5 Things You Need to Know About Teaching Yoga
It's a popularity contest
There are so many yoga teachers out there these days that it's hard to stand out. When you become a certified yoga instructor, people will expect you to be amazing at teaching and practicing. You'll need an edge in order to get ahead of the competition.
To stand out, you need to be authentic and offer something that others don't. Find your niche and you'll be set.
You will need to market yourself
Marketing is a key part of any business, including yoga instruction. You can teach people how to do things all day long but if no one knows about it, then what's the point? In order for word to spread, you'll need to be proactive about marketing yourself. That can include blogging, participating in social media groups or forums, and networking at local events.
You don't have to do all of these things but you should pick a few that work for your schedule and comfort level. One thing is certain: teaching yoga won't happen overnight so it's important to build a strong foundation.
Yoga is about more than just postures
There are many different types of yoga classes that vary greatly from one another. Some focus on the physical postures while others go much deeper and give attention to spiritual aspects of yoga. If you want to be a successful teacher, it's important for you to find your niche in this vast world of yoga instructors.
Don't try to teach everything because people won't appreciate it if they feel overwhelmed with too many choices. As a rule of thumb, start with one or two classes and grow from there.
You need to be flexible (no pun intended)
One of the best things about yoga is that it can be adapted to any person, regardless of their experience level or body type. As a teacher, you'll need to be open-minded and willing to work with a variety of people, including those who might be a little more challenging.
Since the practice is meant to make you feel good about yourself and others, adapting it for different bodies allows everyone to reap some benefits from yoga. You can even get certified in prenatal or kids' yoga if that's your thing.
The money is in the privates
While running a yoga studio is a great idea, it's also a lot of work. On the other hand, working with one-on-one clients is much easier and can be extremely lucrative if you market yourself well enough.
As a yoga teacher who works mostly through private sessions, you'll gain more recognition as an independent instructor than someone who teaches group classes at a studio or gym.
So there you go! These are just a few things that you need to know before becoming a yoga teacher. Keep in mind that the best way to learn is by doing so get out there and start teaching.