In traditional yoga, a yoga instructor is much like a guru (translates to ‘teacher’). A yoga practitioner with a dedicated yoga practice is a yogi (or yogini for female practitioners).
Regarding your certification and job title, there is no difference between a yoga instructor and a yoga teacher. However, there is a difference in the teaching style between the two. A yoga instructor gives instructions for the yoga postures while demonstrating them at the front of the yoga class. A yoga teacher, on the other hand, not only guides students into each yoga pose but also spends time moving around the yoga studio to give more personalized feedback to the students.
An instructor focuses on giving yoga instruction for each asana, whereas a good yoga teacher helps students find the yoga postures in a way that works for their yoga practice.
A 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course is a basic level course that covers the fundamentals of yoga, while a 500-hour course is an advanced level course that covers more in-depth knowledge of yoga, including anatomy, philosophy, and teaching methodology. Yoga Teacher Training in India is highly sought after due to the country’s rich yoga heritage and the presence of renowned yoga schools and ashrams.
Along with this, some colleges also take an on-spot physical Yoga test to check the basic Yoga skills of the candidates. The average course fee for certification ranges between INR 5,000 to INR 1,00,000, depending on the institute and duration of the course.
How To Become A Yoga Teacher In India In 6 Steps?
1. Join an accredited yoga training center
Before you can start instructing others on this ancient practice, you may require a thorough understanding of the practice of yoga on a personal level. Since you want to become a professional, consider joining an institution accredited by the Yoga Certification Board (YCB). This is the government body that provides certification for yoga professionals. Look for centers that the YCB recognizes as “leading yoga institutions,” “yoga institutions,” or “yoga training centers.” If you are planning to get one-on-one yoga training from an instructor, consider choosing a YCB-certified instructor who can guide you toward your certification
2. Get trained
When you join a YCB-recognised center, you can choose one of two paths. The first option is to get yoga education and training, which is most relevant if you want to become a yoga teacher. The alternative option is to get trained as a yoga therapist. You can enroll in different courses to become a yoga instructor within the yoga education category. Each course aims to qualify you for five different levels of certification:
3. Get certified by the YCB
Each type of YCB certification mentioned above requires candidates to sit a separate examination. You can prepare for an exam based on a suitable syllabus set by the YCB.
4. Start working
Once you complete your exam, the YCB issues your certificate and identity card. When you receive those, you are ready to work as a yoga teacher at your certification level. You can join a YCB-recognised center as an instructor if you are qualified. Alternatively, you can join yoga colleges, fitness centers, hospitals and other institutions where yoga instructors can take classes.
5. Get your institution accredited by the YCB (Optional)
If you open a new yoga institute, you can get it accredited by the YCB. The board requires applicant institutions to satisfy certain conditions. This accreditation is a requirement if you intend to train yoga professionals for YCB certification.
6. Maintain your certification
From yoga volunteer to yoga master, all the YCB’s yoga trainer certifications are valid for five years from the date the YCB declares its results. The board has a service called Continuing Yoga Education (CYE) programmed through which you can renew your certificate.
