How to Get a Yoga Teaching Job
Becca is the author of Teaching Yoga: Creative Cueing for Safer Mixed Level Classes. A long-time studio owner and teacher trainer, she now teaches online, blogs, and creates resources for other yoga teachers.
How to Pick the Studios and Gyms, Get Interviews, and Land Your First Time Slots
Step 1: Pick the Best Venues for You
When new teachers ask me how to get a job teaching yoga, I always tell them to pick the venues that will work best for their location and schedule before putting in a bunch of applications everywhere. Although it may take a little longer to get a time slot, it will be a job you will more likely love and be able to maintain. Showing up every week is a big commitment. Driving for more than 15 minutes every week to get to and from class is going to get old fast, even if you love the studio.
Secondly, I encourage new teachers to find time slots at a number of different places. It is unwise to have all your eggs in one basket since studios and gyms go out of business all the time and new managers may come in and change the schedules. It's better to distribute your schedule and not be dependent on any one venue.
Most students won't drive more than 10 minutes to take a yoga class. To avoid potential conflicts with studio and gym owners, who become concerned that you may attract clients away from their businesses, make sure your venues are not closely located. For example, if you commute to your day job, find a studio or gym that is close to your work for a few time slots, and then another one closer to your home for the rest.
If you work from home, pick one studio that is 10 minutes north of where you live, and then another that is 10 minutes south of you. This may sound a little crazy, but if you do this, you will likely avoid a lot of politics and issues with both owners and students.
The exception to this is when the venues have significantly different clientele. For instance, I had a teacher working at my studio who also taught power flow at a nearby gym. No issues arose because we didn’t offer that style of yoga. She taught pregnancy yoga and subbed for the gentle yoga classes at our studio.
Step 2: Take Yoga Classes Where You Would Like to Work
Once you decide on a few studios that may work, I recommend taking classes there first and checking it out before applying for work. Although there are venues that don't care too much about how you teach, most managers will want to see your practice, and how you engage with the clientele.
Take the owner's (or manager's) classes and see if their teaching is in alignment with how you practice. If their teaching is significantly different than yours, it may not be a great fit. It causes conflict and issues in smaller venues when the staff is teaching significantly different alignment. The exception to this is in larger studios or gyms where the clientele is experienced and accustomed to many different styles and options.
If you think the studio is a good fit for you and your teaching, then continue to take the owner's class and begin to build a relationship as you wait for a time slot to open up. One option is to offer teaching as a substitute when needed. This is a great way to get your foot in the door, as it poses low risk for the owner. When you substitute for a class, the owner can see your teaching style and the clients' response to your instruction. If things go well when you sub and they ask you back, then let the manager know that you are interested in applying the next time a slot opens up. This puts you in a great position when the time comes.
If the venue’s manager doesn’t teach yoga, which is the case at many gyms, then ask to be put on the subsitute list. Go in-person to the gym and provide your resume and contact information along with your availability to sub for their yoga teachers. If you are not a member of the gym where you want to work, then find out if they allow drop-ins. Take one of the yoga teacher’s classes, and see if you think you would be a good sub for her. Afterwords, let her know you loved the class, and that when she needs a sub you are available. If the manager or teacher calls you to substitute, then drop everything and get over there! :).
Step 3: Apply to Venues Where You Have Built Relationships
If you are attending or subbing a few classes a month at your preferred venues, then you’ll be aware of when a time slot is available. Let the owner or manager know that you are applying. Here is the tricky part, you may not know what is going on behind the scenes. Maybe one of the other teachers on staff is in line for the slot, or the manager has someone else in mind. Try not to be discouraged and continue to be professional. The more popular the studio, the longer it may take to land a slot. In the meantime, work on finding a slot at a less popular venue to get some experience.
Step 4: Preparing for the Yoga Teacher Interview
In short, be prepared for anything, as these interviews can vary greatly at various studios and gyms. Some will want you to teach an example class for anywhere from 15 minutes to an entire hour. Sometimes the interview will be a more traditional sit-down format. When scheduling the interview, if they do not specify the length or type of class, ask about the expectations.
As with any other job interview, arrive slightly early, and dress appropriately. I recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to show that you can get to work before the class start time. Be sure not to interrupt any ongoing class or private session. Bring a copy of your resume in case the owner wants to look at it again and can’t find their copy. Wear yoga clothes that you feel great teaching in and bring a wrap to put on afterward.
Possible Interview Questions to Prepare for Your Yoga Interview
Who is your primary yoga teacher, and where did you receive your training?
What was the focus of your 200/500-hour training? What do you feel best prepared to teach?
What experience level of students do you most enjoy teaching?
How many classes do you currently teach each week?
Are you available for substitute teaching?
Give an example of how you have handled a difficult/disruptive student.
How do you prepare and plan for your classes?
What is your favorite practice to teach?
How do you handle a student complaining about another teacher at the studio?
Where do you see your yoga career in 5 years?
Have you required a substitute in the last year of teaching?
Tips for Teaching Your Example Yoga Class
It is normal to be nervous when teaching a class during an interview. I remember being nervous and having to just smile and keep going. So, keep smiling and try to look like you are relaxed and enjoying yourself! If partway through the class, you start to panic, and wonder what you planned to do next, cue everyone to move into Downward Dog and take a few breaths. This will give you a moment with no one looking at you to pull yourself together and decide what to do next. Here are a few other tips for a successful interview class:
Speak clearly and with volume. Make sure the people in the back of the room can hear you.
Smile and make eye contact with the participants.
Be careful to keep a consistent pace for the class; when we get nervous, we tend to speed up.
Keep it simple and show that you can teach a basic class. There's no need to try to do something fancy unless they requested something different.
Avoid saying "I'm sorry" if you make a mistake. Just keep the class moving and do your best to appear confident.
Be Careful with Social Media
I recommend you keep your social media about you and stay out of promoting any particular studio (even if an owner pressures you to repost). You don't want to be promoting one studio's weekend workshop while trying to get a time slot at another one. Remember that these studios are competing businesses. If you refrain from reposting anything, then you can easily stay out of any issues that arise.
Students often follow their teachers on social media, so it's best to keep your feed professional. Some teachers choose to have a personal/private feed and then a separate yoga feed. We are free to post whatever we want on social media, but sometimes it comes with consequences. Managers of venues may check your public social media when they consider hiring you.
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In Summary: How to Get a Job Teaching Yoga
Landing your first time slot is exciting and challenging. By taking your time, doing some groundwork, and then selecting the venues carefully, you’ll increase your chances of getting hired. Enrolling in classes where you want to teach, establishing relationships first, and offering to substitute may all increase the chances of receiving an interview. Treat your yoga interview as you would any other professional interview: arrive early and come prepared. I hope that these tips will not only help you create your ideal weekly schedule but also in working towards the yoga career you envision! ♢
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