WEEK     JOB: YOGA INSTRUCTOR

LOCATION: EDMONTON, ALBERTA

EMPLOYER: LOTUS SOUL GYM

WAGE: $34,310 YEAR [Source: BLS]

JOB DESCRIPTION: Tidied mats, swept the studio floor, welcomed members. Attended approximately six hours of yoga classes a day, sometimes participating, other times absorbing teaching techniques by watching Henri, Lotus Soul Gym’s owner.

On Friday, it was my turn to teach. I forgot a couple of postures and had to sneak a few glances at my notes while the students’ eyes were closed, but overall it went well—even though apparently (as the students told me afterward) I’m a hard teacher.

INDUSTRY IQ:

• Around 30 million Americans practice yoga—that’s 1 in 10!

• Approximately 75 percent of yoga practitioners are female.

• There are two levels of Yoga Alliance certificates (in the USA)—200-hour and 500-hour. Most yoga studios require that only the 200-hour certification be completed to obtain employment.

• There are many types of yoga. Hatha yoga is the most popular type in the United States, as it’s great for beginners. It focuses on balancing mind and body through dozens of postures performed slowly and smoothly.