Yoga poses new opportunities

With figures suggesting that yoga numbers are on the rise across yoga centres, gyms and health clubs around the UK, an ever-increasing number of fitness facilities are investing in developing flexible staff that can grow into top-quality yoga instructors.

Karen Robertson teaches a variety of classes at her SLM centre in Fareham and was offered the opportunity to take part in YMCAfit’s Diploma in Teaching Yoga qualification by her employers as she explains: “Yoga is very popular in the centre I work and they really struggle for cover. If they cannot find an instructor, they will simply cancel the class, so they asked if I’d be interested in taking part.”

The frustration for fitness centres in having to cancel classes has proved a motivating factor in up-skilling their staff to ensure that the timetables remain full and fully-operational. Following the training, Karen has now committed to taking regular classes in Fareham whilst also offering skilled cover at other SLM centres in the region.

Erica Foulds, a Fitness and Wellbeing instructor at Nuffield Health has practiced yoga for the last three years. A regular teacher of spin and LBT, Erica was encouraged by her employers to undertake the yoga course. The depth of content proved to be quite a surprise: “I was really impressed by the mixture of spiritual and practical teaching, but the depth of theory and philosophy was unexpected. It’s great to now build all of this new information upon my current fitness knowledge,” enthused Erica.

Although the course covers a great level of detail, the delivery pace was deemed appropriate by Greer Campbell of Thirtysevendegrees’ Kensington Olympia club. “It was definitely a lot to learn, but I felt the tutors were very supportive and it was taught at the right pace,” Greer surmises.  Greer was delighted that her employers chose YMCAfit for the training and felt that it has readily prepared her for teaching yoga classes explaining: “I have become more confident with my teaching practice and the way I deliver my classes. It has really helped.”

Investing in staff is proving to be an increasingly sensible approach by many employers who are seeking appropriate class cover, retention of their staff and affordable training options.

If you wish to discuss training options for your own business in more detail, please contact Tom Clarke on 020 7373 1847 or via email.