Becoming a yoga teacher can be incredibly rewarding, both personally and professionally. It’s an opportunity to share your passion for the practice with others, while also having the potential to make a living.
Through teaching yoga teachers, workshops, and retreats, I have met countless individuals who share a passion for yoga and with it a desire to live a more mindful and balanced life.
While each person has their own unique approach to teaching and might gain different things as a result, here are seven things that I gained from becoming a yoga teacher.
Here are just a few things I find that make being a yoga teacher worthwhile.
7 Beneifts of Becoming a Yoga Teacher
1. Growth
Teaching comes with a lot of opportunities for personal growth as it builds up a fortitude and clarity that translates to the rest of your life.
Being in front of a group of people you hardly know and having to take people through a sacred and deep practice can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and transformation.
Your understanding will be challenged and you will be forced to expand your own practice and develop greater awareness and emotional intelligence. There are few jobs that both nurture this part of you and force you to become better.
2. Unlock New Possibilities
There is no one traditional path that you have to go down as a teacher. There are many ways that your journey can unfold.
For example:
- You can travel the world teaching classes in exotic locations (I know sounds nice) or even find yourself working at some at holiday resorts.
- You can take on different roles within the industry, such as writing books about your practice or producing online content to help spread awareness.
- You may choose to become an ambassador for various brands
- You can become an exclusive personal teacher that offers private classes.
- You can start teaching online, create your own Youtube channel
- Start creating your own courses, retreats and classes
What I find almost as rewarding is working on projects with other like-minded people. What is great about the yoga industry is that many people have aligned their life with their work which makes for a beautiful synergy.
3. Share Your Passion
As a teacher, you can guide others toward a deeper understanding of the practice. There really is nothing better than that.
As someone who has been teaching yoga for a while, one of the things that I truly appreciate is the opportunity to connect with a wide variety of people. Whether it’s through teaching classes, attending workshops or training programs, or simply being part of the larger yoga community, there’s always a chance to meet new people and make meaningful connections.
4. Community
The sense of community and belonging that comes with being part of the yoga world is truly special. There’s a shared understanding and appreciation for the practice, as well as a common desire to learn and grow. I’ve found that even when I’m teaching a class and don’t necessarily have a lot of one-on-one interaction with students, there’s still a feeling of connection that’s hard to put into words.
But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of connecting with others through yoga is the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives. Whether it’s helping someone find a moment of peace in their stressed out day, or providing a space where someone can work their emotions on the mat, the impact that we can have as teachers is truly profound. And for me, that’s what makes this work so fulfilling and meaningful.
Yoga gives you the opportunity to become part of something bigger than yourself.
5. Doing what you love
In my opinion, doing work that brings joy and purpose is crucial for living a fulfilling life. I remember when I was first starting out in my career, I took a job solely for the paycheck, but it quickly became apparent that I wasn’t happy. I found myself counting down the hours until the end of the day and dreading going to work each morning. I knew I needed to make a change, so I began exploring my passions and what brought me joy.
Now, I get to do what I love every day, helping people get in touch with themselves in ways they never thought possible. Knowing that I’m making an impact brings me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. It’s not always easy – but such is life, and there are certainly challenges, but the joy and purpose that come from doing work that I’m passionate about make it all worth it.
6. Freedom to choose
The ability to set my own schedule is a huge benefit of being a yoga teacher. As a teacher, I can work whenever I want, which is a significant difference from my previous corporate job. I no longer have to worry about requesting time off or working around other people’s schedules. I can almost always take a break and work as much or as little as I want.
Overall, the flexibility that comes with being a yoga teacher has changed my life. It has given me the freedom to pursue other interests while also allowing me to make a living doing what I enjoy.
Remember it’s never to late to change.
7. Well-being
Yoga has also allowed me to prioritize self-care in a way that I never thought was possible. Regular practice, like anything, has such a powerful impact over time. The power of 1%, is something that James Clear in Atomic Habits talks a lot about – how small changes and small actions have a compounded effect over time.
Being apart from an industry that not only allows me to financially survive but being able to live and embody the essence of what these teachings are all about is incredibly enriching.
And what’s the 1 Disadvantage?
The only thing that I would say is a disadvantage (besides not making a ton of money) would be that it’s hard work. I know right, who would have thought?
I think that oftentimes we think that yoga teachers have an easy way out. That somehow since they are not working at a desk or at some corporate job it’s all love, light and bunnies. That is just not the case, unfortunately.
There is a lot of, dare I say it, hustle. You will have to work long hours, probably at gyms or studios that aren’t ideal, at times that are inconvenient, in positions that are not stable, with people that are not happy. And hey, that’s just how it goes.
But, fear not, no matter how bad it gets, it’s still better than sitting at desk at some random corporate job.
Some Common Questions for Teachers
What Is The Most Important Quality For A Successful Yoga Teacher?
The most important quality for any aspiring yoga instructor is having a genuine passion and dedication to helping others reach their own personal goals in life.
Only when you truly care about something can you have an impact. Passion is contagious – everyone who comes into contact with you will know your fire for teaching if it’s truly here.
How to Stay Motivated As A Yoga Teacher?
To remain inspired, though not an easy one, starts with having an understanding of why you’re teaching yoga; this will help bring clarity to what often can be a whole mess of thoughts and emotions.
Additionally, try setting short-term goals that are achievable within a reasonable timeframe. This will give you something tangible to work towards which keeps things exciting and helps keep your focus on the big picture rather than getting caught up in any small details.
Finally, don’t forget to take time out for yourself when needed. It is easy to get caught up in tasks that we forget to stop and breathe.
How do I balance teaching with my own personal practice?
Make sure to prioritize your own personal practice this will help you to be a better teacher. Set aside time each day for your own practice, and find ways to integrate your personal practice into your teaching. Being a good teacher starts with your practice. If your practice is weak, so will your teaching skills.
How do I build my confidence as a new yoga teacher?
Practice teaching as much as possible and seek feedback from your students. I know that is scary, but the more you are open with your students the more you are able to learn. Remember that teaching yoga is a continuous learning process, and mistakes and challenges are opportunities for growth.
