I want to teach yoga, any advice?

[Hulla]

I have just completed a 12 week Iyengar yoga course and loved it. I used to do yoga in my 20s but it slipped after I got promoted.

I have rediscovered it this year and have enjoyed it so much that I've started to think about teaching it. I know 3 months isn't very long and I'd probably need to keep practising for a while before I could seriously think about training to teach but I wondered if anyone had any info on training?

It seems to something you can do in weeks or years. Are certain courses less well thought off?

Thanks for reading!

[kdk]

Try the British Wheel of Yoga - there's lots of private courses around as well but some are probably offering qualifications that aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Think the BWY ask that you've practiced yoga for a couple of years before starting training as a teacher. Think it's pretty widely recognised and will allow you to get the necessary insurance/liability cover etc.

Could also try ringing your local FE college as some offer NVQ-type courses in yoga teaching.

Wish you luck - it's something I'm still thinking about - that or Pilates but a bit too expensive for me atm.

[kayah]

I think BWoY has very long instructor courses

I think you need to look into 18 months commitment
I have to say all their teachers I come across were extremely professional and knowleagable

the best one I came across was one who himself used to work in the office and understood what kind of problems we had - stiff necks, shoulders, lower backs...

he was very flexible and understanding man
even though he himself was very fit and flexible was always able to make use feel we were in our stiffness achieving great things ourselves :)

[Hulla]

That's fab thank you. I did wonder about the quality of some courses and the temptation would be get it done fast but it makes sense to invest the time and do it properly.

We've recently moved to quite a rural area and I am struggling to find classes. The city we lived in had tonnes of options but it's not the same here.

Do I need to prove I've practiced for a couple of years? I will probably only manage to grab courses at the local FE college (thats where I did Iyengar).

Thanks both of you for your replies!

[kdk]

Think as long as your teacher or the college will verify you have participated that should be okay.

If you want, a friend(ish) of mine who is a yoga teacher might be able to help/advise you. If you want, I could post her website - think it's got a contact email and she might be able to help - or try ringing/emailing the bwy. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Think I've pretty much decided I want to train to teach Pilates - now just got to find lots of dosh!

[Hulla]

Thanks kdk, I have found a course in a nearby city which would be training at weekends - much better than a few weeks away doing it intensively.

I asked there and they said I need two years but it doesn't have to be continuous. I dont know how I'd verify that. I think I might see if they're running the course again in 6 months and apply then.

It is really expensive, is pilates similar? Good luck too! And thanks for all your help.