How To Become a Yoga Teacher

I get asked a lot about how to start a yoga career. So here is a rundown of how I went about it.

For Starters

• Take several yoga classes to decide which type of yoga you want to get trained in and to decide that you want to spend HOURS a week training and teaching. Also, you should determine if there is a studio where you want to get trained in hopes of being able to work there one day! It is easier to get a job in a studio if you are already trained in their method.

• Get Yoga Certified through a local yoga studio or an online course. Decide if you will learn better with in-person accountability or if you are a good fit for online training. When I was 21, in-person training aligned more with what I wanted and needed. I also had a great group, so I built some community.

  • I was certified in person through CorePower Yoga - you can also do this training online. I loved this course and found it a strong foundation for learning anatomy and good cueing in classes.

  • I have friends who were certified through this online course and enjoyed it

• Get Yoga Insurance so you can teach anywhere

• Create a Fitness Waiver to have attendees sign before class

  • Email me if you want a sample of one!

• Practice teaching friends and family ASAP

  • The quicker you use your new knowledge, the more information will stick with you and the more confident you will feel in teaching. I hosted Zoom Yoga classes for a few months after getting my certification to give my friends free yoga and for me to get more practice in.

• Purchase a small, reliable Bluetooth speaker to start teaching around town

• Ask Local small gyms, Co-working Spaces, Coffee Shops, and Apartment Buildings if you can teach a weekly or monthly class. I recommend always bringing your speaker - some won’t connect to your phone, and you don’t want technical difficulties.

  • It is tough to start teaching in a studio if you have no experience teaching in your community

  • Email small gyms that aren’t boutique fitness studios with group fitness classes and see if they want to host a monthly yoga class for their employees or clients

  • Email Co-working spaces to see if they want to offer once-a-week or once-a-month yoga classes to all of their members

• Keep teaching on your own and/or audition at a studio

  • Before auditioning at a studio, make sure you have taken classes at the studio several times and have gotten a feel for the style of yoga they teach

  • Create a Yoga resume that includes your yoga certification, teaching experience, and other fitness certifications you have obtained.

• Continue Your Education

  • Watch Youtube Videos for continued inspiration & continue to take classes in-person

  • Get another training - 500 Hour Yoga Training, Mat Pilates, Strength Training. To be a well-rounded teacher, it really helps to have a couple of trainings under your belt and to always be learning!

You’ve got this! Enjoy the journey, and remember - everyone gets nervous during the first few months of teaching or the first few months at a new studio!

Yoga Teacher Tip: Feel free to simplify your flows if you are feeling extra nervous about teaching or if you are struggling to memorize classes. Simplifying the class will also help you focus on the students, not your overly complicated flow!