The lowdown
Medical science has acknowledged the curative powers of yoga. Tough times such as now are leading to unprecedented increase in stress levels, so yoga schools are doing well. This is probably why the demand for qualified yoga therapists is rising and courses are being offered to meet the demand. Many yoga institutions operate across the country, offering various courses and degrees in yoga therapy
Clock Work
5am: Get up
6am: Start classes
12.30pm: Finish classes
12.30-1pm: Lunch
1.30pm: Take a power nap
4pm: Go for classes
By 6pm: Over with classes
6-9pm: Do pranayam; go for temple visits, etc
11-11.30pm: Retire to bed
The payoff
If you are an independent yoga instructor, your earnings will depend on factors such as the number of clients you have, your fees and how many clients you teach per day. The minimum charges are around Rs400 to Rs500 per session (at least Rs20,000 a month) for beginners. Middle-level professionals make around Rs40,000 to Rs50,000 a month, while senior instructors teaching full time can earn almost Rs1 lakh per month
Skills/TRAITS
. A genuine interest in the profession
. Professional training from a good institute
. Strong will-power
. Good stamina
. Knowledge of correct techniques, etc
. Passion for yoga and interest in knowing more about it
. Belief in the curative power of yoga
. A flexible body
Getting There
Professional training is mandatory for yoga instructors. You can take up a course after completing class X or XII, or even start earlier. But doing a proper training programme from a good institute is essential, as a yoga instructor cannot afford to not be good at his/her job.
Institutes
. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi
www.yogamdniy.com
. Yogalife, New Delhi
www.yogalife.org
. Bihar Yoga Bharati
www.yogavision.net
. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, worldwide
sivananda.org
. Central Council For Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, Delhi
www.ccryn.org
. Indian Instt of Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi
. The Yoga Institute, Mumbai
www.theyogainstitute.org
. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Lonavla,
www.kdham.com
. SVYASA University, Bangalore
www.svyasa.org
. Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik
www.yogapoint.com
Skills/TRAITS
. A genuine interest in the profession
. Professional training from a good institute
. Strong will-power
. Good stamina
. Knowledge of correct techniques, etc
. Passion for yoga and interest in knowing more about it
. Belief in the curative power of yoga
. A flexible body
Getting There
Professional training is mandatory for yoga instructors. You can take up a course after completing class X or XII, or even start earlier. But doing a proper training programme from a good institute is essential, as a yoga instructor cannot afford to not be good at his/her job.
Institutes
. Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi
www.yogamdniy.com
. Yogalife, New Delhi
www.yogalife.org
. Bihar Yoga Bharati
www.yogavision.net
. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, worldwide
sivananda.org
. Central Council For Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, Delhi
www.ccryn.org
. Indian Instt of Yoga and Naturopathy, New Delhi
. The Yoga Institute, Mumbai
www.theyogainstitute.org
. Kaivalyadhama Yoga Institute, Lonavla,
www.kdham.com
. SVYASA University, Bangalore
www.svyasa.org
. Yoga Vidya Gurukul, Nasik
www.yogapoint.com
Pros and cons
. Less work pressure
. Flexible working hours if you are a freelancer
. You can keep fit and earn at the same time
. Fluctuating income
. As it is completely physical work, it can get tiring and strenuous if proper care is not taken
. Mistakes can be harmful for the client’s health and well-being
. You get tremendous satisfaction by helping others gain a healthy lifestyle