I have done many travel jobs while travelling the world, from working in an office, nannying, housesitting and travel writing and blogging. And now, as I am really into practicing yoga because of its health benefits I have been considering becoming a yoga instructor. And not just being a yoga teacher at home, but taking this qualification on the road to travel and work abroad as a Yoga Teacher. Having done all the research to find out how to do this, I’m just not sure how I will be able to fit it in because of all the other travel jobs I do. Here’s my guide to landing a travel job as a yoga teacher teaching classes around the world. 

 

What is Yoga?

I presume if you are doing yoga already, you will know what yoga is. But let me recap. Yoga is a form of static stretching which involves many sutras (positions) to achieve physical strength, mental peace and spiritual awareness. In yoga, the body, breath and mind are seen as one. I feel more relaxed already! How about you?  

What Are the Benefits of Yoga?

 

Yoga offers many benefits to everyone including:

• Improves Strength, Balance and Flexibility while Travelling
• Helps you be more aware and focused
• Provides neck and back pain relief 
• Helps maintain Balance
• Relieve and reduce Fatigue
• Enhances the duration of deep Sleep
• Yoga improves Mental Health

The Yoga Instructor Job Description

 

A yoga teacher is someone who teaches the static stretching and lifestyle values to others. This can be to students of all levels – beginner, intermediate and experienced. As many people have embraced yoga around the world, they are in need of yoga instructors to teach them. This includes travellers of all nationalities who are embracing life abroad but want to continue practicing yoga for the health benefits they offer. So how do you become a yoga instructor and travel the world teaching it.

How to Become a Yoga Teacher?

 

In order to become a yoga teacher, it will be necessary to undergo yoga teacher training. I suggest you start researching yoga teacher courses near you and enrol in one to start your yoga instructing journey. Courses vary in length but 200 hours is usually accepted for beginner teachers. A course of this length provide aspiring yoga teachers with a good foundation of the practice of yoga. Covering different yoga styles, meditation, breath work, yoga lifestyle, anatomy and more. 

 

Where To Do Your Yoga Teacher Training?

 

As mentioned, start your yoga instructing journey by research courses nearby or consider overseas destinations. As India is the birthplace of yoga, you will see discover it has many teacher training schools. But so do other countries such as Bali, Thailand, Costa Rica, Europe and some Asian countries. How cool would that be to get your qualification overseas! Ensure when choosing a course, that you will receive certification upon course completion and that it is recognised by the Yoga Alliance. This will mean your qualification is recognised globally and you will be able to work globally.

 

What is the Yoga Alliance?

 

The Yoga Alliance is not an official world-wide governing body, but it is where studios, teachers and schools will confirm that any training completed meets a certain standard. It is based in the USA and you may find other alliances such as the Yoga Alliance Professionals. 

 

4 Steps to Becoming a Yoga Teacher

 

1. Make the decision you want to be a yoga instructor. Find a course – consider the style of yoga you want to teach and whether you will do the course part or full-time.
2. Do a course with minimum of 200 hours. 
3. Complete and gain Certification. Once completed you will be a Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT) but to get insurance you will need to be a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). You register with the Yoga Alliance.  
4. Look for a yoga teaching job.

 

Where in the World Can I find a Yoga Teaching Job?

 

The world has embraced yoga and thus, there are yoga jobs all around the world. Particularly in

• Yoga retreats
• Holiday resorts
• Aboard cruise ships and super yachts
• You could set up your own teaching school online
• Start a Yoga Blog or YouTube Channel

 

How to Get a Job as a Yoga Teacher?

 

Teaching Chair Yoga to a Group

 

If you are wanting to land a yoga teaching job as you travel the world, there are a number of options to find a job. Firstly, define the yoga you will be teaching – vinyasa, gentle hatha yoga, kids yoga, chair yoga or traditional Ashtanga to name a few. Knowing what you want to teach will help you decide on where to teach it and how you plan to get a job as a yoga teacher. The main ways to find a job include:

• Through websites such a Yoga Trade and Yoga Travel Jobs and Facebook Groups. 
• Set up your own school online.
• Approach retreats and schools in person. 
• If new to yoga teaching, volunteer your teaching services to gain valuable experience and confidence. Sometimes volunteering can lead to a job.

 

TIP: Arm yourself with a CV highlighting your yoga credentials and experience.

 

What Visa Do I need to Teach Yoga?

 

To officially teach yoga in a country you will need the appropriate work holiday visa or work permit. Some employers will sponsor you to work for them while others will leave the work visa solely to you to obtain – which can be expensive and have a lot of red tape. If you cannot get the appropriate work visa to teach in person, offering classes online may be the way to go. Be careful though, don’t advertise your new business on social media looking for students in a particular country if officially you are not allowed to work in that country. 

 

 Can You Make Money as a Yoga Teacher?

 

Yes, you can make a living as a yoga teacher. The skies the limit on earnings. Most teachers diversity their income by working in a studio, teaching online, working with yoga brands as a yoga influencer, running a yoga blog or YouTube channel. Sometimes you need to try them all to find your niche.

Payment varies by country, but you would be paid per class if working in a resort or retreat. If working online, you will be paid per student. It is also possible to teach yoga in exchange for free accommodation, food and other perks. This is very common if you do not have the appropriate work visa to teach yoga. So yes, you can earn decent money teaching yoga, but it can depend on whether teaching yoga is your side hustle or your full-time job. And if you don’t make much money, at least you may get the opportunity to work in beautiful places abroad.

 

What Equipment Do You Need to Teach Yoga?

 

To be able to teach yoga have with you your yoga equipment, or tools of the trade as they say:

• Your RYT qualification
• Yoga mat
• Yoga clothes
• Tech equipment to offer courses online (laptop, phone with camera, wifi connection)
• Great attitude
• Yoga Insurance – Yep, accidents can happen during yoga lessons, and as the teacher, you can be sued. Professional Indemnity  insurance will cover you. Yoga insurance usually falls on the responsibility of the teacher and not the place where you are employed. 

 

Are You Ready to Become a Travelling Yoga Teacher?

I’d love to hear your yoga teaching experiences in the comments.