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Yoga therapist

Yoga therapist

Yoga therapists use yoga to help people with physical issues, emotional issues or specific health problems.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

32 to 34 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become a yoga therapist

You can get into this job through:

specialist courses run by private training organisations

Other routes

You could take a course in yoga therapy approved by the British Council for Yoga Therapy. To do this you'll usually need:

a yoga teaching qualification
a minimum of 120 hours of teaching yoga over one year
to have been regularly practising yoga for a minimum of 3 years

You may need to show examples of recent study to prove that you can cope with the academic content of the course. A background in anatomy and physiology will be useful.

More information

Registration

You could join an accredited register managed by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) or the Federation of Holistic Therapists

Further information

You can find more details about working in yoga from the British Council for Yoga Therapy.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

excellent verbal communication skills
active listening skills
to enjoy working with other people
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
knowledge of psychology
to be flexible and open to change
sensitivity and understanding
leadership skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks, as you may be working with children and vulnerable adults
have a good level of fitness

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

Your day-to-day tasks could include:

doing a consultation with new clients to find out their physical condition, medical history and any related lifestyle factors
deciding on an personalised programme of therapy to help with issues or symptoms
working with clients on a one-to-one basis or in group classes
teaching a range of yoga postures from simple moves to more complex ones
teaching breathing exercises, relaxation and visualisation techniques
giving advice on how to maintain good health and a sense of inner peace and relaxation

Working environment

You could work at a fitness centre or at a health centre.

Career path and progression

You could teach yoga, as well as practising as a self-employed therapist.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a yoga therapist right now.

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Courses In England

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