How to Find a Job Teaching Yoga or Mindfulness
(Part 2 of a Series)
By: Laura Jayne
You’ve completed your yoga or mindfulness teacher training, and now you are ready to find a job! But, where do you begin?
Often jobs are word-of-mouth, or only advertised to students after they graduate from a specific training. Applying to be a teacher isn’t always clear cut. In this post, we’ll outline some steps to follow and ways to prepare for a teaching job.
Create a Teaching Resume
Your resume might seem short now, but as you gain teaching experience, your list will continue to grow. It’s fine to follow a traditional resume format, but describe your training, areas of expertise, certifications, and teaching skills. Any teaching experience at all is great to list even if it’s not directly related to yoga or mindfulness.
Focus on what makes you different in a short summary or bio. A bio is something you’ll likely use in your social media profiles and website when you decide to create those. You’ll also use your bio when introducing yourself to potential employers or clients, so it is a good idea to take time to develop a summary. You will likely update your bio regularly so don’t worry too much. Just write something down!
Your resume might look like this:
Name
Contact Information
Social Media/Website Links
Bio Statement
Skills & Abilities (e.g., online teaching, yoga for children, chair yoga)
Training (School, Certification, Date)
Teaching Experience (Studio/Gym, Role, Dates, Description of Classes Taught)
If you’ve chosen to create social media profiles or a website, you’ll adapt the bio to different lengths and audiences based on the platform’s requirements.
Find a Place to Teach
The best way I’ve found to find teaching jobs is to do a general search for yoga studios in my area or businesses that might need a mindfulness or yoga option for their employees. Reach out directly to those places to see if they need any help. For a studio, offering a free workshop or getting on the substitute teacher list is a good way to get a foot in the door.
Your chances of getting an interview at a studio are highest if you are already a regular (or have attended at least a few classes), but that can get expensive, if there are a lot of studios locally.
Here is an example of an email template.
Dear Business Owner:
I am a 200-hour certified (mindfulness or yoga teacher). I completed my yoga teacher training at (list where graduated.). My specialties are [types of mindfulness or yoga class].
I am known for (what sets you apart? Restorative classes. Therapeutic approach? Humor? Etc.)
Do you have any open teaching positions right now or would you be interested in allowing me to offer a free class or workshop?
I can be reached at [contact information]. [If applicable] You can see some examples of my teaching style at [website/YouTube/Social Media link].
I look forward to hearing from you soon!
You might have to send many of these emails, but I’ve found that business owners are typically very kind and responsive. If there are no positions open now, you might respond and ask if you can follow up in a few months. If you are applying at a studio, and they are open to you checking back in later, this is a good place to attend a few classes, so they can get to know you. After attending a few classes, you might consider asking if you can be added to the sub list. Many teachers have subbed or offered free classes or workshops for a while before getting regular teaching positions. This will give the studio a chance to see your teaching style.
The most important thing is not your skill level but your dedication and persistence. You never know when a position will open up. If they tell you to follow up, make sure that you follow through. Consistency is important, and you can demonstrate your interest and professionalism by following through with your promise to follow up. Many places have a few inconsistent teachers that you may eventually replace if you continue to show up and act professional. Passion and professionalism are a key aspect of a successful teacher, and if you have both, you will be a wonderful teacher regardless of your experience level.
Prepare a Teaching Demo
Great news! They have a position open, and they’d like you to interview. They’ll likely start with a phone or in-person interview, but then they’ll ask you to prepare a teaching demonstration or teach a studio class. This is what you’ve trained to do, but it can be nerve wracking, even for an experienced teacher. To prepare your demo class, make sure that you understand the studio or businesses needs, what type of class they’d like you to develop, and the time you need to fill. I’ve often done shorter demo classes just for the studio or business owner.
Prepare your demo like you would a regular class, then practice teaching it a few times with family or friends and identify any areas for improvement. It is key that you fit into the time allotted, so pay special attention to your timing.
While you’ll prep for your demo just like you would for a regular class, take special attention and get as much feedback as you can on your lesson.
These are the main components of finding and getting a teaching job, but every place will have a different process. I recommend being prepared to answer questions about your availability and consider what you think a fair pay per class or hour would be. If possible, talk to anyone else who is or has taught for the business or studio in the past. This will give you an idea of what to expect and if it will be a good fit for you.
Finally, some studios might find you through social media profiles or websites, so if you decide to create them, make sure that your messaging is consistent across platforms and that you highlight the teacher you want to be!
Getting your first teaching gig may feel the hardest. But once you establish a strong teaching practice, you’ll find it easier to find more jobs and develop a following.
If you are considering teaching or want to advance your training as a yoga or mindfulness professional, Inbody can help you to review your choices and identify a training option that aligns with your goals. Reach out for more information or to schedule a consultation to discuss how to move forward teaching.