Yoga For Business: How to Get Started as a Yoga Teacher

When you’re newly qualified, making the transition from yoga student to yoga teacher can definitely feel daunting. We’ve been there and we know how much of a challenge it can be. It’s natural to have doubts and when you’re teaching your first classes you might feel unsure of exactly what to say or do. Don’t worry, that will pass with time and practice. And if you want to speed that process up, follow these tips for getting started as a yoga teacher:

Create a Sequence and Get Familiar With It

When teaching your first yoga classes, come up with a yoga sequence that you already feel comfortable with. Stick with that sequence and teach it until you could do it blindfolded and back to front. Find ways to reinvent the poses and philosophy- repetition really is key here. We recommend doing this for at least 3 months because it will give you time to build confidence and get used to the logistics involved in teaching a class without having to also worry about new poses, techniques or sequences.

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

It’s really important that you get to know your students and their bodies. Ask questions about how they are doing with poses, ask if they’re comfortable and generally how their body is doing with the class. A one-size-fits-all approach will rarely work in a yoga class so don’t be afraid to open a dialogue for feedback so that you can adjust approach as and when you need to.

Also, asking questions and getting to know your students will help to make them feel comfortable and show them that you’re being your authentic self, which is exactly what yoga is all about. Remember, people are more likely to come back for you and the environment you create rather than the actual poses or the fact that you can stand on your head.

Get Yourself Out There

When starting out, it’s important to put yourself out there and spread word about your classes, otherwise how will anyone know what you have to offer. Below are the most effective ways we’ve gotten ourselves out there over the years as yoga teachers:

Build a portfolio: The best two options for a portfolio are either Instagram or creating a website. A portfolio will give people and studios an opportunity to see how skilled you are and what your yoga style is all about. If you want to create a website but don’t have a big budget, Wix is free.

Figure out where there is a gap/need in your community: Do research into local schools, workplaces, age care homes and community centres. Find out if they’re looking for a new activity and would be interested in you teaching yoga classes.
Community notice boards: This one is old school but still really effective. You can make up fliers (check out Canva if you want to make your own) and post them on any local noticeboards in your area.
Facebook groups: This is the same concept as advertising on community notice boards, except it’s the digital version. These days, a lot of communities have Facebook groups for residents. Make a post letting everyone know that you have started offering classes and encourage them to get in touch if they’re interested.
Substitute for other teachers: Until you build your own following, taking up a few classes as a substitute teacher is a great way to begin getting a bit of exposure within a yoga community that already exists.
Scope out spaces in your area: When you feel you have enough interest, you can begin making enquiries about renting a space or a studio in your area for leading your own classes.
Enquire with us at Yoga For Good: Sign up to teach one of our paid monthly community classes. Not only is it a paid gig, but we’ll promote your class and your teachings to our audience.

If you’d like to learn more about how to get yourself out there, you can read our previous articles in our ‘Yoga For Business’ series: How to Market your Brand and Developing your Brand Identity.

Hustle

When starting out as a yoga teacher, you have to be prepared to hustle. Get ready to face some rejection and put yourself in new (and potentially uncomfortable) situations. It’s all part of the process. And it will make you a better, more successful teacher in the long run.

Interested in teaching one of our community classes? Register here. At the Yoga For Good Foundation, it’s our goal to help others to do good through yoga. Join our community by signing up to attend our free monthly classes or keep an eye out for our next round of yoga grants opening in the future.

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Join Sandra from Be You Yoga for this Spring Yoga Class, designed to de-stress and reset your digestion, metabolism, immunity, and overall health. Spring is the best therapeutic season for a natural and holistic cleanse.

We will begin by gently warming up your joints and proceed with a pranayama designed to calm your system. This will be followed by gentle movements that promote mobility and fluidity in your body, instilling a sense of nurturing and self-love throughout the practice. We will conclude with deep relaxation and a short meditation to integrate your practice on multiple levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

Sandra is a master of spirituality and blends the practices of yoga in an adventure of self-discovery. She has a series of books on Be You Yoga that deepen the understanding of yourself to cultivate a heightened sense of self-love, with easy-to-follow yoga guide with meditation exercises and inspired quotes.

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Join Suze from 42 Yoga for a transformative yoga class focused on balancing the sacral chakra, the centre of creativity and passion. She believes yoga is the key to body, mind wellness and healing. After practicing for many years and teacher training in Bali and India, she is using these skills with children’s and trauma-informed yoga.

Her new book, a yoga-for-kids adventure called Ursula the Roly Poly Unicorn, helps children develop strong self-esteem, through story and yoga as a positive and empowering tool.

In this class with gentle flows, breathwork and mindful practices, we will cultivate energy, release blockages, and ignite the creative spirit, as well as explore the profound connection between body, mind, and creative expression.

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Meeting ID: 859 1833 4994
Passcode: 171949

Join Reetu for an immersive meditation session into the depths of our energy centres. Nourish the systems of your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being, ready for the year ahead. Be guided by her inspiring voice to relax into meditation and reconnect with and balance the subtle energies within.

Reetu Verma has 25 years of experience as an academic, teacher and coach, providing support, help and guidance to thousands of people from all walks of life from all over the globe.

During a traumatic near-death experience, she experienced pure light and pure love and embarked on a transformational, personal healing journey. Inspired and totally committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others, helping them on their healing journey to live a healthier, happier life.

She founded Healing, Health and Happiness to expanded her teachings of personal development, into finding life purpose and spiritual growth. Reetu has developed a systematic, practical approach to bring more harmony and a sense of joy into life.

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

Join Amy for a trauma-informed gentle flow Community Class with a particular focus on noticing internal sensations and making choices.

Amy Brooks is a qualified social worker, mental health clinician and yoga facilitator certified in Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY) based in the Shoalhaven, NSW. She has been practicing yoga for over a decade and passionately believes in its healing qualities for the mind and body, making it an effective adjunct therapy for mental health work. Amy completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training at Om Sweet Om Milton in 2022.

She is offering yoga classes to the community, combining her professional training and lived experience as a source of strength to guide others on their own journey towards recovery.

Create a Sequence and Get Familiar With It

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

Get Yourself Out There

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...

Sending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.

The generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...

Yoga For Business: How to Get Started as a Yoga Teacher

Create a Sequence and Get Familiar With It

Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions

Get Yourself Out There

Community yoga classes

Sandra Taylor – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Suze Male - Transformative Yoga Community Class

Reetu Verma – Transformative Yoga Community Class

Amy Brooks – Trauma Informed Yoga Community Class

Testimonials

A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...

Sending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.

The generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...