In this blog post, we will explore 10 steps on how to become a yoga instructor and provide you with valuable information to start on this unique and fulfilling journey. Let’s begin! ☝
Yoga is an ancient practice that has been with us for thousands of years and, in recent years, has seen a surge in popularity for several reasons, like the increased awareness of health and wellness in the world, the physical and mental benefits, the variety of styles, the accessibility to yoga classes, and more.
As a result, many people are interested in practicing yoga and becoming a yoga instructor to share their love for yoga with others and help them improve their physical and mental well-being. Becoming a yoga teacher is one of the most rewarding experiences. Not only are yoga teachers are in high demand, but you can build a wonderful community around you while helping others.
But what should I do before becoming a yoga teacher? what does it take to become a certified yoga instructor? How can get certified? Which program should you choose? And, how can you define your goals and start teaching?
In this blog post, we will explore 10 steps on how to become a yoga instructor and provide you with valuable information to start on this unique and fulfilling journey. Let’s begin!
Does your yoga practice spark a light of joy and awareness? Are you wanting to explore new and diverging avenues of body awareness and wellness? Have you experienced the healing power of Yoga and are looking for a way to lean into that healing and explore where the path leads?
Has the idea of taking yoga teacher training been at the back of your mind for a while? Do you hear an inner voice urging you to take the next step? Again, the very fact that you are here reading this might well be enough of a sign.
Time For Change: Do you feel the need for change whether it’s on a spiritual, physical, or mental level? A Yoga Teacher training is a deep and powerful time of self-inquiry, during a teacher training you’ll embark on a journey of discovery coming to a recollection of your true self, your core of being, and the oneness within each one of us. This work is never easy, but it is ultimately what your soul signed up for and it will prove enlightening.
Are you intrigued by the level of the mind and wanting to get to grips with the ancient lineages, philosophies, and practices of Yoga as a means of understanding the human condition and its relation to the modern world?
Are you looking for an opportunity and the tools to commit to a new way of living?
Are you searching for like-minded people who can inspire you, teach you, and help you to grow? A YTT training is a great way to connect with people from all different walks of life who have been called together with a collective passion and willingness to learn. Time and time again during a yoga teacher training we have witnessed students build a sacred container and become like family.
Do you trust that this is the right path for you? The truth is you may never know that this is the right next step, just like anything in life we never do! With an open heart and a willing mind, you’re well on your way to becoming a great yoga instructor.
To become a great yoga instructor, you need to have a regular personal practice. This will help you understand the asanas (yoga poses), the effects every pose has on your body and how to teach these poses to your students. Your personal practice will also help you build confidence in your abilities as a teacher and develop and improve your teaching skills.
This is why having a strong personal yoga practice is essential for anyone who wants to become a yoga instructor. Teaching yoga is much more than curating a physical asana class, a yoga teacher is a space holder, experienced facilitator, and conduit of knowledge. Along with so much more, your personal practice is going to help you understand and explore the type of teacher you would like to be.
A Yoga Teacher Training is an energetic, timely, and financial investment in the future you’re creating. Whether you are feeling called towards deepening your connection to your established yoga practice, perhaps looking to delve deeper into the richly diverse philosophical history of yoga, or have a deep desire to share a practice of yoga with your community.
Taking a Yoga Teacher Training might be the next step for you. Many people are called to a yoga teacher training as a means of deepening their own personal practice or to connect to a community of like-minded individuals or to immerse themselves in a different way of life.
Ask any established Yoga Teacher and they’re likely to give you any number of answers because truly it is uniquely personal to each and every person who enrolls in a YTT. There are many styles of yoga, teachers, trainings, and schools with a variety of formats for training out there.
Shifting through the plentiful offerings may also be adding to the overwhelm of finalizing your decision. Determining how many hours of training you’d like to take, which style of Yoga you want to train in, and what kind of pace you’d like to take the training at can help to narrow down your options. If you don’t have any prior training, it is recommended that you practice, at least 6 months before starting the YTT, so you can really appreciate and enjoy the yoga training you choose.
Initially, most people pursuing a yoga teacher training will take a 200hr course. 200hr training courses will give you the foundational knowledge of yoga asana, philosophy, anatomy, and yoga business to establish yourself as a yoga teacher and register with yoga alliance. But there are many different types of training depending on the style of yoga, like:
Our facilitator team has over 17 years of experience leading Yoga Teacher Trainings and we have witnessed how this decision can be life-changing in many ways. Each student comes to our training with their own unique set of experiences, passions, and goals.
Although Yoga is not a universally regulated system, there are governing bodies such as Yoga Alliance who work to maintain industry standard to cement what it means to be a registered Yoga Teacher.
When considering any Yoga Training Program, it’s important to check that the school and the course are registered with Yoga Alliance. This will ensure that your p rogram meets the program standards of Yoga Alliance. While registration is entirely voluntary and is not required to teach yoga, many studios do require their instructors to hold a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT®) credential and maintain a registration.
As you begin teaching, continue to build your skills and knowledge. Take workshops and other trainings, read articles and attend different yoga classes to learn more from different teachers and types of yoga.
Yoga requires patience, dedication, and commitment. You need to be able to commit yourself to a daily practice to feel its benefits so set aside some time for yourself each day so you can focus on building your skills as a yogi. Stay passionate and dedicated to the practice, and that will drive you to continue to grow and evolve as a teacher.
You can start teaching right in your home. All you need is a few friends and family, and some space to put on some mats. If you’re nervous, that’s fine! You will gain confidence with some classes.
To begin your first classes, it is important to know your students and create a class plan. What class do you want to teach? How is the sequence going to be? Is it going to be more intense or calm? What type of asanas (poses) your students will be able to do, considering their physical characteristics. Make sure to add some options that are more basic so that anyone can join in without feeling intimidated by someone who’s been practicing more time.
Be clear about what kind of experience this will be, is it going to be relaxing? Is it challenging? Make sure everyone knows what they’re getting into before starting class. With these questions, you will be prepared before the beginning and will be easier for you to teach the class and connect with your students.
There are many ways to dive into the vibrant yoga community and get involved. You can start by finding classes to Join, and in those classes, you can explore different styles, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, or look for events, workshops, or retreats that could be a good fit for you. You can also join multiple online yoga communities that offer resources related to yoga and meditation. It is important that besides building community with your peers, you start creating a community of students (I’m sure your friends and family will be glad to spread the word). This includes fostering a sense of community in your classes and creating special events and workshops.
Another good option to build community and expand your professional network is looking for volunteer opportunities. Yoga is an amazing practice that has amazing physical and mental benefits, and you can share that with other people who otherwise, would not be able to access these classes.
A demo video is essentially a short film that shows off your skills and experience as a yoga instructor. By creating a video you get more personal than just having an interview, you can show some potential employers the type of classes you like, the sequences you want to teach, but especially they can get to know you a little bit more, and explain how much yoga has changed your life or how much you like to teach and share this wisdom with other people.
Demonstrating what you can do on camera can be very different from doing things live and you'll be able to focus on performing well in front of the camera instead of worrying about whether or not other people will be watching you perform. A demo video also works if you need to move or want to teach abroad and can’t meet face-to-face with the person. Having your own video means that potential they can watch it whenever they want.
If you decide you want to teach as a job and already have some hours of teaching practice, it is time to look for a place to work with. First, figure out where do you want to teach, a yoga studio or maybe a gym. Are you looking for a place where you’ll be able to build your own classes or want to teach pre-existing sequences? Do they have a specific style?
Once you’ve got an idea of what you want to teach, it’s time to start the search! Check out Facebook groups, Google maps, find Instagram hashtags, specialized yoga pages, and local websites; talk to friends and family and ask them if they know places that might be a good fit for you. On social media, start networking, and contacting people who are already working in the field. Talk to them about your desire to work as a yoga teacher and ask them for tips and recommendations on places you can apply.
Now it’s time to reach out to yoga studios or gyms. Contact them and ask them about any open teaching positions. If not, we still recommend passing along your CV (and demo video) for possible openings in the future. Be friendly, professional, and enthusiastic in your approach.
If you’re called for an interview, make sure you have your own credentials. Prepare Your resume highlighting your yoga teaching experience, your certified yoga instructor diploma or any other relevant certifications or training. Be prepared to discuss your experience, teaching style, and approach to yoga. And the most important thing of all, be yourself and be passionate about yoga!
If you want to become a yoga teacher, you need to learn how to market yourself. Think about creating your social media profiles (Facebook, Instagram, TitTok, Youtube, etc), a blog, and your own website. In social media, you can start creating content about asanas, yoga sequences, posture corrections, tips, beautiful quotes, spiritual lessons, and more. There are a lot of opportunities to show yourself and start engaging with people.
Blogs are very good for building your reputation. Focus on quality, not quantity. Make sure you’re posting consistently and frequently, but don’t try to post too much at once. Look for interesting topics or topics! Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts, emotions, or feelings, there will be people out there who feel the same way as you.
Another great idea to get people to know you is to offer classes at nearby parks or other public places at no cost or by leaving a tip. Make sure to post regularly about the classes you offer. And finally, tell everyone who will listen how yoga changed your life, about your yoga teacher training, and how happy you are teaching yoga to others. Talking about your passion for yoga is also marketing—and it will work!
Don’t forget, if people don’t know who you are, they can’t consider you as your teacher!
So, if you are reading this, now you know that with dedication, passion, and skills, you can become a successful yoga teacher and help others to improve their physical and mental well-being. And always remember, share the love of yoga with others and try to make a positive impact in our world.
Have more questions on how to become a Yoga Instructor or want to learn about our yoga teacher trainings? We're here to help! If we can support you in any way please contact us!
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