Back in the 2000’s, no one could imagine people practicing yoga while being suspended in the air. Aerial yoga is on trend and people just can’t seem to get enough of it. One reason aerial is very popular nowadays is because aerial yoga gives practitioners the feeling of being weightless while flying.
One of the best things about aerial yoga is that it is a combination of aerobic exercise, focus, and yoga strength, flexibility and relaxation. This is also why there are many who want to know what they need to teach aerial yoga and this article is here to help.
Things You Need To Know About The Path to Teaching Aerial Yoga
A journey of a thousand miles will always begin with a single flight. You need to follow the requirements step by step before you can teach aerial yoga. The process will take most of our students just two or three months.
Some people embarking on the aerial teaching journey have done only a few classes and just clicked with it from the beginning, like love at first sight!. Our course is accessible to you if you are more freshly passionate about aerial yoga.
Other’s have had a dedicated practice of aerial yoga for many months and just want to share the love of it with the world. If this is you, you will already have clicked with a lot of the movements and it will feel natural to learn our blocks and put them together to form a whole class to teach.
Some AFI trainees are already teachers of movement: They may have a yoga teacher training certification, or be a Pilates or dance or children’s yoga teacher for example.
Some people buy our online training because they are studio owners and want to expand their class repertoire. (If this is you, we offer group packages to more affordably train your teachers)
Becoming A Certified Aerial Yoga Instructor
You need to master the basics to teach aerial yoga. It is important for aerial yoga teachers to have a good grounding in the basics of yoga before moving on to more complex movements, transitions and routines. Our course covers all the basic techniques in a clear and easy to absorb format. Besides our step by step training videos, our comprehensive 228 page manual is a great reference point full of practical information and clearly illustrated sequences.
5 Top Tips to Getting Ready to Teach
Get as much practice as you can so the sequences feel natural to you.
While you are alone, practice teaching out loud as you move. Voicing your instructions will get you used to the flow of your words and help you become a smooth and accomplished teacher.
Practice teaching one friend (or three) at a time. It’s always easier to teach a friend with a little experience first. Invite open feedback during and after and take notes.
Next, invite friends who are completely new to the experience. Seeing how they follow your instruction will really set you on a great learning curve.
If you are aligned with a studio already, ask if they can accept you in teach a block or two when you feel ready. That teacher will give feedback at the end which is valuable to learn from. A great apprentice system! Remember, aerial studios are almost always looking for fresh teachers which are often hard to come by. They will usually want to support any student on their path graduating and may even offer you free studio time to practice. Remember, teachers sometimes get sick or want to book a holiday so they do want people available to cover their classes. So don’t be shy – get your name out there and you may find you have your first paid job waiting for you the week you graduate!
How to Get Hired as an Aerial Yoga Teacher
When you graduate, you will receive your graduation certificate. You are now an aerial yoga instructor! After celebrating, (at the AFI we really value the importance of celebrating your success!!) you will be ready to get your name out there!
Create a resume of your experience. If you aren’t already a teacher of movement, include a few lines on your ‘other jobs’ so that studio owners will know you are someone you can rely on. Even if you have only recently graduated, do include previous aerial experience as a student. For example, although you may have only graduated this month, you may have already many more months or years of experience. Include experience as a student of other movement styles. – dance classes, yoga or Pilates classes you have done.
You may like to include a photo of you in the hammock!
Become a regular student at the studios you like. That way each studio manager will know you are sympathetic to their values and vibe. You will absorb the teaching style of your favorite teachers and stay tuned up and ready to teach. Then it’s no surprise who they will phone first the next time a teacher calls in sick – you, of course!
How Much Do Aerial Yoga Instructors Earn?
Studios often charge a premium for Aerial yoga classes – sometimes their clients pay 30% more than for regular yoga and Pilates classes. In addition, as they are in high demand, with much less competition, teachers qualified in aerial yoga and Pilates instructors can charge more than regular yoga instructors.
The World (And the Air!) is Your Oyster
After completing the course and claiming your aerial yoga instructor title, the world is now your oyster. Everything opens when you have a new skill that you love. You will be ready to help your students alleviate their stiffness’s, get strong again, and feel physically fit and healthy. You will see the huge smiles of gratitude from your students after class because they feel so good mentally and mentally and emotionally. Aerial yoga mastery is so very rewarding, on so many levels.