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FAQ's about becoming a perinatal yoga teacher

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Make a difference in your community.

When you become a prenatal and postnatal yoga teacher you help birth-givers and mothers:

  • Gain confidence and comfort in their changing body.
  • Build a bond with baby.
  • Decrease anxiety about pregnancy and birth.
  • Receive evidence-based research to make informed decisions.
  • Apply ancient practices to modern life in accessible ways.
  • Secure friendships with others in the same phase of life.
  • Increase trust in themselves and their abilities in pregnancy and caring for baby.

Choosing the right Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training (PYTT) is an important decision. To help make an informed choice - below are the answers to the top six questions I receive regularly since 2017.

1. What is the difference between prenatal and postnatal yoga?

Prenatal refers to the time of pregnancy; from conception until the baby arrives earth-side. 

Postnatal refers to the timeframe after childbirth. Postnatal or postpartum is forever. Once someone has birthed a baby, they are postpartum.

Since pregnancy and postpartum are completely different phases of life, they are best offered in two different class formats. 

2. What prerequisites do I need to attend teacher training?

Most Registered Prenatal Yoga Schools require a minimum of 200-hour teacher training to attend. 

Sweet Momma Yoga only requires a minimum of one-year’s personal yoga practice (experience.) This may be through online videos and/or in person classes at your local studios. 

A PYTT attendee must have a basic understanding of common yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and personal experience of applying yoga concepts into their lives.

There have been a variety of women who were called to this course. We have a mix of moms, not moms, birth and postpartum doulas, psychologists, OB/GYNs, nutritionists, social workers, yoga teachers, lactation consultants, and so many more career/non-career fields in this space. By removing the common requirement of 200-hour TT prerequisite, our class time is filled with a richness of perspectives and offers the seasoned yoga teachers to be even more sensitive to their approach.

3. What should I expect in PYTT: Bump, Baby, and Beyond?

Through 2023 there will be digital/pre-recorded content and in-person class meetings. 

In person takes place at my home (West Bloomfield MI) over three long weekends (Friday-Sunday), usually 6 hours/day. Students will teach their peers during our time together. 

Along with online learning expect to be reading at home before and during the teaching season.

At any point in the program or after, students may begin to observe my classes (in person or online) for observation hours, and start to teach privately or publicly for feedback.

4. I want to make a self-care weekend for this course - where should I stay?

My home is less than hour from Metro Detroit airport - freeways the whole way. I live in the suburbs; not a rural area.

The area we live in is full of beautiful lakes - including one we live on!

5. What are the licensure, registration, and certification processes?

At this time yoga is not a licensed practice in any state, including Michigan.

Professional and general teacher liability insurance is recommended before one starts to teach. (Most yoga studios / facilities require teachers to be insured.) I will provide resources for insurance in the course.

Rather than receiving a Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Attendance, Sweet Momma Yoga’s PYTT acts as a certifying body. There is a multiple choice online assessment accessible to teacher trainees once they turn in all paperwork for the program. Upon receiving an 85% or higher, the teacher will then receive a certificate and badge: Sweet Momma Certified Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga Teacher.

BONUS
Be listed in Graduates on Sweet Momma Yoga’s website. Your image, location, and link to connect will be highlighted for others to know you are out there ready to teach.

6. How much income potential do I have once certified?

Income potential is limitless! 

Can likely be based on these factors:

  • work ethic,
  • customer service skills,
  • what success mean to you,
  • availability to show up to do the work, and
  • ability to deliver what was promised.

Registration is open! You are invited to join and learn more about the next Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training here.