The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

If you have your heart set on becoming a Yoga teacher, but your budget will not allow you to spend ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand dollars, on a certification course, you have to consider a few options. Should you talk to your family about a loan? Should you wait a few years? Should you give up or go after your dream?

No matter how much they love you, your family members may not be able to finance ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand dollars, in the current economy. You will have to teach hundreds of hours to pay back your relatives.

You will also have to learn about marketing, business, networking, and develop a whole new skill set after you finish your Yoga teacher training. After all, most Yoga certification courses focus on techniques like asanas, Pranayama, mudras, meditation, mantras, and other aspects.

So, you may also want to take a few courses, at a local college, for marketing, business, networking, and communication; or you may want to search for an instructor training course, which covers every aspect of teaching Yoga, and contains useful information for running a business.

For what it's worth, there are very few teacher training courses that cover business and marketing skills specific to the Yoga industry. Where could you find such a course and how much would it cost?

Maybe you are thinking: "The price must be through the roof." It could be, if you consider taking each course separately - between college tuition and on-site Yoga teacher training.

However, you can save a lot of money with an online home study course. As you shop around, look for a course, which contains, at least, 200 hours of study. You want a course that prepares you to teach, and prepares you to be teaching, for years to come.

The business learning curve can set you back financially, if you are not prepared for it. This is why business tools, for Yoga teachers, are so important. Therefore, make sure every aspect of teaching and business are covered.

An on-line course for Yoga instructors is self-paced, affordable, and you can study in the comfort of your own home.

Correspondence courses have existed for years, but thanks to the Internet, you can contact a tutor by Email and receive answers within 24 hours or less. The better online Yoga teacher courses will allow you unlimited support by phone and Email.

Therefore, be certain that the course you select meets all of the above criteria and any other specific needs you have.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html