Why Yoga Teacher Training Can Elevate Your Personal Training Career

Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise. It supports weight loss efforts, relieves stress and provides a mind/body experience. As a personal trainer or aspiring fitness professional, you have plenty of career options to explore, including yoga teacher training.

If you want to help people reach their exercise goals, develop vital mindfulness skills AND diversify your earning potential, specialising in yoga is a smart career move.

In this post, we’ll explore how yoga teacher training can boost your career and help you plan for the future.

Why do people love yoga?

Millions of people practice yoga, whether in nature, participating in an exercise class, or switching on YouTube. The ancient practice is rooted in Indian philosophy and dates back thousands of years.

While we’ve moved on in terms of technology and ways of thinking, yoga still remains a popular way to expand the mind, gently push the body’s limits and find a place of total calm.

Think of it like the little black dress; yoga never goes out of style. Take a look at these statistics, and you’ll understand why instructor training is a no-brainer:

• The UK has the fourth highest percentage of people who practice yoga worldwide at 30% (Statista).

• An estimated 460,000 people do yoga, and between 200,000 to 300,000 classes occur weekly (Finder).

• The yoga and Pilates industry is worth over £894 million in the UK alone (IBISWorld).

Reasons to invest in yoga teacher training

Whether you’re a qualified personal trainer or Level 2 Gym Instructor, adding “certified yoga practitioner” offers a range of benefits. Let’s explore them in more detail.

Integrating yoga into your personal training sessions

Personal trainers are always in demand, but the competition is fierce. If you want to provide your clients with a unique service and set yourself apart from other professionals, integrating yoga practice into sessions gives clients well-rounded sessions.

While strength training supports muscle growth and cardio speeds up weight loss, yoga is one of the rare fitness disciplines that delivers the full package. You’ll need a Level 3 Personal Training Diploma, but it’s possible to diversify your client base once qualified.

Enhancing your own knowledge of yoga practice

You won’t excel at teaching yoga unless you have an in-depth understanding of its principles. Investing in training isn’t just about learning techniques; it enhances your personal practice of yoga by understanding:

• Its positive effects on the mind

• How it can enhance physical performance

• Mindfulness and meditation techniques that ground your mind

Reputable course providers offer a complete experience, including detailed learning materials, supportive tutors and real-world case studies.

As you receive feedback from each module, you can refine your techniques and ensure the best possible results.

Deepen your knowledge of physiology and anatomy

Yoga teacher training takes a deep dive into human anatomy, allowing you to teach yoga effectively. There’s a difference between general understanding of the human body and understanding how each yoga pose should align with a student’s unique needs.

For example, if you’re working with a pregnant client, you’ll know how to adapt yoga postures to maintain safety while providing optimal results. Yoga training courses also help you communicate the unique benefits of each pose.

Help clients unleash the physical and mental benefits of yoga

Yoga isn’t all about fitness; it’s also a proven way to relieve stress and enhance mental clarity. Many people see it as a transformative journey where they learn mental resilience and self-awareness.

Beginners go from being unable to touch their toes to performing complex poses and feeling a sense of accomplishment. Each yoga class can increase in intensity, but the discipline is still gentle enough for people with mobility issues to benefit from it.

If you want to witness your clients conquering their goals and entering a cycle of continuous personal growth, yoga teacher training is a great career move.

Offer advanced yoga classes

While many people take yoga classes for holistic well-being and to tone up, others enjoy developing their skills further and pushing their bodies to the max. Specialist forms of yoga are more advanced, and they require expert knowledge.

If you’re interested in working with professional clients and providing advanced workshops, taking a professional course and then specialising could qualify you to teach:

• Hot Yoga: People love hot yoga because the heat enhances flexibility and improves circulation. Rooms are heated to between 35°C and 40°C, making this form of yoga not for the faint-hearted.

• Vinyasa Yoga: Vinyasa is about linking breaths with movement to create flowing sequences. It’s a dynamic form of yoga that offers energising effects.

• Iyengar Yoga: Advanced practitioners might add equipment and props to their routines, including blankets, straps and blocks, which support the body.

• Ashtanga Yoga: Known for its unique physical challenges, Ashtanga is a more vigorous style that also provides spiritual benefits.

• Aerial Yoga: Take your clients to new heights with aerial yoga and watch your class numbers fly. This form of yoga uses a hammock suspended from the ceiling, which gives clients a unique experience.

Specialise in working with certain groups

One of the best ways to establish yourself in the fitness industry is to specialise in working with certain demographics. These groups, including seniors and people with disabilities, often require more support for long-term health and wellness.

If you plan to work with pre and postnatal clients, adding a yoga qualification to your skills will attract more people and set you apart from other specialists.

Boost your employability

Unlike Zumba or spinning, the yoga industry isn’t strictly regulated, which means anyone can incorporate it into their sessions. But, if you can back your skills up with a recognised certification, it makes you a more attractive prospect for employers.

For example, if two people apply for a job and one says they have yoga skills, but the other possesses a certification, who’s more likely to secure an interview?

Due to its popularity, many gyms and health centres are looking for qualified yoga teachers. So, investing time and money in a course gives you more career options.

Rev up your earnings

Adopting the right teaching style and helping fitness enthusiasts discover the transformative power of yoga means you’ll always be in demand. According to Payscale, the average yoga teacher makes £25.28 hourly, which is pretty impressive.

If you choose self-employment, your earnings could be much higher. You can also teach people online. For example, Yoga with Adriene is one of YouTube’s most popular channels, making millions yearly.

If you know your stuff and provide clients with a life-changing experience, your earning potential is unlimited.

Is yoga teacher training the right move for your career?

While becoming a yoga instructor can be lucrative, it’s still vital to remember that it’s not for everyone. If you’re not passionate about yoga and are focusing solely on earning potential, it’s worth considering another course.

Some people prefer Pilates as it’s more focused on physical strength and dynamic movement, while others might decide to specialise in other areas of fitness.

Here are the most important things to ask yourself before paying for a yoga course:

• Am I passionate enough about yoga to teach it to others?

• Do I want to learn breathing and meditation techniques?

• What are my long-term career objectives?

• Do I want to work with special groups?

Once you know the answers to these questions, starting your yoga journey will be much easier. The Fitness Circle specialises in creating tomorrow’s personal trainers. Our courses contain useful information and can support your career goals.

While we currently don’t offer a yoga certification, training with us is the perfect way to build the career you deserve. Please contact us today for more information.