begin by establishing an online presence. This will make it simple for interested parties to learn more about you and the courses or workshops you provide.

High-quality images and informative text that represents your area of expertise should be used, and the site should be updated often to keep readers up-to-date on developments. You could also think about creating an online booking system where students can simply and swiftly secure their position in courses and seminars.

Network with local educators to get the word out about your unique offering. Other teachers may refer students to you if their capacity becomes full.

And don’t forget to get in touch with yoga studios in your area – visit them or send them an email to see if you can give classes in exchange for promotion. Take this outreach online by following social media yoga influencers and participating in online yoga groups. Completed together, these actions will boost your profile in no time.

Take your time to grow your confidence

Being certain in your knowledge is essential in becoming a good yoga instructor. But how exactly does one go about doing so? Take a look at the pointers below to help build your confidence over time.

First, apply the rules you preach to yourself! Many yoga principles are designed to foster a sense of self awareness and acceptance.

By putting into practice what you’ve learned, you’ll strengthen your teaching skills and earn the respect of your pupils. Channel the same softness and presence to your journey of becoming a better instructor. Be humble as you make mistakes and grow through allowing yourself grace.

Second, don’t be shy about seeking clarification when still in training! When you ask questions, you increase your chances of getting the answers you need and solidify your comprehension of the material. Better you ask more questions to feel more certain in your knowledge when you start teaching others.

Lastly, learn from other educators. Seeing other yoga teachers in action may provide valuable insight into what works and what doesn’t while leading a class. You may learn new methods that will make your lessons more interesting and effective for your students.

Developing your unique style of instruction

Keeping students engaged is an essential part of being a successful yoga teacher, and having a unique teaching style can very much help. Get your students interested and motivated by providing a fresh perspective, shaped by your natural strengths and personality traits.

For example, a teacher who incorporates storytelling or music into their classes can create a more immersive and engaging experience for students. Use humour if you feed a natural inclination towards playfulness.

When starting out, experiment with different teaching methods and styles until you find one that resonates. You could select a particular area of expertise, such as anatomy or yoga philosophy, or attend other’s classes for inspiration.

Form a network

Having meaningful relationships with other educators is a great way to benefit from mentorship, get peer support, and collaborate on lesson plans.

Engaging with a yoga community online is an easy way to learn from other teachers of all levels. You’ll find people in these online communities imparting their wisdom and expertise – all freely accessible. Take a read about what others have written around themes that interest you, ask questions about particular poses, or discuss class management tactics.

Continuing your learning

Continuing to learn after becoming a qualified yoga teacher is essential not only for professional growth but also for personal growth. It’s a path of self-discovery, and the more a teacher learns, the more they can share with their students.

Continued education allows yoga teachers to enhance their skills and knowledge, to stay inspired and motivated, and to cultivate a deep sense of purpose and passion for their practice.

Through committing to continuous learning, you can create a more profound and meaningful impact on students, inspiring them to keep learning and exploring themselves.

In the end, yoga is not just a set of physical postures, but a spiritual practice that can transform lives. As a yoga teacher, continued education is a way to honor the sacredness of this practice and to keep one’s heart open to the magic and wonder of yoga.

Conclusion

Completing yoga teacher training online is both convenient and affordable, creating a path towards a rewarding profession that transforms the lives of others.

Hopefully this guide provided some insight into the advantages and disadvantages of receiving instruction in this way, what content to look out for when making your choice of provider and the sorts of behaviours that would support your way into becoming a successful instructor.