How To Become a Full Time Yoga Teacher?

Many of you have asked how to become a full time yoga teacher.  This is a question I answer a lot as the founder of Online Yoga School and lead trainer of our teacher training programs.  It's a question I love to answer and a topic that I am passionate about.

Most of us start teaching yoga because of our passion for the practice, sometimes even teaching for little or no money.  Because we love the practice of yoga so deeply, we sometimes don't feel right monetizing it.  Even when we do get paid to teach yoga, it's often something that we do as a side gig in the beginning.  

When I first started teaching yoga, the going rate in my area for teaching a one-hour yoga class was $20-25.  Even if I taught twice a day for six days a week, I was looking at $240-$300 a week.  This was of course many moons ago, and if I viewed it as $20-25/hour in that time frame, I would have said it was a great paying job.   But, I wasn't working a 12-hour work week.  By the time you factor in planning the yoga class, arriving early to greet students, staying late to clean and the drive time to dash all around the city and teach in various locations, it was more like 25 hours a week so I was earning far less than it seemed at face value.

I quickly learned that zig zagging around town to teach classes for different studios, gyms and senior centers wasn't going to get me to a place where yoga could become my full-time career.  I recognized that there were many benefits to teaching yoga full-time, and I wanted that life for myself.  

Benefits to Teaching Yoga Full-Time

Working in your passion as a full time yoga teacher can be a heart-warming and fulfilling experience. As a yoga teacher, you have the opportunity to share your love and knowledge of yoga with others, and to help people improve their physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are some of the benefits of working in your passion as a full time yoga teacher:

1. Personal Fulfillment: When you work in your passion as a yoga teacher, you have the opportunity to connect with your personal values and passions on a deeper level. Sharing the benefits of yoga with others can be incredibly fulfilling and can help you feel like you're making a positive impact on the world.

2. Creative Expression: As a yoga teacher, you have the opportunity to express your creativity and individuality through your teaching style and the classes you create. You can experiment with different sequences, music, themes, and approaches to help your students connect with their bodies and minds in new and unique ways.

3. Continuous Learning: Working in your passion as a yoga teacher also means that you have the opportunity to continue learning and growing as a teacher and practitioner. You can attend workshops, conferences, and trainings to deepen your knowledge and expand your skillset, and you can share what you learn with your students to help them improve their own practice.

4. Community Building: As a yoga teacher, you have the opportunity to build a community of like-minded individuals who share your passion for yoga and well-being. You can create a supportive and welcoming environment for your students, and you can help foster connections and relationships among your students and within your local yoga community.

5. Flexibility: Working as a yoga teacher also offers a great deal of flexibility and autonomy. You can choose when and where you teach, and you can structure your classes and schedule to fit your lifestyle and personal preferences.

6. Physical and Mental Health: Finally, working in your passion as a yoga teacher can have a positive impact on your own physical and mental health. Regular yoga practice can help reduce stress, improve flexibility and strength, and enhance overall well-being. As a teacher, you also have the opportunity to model healthy behaviors and inspire your students to make positive changes in their own lives.

While working in your passion as a yoga teacher can be incredibly rewarding, it's important to acknowledge that it can also be challenging at times. Like any career, there are potential challenges and obstacles that can arise, such as financial instability, competition, burnout, and the need to constantly evolve and adapt to changing trends and demands. Here are some tips for navigating these challenges and staying connected to your passion as a yoga teacher:

1. Stay Connected to Your Practice: To stay connected to your passion as a yoga teacher, it's important to stay connected to your own practice. Make time for your own yoga practice and continue to explore and deepen your understanding of the practice. This can help you stay motivated and inspired as a teacher.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Setting realistic goals can help you stay focused and motivated as a yoga teacher. Consider what you want to achieve in your teaching career and what steps you need to take to get there. Remember to set goals that are achievable and aligned with your personal values and passions.

3. Stay Connected to Your Community: Staying connected to your local yoga community can be a great source of support and inspiration as a teacher. Attend local workshops, events, and classes, and connect with other teachers and practitioners in your area. Consider collaborating with other teachers and creating joint events or classes to help build relationships and connections.

4. Embrace Challenges as Opportunities: Challenges and obstacles are a normal part of any career, including teaching yoga. Rather than becoming discouraged by challenges, try to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Consider seeking out new training or education opportunities to help you overcome specific challenge

Tips to Become a Full Time Yoga Teacher

Becoming a full-time yoga teacher can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path. It requires dedication, commitment, and hard work, but with the right approach, it is achievable. Here are some tips on how to become a full-time yoga teacher:

1. Get Certified: The first step to becoming a full-time yoga teacher is to get certified as a yoga teacher. There are a lot of options for yoga teacher training programs.  You want to start with a 200-hour yoga teacher training online.  Choose a reputable yoga teacher training program and complete the required coursework and practice hours. This will provide you with the foundation you need to become a skilled and knowledgeable yoga teacher.  You can later take a 300-hour yoga teacher training online to become an advanced yoga teacher.  

2. Practice Consistently: To become a full-time yoga teacher, it's important to practice yoga consistently. Establishing a regular home yoga practice can help you deepen your knowledge and understanding of the practice, and it will also help you develop your own teaching style and approach. Aim to practice yoga every day, or at least several times per week.

3. Find a Mentor: Finding a mentor can be a valuable way to gain guidance and support as you work to become a full-time yoga teacher. Look for an experienced teacher who you admire and respect, and ask for their guidance and feedback as you develop your skills and approach.

4. Build Your Network: Building a strong network is essential for becoming a successful full-time yoga teacher. Attend workshops and events, connect with other teachers and students in your area, and participate in online communities to build your reputation and establish yourself as a leader in the field.

5. Develop Your Brand: Developing a strong brand is essential for standing out as a full-time yoga teacher. Choose a unique teaching style and approach, develop a strong social media presence, and create a website that showcases your experience and expertise.

6. Find Your Niche: This is an important one. Finding your niche can help you stand out as a full-time yoga teacher. Consider specializing in a particular type of yoga, such as prenatal yoga, or working with a particular population, such as seniors or athletes. This can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field and attract a dedicated following of students.

7. Teach Regularly: To become a full-time yoga teacher, it's important to teach regularly. Look for opportunities to teach at local studios, gyms, and community centers, and consider offering private lessons to build your experience and reputation.

8. Continue Your Education: Continuing your education is essential for becoming a full-time yoga teacher. Attend workshops and events, take advanced teacher training courses, and read books and articles on yoga to continue developing your skills and knowledge.

9. Build Your Business: Building a successful yoga business requires more than just teaching classes. It's important to develop a business plan, establish a budget, and create a marketing strategy that will help you attract and retain students. Consider offering workshops, retreats, and other special events to help build your brand and attract new students.

10. Stay Passionate: Finally, to become a full-time yoga teacher, it's essential to stay passionate about the practice. This will help you stay motivated, engaged, and committed to your students and your business. Remember why you started teaching yoga in the first place, and let that passion guide you as you work towards building a successful and fulfilling career.

11. Create a Business Plan: If you're serious about becoming a full-time yoga teacher, it's important to create a business plan that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections. This will help you stay focused and motivated, and can help you make informed decisions about your teaching career.

12. Diversify Your Income: As a full-time yoga teacher, it's important to have multiple streams of income to help you stay financially stable. Consider offering private sessions, workshops, retreats, or teacher training programs, and explore other related opportunities, such as writing or creating online content.

13. Market Yourself: To attract new students and opportunities, it's important to market yourself effectively. Use social media to share your expertise and reach potential students, and create a website or blog to showcase your offerings and build your brand. Consider creating a newsletter or email list to stay in touch with your students and followers.

14. Stay Present: As you build your teaching career, it's important to stay present with your goals and stay motivated. Set specific targets and deadlines, and hold yourself accountable for achieving them. Stay connected to your practice and your passion for yoga, and let that guide you as you navigate your teaching career.

15. Stay Flexible: Finally, it's important to stay flexible and adaptable as a full-time yoga teacher. The industry is constantly evolving, and it's important to be able to pivot and adapt to changing trends and demands. Stay open to new opportunities and ideas, and be willing to experiment and try new things as you build your teaching career.

Becoming a full-time yoga teacher can be challenging, but it's well worth it and the pros outweigh the cons.  With the right skills, experience, and strategies, it's possible to build a successful yoga teaching career and make it your full-time thing.