Career and Employment Outlook for Yoga Teachers
The “Yoga Boom”
Interest in all forms of exercise has exploded across the country in recent years. As the approach to health and wellness continues to evolve, Yoga Teachers are a front runner for the wellness programs of the future due to their ability to promote health and healing at the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels simultaneously. The desire for qualified Yoga Teachers is evident form the increase of requests for registered Yoga Teachers at various institutions.
Career Opportunities
Fitness workers such as Yoga Teachers lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and stretching. As Yoga becomes more mainstream, Yoga Teachers are working in:
- Yoga and Pilates studios
- Health clubs
- Country clubs
- Hospitals
- Universities
- Resorts
- Clients’ homes
Yoga in the Workplace
Increasingly, fitness workers, such as registered Yoga Teachers are found in workplaces. Employed by companies for the physical well being of their employees, Yoga Teachers organize and direct health and fitness programs for employees of all ages. Educational institutions like schools, colleges, and universities employ Yoga Teachers.
Industry Forecast
Fitness workers held about 261,100 jobs in 2008. Sixty-one percent of all personal trainers and group exercise instructors worked in fitness and recreational sports centers, including health clubs. Thirteen percent worked in civic and social organizations. Nine percent of fitness workers were self-employed, while others were group fitness instructors working on a contract basis with fitness centers. Fitness workers should have good opportunities due to continued job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities, and other settings in which fitness workers are concentrated.
Employment of fitness workers is expected to increase twenty - nine percent over the 2008–18 decade; this is much faster than the average for all occupations. These workers are expected to gain jobs because an increasing number of people are spending time and money on fitness and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees.
Starting Salaries:
The Median salary for a Yoga Instructor is approximately $35,000 annually. Indeed.com shows the salary trend for the yoga instructor to be approximately $45,000 per year.
A Yoga Teacher’s salary in this type of environment can be as high as $45,000 yearly according to a 2008 Bureau of Labor statistics publication. The current national average for a 40 to 60 minute yoga session is $18.00. This average includes both standard classes that are a bit lower than this, as well as classes in specialized yoga methods may be a bit more. This represents the typical price for drop-in classes open to the public, which are most often available in general health clubs and gyms. A yoga specific studio will usually charge between $20 and $25 per session or more, but in these settings clients will enjoy having smaller classes and a more experienced instructor who is prepared to offer more individualized attention. (16) The Yoga Teacher will be paid $20 to $75 per class depending on their expertise, credentials, loyal student base.
Having earned a degree or certificate that qualifies a graduate to teach yoga creates tremendous opportunity for either employment or independent practice. This is an important consideration for those looking into Yoga Teacher careers, as employment and independent proprietorship both have their respective pros and cons with regard to the investment of time and personal resources, as well as the ultimate financial return on that investment.
Certification and other qualifications:
Most Yoga Teachers must obtain certification in the fitness field or a nationally recognized certifying body to gain employment. Certification and specialized training is not required. However, certification and specialized training is an important sought after characteristic that an employer looks for in a new Yoga Teacher. Equally as important is the ability to plan and lead a class that is motivating, safe, and recognize the needs and limitations of the clients.
Education and Training for Yoga Teacher:
In order to become a Yoga Teacher, one should train under professionals who have attended programs registered by the Yoga Alliance. Registered trainers are allowed to use the initials “RYT” (Registered Yoga Trainer) after their names. A number of 200-hour and 500-hour certification programs are available.
Sources:
United States Department of Labor Bureau
Gaiam Life
Interactive Yoga Therapy
Yoga Alliance
