Yoga teachers instruct people on the various positions involved in yoga, and also teach controlled breathing, meditation and visualisation. 

They teach yoga either:

• as a form of exercise, to increase physical fitness and suppleness; or
• as a therapy to combat or control disease and ill-health.

There are many different styles of yoga. The most common taught in the UK are Integral, Ashtanga, Viniyoga and Iyengar. They vary in physical intensity and complexity.

Hours and Environment

As a yoga teachers your working hours are likely to include evenings and weekends.

You will usually work in places such as sports centres, health studios, and leisure centres.  Because you could work at several centres, you may find it useful to have a driving licence.

Skills and Interests

As a yoga teacher, you should:

• be trained and experienced in yoga practice
• have a high standard of physical fitness
• be patient, caring and interested in people
• be able to motivate individuals and groups
• have good verbal communication skills
• be aware of the risks which exercising can involve.

Entry

To become a yoga teacher you will need to:

• have practised yoga for some time with a qualified teacher
• complete a yoga teaching qualification.

By gaining membership of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) which is also known as the 'Exercise Register' you will be able to show employers and clients that you meet fitness industry standards of good practice. You can find out more about REPs and recognised courses and qualifications by visiting the REPs website - see Further Information below for a link.

At present, British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) qualifications are the only yoga qualifications recognised by REPs. The BWY Teaching Diploma takes between two and four years to complete. To be accepted on the course you need to have practised yoga with a BWY recognised teacher for at least two years. It will also be useful if you have completed the BWY Foundation Course, which is a ten day course run once a month over a year. 

The BWY is the national governing body (NGB) for yoga in the UK. You can do their courses throughout the country. Visit the BWY website to search for your nearest course. There is a link to the website in Further Information.

BWY also accredits other that offer teaching courses. You can get details of these from BWY. 

If you have completed a teaching award with another organisation you may be able to gain BWY accreditation by completing a BWY Integration Course. Check with BWY for details.

SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning has recently developed new National Occupational Standards for yoga, which will be recognised across the Health and Fitness sector, and which will provide a framework for qualifications. Now that the new standards are in place training providers will be able to seek approval for their courses against the standards. You will be able to get details of additional recognised courses and qualifications SkillsActive and REPs as they are approved.  The standards are published on the SkillsActive website - see Further Information below. 

If you are already a yoga teacher you may be able to get your skills and knowledge recognised, and apply for registration at Level 3 with REPs by Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL). This has been developed by SkillsActive, yoga organisations and the fitness industry. Contact SkillsActive for details.

Training

The BWY Yoga Teacher's Diploma has four units:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Stress and Relaxation
• Yoga Philosophy
• Health and Safety in Teaching and Practical Aspects of Teaching Yoga Postures.

When you are qualified you will be expected to attend at least one qualifying In-Service Training Day per year to keep your qualification up to date.  These are held in each region - see the BWY website for details and links to regional websites.

You can also do a variety of post-diploma modules, such as:

• Teaching Yoga to Children
• Pregnancy
• Teaching Yoga in Prisons
• Meditation.

As a yoga teacher you will need:

• a First Aid Certificate
• a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certificate (CPR)
• appropriate public liability insurance.
  

Opportunities

There is a growing demand for yoga teachers in sports and leisure centres, health clubs and community centres. Employers include:

• local authorities
• private health clubs
• corporate organisations.

You will probably work part-time and be self-employed. 

You may be able to train to become a yoga therapist, or to do the BWY Diploma Course Tutor qualification so that you can train other tutors.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended only as a guide.

There are no set salary rates as most yoga teachers are self-employed. Annual income will vary considerably depending of which area of the country the teacher is situated, the number of sessions taught and type of organisation for which they are running classes.

Most teachers charge either a sessional or hourly rate, usually ranging from £20 to £60.

Further information

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