Yoga teacher training is a valuable certification that comes with a life-changing experience. A practice that strengthens your personality, upgrades your knowledge, and opens doors to new opportunities. Whether you are a certified yoga trainer now, an aspiring yoga trainer to be, or a yoga enthusiast, you might have several questions in mind, which is normal.
What to Do After Yoga Teacher Training?
If you have completed the training, the next steps may feel both exciting and nervous, wondering where and how to start, or if you are truly ready.
Or, if you’re considering YTT, you might question its career sustainability, potential job opportunities, and next steps after training.
So, wherever you are in your journey right now, this blog will help you with possible options for what to do after yoga teacher training.
1. Review Your Journey
Before moving toward the next step, take a deep breath and process all that you have experienced. You must acknowledge your teacher training journey because it is not only about remembering the poses or sequences, but also about processing your growth, sinking in the learning, and self-discovery.
The best way to review can be to journal your takeaways, challenges, different aspects of learning, and growth areas from the journey.
2. Self-Practice is the Key
Your learning is incomplete without self-practice. If you are planning to start your YTT journey, your personal practice will help build a solid foundation.
Studies suggest that consistent personal practice can refine your teaching skills as well.
- It improves your teaching skills.
- It builds more confidence.
- It helps you know and learn about yourself as a person.
- It helps you explore different yoga styles.
- You can know your niche in the health industry.
3. Register with a Recognized Yoga Organization
After obtaining your teacher training certification from a registered yoga school like Siddhi Yoga, you can apply for the RYT credential, which shows that you have met the established standards for yoga teaching.
The best part of registering is that it will help you build your credibility and open up teaching opportunities. You can choose to register at organizations like Yoga Alliance, International Yoga Federation, or other certification boards. It is essential because –
- You can work as a teacher at studios that prefer registration.
- You can access exclusive resources, continuing education programs, and networking opportunities
- It will add credibility to your work.
4. Legal Requirements for Teaching
It is very crucial to research the local laws and regulations where you are planning to teach. The legal requirements for teaching yoga can depend on the location. For instance –
- Some locations may require certifications, specific permits, liability insurance, business licenses, or health and safety regulations for you to work as a yoga instructor.
- You must check the tax regulations and business registration requirements for offering private sessions, conducting online classes, or organizing retreats.
5. CPR and First Aid Certification
Obtaining CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and First Aid certification is highly recommended for yoga instructors. It helps handle emergencies that might arise during your classes. Organizations such as the American Red Cross offer widely recognized CPR and First Aid courses. As a teacher, you can secure your students’ well-being while they are attending your classes.
6. Start Teaching – Gain Experience
Beginning to teach is technically the first step in your yoga teaching career. But, teaching your first class can be nervous, so you can start by –
- Teaching for Free – You can start offering free or donation-based classes to your friends, family, or your local community. This process can help you get comfortable in teaching.
- Being an Assistant Teacher – You can start teaching under an experienced teacher by demonstrating asanas to students. As an assistant teacher, you will gain valuable insights into your teaching practice as well.
- Saying Yes to Opportunities – Whether it’s teaching at a local studio or yoga school, you can give short sessions at workplaces or host online yoga sessions for students.
By teaching more and more, you will feel confident and teaching will feel natural.
Starting is about showing up, learning, and growing with every class.
7. Choose Your Teaching Path
It is best if your present steps are in alignment with your future path. While you are gaining experience, it’s time to think about where you want to take your teaching career.
Yoga teachers have several options beyond teaching. You can create a path that aligns with your passion, lifestyle, dreams, and goals. Here are some great options you can explore:
- Studio Teaching – Many studios require yoga instructors for assistance or teaching. You can prepare yourself to be interviewed by studio employers and train yourself according to studio teaching.
- Private Sessions – If you love taking private sessions, then it is a good financial option. It will also help you refine your personalized teaching skills as per the needs of specific individuals, whether it is recovering from an injury, providing stress relief, or improving a student’s yoga practice.
- Corporate Yoga – You can help corporate professionals by conducting corporate yoga sessions for improving posture, reducing stress, and boosting productivity. Such corporate contracts will provide you with a steady income and great networking opportunities.
- Online Teaching – Since yoga is now digitally accessible everywhere, online classes are a great option. You can pre-record classes, give live-streaming classes, or take private virtual sessions for teaching students globally.
- Retreats & Workshops – If you love offering immersive yoga experiences, then you can host retreats or workshops focused on different themes like breathwork, mindfulness, body love, emotional connection, or yoga for athletes.
You can explore different teaching paths, mix and match them, and pick what resonates best for you.
8. Pricing Your Classes
Do you find it embarrassing or awkward to talk about your class pricing? Well, then you should know that the pricing of your class is equal to the value of the class you provide. Developing fair pricing is an essential step in becoming a professional yoga teacher. This is how you can decide your pricing –
- Do Market Research – You can research what other yoga instructors in your area are charging for group classes, private sessions, or corporate yoga. The rates completely depend on the location, your experience, and the type of class you are offering.
- Your Time & Expenses – You can consider your teaching time, travel costs, and space rental as well.
- Start with Fair Pricing – If you’re new, you can start with lower prices to build experience. But never undervalue yourself, so you can increase your rates as you gain experience.
9. Build Your Brand & Online Presence
As you know, in today’s world, being a good yoga teacher is not enough. People must know what you are doing and offering. So, building a personal brand helps in making you stand out. You can start building your identity as a registered yoga teacher with these steps –
- Create a Website or Social Media Account – You can begin with a simple website by adding your bio, class schedule, and contact info. Or you can create a social media account on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
- Yoga Bio & Resume – You must create a clear and authentic bio on social media, as it will help understand your identity as a brand and attract potential clients. If you’re applying for studio jobs, you should have a good resume with your certifications and experience as a certified yoga instructor.
- Share Quality Content – People love learning from teachers they connect and resonate with. You can post short tutorials, personal insights, or simple breathing and asana exercises as content.
- Network and Collaborate – Networking is getting involved in a community that helps collaborate with people and opens unexpected doors. You can attend local yoga events, workshops, and retreats to be in touch with fellow teachers.
- Business Side of Yoga – As a yoga teacher, understanding the business side will be helpful for you. You can learn about marketing, branding, client retention, and financial planning to position your brand.
10. Upgrade Your Knowledge & Specialize
Since yoga is a lifelong practice, continuous learning goes alongside it. This is how you can grow –
- Advance Your Training – If you have completed your 200-hour yoga teacher training, you can advance with a multi-style 300-hour or 500-hour certification, such as the ones provided by Siddhi Yoga.
- Know Your Niche – Specializing in a specific niche will help you stand out and serve better. Some popular yoga specializations are Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga, Yin Yoga, Trauma-Informed Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Yoga Therapy.
You can choose a niche to master and share with the right audience.
11. Organize and Secure Your Credentials
Being a certified yoga teacher, it is better to keep your certifications and documents safe. Here are some tips:
- Digital Backups: The online age is a huge help! So, you can scan and store digital copies of all your certificates and documents in a secure cloud storage service, where you can access them anytime, anywhere.
- Maintenance of Physical Copies: You can also keep physical copies of your yoga teacher certifications in a safe folder. Laminating these documents will protect them from any mold.
- Stay Up-to-date: You can set reminders to update your certifications as the YA credentials need yearly renewal and CPR, First Aid require periodic renewal.
12. Connect with a Mentor or Community
Wherever you are in your teaching journey, connecting with the right people can help you grow, stay inspired, and discover new opportunities.
- Find an Experienced Mentor – Having a mentor who has already walked the path of yoga can make a huge difference in your yoga journey. A great mentor can give you advice, refine your skills, give you insight into career growth, and help you navigate challenges.
- Where to Find a Mentor – You may connect with an instructor during your yoga teacher training, or many experienced teachers are happy to mentor new instructors.
- Join Local & Online Yoga Communities – Communities are great for networking, sharing experiences, and finding teaching opportunities. You can also find mentors through yoga communities or by asking a teacher whose style you admire.
- Attend Yoga Festivals & Conferences – Stepping outside your teaching routine can spark a new level of inspiration. You can gain new knowledge and connect with fellow teachers and potential collaborators at yoga festivals and conferences.
13. Create Your Offerings
With time and experience, you can start creating your own unique offerings. This is the best way to put your personality, passion, and expertise into something special. You can try to –
- Develop Signature Classes or Themed Workshops – Create your own signature style like a Moon Cycle Yoga Flow, a Strength & Flexibility Workshop, or a Yoga for Anxiety class.
- Write an eBook or Start a Podcast – If you love sharing wisdom beyond the mat, then you can write about it in an e-book or talk about it in your podcast. It can be a beginner’s guide to yoga or a self-care workbook. Or you can start a podcast to share your insights, interview experts, or perform guided meditations.
- Build an Online Course or Membership Platform – You can create an online course or a membership-based community to teach without limits, earn income, and offer precious wisdom.
14. Get Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is a professional requirement and secures you with legal protection. It is better to get insured because –
- Legal Protection: Accidents may happen in the most controlled environment, too. Liability insurance covers legal fees and settlements, in case a student gets injured during class.
- Professional Requirement: Many studios, gyms, and wellness centers want the instructors to carry their own liability insurance.
15. Prioritize Your Self-Care
Teaching multiple classes, managing students, and constantly giving your energy can burn you out physically and emotionally.
Remember, the best teachers embody what they teach. Taking care of yourself is necessary because when you show up as your best self, your students benefit, too. You can try these –
- Unwinding through self-care rituals like massage, journaling, long walks, or quiet time is a great reliever.
- Meditation and breathing help a lot. You can develop a routine of grounding yourself between classes.
- You can prioritize a manageable class schedule by setting healthy boundaries. It is okay to say no.
It is important to find your balance because you can serve only when you have served yourself well.
Conclusion: Trust the Process & Keep Growing
Completing your yoga teacher training is an achievement but not the final road. Growing as a teacher never stops, as every class you teach, every student you meet, and every challenge you face will shape your path differently.
You must give yourself permission to evolve as not having all the answers is normal. Teaching is not only about guiding others, it is about continuing your practice, refining your skills, and learning along the way.
The above blog on what to do after your yoga teacher training is a small ray of light. Opportunities will reach you at the right time, but taking the first step is crucial. You have already completed your yoga teaching certification. Now, trust yourself and enjoy the journey!
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