Why you should become a yoga teacher and how to go about it

Just like a yoga class, completing the Yoga Teaching program is about starting from where you are, learning as you go, and more importantly, enjoying and embracing the journey during relaxing yoga classes. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from 20 years to 77 years of age, there is no barrier to entry, and just like a yoga class, you don’t need to be fit or flexible to undertake the program. It is common and perfectly acceptable that students have pre-existing conditions and limitations within their yoga practice.  

The only prerequisite is easy: you must LOVE yoga. 

Formal teacher training is designed to:   

• Give you credibility 

• Develop the skills and training required to professionally teach Yoga to the general public 

• Certify you to work in a studio, gym or other fitness/ wellness workplace and to acquire insurance 

To become certified, you must do your training and relaxing yoga classes through a Registered Yoga School (RYS) accredited with Yoga Alliance (International-Australia) 

What are the Australian Government Regulations? 

At present, there is no official government department within Australia that regulates the yoga industry. The affiliation with Yoga organisations is a voluntary process not a bylaw requirement.   

What’s the Minimum Hours for Certification? 

Up to 2016, The internationally recognised 200 hours is the minimum qualification required for a yoga teacher to be employed in Australia and work in a Yoga Studio, gym or other wellness organisation and to apply for insurance. In Australia, Yoga Alliance (International Australia) approved Teacher Training school can teach the 200 hour certification.  

The 200 minimum Standard for relaxing yoga classes was first introduced in 1987 by the International Yoga Federation (the largest yoga body in the world). The 200 hours Standard has been adopted by the most significant Alliances namely Yoga Alliance (International- Australia), Yoga Alliance (Canada), Yoga Alliance Professionals UK) and Yoga Alliance (International Italia).  

However western wellness recognised that the old 200 hour framework is now outdated and does not provide students with the practical experience required to help aspiring teacher develop the skills and competencies of modern yoga teacher. This is why western wellness offer an advanced diploma qualification at the 350-hour level with students having the option to specialise (major) in areas such as Yin Yoga, Pre & post Natal, and Restorative (Trauma informed yoga)  The Western Wellness framework is unique in that students study a “master qualification” qualifying students to deliver a broad range of yoga services to all segments of the community.  

Once your training for yoga courses is complete with an accredited school, you can apply to become a member of Yoga Alliance (International Australia) where you will be listed on their database, apply for insurance and have the certification  to teach Yoga recognised around the world. 

Once you have your Yoga Alliance certification you can then use the designated trademarks to promote your Yoga School or Studio. 

Western Wellness is a leading provider of Yoga teacher Training in Melbourne.