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If you are waiting to begin your career as a yoga teacher, there’s not been a better time. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a tectonic shift in the mindset of people all around the globe. Pursuing a healthy lifestyle had taken the backseat for many given the grind of the 9 to 5 jobs and the before and after work hour chores we had to tend to.
But fitness and well-being have very much become a priority for most of us after the debacle that 2020 was. Staying in a healthy space physically and mentally is the need of the hour. And, yoga is the key to attaining the same. So, if you are a trained yoga teacher, it’s the right time to kickstart your career.
Figure Out if You are Job Ready
If you are wondering whether you will be a good recruit as a yoga teacher, put your mind to rest. We have got it covered for you. Here are some of the most important things that your prospective employers are looking for:
Certified Yoga Instructor
Well, there’s no rule that you cannot teach yoga unless you have a certificate as proof of your merit. But yoga studios, fitness centers, and even corporates who hire yoga instructors prefer those who are certified by authorized bodies.
Yoga teachers who are registered with Yoga Alliance or have undertaken teacher training programs that comply with their 200-hour, 300-hour or 500-hour course mandates are preferred. Certifications from other bodies like Yoga Alliance India (YIA) are also valued. A teacher training certificate from one of the well-known traditional yoga ashrams is also valid.
Experience Matters
This isn’t a happy question for those who are just starting out. But it doesn’t mean that you will not be considered for the role. Experience is preferred but merit is also very important. If you have the right training credentials, they might suffice. Before applying for a full-time job, you can also offer private lessons to individuals or small groups to add weight to your cv. You must be able to show that you are keen on taking the job, that your service will value add and bring more customers.
Flexible with Work Hours
As a yoga teacher, you may be required to work on weekends. Yoga studios and other fitness facilities that offer yoga training are open on weekends. The class strength is maximum on these days. So, you may have to make sacrifices at the personal front to come and take your classes.
Core Strengths
Apart from teacher training certificate and job experience, what matters most is how devoted you are to teaching students. Your capability and the reputation you build for yourself will be a major hook to attract new students to your employer's studio. Word of mouth matters a lot in this profession. If those training under you are satisfied, chances are high that they will recommend others in their family or peer groups to join your classes.
Ability to Value Add
Apart from teaching asana and meditation, if you have enough knowledge in related areas like diet and nutrition, remedial yoga therapy, etc. you can bring a lot more value to your services.
Ways to Secure Jobs for Yoga Teachers in India
While you are applying for yoga instructor jobs in yoga studios or fitness centers, there are a few things you can do to utilize your time wisely till you get a call. These can improve your chances of getting employed at yoga studios.
Create Your Social Media Presence
Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great to showcase your skills. Short videos of your asana practice, tips to beginners, advice on lifestyle changes – you can create a lot of short-form content and share these on your personal handles. It helps to establish your expertise in the field.
You can use features on these platforms like targeted ads to reach out to prospective students. Daily updates on these pages even if it is a single post a day is suggested. Over time and with the persistent effort you will be able to create your own pool of audience. You might also end up getting work this way.
Volunteer in Local Community Centers
Local community centers often run free yoga classes for children and the elderly. You can volunteer to teach in one of these. It will help you to build confidence and develop your skills as a yoga instructor. Also volunteering work is great for your CV. It will show your prospective employer that you are passionate about the practice.
Strengthen Your Networking Skills
Networking is very important. On more occasions, people land up jobs through networking rather than sending forced applications or. Attending workshops is a great way to stay connected to your peer group. You can get to know about job vacancies from them and they might even up recommending you for the spot.
Start Giving Online Lessons
A job in a yoga studio might not be paying you enough to pay all your bills. You can’t simply depend on that salary to fulfill your financial goals. It’s better not to put all your eggs in the same basket. Online classes are a great way to create an additional source of income.
A few years ago, this form of virtual training may not have held much value. But with COVID-19 hitting us, our internet habits have changed. People are now more comfortable with this way of learning. You can also register on Superprof as a yoga teacher. The other advantage of taking online classes is that you can teach students all over the globe.
Practice Daily
If you wish to have a long-lasting career as a yoga teacher, one thing you cannot compromise on is your daily practice. It’s very important to get into this habit from the very beginning of your career. The more you practice, the deeper you will get into it and when you teach, students will understand that you are a nuanced teacher.
Offer Private Lessons
There’s a good demand for private lessons in yoga. Busy professionals who do not have the time to visit yoga studios, pregnant women, elderly people with health issues among others look for therapy through yoga. You can teach them in their homes for 2 or 3 days a week.
The duration of such employments varies according to the goals of learners. Each of them will have different needs that they will want to address through yoga. Your approach and teaching techniques will have to be planned out accordingly.
Develop a Signature Teaching Style
The reality is that just like you are applying for yoga jobs, there are a lot of instructors like you are trying to start off their career. To stand out in this crowd, you need to up your game. The best way to that is to develop teaching techniques that are unique to you. For instance, you may want to begin and end your training in a specific way or integrate dance in your style to make yoga learning a lot more happening for the younger crowd.
Yoga Teacher Jobs Near Me
If you are looking for yoga teacher jobs near you, here are some tips to get you going.
- Look for yoga teacher jobs online - Look for instructor jobs near you online. You will find listings on job portals with details about eligibility criteria, salary offered, and other details. You can apply if you match their requirements.
- List the yoga studios or fitness centers where you want to teach - If you look up these options in a focused way, you will get ideas on how to align your pitch while applying to these places. Reading up their background and showing that you care to be a part of the facility will give you a leg up.
- Practice in a yoga studio near you - If you become a registered member of a yoga studio near you and practice there regularly, you will become a known face. It’s easier to build rapport with teachers and managers in the facility and if you are in their good books, they might offer you a job when an opening comes up.
A yoga instructor's role can go much beyond teaching asanas and pranayam to students. You can motivate them to view life differently, teach them techniques to meditate, relax, control their extreme emotions, and deal with stress. Good health and a positive frame of mind are important for living a good life. Your job as an instructor is to show how yoga can help them experience both.
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