Become a Prenatal Yoga Teacher
Learn how to become a prenatal yoga teacher, facilitating the ideal pregnancy birth and postpartum.
Steps
- Identify a program that is nearby to you and fits into your scheduling and financial needs.
- Consider the length and credibility of the program. While some programs may offer a weekend format, if you are completely new to the topic, it might be better to shoot for a longer and more in depth approach.
- The average training has been 35 hours. But recently, Yoga Alliance has started recognizing prenatal yoga as a "specialty" and has increased the hours to 85.
- Decide if having a Yoga Alliance program is right for you. While the hours are longer, Yoga Alliance, a non-profit organization, aims to set standards for trainings to ensure that quality education is received.
- Focus on style. What kind of yoga do you enjoy? That approach will be best for you to teach. Like all yoga, prenatal yoga is taught in many different ways. There is Kundalini, Hatha, Iyengar...just to name a few.
- Plan accordingly for tuition, books, travel and lodging.
- Once you've finished your program, approach hospitals, gyms and yoga studios with your certificate and begin to look for work. The average class at a gym pays about $20, and studios vary, with pay from $30 a class and up to $150 per class for very successful teachers. Some studios pay based on hour, while others pay per student. Most teachers begin at an hourly rate and can negotiate after the attendance proves to be successful. There are times when you rent space from a studio or other venue. Renting can be tricky. If you're not pulling in students, you're basically paying to teach.
- Advertise. You can make a website for free and start to promote your classes on Facebook and twitter. Make flyers and post them everywhere you think you will reach your audience.
- Teach! Most teachers will spend a long time looking for just the right place and attendance. Over time you will find the right venue and figure out the right days and times that meet students needs. Be willing to let go of classes that aren't working, but only after investing a good amount of time promoting and trying to make it work.
Sample Yoga Teacher Action Plan
Doc:Yoga Teacher Action Plan
Warnings
- Have insurance. Yoga insurance is very reasonable, about $150 per year. Insurance protects you against any liability if a student complains that they have been injured.
- Waivers. Your students should sign waivers when they enroll for a class, to help protect you from litigation and remind students to be their own judge of what is or isn't appropriate for them.
Related Articles
- Be a Yoga Teacher
- Become a Hatha Yoga Instructor
