Yoga ISSA: Professional Yoga Practice

To define a mission statement or personal purpose, a yoga teacher should carefully consider and answer the following questions:

1 What is important to you? 2 What are your specific goals? 3 What are your core values?

200 hour teacher training program

100 hours of practice 25 hours of teaching methodology 20 hours of anatomy 30 hours of ethics and philosophy 10 hours of teaching practice

Code of conduct

A set of rules outlining the norms, rules, and responsibilities for proper practice. Yoga is such a large practice with many branches. It is important that instructors keep their teachings within their education level to preserve the integrity of yoga practice and prevent injury or miseducation of students. Instructors are invited and encouraged to share yogic texts and teachings from valid sources with students to enhance their practice. Yoga instructors must also keep their instruction inclusive and free of emotional, mental, physical, or sexual harassment. While these may seem obvious, the language used in interpersonal interactions and the use of physical touch must be carefully executed. This includes providing referral or resources for medical and mental health professionals, abuse hotlines, and, potentially, the instructor's certifying agency to students if necessary. The most common factor of the yoga instructor's scope of practice is the use of physical and verbal adjustments during practice. These happen regularly, and there are general guidelines as to how to make adjustments in a safe, inclusive, and nonthreatening manner.

Kriya

A "completed action," technique, or practice within a yoga discipline meant to achieve a specific result.

Code of Ethics Considerations

A code of ethics is a guide designed to help professionals conduct business honestly and with integrity. It may outline the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values, and the standards to which the professional is held. In all businesses, including yoga instruction, the following principles must be upheld, both because it is right to do so and to allay legal and liability concerns:

MISSION STATEMENT:

A formal summary of the aims and values of a company, organization, or individua

Liability Waiver

A liability waiver is a waiver that yoga studios and instructors often use to minimize their liability in the event that someone is injured. There is an inherent risk when doing any physical activity, and this legally binding document acknowledges the participant understands and accepts this. New students and clients are typically required to read and complete a liability waiver on their first visit to a studio or facility or before their first session.

BRAND:

A particular identity or image regarded as an asset. A personal brand should identify who this specific teacher is and what they have to offer. Building and establishing a personal brand requires effort and time, but it is a worthwhile investment in one's career. It is an intelligent step for self-promotion because it states clearly what the teacher stands for, and this can help identify the teacher as a leader in the yoga business community. Marketing and networking are two keys to helping a teacher build their business and increase their exposure in the community. A defined purpose and mission statement help establish clarity and focus, encouraging the teacher to be the best they can be. The mission statement can be a tool for personal inspiration, which, in turn, has a ripple effect, increasing a yoga instructor's enjoyment of and commitment to their teaching practice. Creating the mission statement is a process of homing in on why they do what they do and then explicitly defining it. This, coupled with clear goal setting, leads to a win-win scenario for the instructor and their clients. It's a creative way to establish authenticity, which is a positive way to connect with clients and class participants.

Teaching Independently

A yoga instructor can also consider renting space in a community center, church, or a personal home, essentially becoming a studio of one. This gives an instructor the flexibility to determine their personal schedule. Financially, this can also work out well, generating income from selling class cards or packs as well as from drop-ins. However, independent teaching means the instructor is solely responsible for marketing the classes and securing substitutes when needed. If a space is rented in a public facility, that has personal insurance liability implications.

Yoga Studios

A yoga studio is a business dedicated to teaching yoga classes. Teaching at a yoga studio will give a new instructor plenty of exposure to new students as they will often take classes based on their personal schedules instead of based on any one teacher. Typically, prime teaching slots go to the most popular and experienced teachers, along with the studio owners. As student attendance grows, the studios add classes to their rosters. A good way to establish credibility is to start as a substitute at an appealing studio. There are several advantages to teaching in a studio: (1) typically payment is per student, (2) the studio does most of the marketing for classes, and (3) teachers gain exposure by being on the schedule. Additionally, the freedom to take other teachers' classes at no charge is often a perk offered to all the teachers at a particular studio.

the following principles must be upheld, both because it is right to do so and to allay legal and liability concerns:

Adhering to antiharassment and sexual misconduct policies Refraining from discrimination Ensuring active inclusion Emphasizing the importance of consent-based touch Obtaining students' consent before recording, photographing, or filming class Respecting student-teacher relationships Maintaining client confidentiality

Making Adjustments

Adjustments are an opportunity to teach safe movement patterns and to retrain certain incorrect or unsafe movement patterns in students. Verbal and nonverbal adjustments can help a student adapt to a safer, more effective movement. Hands-on adjustments are a topic of debate. However, no matter what an instructor's opinion on them, they must follow the guidelines of the facilities and studios in which they're working. Some prohibit hands-on adjustments, only allowing verbal cueing or the instructor physically modeling as an option for an adjustment. An instructor should carefully assess when to provide hands-on assists to ensure their students feel safe.

Community Centers

Adult recreation centers often offer yoga classes in their activities schedule. If such classes are not currently offered, a yoga instructor should contact the director to see about opportunities to add yoga to the next semester of their community program. The pay rate is typically a percentage of the class attendance.

MARKETING AND NETWORKING

Any fitness professional represents their craft at all times. The interactions outside of their place of work reveal personality and, in many cases, may create or destroy a relationship with a potential client. An instructor should be prepared with contact and practice information in the form of a business card or flyer that can be given out at all times. There are no limits on when and how an instructor can expand their student base! A referral is when an existing student sends a new student to an instructor for guidance or to begin yoga practice with that instructor. There is nothing more powerful than the suggestion from a confidant. If handled appropriately, referrals can be a major source of new business for any fitness professional. A new teacher should consider offering current students a perk for referrals, such as rewarding a student who introduces a friend to the studio with a free class after that friend buys a class card. Traditionally, attracting new students is accomplished via grassroots marketing—word of mouth, flyers, and an email list.

OTHER ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS

As the body needs variety of movement, the mind also needs to be nourished and expanded in different ways. Yoga teachers should ensure they're spending time engaging in other pursuits such as reading, watching movies, communing with nature, taking a walk somewhere new, traveling, spending time with friends and family, journaling, listening to music, and taking classes. Self-care leads to life balance, and the opportunities are endless.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities often offer fitness and wellness programs. A new yoga teacher could set up an appointment with the director of a local facility to see if there is space for and interest in yoga classes. The instructor could negotiate compensation either as a fee per student or per class.

Ask for Students Permission

Before beginning any yoga session, an instructor should rest their class in the child position and ask students to close their eyes. While they are in this pose, the instructor can ask permission to do hands-on adjustments, saying something like, "If you're open to being adjusted during class today, please lift your hand as acknowledgment." This allows students to give consent for the instructor to do hands-on adjustments. Having them close their eyes removes any feelings of pressure they may feel from other students' responses when making their own declaration.

Code of ethics

Codes adopted that outline what is right or wrong and apply it to decision-making.

Options for continuing education

Continuing education comes in many forms and avenues in the yoga instruction profession. Instructors can gain personal development and professional growth by attending other classes; participating in online training and education; and reading articles, blogs, and books that expand their area of expertise. In addition, workshops and yoga retreats are offered globally. Instructors can develop a fresh library of cues when participating in other instructors' classes. Writing down the cues and teaching ideas that resonate is a great habit for a teacher to get into. This can expand their coaching variety and add diversity to keep themselves from repeating the same cues too frequently.

MAINTAINING A HEALTHY DIET

Eating healthy and nutritious foods is one of the purest forms of self-care. A balanced, nutrient-rich eating plan coupled with adequate water intake is truly a way for yoga teachers to model wellness. The body and mind will thus be nourished from the inside out.

REST AND SLEEP

Establishing a routine that allows an instructor to get adequate sleep is another way for the body and mind to achieve balance and maintain an equilibrium in energy levels. Practicing yin yoga and restorative yoga are perfect treats for yoga instructors since they are restful for the body and the mind.

Professional Considerations for Private Sessions

Establishing trust and maintaining professionalism is of the utmost importance in all yoga settings. In individual training sessions, a teacher should be particularly mindful of the added personal component. Thus it is critical that the yoga instructor offering one-on-one sessions adhere to the yoga code of ethics and code of conduct. The client intake form should establish explicit and informed consent for pose adjustments. Some gyms and studios prohibit hands-on adjustments as a professional and legal guideline. Ensure every session begins with written documentation such as a client intake form, including specific goals, energy and sleep levels, and food intake. This allows the instructor to gain a clear understanding of the client's physical and mental space. The instructor can then adapt the training session as needed to ensure the client is not overexerting themselves. For example, perhaps a client says they want a challenging workout, but their intake form indicates they have had too little sleep and nothing to eat before the session. A savvy, mindful instructor will keep a close eye on the client's energy levels and adjust the training session as needed to ensure the safety and well-being of their client. An instructor's role is to coach, lead, guide, and direct in the best interest of the client. Instructors should start and end sessions on time, resisting the urge to extend a session, even if it seems like it would benefit the clients. An alarm with a chime or soft bell cues both the instructor and the student, letting them know the session is over. Good and consistent time management helps teachers maintain a high level of professionalism, respect, care, and customer service for their clients.

Health Clubs

Health clubs offer a new instructor significant exposure to new students, and they are often easier places to secure a teaching spot compared to yoga studios. One disadvantage to teaching in a health club is that an instructor's pay is often lower than at a yoga studio—they receive a flat fee per class instead of per person attending. An advantage is that instructors often receive a free club membership for teaching there.

BUILDING A BRAND

Identifying a personal mission statement lays the foundation for yoga instructors to cultivate their teaching practice, establish their business, and develop a personal brand. Establishing a personal brand defines a yoga professional's unique selling point. It can be a profound way to secure a recognizable status within the business community, and that can help in attracting new clients. A personal brand expresses and showcases skills, values, and personality—it's the WOW factor that brings old clients back and intrigues new ones. Cultivating brand power helps a teacher be unique and stand out, which can draw consumers to yoga services, expanding and growing one's clientele and increasing revenue.

Professional and Personal Liability Insurance

Insurance for a yoga instructor is akin to insurance for your vehicle. It financially protects the instructor and their facility should an incident occur. Proper employee and student releases should be used, and all appropriate activities should be included in the insurance coverage. Keep in mind that not all waivers protect yoga teachers against legal action. Yoga instructors should read the specific release used at every studio where they teach and verify that the release specifically covers them. If the release does not specifically cover teachers, the instructor should ask the studio owner to include teachers in the waiver or seek their own personal coverage.

PROFESSIONALISM, ETHICS, AND CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

Knowing yoga and a desire to share it with others is a great first step for a yoga instructor. However, there is more that comes along with the presentation of practice and how one interfaces with clients and students.

Professional Settings and Corporations

Large and small businesses are increasingly offering their employees health benefits that include yoga classes. A yoga instructor can contact local businesses with a proposal for lunchtime or early morning classes that would fit into the employees' schedules.

Alternative Locations

Many places such as schools, prisons, senior citizen centers, wellness centers, and veterans' centers are in need of teachers to cater to their special populations.

Continuing education

Many yoga certifications require continuing education credits to maintain the credential. In addition to fulfilling the requirement to maintain certification, ongoing education offers numerous benefits. Industries are constantly changing, and continuing education allows professionals to stay current with the latest techniques, skills, and technologies required for their fields. Certain professions also require continuing education to comply with laws or maintain membership in an association or licensing body. A yoga instructor who continues their education is choosing to expand what they can offer to students. Certification in, for example, corrective exercise allows an instructor to better understand human movement dysfunctions and help students correct them with the goal of enhancing their practice. Students who have trouble achieving certain postures can benefit from corrective exercise techniques and additional flexibility training with their trusted instructor.

Mantra

Originally in Hinduism and Buddhism, a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in meditation.

100 Hours of Practice

Practice is defined as physical practice that can involve a variety of yoga types in addition to breath work and meditation. Also included in this category are asanas, pranayamas, kriyas, chanting, mantras, meditation, and other traditional yoga techniques. The hours are typically a blend of methodical training in teaching yoga and practicing techniques as well as guided practice of the actual techniques.

Benefits of Private Training for the Instructor

Private training can be a rewarding and financially lucrative opportunity for yoga teachers. Private training can be done in a gym, yoga studio, in a client's home, or at a teacher's personal yoga training space. There are a multitude of benefits for the teacher and the student. The instructor, for example, can schedule clients to suit their schedule. Instructors also have the ability to focus on the particular aspects of yoga they most like to teach, which can lead to enhanced job satisfaction. Also, teaching private yoga lessons provides instructors with individual opportunities to fine-tune their teaching skills and the freedom to sequence class design to the individual needs of each client. Private lessons create an added revenue stream, typically at a higher price point than other yoga offerings. It can be a long-term way to build client retention as it strongly cultivates individual relationships.

Professionalism

Professionalism is of the utmost importance in any business, and that includes yoga instruction. Professionalism in yoga teaching can be exhibited in a variety of ways, including arriving in class early, being prepared, and connecting with and respecting and catering to all students no matter what their shape, size, gender, or fitness level. Other ways to show professionalism include offering clear communication, upholding studio policies, avoiding side chat about other yoga studios, leaving any personal issues at the door, and helping to maintain the yoga space by setting up blocks or blankets. A professional yoga instructor will act as a studio ambassador, promoting studio classes and community events. A good reputation and value to students can be built with a sound, professional practice.

SELF-PRACTICE

Self-practice is one of the most important ways to keep evolving as a yoga teacher, and caring for others means caring for oneself first. It brings one closer to the essence of yoga—which is daily practice—and developing personal technique of breath-initiated movement. A personal yoga practice also develops confidence and can expand descriptive coaching cues. Teachers should schedule solo time to meditate, practice breath work, and practice physically.

DECLINING CLASSES

Some yoga teachers feel the need to say yes—yes to subbing classes for everyone, yes to helping others, yes to volunteering for classes. It's easy to extend more time than they are able to spare because they want to assist their clients. It's not always healthy, however, and it is important to say no sometimes. This is also part of injury prevention as some yoga instructors go the extreme of too much asana. Finding a balance between saying yes and no is a way honoring one's own limitations and self, which, in turn, honors the roots of yoga.

10 Hours of Teaching Practice

The hours of teaching practice teaching do not include assisting, observing, or giving feedback. Nevertheless, it is important to learn how to deliver and receive feedback and to observe others teaching and assisting students. Practice is one of the best ways to gain real teaching experience, a part of instructor development that benefits both the instructor and the student.

25 Hours of Teaching Methodology

The methods used in yoga teaching are expansive and varied. Many courses offer a broad overview and analysis of teaching methods rather than teaching specific techniques. Topics include communication skills such as group dynamics, time management, and the establishment of priorities and boundaries. Also, classes might cover how to address the specific needs of individuals and special populations within a group setting as well as principles of demonstration, observation, assisting, and correcting. Likely topics also include different teaching styles and teacher qualities, the student learning process, and the business of teaching yoga.

Moving Mindfully

The private space of a student is very important, and a teacher should always be respectful of that. Before offering adjustments, a teacher should approach a student at a very steady and careful pace so that the student is stable in the pose. A teacher should likewise walk away only when the student is clearly once again comfortable in the pose.

Scope of Practice

The scope of practice for a yoga instructor is clearly defined. It includes following a code of ethics and code of conduct, teaching yoga that aligns with their education in yoga practice and principles, making adjustments to students, sharing the yogic history and anatomy of asana, and maintaining relevant credentials.

Benefits of Private Training for the Client

The student also benefits greatly through the personalization offered by one-on-one sessions. Private yoga sessions offer students a greater focus on specific goals or concerns that helps them deepen their understanding of yoga. Individual sessions allow the client to do a number of things: work on specific poses, improve their alignment, increase flexibility and strength, master challenging poses, develop confidence, explore different types of yoga, learn modifications for injuries, go further in personal meditation practice, deepen their personal yoga practice, establish a home practice, or all of the above.

OPTIONS FOR TEACHING VENUES

There are many ways and places to teach yoga. Researching these can be a continual part of a teacher's growth as a professional and help in the evolution of a satisfying teaching career.

Legal Considerations and Protections

There are several legal considerations a fitness professional should be aware of, and a yoga instructor is no different. Those who work independently may have to manage these items themselves. In studios or fitness facilities, these considerations may be covered and already part of a protocol.

Private Clients

This can be among the more lucrative way to teach. It allows the instructor to charge a high rate for their time and to charge even more when travel is involved. If training takes place in the instructor's home studio, restroom facilities must be provided. Ongoing private clients are a good source of income and will often be a source for referrals as they experience the positive results of one-on-one training and share that with their friends and colleagues.

30 Hours of Ethics and Philosophy

This unit likely includes a study of yoga philosophies and traditional texts such as the yoga sutras. Also, classes will probably offer opportunities for trainee teachers to explore the yoga lifestyle and examine ethics for yoga teachers. The ethics unit touches upon the value of teaching yoga as a service and how to be of service to others through yoga instruction.

20 Hours of Anatomy

Topics may include the study of anatomy and physiology as applied to yoga practice, including contraindications for certain conditions as well as the benefits of safe and effective movement patterns.

CORE VALUES:

Traits or qualities that represent an individual's or an organization's highest priorities, deeply held beliefs, and fundamental driving forces. 4 What, for you, defines inspiration? 5 What does success look like? 6 What type of experience will members and clients have? 7 What kind of legacy do you wish to leave behind? Writing a mission statement can be a creative and focusing activity. It's important to narrow down the mission to one or two sentences so that it expresses a clear vision and purpose.

Resorts and Cruise Lines

Vacation destinations often offer yoga classes to their guests. This might provide a new instructor with a way to travel as well as the perk of financial gain. Yoga is exploding across the United States, and one-on-one sessions are becoming very popular. Here are some benefits and considerations for private yoga practice to be aware of.

General Adjustments

When a teacher is making an adjustment, they should speak with appropriate verbal cues and with an instructional tone. While adjusting one student, for example, if the instructor clearly explains what they're doing and why, other students in the class will know they too need to adjust their poses. It will also further imprint the learning onto the participant as they feel the change in their body as it corresponds with a physical adjustment and the spoken instructions. When speaking to the class as a whole, student names should not be used even if the feedback is aimed at one individual. For example, an instructor might say, "If your head is dropping in your plank, simply lift your head and set your gaze two feet in front of you for safe head-neck alignment." If the specific student the instructor is concerned about does not adjust properly, the teacher can cue the adjustment once more while standing right next to the student in question. This can encourage active listening skills and body awareness.

Informal Classes

Whether in their own home or a client's home, a yoga teacher can offer classes either to individuals or a group of friends. This can help the teacher build a following that may support renting space for public classes. Meet-up groups are another way to offer classes on a flexible schedule.

SELF-CARE

Yoga instruction is a very giving profession. To be able to offer care to students and clients, yoga teachers must get into the habit of taking good care of themselves. Self-care helps with enjoyment and teaching longevity, maintains work-life balance, and prevents burnout. Below are some ways to pursue and embody self-care, which helps keep yoga instructors healthy in both mind and body.

Substitute Teaching

Yoga studios need teachers to cover classes when the regular teacher is unavailable. A new yoga instructor could schedule an interview with a studio owner or network with local teachers who have similar teaching styles. Often, yoga studios require individual instructors to find substitutes for their classes. A new instructor might try engaging with their own teachers as that is a familiar place to start.

Client Confidentiality

Yoga teachers have an obligation to take reasonable precautions to protect their clients' confidential information, recognizing that the extent and limits of confidentiality may be regulated by law or established by institutional rules or professional regulations. Documents like health history, demographic information, and notes from private conversations should be stored and secured properly to prevent theft or loss. In many cases, the rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) may apply as well. Some yoga instructors choose to fulfill the requirements of a comprehensive 200-hour yoga teacher-training program. It is important to remember that these training programs are just that—training programs. Completion of a teacher-training program is not equivalent to a nationally accredited certification. Although there is an industry-wide shift toward mandating the NCCA accredited credential, some private and commercial yoga studios might also require a teacher to have completed the 200-hour teacher-training program.

DEFINING A MISSION STATEMENT—PASSION MEETS PURPOSE

eaching yoga can be an expression of passion for yoga, but every individual has a unique reason why they want to teach. Some want to share their love of yoga while others want to expand their teaching repertoire or personal training business. Simon Sinek is a British-born American author, motivational speaker, and the author of five books, including Start with Why. This book explains the premise that when an individual can identify a clear vision of why they do what they do, that allows them to be more inspired at work, which, in turn, helps them inspire their colleagues and customers. That gives them more direction and purpose, which can increase class participation, entice new clients, and improve retention, which can lead both to improved satisfaction with the teaching itself and to increased financial gains.