A yoga teacher is someone who teaches yoga classes in a private or public setting. A yoga teacher must be well-trained and knowledgeable about the proper techniques of this spiritual and physical practice, which includes breathing techniques and specific stretches to stimulate and strengthen the body and mind. Others may learn by job shadowing or otherwise apprenticing under a more experienced teacher. Some instructors choose to attend a yoga school that will train them for positions as teachers, while others may learn by job shadowing or otherwise apprenticing under a more experienced teacher. The teacher’s primary responsibility is to instruct students on proper yoga techniques and principles.
A yoga teacher may teach classes at a yoga studio on occasion. Anyone can sign up for the classes, but most studios will make sure that students are placed in classes that are appropriate for their skill level; this prevents a beginner from enrolling in an advanced class without having the necessary skills to complete the yoga poses. The yoga teacher, regardless of the class’s ability level, will be in charge of pacing the class, ensuring that participants are doing the poses correctly, and encouraging students to breathe properly throughout. The yoga instructor will frequently offer encouragement and meditative guidance to help the participants relax and focus.
There are several types of yoga, each with its own set of poses, techniques, and focusing exercises. A yoga teacher can specialize in one type of yoga and teach it exclusively, or they can study all types of yoga and teach them all. To become proficient at each type of yoga, students will need to study, so most teachers will concentrate on one or two disciplines. These methods can be learned by simply attending yoga classes, or by attending training sessions that can last anywhere from a few days to several years.
It’s not uncommon for a yoga instructor to teach private classes or work as a freelancer. This allows the instructor to work for a variety of yoga studios as well as private students who prefer yoga lessons in a less public setting. Private yoga sessions are more expensive, and while public lessons take place at a yoga studio, private lessons may require the teacher to travel to the student’s home or another convenient location. In order to gain more exposure and better pay, a teacher may work at multiple studios.