How to become a Yoga Therapist. Read through our comprehensive job guide to learn more about this career.
What does a Yoga Therapist do?
Yoga therapists use yoga to help people with physical and emotional issues, ranging from asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and back pain to stress, anxiety and depression.
As a yoga therapist, you would start with a consultation, taking note of the client’s physical condition and any related lifestyle factors. You would then:
- decide on an appropriate programme of therapy, which could involve either one-to-one sessions or classes
- teach a combination of simple movements and postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques
- give advice on how to maintain good health and a sense of inner peace and relaxation.
Working Hours
You would usually set your own working hours, which may include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of your clients.
You could work at several centres, such as sports centres or health clinics, which would involve local travel.
You would need very little equipment, other than a non-slip mat for safety.
How much does a Yoga Therapist earn?
Salary and pay information:
- A new practitioner may earn around £15,000 a year.
- With experience this could rise to between £35,000 and £45,000.
However, most yoga therapists are self-employed and incomes can vary considerably. Most charge either a sessional or hourly rate, which could range from £30 to £80 an hour.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
Entry Requirements
Organisations from a variety of complementary therapies, including yoga therapy, have worked to create a single (voluntary) regulatory body, known as the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC). The aim of the CNHC is to protect the public by registering practitioners, monitoring standards for safe practice and providing a means of redress if things go wrong.
It is anticipated that health professionals and the public will use the CNHC register to check if a therapist is of sufficient standard, so it may help your reputation and business if you are registered.
The CNHC website includes a list of training providers and courses that meet the occupational standards (skill and competence level) necessary to join their register as a yoga therapy practitioner.
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Approved course providers include: (links open in new window)
- Birthlight
- Centre for Yoga Studies, Bristol
- Yoga Therapy and Training Centre
- Dru (UK)
- Krishnamacharya Healing & Yoga Foundation
- Real Yoga, Herefordshire
- Sadhana Mala
- YOU & ME Yoga.
You should check with individual course providers for details of entry requirements. However, in general, a good preparation for an approved yoga therapy course is a qualification and around two-years’ experience as a yoga teacher (see the Yoga Teacher job profile). You may also find that a background in anatomy and physiology will be useful and you will need to be able to prove that you can cope with the academic content of the course, which is regarded as postgraduate level.
You can apply to join the CNHC through your training institution (if this is on the approved list), through a relevant professional body or directly through the CNHC website.
- Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council
Training and Development
As a yoga therapist you would need to keep up to date with developments in this field throughout your career. As a member of one of the professional bodies, such as the British Council for Yoga Therapy, you may be able to access continuing professional development opportunities.
- British Council for Yoga Therapy
Skills and Knowledge
- skill as a yoga practitioner
- good communication and listening skills
- the ability to understand medical terms and information
- a logical approach to problem solving
- a good level of physical fitness.
Job Opportunities
You would usually be self-employed, and could work in medical practices, hospitals, clinics, holistic health centres, health clubs, special needs centres and in private gyms.
If you run your own business your career prospects would be dictated by demand for the therapy, as well as your ability to generate business and establish a good reputation, either alone or with partners.
You could teach as well as practising as a therapist.
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