Portland yoga instructors can lead healthy, successful lives.
Portland, Oregon, is a popular location for yoga classes, with over 50 studios offering classes within the city (See Resources 1). This means yoga instructors are in high demand, but to become a successful yoga instructor you must first obtain your certification. Today, the Yoga Alliance is the standard in yoga teacher trainings. Its website says it is the national education and support organization for yoga in the United States, following the merger of two organizations. By taking a Yoga Alliance-approved certification course, you will be ready to apply for teaching jobs at major studios throughout the Portland area.
Instructions
1. Decide what type of teacher you would like to become. There are many styles of yoga including Bikram, Iyengar, Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Learn about the different styles through your personal practice by taking classes in each style. It is wise to also consider what studios in Portland are looking for; if you are surrounded by Vinyasa yoga studios, it may be wise to become a Vinyasa instructor.
2. Locate a Yoga Alliance approved teacher training (References 1). You will have the choice between a 200-hour and a 500-hour certification. The 500-hour certification is considered graduate level, and it may qualify you for higher pay scales. There are two general types of yoga training: intensive and gradual. In an intensive course, you will be busy all day for a few weeks while you get your training. In a gradual course, you will study in your free time over weekends and in the evenings. The latter choice is better for a working professional. Most Yoga Alliance approved trainings will cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Select a course based on the timing, the cost, and the teacher leading the training.
3. Finish your course of study. During this period of time, you will be engaged in reading, practicing yoga and teaching practice classes. Each teacher training is slightly different, but all will require you learn about basic asana, the word for yoga poses. You may also have courses in anatomy, health, nutrition, philosophy, religion and possibly business. It is important to focus on the type of instruction that will be valuable to students in Portland. Think about your demographic of students while you are studying.
4. Apply for teaching jobs in the Portland area. Often, studios will not post openings. You can start by approaching yoga studios in your area and asking if they would be interested in hiring a new instructor. Most studios will ask you to serve as a substitute teacher or teach a free class before hiring you. This is like a job interview for yoga instructors, and you should be prepared to be asked to complete this type of service.
5. Build your business independently. Yoga teachers who are very financially successful build their own business through private classes, workshops and even through offering their own teacher trainings. To tap into this revenue source, it is important for you to have a website, business cards, brochures and other supplies to market yourself as an instructor.
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