Yoga is the hottest trend to take the world by storm. Everywhere you go, you see yoga studios, yoga classes and gyms boasting about their upcoming yoga sessions. But this trend is nothing new, since 2004, there has been a steady uptick in this sector alone. What started with American adults spending $3 billion on the broad category of “yoga” has ballooned into a massive, not so tranquil market, pulling in over 10.3 billion dollars this year alone. But what does that mean for the teachers? Certainly in this growing market, you can expect to have an excellent salary and really start living the Zen life without the worries of bills and where you will find your next meal. Sorry to say it, but that’s not how this trend is impacting instructors.
What To Expect As A Yoga Instructor
When you finally make the transition from a student to a teacher, it can be a little scary, and you may even feel like you’re taking a step in the wrong direction. Those fears are only to be expected, and as long as you feel confident about your choice, you’ll succeed. This market is not easy, but, if you are passionate about what you do, yoga, and teaching others how to live healthier, then making the transition was already second nature to you.
No Set Schedule
As a yoga instructor, you have several options. Consider yourself a freelancer at this point. You need to either have a studio, a home studio, or have a gig at a gym, spa, or wherever may be hiring. Depending on where you go, will decide your hours. However, for the most part, you set your schedule. This freedom is great if you have small children, or have another full-time job, as it lets you work with your passion when it can work for you. On the other hand, you must be committed to your classes and students to get return clients, and still make a paycheck. If you call in every other class because the traffic is bad, chances are, those students will go to find another studio.
You Are Your Own Promoter
Another aspect to consider is the fact you are your own marketer. If you work from your home studio, or you made the brave attempt to open your own brick and motor location, chances are, free advertising isn’t going to just happen. That means no matter where you go; you must be on your A-game to make any potential connections, or land an outside gig. This is a very demanding lifestyle, and we haven’t even covered the students yet!
9-5 Schedules Aren’t Going To Happen
As you grow your client base, you will already begin to understand that your instructor lifestyle isn’t just for when you are in the studio. Regardless of your certifications and training, people who like what you do will begin to trust you. From there, you may become friends, and as you are their instructor, the more “adult” adult in the room, they will look to you for guidance. In turn, that may mean they call you when they are upset when they need a shoulder to cry on, or are just having a really bad day. Your students will see you as their life coach soon enough, and coping with their mental stress, along with yours can be very rewarding but also challenging.
This career path, while stressful, is no reason you cannot enter the field and do what you love. A yoga instructor lives a very fulfilling life. You are helping others reach their full potential while also exercising your mind and body every day. You are paid to interact and help people overcome whatever internal struggle they may have, and express themselves through artful postures that help connect the mind and body. For thousands of people who have taken this path, they just can’t seem to do enough good from behind a desk.
Pros and Cons to This Career Path
For any career path, whether it is an IT professional, all the way to a jewelry designer, there are going to be pros and cons to the job. Now, each of these may weigh differently to some, but it should always be noted that if there is anything negative, you do have the power to change it. This is a booming industry; it's time to break the ceiling regarding classic problems, find the solutions!
Pros:
- Very lively career path- Interact with clients as often as you wish, and meet people from all around the world. • Diverse opportunities- With so many businesses trying to have healthier employees, you never know where your next gig could be. So keep your ears open for the opportunity of a lifetime.
- No set schedule- If you have other obligations, you are free to handle them whenever you need.
- Traveling is common- For some of this is a pro, others it is a con. If you like to travel, awesome, your training may often take you hundreds (or thousands) or miles away to study with the experts.
- Work anywhere you want- If you have always dreamed about a home studio, becoming a yoga instructor is your answer. You can work from anywhere you want, just make sure you advertise it.
- Set your own pay- Becoming your own boss is scary, and so is setting your fees. Remember, you need to eat, pay your bills, and pay whatever fee the studio may be charging you. Do not dip into your own pocket for the sake of cheap classes.
Instructor Interview
Bridget, iLa Yoga Ilayoga.com
“My husband, Dakota Shae, and I are both instructors, as well as studio owners. We both did our teacher training at The Nosara Yoga Institute between 2008-2012. We currently do most of our teaching at our studio, iLa Yoga in Wenatchee WA, online, and we lead retreats in Nosara, Costa Rica. We certainly love the practice and love sharing it; leading our students in an inspiring and authentic experience. We also really enjoy the ability we have to teach in our retreats and fulfill our desire to travel. I would say that a challenge would have been, that before owning my own studio, it was difficult to teach enough to make a living, and, therefore, needed a supplementary job. I absolutely love all that this practice, this self-study, stirs up for me and all that it allows me to share with others.”
Cons:
- Low salary- Right off the bat, the average salary of a yoga instructor across the United States is between $30,000-40,000. For the amount of work you may have to put in, it could really put a strain on bills.
- Overtime is not paid for - When a client is speaking with you for even a half hour after a session, they are giving free counseling. When it comes to getting bills paid, that half hour could have been spent in a private session. Think about your rates.
- Market entry is difficult - If it could be said in any other way, it would be said. Sadly, there are thousands of other instructors, like you, who are just starting out. You need to make yourself as dynamic and professional as you can.
- Training is expensive - Typically training will take place at a resort, or in a very large studio. Classes can range from $3,000-$12,000, although it varies from state to state, class to class. If you want to be certified to handle emotional and mental wellbeing, you will have to pay for those additional certifications as well. It sounds scary like we said before, but with speaking to numerous yoga instructors over the years, this hectic, crazy lifestyle is one they wouldn’t ever trade away.
What to Expect at Training
One of the biggest reasons why would be instructors turn away from training is how intensive the programs are. The classes are designed to be mentally and physically challenging. The teachers do not want to fail you, in fact, they want to help you become a better yoga student, so that way you can pass that knowledge on to your pupils. Here are a few of the basics you should know before enrolling.
Know the names of the poses
You will be quizzed on this time and time again, plus you need to know it for your students. Yoga, while vivacious and dynamic, does have to have some baseline of uniformity, the poses and how they are done, this is it.
Know the limits of your body
You will be expected to perform a broad range of poses, all of which are vital to your understanding of yoga, and you teaching it.
Be ready for boot camp
Would be students need to understand that these courses are literally cramming decades of knowledge, into weeks. Expect your body to be sore, and mind to be tired by the end of it.
Instructor Interview
Alison, Yogacara Teacher Training Yogacara.com
“Deciding to take a yoga teacher training is no simple task, whether you want to merely just dive deeper into your practice, advance your physical practice or have a strong desire to teach, there is no right or wrong reason to sign up. What you can expect once you sign up is a journey not only into the heart of yoga but into your own heart. No matter which Yoga Teacher Training program you sign up for, it will give you back everything you want and probably some things you didn’t."
"What else can you expect? While learning goes without saying, you will live, eat and breath your yoga practice on a daily basis. You will understand what a daily Sadhana, meditation, and asana practice feels like not only on a physical level but a spiritual and emotional level. You will learn more about the philosophy of yoga, what it truly means to be a yogi on and off the mat. During your yoga teacher training, you will most likely experience and “emotional” shift, what does this mean? As you dive deeper into yourself on a physical level, you will find a deeper connection to your heart and your life purpose (Dharma), being in a safe place of new friends and fellow students gives you the opportunity to really connect to your heart and your yoga off the mat."
The best part about Yoga Teacher Training is the friendships and connections that you will make, even if that is not your intention, you will leave with friends who understand you on a different level, even if you have never really had a conversation with them. Yoga Teacher Training creates a community of love, support, commitment and practice that encourages us all to grow to be our best selves."
Yoga Teacher Training is so much more than just learning to Teach Yoga, you get that, but what you leave with is a better connection to yourself, your life and your spirit.”
Prepare Yourself
Now that we got the boot camp statement out of the way, and now that you’re scared, calm down, center yourself, and know that it will all work out as long as you are committed to the class, and give it your best. Seriously, the teachers want to see you pass, talk to them about any misgivings you have.
Finding Work After Training
As with many professions, you want to be able to jump right into a career with newly gained (or honed) knowledge. Your best bet is to start private sessions first and work with word-of-mouth advertising.
Instructor Interview
Sofia, Danyasa Yoga Retreat Danyasa.com
“I have lived in Costa Rica for almost ten years, and my advice comes from owning a studio here in a transitory beach town. I have lead many 200 HR Yoga Teacher Trainings here at Danyasa Eco-Retreat and always tell my students; this training is just the beginning of the journey as a yoga teacher."
"The more you learn, the more there is to learn! So, you must continue to learn and grow and practice teaching yourself and all those who cross your paths. The best support you can receive after your training is directly from your YTT teachers and fellow students!"
"Create a Facebook group to keep in touch, network and support one another. As soon as you graduate you must continue to teach, teach, teach! Teach your friends and family, and offer beginner yoga classes for donation, to anyone, anywhere you can! When you begin with teaching donation classes, there is less pressure on you. And from experience teaching comes confidence."
"Confidence and experience are what you need to have a better chance of getting a teaching slot at a studio of your choice."
"There are many opportunities to teach at different centers around the world as a new teacher, and gaining this teaching and life experience through living in different cultures will be priceless, giving you the connections and experiences you need to share your yoga with the world."
"I suggest collecting testimonials from students and references from the places you work. I know when hiring a traveling teacher, I always like to see how they have touched people with their teaching as well as how much experience they have. I suggest a simple website showcasing your unique philosophy and why you teach yoga."
"Express your uniqueness! And continue to study and grow and teach! Blessings on this honorable path as a yoga teacher, transforming one body at a time.”
Becoming a yoga instructor is one of the most fulfilling career paths there is. You work with people on a physical, spiritual, and mental sphere, and other then medical professions, you won’t have that opportunity.
If you are truly passionate about your studies, making the transition to a teacher is the next, most logical step. If anything, you are bettering yourself and giving yourself even more skills and tools to work with on a daily basis.
