| Despite a lagging economy, the demand for holistic | | | | schools and teachers. Some states are moving |
| health and tools like yoga to counter stress, continue to | | | | towards licensing schools and teachers individually in an |
| grow. Over 15 million of Americans now practice yoga, | | | | effort to protect consumers. The Yoga Alliance model |
| according to the Yoga Journal's Yoga in America | | | | of 200 and 500 hour training programs may be a |
| story.The practice has expanded from small | | | | structure that the states replicate for licensing |
| spiritual-based communities to fitness centers and | | | | requirements for individuals and schools. |
| medical centers nationwide. | | | | While many take teacher training programs to |
| While the demand for holistic services will continue to | | | | enhance their own personal yoga practice, others |
| increase, there is a strong need for fully trained | | | | choose to use it as a part-time and sometimes |
| professionals. There is a range of yoga teacher | | | | full-time career. Job opportunities fall into the three main |
| preparation among instructors: some have no training, | | | | categories--fitness, therapy and spirituality. These |
| others attend two-day seminars while others complete | | | | categories create teaching opportunities in gyms, |
| formal programs of 200 hours or more in techniques | | | | community centers, churches, employer sites and |
| and lifestyle. | | | | more. |
| While there is no national certification standard or | | | | A full-time career in yoga is doable but requires a clear |
| certifying bodies that administers national exams for | | | | strategy and mix of opportunities including group |
| teachers, the Yoga Alliance registers both individual | | | | classes, individual training, corporate wellness and |
| teachers and teacher training programs (schools) who | | | | workshops and continuing education services. |
| have complied with minimum educational standards | | | | If you decide on a career in teaching it's also good to |
| established by the organization. | | | | have a niche and clear competitive advantage. Niches |
| As yoga continues the move to mainstream America, | | | | could include sports, special populations like pre-natal or |
| some are beginning to scrutinize the standards of | | | | cancer, Thai massage therapy and more. |