yoga teacher adjusting a student a potentially liable activityThe Process Of Becoming A Yoga Teacher In Canada?

One of the most asked questions by students in our yoga teacher trainings is: what is the process of actually becoming a yoga teacher or instructor in Canada? There are many things to consider in doing so: Membership bodies, styles, costs, etc.

What Are The Requirements To Becoming A Yoga Teacher

In North America, you can register with the Yoga Alliance (YA) or the Canadian Yoga Alliance (CYA) The fact both are non legal bodies.  Membership simply entitles you to have your name on their website. So again in no way are either certificating bodies.

The U.S Yoga Alliance website

The fact is there are no requirements legally to call yourself a yoga teacher anywhere in Canada. You actually you don’t even need to take a yoga teacher training to call yourself a yoga teacher. 

However, if you intend to work somewhere; it may be important to know if the YA or CYA is an important factor in getting a job there. 

CYA vs YA?

As stated above, the YA is an American body and the CYA is a Canadian body. Most people find that it’s more favorable to register with the YA.  Throughout the world, the YA is recognized by far more . It has almost 50 times the members as a CYA does.

For those intending only to teach within Canada, registering with the CYA is what most people do. It is also cheaper than registering with YA.

Yoga teacher guiding students threw a meditation sessionInsurance

First and foremost, you can’t teach anywhere without insurance.

We live in the litigious world and yoga teachers are somewhat in charge of people’s behaviors within any yoga class they teach. Making them and facility in which those yoga classes take place somewhat liable for being sued.

If a student is injured during class and files a lawsuit; liability insurance can help to cover the costs to represent and defend the lawsuit. As well as pay any settlement or judgment that may result.

It should be noted that if you register with either the CYA or YA members have access to affordable yoga insurance, like with Hub Insurance. 

In Sum

As said above, anyone can be a yoga teacher in Canada. You don’t require insurance, you don’t require to do a yoga teacher training program. You can simply call yourself that but taking a yoga teacher training program, registering with recognized bodies like YA and having insurance will make you seen as being more professional and less a risk. And will open up more opportunities for you to gain employment as a yoga teacher part-time or full-time.