I'm so very pleased to announce that today Energy Revived became the first and only Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga School in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Writing the curriculum has been an arduous journey, and it's wonderful to finally have my RYS 200 designation.
For those of you who are unfamiliar, there are no legal requirements if you want to teach yoga, or market yourself as a 'yoga teacher'. However, as yoga gains popularity it is becoming evident that not all yoga teachers (or the schools that train them) are created equal. Those who employ or insure yoga instructors want to see some credentials; and these entities are beginning to recognize the names of the governing bodies of yoga, namely: Yoga Alliance(YA), International Yoga Federation(IYF), Canadian Yoga Alliance(CYA). Of course there are many more organizations around the world, but these four are most well known here in Canada.
If one wishes to become a yoga teacher, the first step is to find a place to learn. In India -where yoga was sired- it is traditional to seek a well respected guru, and spend a lengthy period (years perhaps) of time as an apprentice at his/her ashram. The earliest yoga teachers here in the west often did their training by apprenticeship as well; but North Americans like efficiency and predictable yield for time invested (and of course there was financial opportunity), so it wasn't long before schools and Yoga Teacher Training programs were established. Every school wishes to project authenticity and credibility as an incentive for students to attend their programs; and this is achieved by registering with a major governing body or in some cases qualifying as an accredited college. Aspiring yoga teachers need to decide if they will establish credibility through certification and registration, or if they will simply learn and teach and gain a following through quality of service alone. To be honest, I can't say one path is superior to the other; but as I've said more and more employers want to see certificates, so self-employment may be the only option available to teachers who do not gain certification and/or registration. Once an aspiring teacher decides he/she wants to attend a school, the question becomes: which of the governing bodies do I want to be part of? So let me provide a short review of each:
International Yoga Federation:
As indicated in the name, this body is world wide, and by their own proclamation "the largest" yoga registry around. They established themselves in 1987, but trace their history back to the 30s. There doesn't seem to be much activity on the website. They do hold large conferences, mostly near their headquarters in France and Uraguay -the closest they've come to Canada is Mexico. They offer training for 200 and 500 in France, India, and Argentina. All yoga styles and schools are welcome, including apprenticeship. To register, send all the documentation of your training and letters of reference to their HQ, and deposit the appropriate amount directly into a bank account in Uraguay. Both yearly and lifetime memberships are available, and there's no mention of continuing-education-credits being required. Membership benefits include: the right to use the logo and partake in votes held by the general assembly.
Canadian Yoga Alliance:
This group certainly seems to be gaining momentum with their few hundred members steadily increasing. They have similar standards and requirements to the original Yoga Alliance but are not affiliated with that group. CYA is a member of the International Yoga Federation (apparently the president of CYA is a secretary at IYF) but is not international itself; which begs the question 'why not just register with IYF?' This place was established in 2004 and offers training and insurance. There are all sorts of designations available to anyone who's willing to pay and drum up a letter of reference or two, even if that individual has never completed training or held certification. I don't mean to discredit this place; indeed as I've said, they are growing. However, it disturbs me that their establishment is nearly a carbon copy of the original Yoga Alliance to such a degree that I've met some individuals who hold their CYA-RYT 200 designation and call themselves RYT 200, having no idea that to say so is an act of fraud. Furthermore, the CYA does not have the following or the resources to offer the same benefits of Yoga Alliance, and yet their prices are about 60% higher.
Yoga Alliance:
Since this is the group with which I'm registered, I'm certainly biased. This place was established around 1997 when the Unity of Yoga International (established 1982) amalgamated with the Yoga Dialogue. All yoga styles are acknowledged and welcome here, but one must gain certification with a school that is registered with YA. These schools are all over the globe, as YA has over 58,000 members worldwide. Registration is offered for schools and individuals at the 200 and 500 hour levels. Conferences are held frequently, and in a variety of locations. Benefits of membership include: use of the logos and designations, access to online training, access to insurance, discount on yoga products and travel services. Also, there's a daily running news feed about the comings and goings of yoga in the world. This place really strives to preserve the traditions of yoga while implementing standards and professionalism. In my opinion this place is the cheapest and most credible.
If you're registered with one of these associations and wish to jump ship to another it's worth approaching the group you want to be with about 'grandfathering' you in. YA is not offering grandfathering at present but many yoga schools that are registered with them are willing to review your training/experience and provide you with certification that would make you eligible to register.
As a general rule of thumb, none of the big governing bodies acknowledge certifications with less than 200 hours of training in the curriculum. Teacher training programs of this magnitude generally take 6 months to a year to complete (although sometimes 30day intensives are offered) and cost $2000-$4000. This is a pretty steep commitment if all you're looking to do is teach yoga one night a week at your gym. For this reason, many yoga schools -including us- have created 2-weekend crash course certifications which provide you with all the knowledge you need to teach the average yoga-exercise class at the local rec center. Many students start this way; especially fitness instructors just looking to expand their repertoire. When someone decides s/he wishes to teach at a dedicated yoga studio, or teach the lifestyle and spiritual aspects of yoga, it's time to seek 200 or 500 hour training. Again I think it's important to remember that there are laws governing this system and yoga should be accessible to any who seek it, regardless of circumstance and financial status. Someone who learns to teach through self-guided study, so that s/he can offer yoga classes in a remote community for affordable prices or even free may be just as skilled and legitimate as someone who has taken the certification route. Not everyone has the time and money for the yoga classes and teacher training that is becoming main stream, and I don't believe that should prevent the spread of yoga to the far corners of the globe. The most important thing is that teachers are committed to the safety and satisfaction of their students; and that they are honest about their experience or certification and scope of abilities.
Canadian Yoga Alliance:
This group certainly seems to be gaining momentum with their few hundred members steadily increasing. They have similar standards and requirements to the original Yoga Alliance but are not affiliated with that group. CYA is a member of the International Yoga Federation (apparently the president of CYA is a secretary at IYF) but is not international itself; which begs the question 'why not just register with IYF?' This place was established in 2004 and offers training and insurance. There are all sorts of designations available to anyone who's willing to pay and drum up a letter of reference or two, even if that individual has never completed training or held certification. I don't mean to discredit this place; indeed as I've said, they are growing. However, it disturbs me that their establishment is nearly a carbon copy of the original Yoga Alliance to such a degree that I've met some individuals who hold their CYA-RYT 200 designation and call themselves RYT 200, having no idea that to say so is an act of fraud. Furthermore, the CYA does not have the following or the resources to offer the same benefits of Yoga Alliance, and yet their prices are about 60% higher.
Yoga Alliance:
Since this is the group with which I'm registered, I'm certainly biased. This place was established around 1997 when the Unity of Yoga International (established 1982) amalgamated with the Yoga Dialogue. All yoga styles are acknowledged and welcome here, but one must gain certification with a school that is registered with YA. These schools are all over the globe, as YA has over 58,000 members worldwide. Registration is offered for schools and individuals at the 200 and 500 hour levels. Conferences are held frequently, and in a variety of locations. Benefits of membership include: use of the logos and designations, access to online training, access to insurance, discount on yoga products and travel services. Also, there's a daily running news feed about the comings and goings of yoga in the world. This place really strives to preserve the traditions of yoga while implementing standards and professionalism. In my opinion this place is the cheapest and most credible.
If you're registered with one of these associations and wish to jump ship to another it's worth approaching the group you want to be with about 'grandfathering' you in. YA is not offering grandfathering at present but many yoga schools that are registered with them are willing to review your training/experience and provide you with certification that would make you eligible to register.
As a general rule of thumb, none of the big governing bodies acknowledge certifications with less than 200 hours of training in the curriculum. Teacher training programs of this magnitude generally take 6 months to a year to complete (although sometimes 30day intensives are offered) and cost $2000-$4000. This is a pretty steep commitment if all you're looking to do is teach yoga one night a week at your gym. For this reason, many yoga schools -including us- have created 2-weekend crash course certifications which provide you with all the knowledge you need to teach the average yoga-exercise class at the local rec center. Many students start this way; especially fitness instructors just looking to expand their repertoire. When someone decides s/he wishes to teach at a dedicated yoga studio, or teach the lifestyle and spiritual aspects of yoga, it's time to seek 200 or 500 hour training. Again I think it's important to remember that there are laws governing this system and yoga should be accessible to any who seek it, regardless of circumstance and financial status. Someone who learns to teach through self-guided study, so that s/he can offer yoga classes in a remote community for affordable prices or even free may be just as skilled and legitimate as someone who has taken the certification route. Not everyone has the time and money for the yoga classes and teacher training that is becoming main stream, and I don't believe that should prevent the spread of yoga to the far corners of the globe. The most important thing is that teachers are committed to the safety and satisfaction of their students; and that they are honest about their experience or certification and scope of abilities.
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