Whether you are a driven yoga practitioner and you want to share your passion with other people, or you are a certified instructor looking for a way to improve and enrich your teachings, a yoga teaching class is just what you need. However, there are countless courses to choose from, and finding the right one for your specific needs can be a challenging mission. But don’t worry, as we are here to help you make the right choice.

Reasons to join a teaching class

The reason that drives you to join a yoga teaching program is essential because it will help you narrow down your choices to the courses that best suit your needs.

• To start teaching– Regardless of how many years you have spent on the mat, you need to attend a fundamental teaching program in order to actually start teaching other people. Knowing your own body and your own needs is not enough to be able to guide others in a yoga class. You must learn the basic principles of anatomy and alignment, while also developing your observation and assisting skills.
• To refresh your knowledge – If you have been teaching for a while, but you feel that you are not able to deliver a transformative yoga practice for your students, you might want to refresh your knowledge with a fundamental class.
• To take your teachings to the next level – If your yoga classes are going well, but you want to take your students to the next level of their practice, an advanced teaching class is the right choice for you. An advanced class can be focused on traditional yoga elements, or it can be focused on a particular yoga style. After all, each style is different and can deliver a different kind of yoga experience.
• For a touch diversity – If you feel that you are in a teaching rut and your students are no longer finding your classes engagement, you might want to diversify your courses with some new yoga styles. You can choose advanced styles like Ashtanga, exotic styles like hot yoga or fitness oriented styles like Yoga Shred.
• To attract more students – Yoga will never go out of style, but beginners tend to be attracted less by fundamental classes and more by fresh styles like Yoga Shred, which is a combination of yoga and HIIT exercises, ideal for losing weight and building a harmonious body.

Choose a course structure

Yoga teaching courses have different structures and it is important to find a structure that suits your schedule. To be a certified yoga instructor, you will need to attend at least a 200-hour course. This could be enough to get you a job at a local studio, unless you live in a very competitive area. There are also 300-hour and 500-hour courses. Certified teachers can also attend online courses to deepen their skills, but many online courses require at least a few days of in-person practice to give you a certification. For example, you can attend Sadie Nardini’s Yoga Shred class online, but you must attend a 4-day Immersion course with Sadie to get a Yoga Shred certification. You can also attend yoga teaching camps, to learn new things while escaping everyday worries.

Essential factors to consider

• Certifications – Make sure to choose a teaching class with an instructor certified by Yoga Alliance. While certifications in the yoga world still need to be regulated, a basic certification like this can guarantee a decent level of quality.
• Anatomy – Regardless of the style that it is focused on, a good teaching class should have a strong anatomy section. You simply can’t learn new poses, without understanding their anatomic impact.
• Reputation – Do some research before you sign up for any course. If this is a new course, make sure it is taught by a reputable teacher.
• Learning environment – While it is not essential to attend a yoga camp in an exotic location, a pleasant environment is essential for helping you absorb new skills and knowledge.
• Number of students – Before you sign up for a class, asks about the maximum number of students. You don’t want to be a part of a very large group, because you will not get enough individual attention and feedback.