Do your lady humps love Camel Pose? If you’re a Bikram fanatic, chances are that become a Bikram yoga instructor has crossed your mind while meditating or Standing Deep Breathing. Preach what you practice, right?
Well, it turns out becoming a Bikram instructor may not be as basic as you think. In fact, earning your yogi belt is no easy feat. These trainings are extensive – and expensive. Teacher trainings occur only twice a year in Thailand or India, over 20 hours and 8,000 miles away from the SoCal yoga hub. On top of that $1000 plane ticket, room and board costs a whopping 12k to 16k. Talk about some suffocating student loans.
But every devoted yogi likes a challenge. If you’re ready for the heat, here are eight not-so-basic steps to become a Bikram instructor:
If you can’t define the relationship, get out now. In order to be eligible for teacher training, applicants are strongly encouraged to have a six-month commitment to the craft. Don’t have the hours yet? Hit the mat, girl.
Before you blow all that dough, see if you qualify for some scholarship moola. Scholarship hopefuls complete a separate application, which includes a letter of rec and personal statement. Feels kinda like the FAFSA all over again.
Scholarship or nah, all potential professors are required to submit an application with photos of three postures. So stand Head to Knee and Bend your Back. Oh yeah, and your Triangle should be there – or be square. Along with the application all yogis must apply for a 90-day travel visa to Thailand (or wherever training is at that year).
The digital craze hasn’t quite hit Bikram yet. All of your paperwork should be printed and posted to Teacher Training Registration C/O Shelly (S/O to Shelly for dealing with all those apps). And now? Wait. If you get that dreaded rejection letter in the mail, skip down to number 8. But if you get accepted…
You did it! Now pay up. Upon acceptance, don’t forget to put a stamp on that payment – your spot won’t be secure without it. Also, now would be a good time to book those flights. Yoga is great, but it sure ain’t cheap.
With those cringe-worthy checks sent off, get excited! Grab your mat, notepad, and yogi clothes for your big bad adventure. Just keep bandeau tops and the color green off that packing list – both items are strict no-nos.
Philosophy, science, and marketing, oh my! Once you get to training, you’ll discover that the course load of Yogi 101 is seriously intense. Turns out there a lot of different subjects at the University of Bikram, ranging from anatomy to therapy. So listen up and study hard to ace that three-month training.
Whether you missed your shot this year or just earned your credential, your practice doesn’t end once training gets out. Be present on your mat, whether you’re the Bikram professor or student. The yogi journey takes time, dedication, and practice. Lots and lots of practice.
