Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Become A Yoga Instructor In Canada

Many take yoga to stay fit.


Although the benefits of yoga have been known in India for over 3,000 years, this form of meditative movement reached North America in the 20th century. Yoga attracted many practitioners, and the demand for qualified teachers grew as the years went on. Though yoga practitioners approach class with individual objectives and goals, every yoga student appreciates a highly qualified and well-prepared instructor. Canada offers a variety of options for those wishing to obtain national or international yoga certification as instructors.








Instructions








1. Take some yoga classes. Experience studying a yoga discipline will help you decide what type of yoga you would like to teach. The style of yoga you are interested in will determine what kind of certification course you will complete. For example, if you find you wish to get certified in Bikram yoga, you must complete a certain number of hours with a certified Bikram yoga teacher at a licensed facility. Other yoga forms such as ballet/Pilates blends or yoga specifically for fitness centers and gyms may require experience in yoga, but not require a specific style or number of hours.


2. Find a certification course. If you don't have a particular style of yoga or certification program in mind, ask your teacher where he was certified, or if he can recommend a good program. Look on the website of the Canadian Yoga Alliance for a list of affiliated studios and programs. Look into the course requirements; some may require reading materials, CPR certifications or have age limitations. Before signing up for a course, decide if you want to be able to teach internationally or just in Canada. You can get national or international certifications in yoga, or become affiliated with a national or international yoga program after completing your certification program


3. Some enjoy yoga for the meditative qualities.


Complete your apprenticeship. Depending on the program, you may be required to teach and/or observe classes before you can take the final exam to become fully certified. Shorter-term training courses won't require this. Some of the longer-term courses will include hands-on training and class observation.


4. Keep updated on your certification. Quality yoga certification courses want their teachers to be continually updating and improving their knowledge of yoga and teaching skills.


You may also look into getting certified or insured with the Canadian Yoga Alliance. Gyms, health centers and studios may require CPR certification, individual teaching insurance, and/or affiliation with the Canadian Yoga Alliance or National Fitness Leadership Alliance.

Tags: Canadian Yoga, Canadian Yoga Alliance, national international, Yoga Alliance, yoga certification, Bikram yoga, certification course