E

very day, new yoga mats unfurl under the well-toned,

breath-centred bodies of Victorias yogis but how
much do these students really know about their in-
structors? Turns out, nding qualied teachers or
becoming one yourself isnt clear-cut.
Yoga certification in Canada is unregulated, but before you
take to picketing, consider the benefits. Michelle Wilson, an
administrator at the Canadian Yoga Alliance, says remaining
deregulated is an ethical issue.
We dont want to see yoga become government or institu-
tionally regulated because yoga is all about freedom, she says.
Its science, but its also a creative art form.
Canadian Yoga Alliance offers a place for yoga teachers and
schools to register their credentials. Like other governing bod-
ies, it also offers advertising, insurance and wholesale products
for those affiliated with the group. Wilson is quick to point
out that Canadian Yoga Alliance and similar groups like Yoga
Alliance, YogaBC and the International Yoga Federation are
not legislatively empowered governing bodies. The standards
offered by these groups amount to suggestion and there is vari-
ability between each of them.
The generally agreed upon standard for becoming a teacher
is a 200-hour training course. To be qualified to teach that
course requires an additional 1,000 hours of in-class teach-
ing. All curriculums include understanding poses (asanas),
anatomy, philosophy and classroom management.
There are three elements to consider in becoming a yoga
teacher: type of yoga, cost of training and the time it will take.
If variety is the spice of life, yoga is very spicy. Vinyasas,
Ashtanga, Jivamukti, Iyengar, Vinlyoga, Svaroopa, Bikram,
Sivananda, Ananda, Kundalini, Kripalu, Anusara and Hatha
are just a few authentic sounding variations. Yoga is a living
discipline: styles change and are born through spontaneous
discovery. This bendy profession is also heavily influenced by
the cultures that assimilate it. Westernized versions include
Power Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, Restorative (Meditative) Yoga and
Cardio Yoga. Each one utilizes many of the same poses, making
intimate understanding of each asana essential.
Cost can vary considerably. In Victoria, the basic standard is
$2,000 to $2,600 for a 200-hour teacher-training course over
several months. One course in Victoria is $5,000 for 700 hours.
For Wilson, this level of discrepancy is problematic.
Personally, Id like to see standards for yoga training at a
minimum of 500 hours with 3,000 teaching hours [to train
teachers], she says.
The number of days that 200-hour standard is compacted
into also varies. Some intensive live-in programs can be com-
pleted in less than one month. Those taken over time can
stretch anywhere from six months to three years.
Laura Phelps is the owner of Feel Good Yoga & Pilates and
the director of its teacher training program here in Victoria. She
is a 500-hour registered yoga therapist and senior yoga teacher
with YogaBC. She also has certification through the Pilates
Method Alliance. Her journey into yoga began with a devastat-
ing mercury poisoning diagnosis while in Sweden. Debilitating
pain, immobility and a constant fear of the mercury moving to
vital organs left Phelps in a deep depression. When doctors told
her improvement was unlikely, she withdrew even more.
It was her husband who eventually coaxed her back into
the world with tapes of the Chinese meditative martial art of
Qigong. Through its breathing techniques and small move-
ments, she enjoyed pain-free periods and much needed
moments of hope. After working with a
toxicologist in Florida, her newfound under-
standing of breath and the mind-body con-
nection took to more fertile ground.
For Phelps, registering with these over-
arching organizations is important for her
profession. While over-regulation isnt her
goal, standards do exist in yoga whether they
are supported by the government or not.
For this reason, she suggests that all of her
students register with an organization that
best reflects the students high standards and
particular needs. For most, registration fees
make multiple affiliations cost prohibitive.
These groups might not get it perfect
every time. They have staff and time limi-
tation like we all do, says Phelps. But
they offer a valuable service and make sure
teachers stay up to date with continued
education courses (CEC). CECs need to be
completed every two years along with ini-
tial requirements.
James Hayter, president of YogaBC, says
concerns about groups like his have been
echoed throughout the province. Its impor-
tant that we [yoga practitioners] are all a
part of the conversation around yoga stan-
dards, Hayter says. Also, yoga cant be
viewed as a standalone science. It must be
viewed as part of the Ayurvedic sciences
[5,000-year-old medical tradition].
Phelps admits there have been times
when unqualified schools and teachers
become registered with one or more of the
governing bodies. Keeping them aware of
those discrepancies is part of being a respon-
sible participant in the yoga profession.
These are also internationally recognized
brands, particularly the Yoga Alliance in the
U.S., so affiliation can be very helpful in
establishing work abroad.
You can teach anywhere in the world if
you register with them, Phelps says. People
know they have high standards.
Phelps has 20-30 graduates per year and
says the market still isnt saturated. Between
different recreation clubs, yoga studios on
every corner and even chiropractors offering
yoga services, the work is out there.
When considering yoga as your new pro-
fession, Phelps also says there are a few
things to be mindful of. Some people are
more afraid of public speaking than death. Thats a fact. Some
dont realize teaching yoga is public speaking along with all the
other elements. Its something to consider, she says. People
move to Victoria to be healthy. Were choosing lifestyle despite
the high living costs and housing prices. Yoga fits in nicely! M
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