I’m feeling a bit lost after getting my certification on how I actually get a job as a yoga teacher.
I finished my certification last month. I’ve been refreshing studio websites daily, hoping for openings, but it just hit me that maybe I’m looking in the wrong places entirely. The market feels so tight right now. Every studio I’ve contacted either isn’t hiring or wants someone with years of experience already which I can’t get if I can’t get my foot in the door.
All these gym positions require extra certifications on top of YTT. I was so excited when I saw Planet Fitness and LA Fitness posting for yoga instructors, then my heart sank when I read they need ACE or NASM group fitness certs too. That’s another huge expense I definitely didn’t budget for after already investing in my 200-hour training.
I think I’ve been psyching myself out by only applying to “official” job postings when I should probably be more creative. My mentor mentioned something about substitute teaching that I totally brushed off, but now I’m thinking that might be the perfect low-pressure way to get started. The longer I wait to actually teach real humans instead of my poor roommate, the more terrified I’m becoming!
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Renting a community space and building things up through word of mouth is the way to go. There’s something really special about creating your own little yoga sanctuary from scratch; it brings this authentic energy that students can really feel, you know?
When you start with a community space, you’re not just teaching classes, you’re building genuine connections. And honestly, that’s where the magic happens! One thing leads to another. Community classes can open doors to private sessions, special events, partnerships with local organizations, and outdoor sessions… the possibilities are endless once you get that momentum going.
Yes, the business side can feel overwhelming at first, but from what I’ve seen, everything starts flowing naturally once you take that first step. The universe has this funny way of supporting yoga teachers who are genuinely passionate about sharing the practice. Don’t worry about being ‘ready enough’ or having all the answers. This journey is about continuous learning and growth. Every teacher started somewhere, and the community needs authentic voices like yours.
Trust the process, trust your practice, and trust that the right students will find their way to you. That’s just my humble opinion, but I truly believe you’ve got this! Namaste
Start by becoming a student at the studios where you’d love to teach! It’s such a great way to connect with the instructors there let them know you’re a newly certified teacher. When you get a chance to chat with the studio owners, express how much you appreciate their space and mention you’d be thrilled to sub whenever they need coverage.
As someone teaching yoga full time across studios and gyms, I can confirm you absolutely don’t need a group fitness certification for teaching yoga specifically.
What style of yoga are you most excited to share with your future students?
I’ve been really sitting with this feeling of scarcity around teaching opportunities, and what’s been so healing for me is creating my own sacred space by renting a community center room for like $20/hour and offering donation based classes to build confidence.
It feels so empowering to hold space for others without the pressure of formal employment, and honestly the universe has this beautiful way of bringing the right students when you’re operating from a place of authentic service rather than fear. This approach has helped me process my imposter syndrome while actually getting those teaching hours in it’s like exposure therapy, but make it mindful movement!
Definitely start by becoming a regular student at the studios where you’d love to teach! Get to know the vibe, chat with the instructors after class, and connect with the front desk staff. Building those authentic relationships is key not in a networking way, but just being genuinely part of the community.
Wait, I just realized something while typing this literally every single teacher I’ve brought on board at my studio started this exact same way! That’s wild, I hadn’t consciously noticed that pattern before. But yeah, when someone’s been flowing with us for months, I already know they get our style and energy. Cold emails from strangers just don’t have that same connection.
Once you’ve established yourself as a familiar face and they know your practice, that’s when you can casually mention you’re certified and interested in subbing. The progression feels so much more natural that way.
In some cultures, yoga teachers are highly respected and sought after, especially in places like India where yoga originated . If you’re open to traveling, you might find rich opportunities to teach while immersing yourself in a culture that deeply values the practice .
Last week I stumbled onto Workaway and Yoga Trade while stress eating hummus at 2am, and discovered that 73% of yoga retreats in Bali are desperately seeking teachers who can survive on coconuts and good vibes alone seriously though, these platforms have tons of teaching opportunities where you trade classes for accommodation and meals, which beats paying rent while you build experience!
I’m so excited you have your 200 hour YTT because that’s literally THE golden ticket that every single studio I’ve ever approached asks for first you’re already ahead of so many people who dream of teaching but haven’t taken that important step yet!
Building genuine connections through consistent practice at studios where you’d love to teach and nurturing relationships with your YTT sangha will naturally open doors, as the yoga community thrives on authentic word of mouth recommendations rather than cold applications.
I’ve been sitting with this journey since getting certified a few months back, and honestly, the path revealed itself in such an organic way. There’s this beautiful little space at our community centre that just called to me nothing fancy, but the energy feels right and the hourly rate doesn’t break the bank. I’m holding space for one weekly class right now, which feels perfect as I’m not ready to dive into teaching as my whole life practice yet.
The universe works in mysterious ways though another teacher mentioned these Facebook communities where established instructors look for subs when they need coverage. It feels like such a natural way to deepen my teaching practice while staying connected to the wider yoga community. Still finding my voice in all of this, but getting there.
While everyone’s scrambling for studio positions, the real teaching opportunities are actually in work-trade arrangements at retreat centers and eco-communities where you can build experience without those corporate gym certifications maybe we’re all looking at this backwards by chasing traditional employment instead of embracing the more nomadic teaching lifestyle that yoga naturally lends itself to.
Something that realllly helped was checking where all the yoga schools are clustered it’s sooo obvious now but the bigger the city, the more opportunities! Places like NYC, LA, and Chicago have wayyyy more studios per square mile than anywhere else, which means more sub opportunities, more classes to cover, and just more chances to get your foot in the door.
Sometimes we get so focused on our local area that we forget the yoga scene is absolutely thriving in major cities where new studios are popping up constantly. It might be worth expanding your search radius or even considering a temporary move to where the action is that’s where studios are desperately looking for fresh energy and new teachers!
While substitute teaching is definitely a safe starting point, I actually think you might be better off boldly walking into studios where you practice and asking about opportunities even if they’re not advertising anything.
Studio owners are constantly juggling schedules and often need coverage they haven’t even posted about yet, so showing up as a familiar face who already knows their vibe can work better than being another resume in their inbox. The substitute teaching route might actually keep you stuck in that ‘backup teacher’ mindset when what you really need is to claim your space as a full instructor ready to build your own following.
If you become a regular student at the studios where you want to teach and genuinely connect with the community there, then opportunities naturally open up through those relationships rather than through cold applications.