Essential guide to becoming a Registered Yoga Teacher - Rishikesh yogpeeth

Perks of being a yoga instructor:

World-renowned yoga guru BKS Iyengar opined, “Yoga does not change the way we see things; it transforms the person who sees.”

Through the years, yoga has been recognised as an art-form/science that is known to enrich the mind, body, and soul. Practising yoga regularly has changed many lives but with it’s growing popularity, imparting knowledge on the ancient subject and teaching it has proven to be a fulfilling and even profitable vocation.

Multiple courses and yoga teacher training programmes have gained popularity among the young and old alike with plenty of individuals reaping the perks of making the switch to teaching and educating the masses about yoga.

When asked about the benefits and other rewarding factors that come with teaching yoga, Nidha Dilip, a 24-year-old level two yoga instructor practising for over two-and-a-half years, revealed what piqued her interest and then eventually pushed her in that direction.

“I feel like teaching yoga has helped me grow and evolve as a person. It pushed me to strengthen the roots of my knowledge by seeking answers, so I can truly share the essence of yoga. Yoga is beautiful, and modernisation has certainly brought a lot of changes to it. Somehow, the true meaning of yoga is lost amongst material desires. Practicing yoga understanding the essence behind it, has changed my life and I found something I’m in love with because it helped me better understand myself and I want to share that with as many as I can. I believe that being a yoga instructor helps me achieve that.”

200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course:

The most basic course or what is also referred to as Level One of the yoga teacher certification is 200-hour programme. This course requires individuals to undergo intensive training for 200 hours over three or four weeks at centres, like Rishikesh Yogpeeth, authorised to provide the service.

It is worth noting that not all the 200-hour courses will offer the same results or prepare individuals in the same manner. Each institution offers a different curriculum and making the right choice will be the first challenge for individuals. A variety of factors like intensity and duration will play a role in picking the right curriculum.

A comprehensive 200-hour course will deal with anatomy, physiology, and philosophy of the yogic sciences in an in-depth fashion. The course will guide an individual through a thorough understanding of the fundamental asanas.

While it is not mandatory to have an official 200-hour RYT certification from Yoga Alliance, it, more often than not, enhances vocational prospects in many countries.

*Students that have been practising yoga for at least six months with a basic understanding of asanas will find the course a lot easier than beginners.

300-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course:

For those who have graduated from the 200-hour course (first level) of yoga teacher training, the second level or next automatic step will be the 300-hour training programme. The 300-hour course cannot be taken without the completion of the 200-hour programme.

Also given the moniker ‘Advanced Yoga Teacher Training’ the 300-hour course builds on what yoga teachers have already learned by way of the first level, and help advance their skills from a personal aspect and through teaching.

While yoga teachers come into this course with an understanding of the basic asanas, being a more advanced programme, this will deal with cementing the foundation better and also dive into aspects of more complex asanas. In addition, a greater and more profound understanding of anatomy, philosophy and physiology of the art-form will form the crux of the course. The 300-hour course usually pans out over a four-week period.

500-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course:

This is the most advanced form of yoga teacher training and is internationally recognised as the highest standard of yoga teaching. Once certified by this course, yoga teachers can register with Yoga Alliance as a RYT 500 or as Advanced Yoga Teachers.

The curriculum itself will deal with a deeper understanding of the history of yoga and various asanas with a specific emphasis on the philosophy behind yoga. It will also hand teachers a better understanding of anatomy and physiology wherein they will be best-equipped to render their services to students of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.

Apart from imparting expertise to the students, this course also helps instructors improve on their own practice through various meditation and concentration exercises that will become a part of their daily routines. In most institutions like the Rishikesh Yogpeeth, the course lasts a duration of eight weeks and could be a combination of the 200-hour and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training Course.

*It is recommended that individuals take two or three months between courses, though practising continuously, as the body takes that long to assume the shape required before an advanced class.