How to Create a Successful Yoga Instructor Resume and Get a Yoga Instructor Job
By: Steph Ball-Mitchell, E-RYT-500, RPYT, RCYT, YACEP
By: Steph Ball-Mitchell, E-RYT-500, RPYT, RCYT, YACEP, CAADC
How to Create a Successful Yoga Instructor Resume and G et a Yoga Instructor Job
Becoming a yoga teacher can be an exciting new career. But like any professional industry, it is essential to be aware of the culture and customs of working in the yoga field to ensure your success. The crucial first step to getting a yoga instructor job is to create a killer yoga instructor resume!
In this article, we will go over all the tools you need to learn how to create a yoga instructor resume, including the ins and outs of a yoga teacher cover letter, how to get a yoga teacher job, how to get hired as a yoga teacher, and what to do in a yoga teacher audition. So, let’s dive in!
Before we dive too deeply into how to get a job as a yoga teacher, we first need to know where yoga teachers often work. There are many different options for yoga teachers to explore, and it is important to be creative as well because the field of yoga is still growing with time! Some of the most popular places for yoga teachers to find a job are:
· Yoga studios
· Yoga training schools
· Gyms
· Fitness centers
· Ashrams
· Retreat centers
· Wellness centers
· Hospitals
· Schools
· Retirement homes
· Addiction treatment centers
· Community centers
· Spas
· Corporate businesses
· Small businesses
· Religious institutions
· Parks
· Online platforms
· Private homes
· Private practice sessions
And so many others! The fantastic thing about a career as a yoga teacher is that it can be adapted into so many different contexts and genuinely made into your own unique journey.
Developing a yoga teacher resume is the first step to getting a job working for another person. A yoga teacher’s resume clearly outlines your education, experience, and talents in an easily readable form to help get your foot in the door where you’d like to teach.
A yoga instructor resume can help you appear more professional and rise to the top of other candidates. It is important to remember that a yoga teacher’s resume is not the same as a standard resume – it is a focused collection of your education and experience relevant to the yoga field. That means it can also be a bit more creative and include some of the more alternative experiences you may not include in a more conventional resume!
A yoga instructor resume is a lot like any other resume. But the primary difference is that a yoga instructor resume focuses on your relevant education, teaching experience, and background in the yoga field. The fun thing about a yoga instructor resume is that it can include more interesting components, like experience in meditation, wellness, or weekend retreats.
But it is still important to stay practical in a yoga instructor resume. Make the information clear, engaging, and demonstrate your abilities as a yoga teacher. Some yoga teachers choose to complement their yoga instructor resume with a personal website or a yoga portfolio. But if you are just starting out, keeping it clean and simple is best. Additionally, try to keep your resume to one page and don’t overdo it with the colors, but a sleek graphic design can also set you apart from the crowd.
When designing your yoga instructor resume, you must also consider where you are applying for a job. The components in a yoga teacher resume for a yoga studio might be different than what is expected if you apply to teach at a hospital or school. So, keep in mind the setting, and if it is a more professional environment, you might also consider making your resume have a more corporate edge while still giving it your unique flair.
Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to creating a yoga instructor resume below:
Depending on the job, a yoga teacher cover letter may or may not be necessary. A yoga teacher cover letter can be a great place to provide a brief summary of your background and also give a chance to show your unique personality while catering your response directly to the business or employer.
When determining how to introduce yourself as a yoga teacher on your yoga resume, the best place to do that is in your cover letter or a brief bio at the top of the resume. Make sure to also list your credentials in the section for education and experience to make it clear whether you are a 200-hour, 500-hour, or yoga therapy level trained teacher.
There is a growing trend to also include a yoga teacher portfolio with images and videos as a sample. It is absolutely your choice if you’d prefer to include this. But often, keeping it simple is the better choice, particularly if it is a more corporate environment. Additionally, it is best to see what the employer requires because some employers may want to see a portfolio, whereas others who are not as immersed in the yoga industry may not be familiar with using a portfolio for yoga teachers.
Getting a job as a yoga teacher largely depends on where you’d like to work. If you want to work in a corporate office, hospital, school, university, wellness center, spa, or retirement home, getting a yoga teacher job is similar to obtaining other forms of employment at these locations. Essentially, you will want to contact them directly to see if they have any open positions and then send along your information, followed by a formal interview.
If you are looking to work at a community center or yoga studio, the process can be a bit different because these places often look for someone more involved in the community. You might start by attending classes of other yoga teachers at the studio to get a feel for the environment and then introduce yourself to the teacher or the owner to start networking. Creating this personal connection can be the main piece that sets you apart from other teachers who just email their resumes.
Getting hired as a yoga teacher can be a process. Like most other jobs, once you send over your resume and have an initial conversation with the owner or employer, you will then likely be invited for an interview. The interview is often with the owner of the yoga studio or center, but depending on the teaching environment, there may also be additional individuals there, such as a member of the HR department, other teachers, or members of the wellness team.
If you pass the interview, many yoga studios and wellness centers prefer to have a new yoga teacher audition before joining the team by teaching an entire sample yoga class or just leading a short portion of a yoga class to students or the owner. This gives the employer a chance to see you in action and get a feel for your style as a yoga teacher. If the audition and interview go well, then you will be hired on and running your own classes in no time!
The idea of a yoga teacher audition can be intimidating for new teachers. But it is important to remember that we all have to go through this at some point, and many people in the yoga space are kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental. Try to relax, have fun, and let your personality shine!
During a yoga teacher audition, you will teach students or the owner a full class or a portion of a class. Try to use a sequence you know well, so you don’t spend too much time overthinking things or risk getting confused. It is also helpful to practice the sequence on your own a few times the day before to feel it in your body and improve your memory.
A key thing to remember is to dress appropriately for yoga practice but remember that you are coming in as a teacher, not a student, so keep in mind to wear clothing that provides coverage, looks clean, and is high-quality.
At the end of the day, try to make the audition a joyful experience and relax into the flow. Yoga is all about staying centered within yourself, so take deep breaths if you feel anxious. Embody the yoga principle of surrender because, at the end of the day, all you can do is give your best, and you cannot control the results.
Becoming a professional yoga teacher can be a long journey, but it is also so rewarding! Knowing that each day you have the opportunity to guide people through this healing process and support them along the way is truly a beautiful gift. So, whether you are ready to get out and get hired as a yoga teacher or are still working on crafting the perfect yoga instructor resume, it is essential to remember the ultimate purpose of these teachings – to promote the transformation, wellness, and awakening of all!
If the idea of starting your career as a yoga teacher sounds thrilling, then don’t forget that the first step is to complete your 200-hour yoga teacher training course. We offer comprehensive online yoga teacher training to help you launch into this exciting new journey as a yoga teacher. Reach out to us for more information on how you can get started and get hired as a yoga teacher in no time!