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.
Community yoga classes
We are passionate about sharing the joy of practising yoga and offering you an opportunity to connect with your true self on a regular basis.
View previous classes or book now for our next class.
Free
9th April 2025 - 12:00noon to 1:00pm
Adele Vincent - Autumn Metal element Lung Meridian Class
Online Yoga Community Class Link
Meeting ID: 857 0027 0942
Passcode: 440803
This class builds resistance to respiratory issues and bolsters optimism and hope. With Japanese yoga therapy for the Lungs and large intestine meridians, we can improve the function of these organs, recover faster from colds/flu/COVID-19/long COVID-19, purify the body and clear the mind.
Dr Adele Vincent is a qualified neuroscientist with extensive training in various yoga traditions. Her main style is transformative meridian-based yoga therapy, which she shares through her online resource, Move Yoga Therapy.
Adele is a Director at YFG, Ryoho Yoga and The Yoga Solution. She is also the author of children’s yoga therapy books with Loraine Rushton of Zenergy Yoga and a co-trainer in teaching children’s yoga. Try this yoga class to clear brain fog and fatigue, feel vibrant and energetic, and repeat it often to maintain good health all winter.
Free
13th May 2025 - 12:00nn to 1:00pm
Clare Hattersley – Holistic Hatha Yoga Community Class – Tuesday
Online Yoga Community Class Link
Meeting ID: 857 5028 6177
Passcode: 156514
Clare’s holistic hatha yoga class begins with Asanas (physical movements) to boost physical vitality. It is followed by yoga nidra for deep relaxation and meditation for increased awareness and presence. She provides variations to help you practise in a way that feels right for you.
Clare is an experienced Yoga teacher and Creative Development coach who loves facilitating transformation for her clients through her offerings at ‘Inspire Creating’. Having practised various yoga styles for many decades, she teaches holistic hatha yoga interwoven with elements of other styles and a meditative focus.
In this class, Clare will nurture your exploration of potential, regardless of age or physical condition. She will guide you through a potent yoga experience, leaving you feeling refreshed, relaxed and revitalised.
Testimonials
Our sole mission is to create opportunities to do good for others through yoga.
And we’re making an impact.
A huge thank you to the Yoga For Good Foundation...
…for their incredible contribution to our Life Now Yoga and meditation programs!
This generous donation will mean we can buy new yoga equipment, run a new yoga class in Broome, and enhance our meditation program for cancer patients and their primary carers.
Cancer Council Western AustraliaSending out gratitude to the Yoga for Good Foundation.
Their grant is enabling me to offer FREE trauma informed therapeutic movement and relaxation to frontline mental health and social services staff in Bega.
Participants are really valuing the time out for themselves and experiencing integrated poly vagal theory. And I get to be in a teaching space, yay!
PremKranti CounsellingThe generous grant we've been awarded from the Yoga For Good Foundation...
…allows us to reach more underserved and vulnerable community groups who can benefit from a trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness practice at zero cost to the participants.
Some of the community groups we’ll be serving in the current months include 000 Foundation, Men’s Walk and Talk and WAGEC.
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