What's Next After Getting Certified as a Yoga Teacher?

1. Building a Student Base Takes Time: The first challenge I faced was the realization that my classes wouldn't be packed from day one. Building a steady student base takes time, patience, and consistent effort. I wish I had known that it's perfectly normal to start with small classes or no attendees at all and that over time, as your teaching skills and reputation grow, more students will come.

I proactively sent a message to the Asana Tribe Yoga Studio if I could teach for free. And the owner gladly said yes and I was so happy she even gave me feedback.

• Be on Social Media if you can, do not look for validation, use it to generate leads. I got my first “resort” gig through a Facebook post. I was also hired at a luxurious hotel chain, Waldorf Astoria to be a Yoga Teacher during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar through LinkedIn. And mind you, it wasn’t me who initiated. It was them who reached out to me.

2. Teach, Teach, Teach…: No class? No problem. Get a relative, a friend, your dog, or a cat, if none, you still have no excuse!! You can have your own self-practice session as if you are teaching yourself. As you move, talk loudly as if you are teaching, if it gets awkward get your camera video on and pretend you are teaching somebody. I have done this and still do when sequencing my yoga flows.

This is also a good way to check if the sequence you wrote is realistic enough for a class.

3. Creating your own “house rules”: This is important whether you are “self-employed” or a full-time Yoga teacher. Other companies do not even have their own house rules, so having one will save you from a lot of stress and setting up your boundaries as a Yoga Teacher. As simple as “Do not wear strong perfume” is always listed on my rules as I am very sensitive to strong scents.

This will help you set boundaries, avoid conflict with future students, and build a strong foundation with your students.

4. Finding Your Unique Teaching Style: Luckily, I’ve had prior experience of being a Personal Trainer as well as teaching Kids. So I knew some basics. You may find yourself emulating your favorite yoga teachers. And that’s normal! However, you need to find your own unique teaching style. It is crucial to teach from your heart, teaching what is authentically you are passionate about. You will be surprised how this will resonate with your students more than any imitation.

Continue experimenting with different approaches and add and subtract whatever doesn’t work for you. Don’t forget to ask for any feedback from your students.

5. Balancing the Business Side: Remember the first part where we found the common factor of business? After graduating from your Yoga Teacher Training, know that it involves running a small business. Be prepared to handle administrative tasks, marketing, scheduling, and finances. This can be overwhelming in the beginning.

While it is a fact that you should treat it as business, knowing how to balance the yogic and business aspects of teaching is important. So if you find yourself drowning with all the business tasks, remember to give yourself a little break.

Maybe invest some time in learning basic business skills, or consider partnering with someone. Or if your budget allows, hire a Virtual Assistant who can handle the business aspect while you focus on teaching.

6. Continuing Education Is Key: Your Yoga Teacher Training graduation is just the start of the learning journey. Make sure to stay up-to-date and adapt as needed. These days, everything evolves faster than ever, the wellness industry is not an exception. Stay curious and open to learning.

7. Self-Care Is Non-Negotiable: The most important one: Do not neglect your self-practice. You can not teach what you don’t practice. And you can’t teach if you yourself do not practice yoga. This is not only about staying flexible or maintaining the Asanas but also about your own mental health. If it comes to a day that you do not have time to practice anymore, it simply means you don’t prioritize yourself.

No time for your self-practice, ask yourself. Are you teaching so many classes in a day? If so, Remember, teaching Yoga is teaching others about self-love and self-care. Make sure you walk the talk.

Make your own practice a priority, allot rest days, and regularly engage with other activities you enjoy. You can only give your students what you have within yourself.

Congratulations on graduating! If you need more guidance, again, please do not hesitate to hit me up! You got this!

February 22, 2020. It was the day after my birthday. A year of being not really sure about what I wanted to pursue. I was constantly told to “focus” on a single career. But my love of Yoga brought me to Marichi Yoga Schoool in General Santos City to be certified as a Yoga Teacher. Not even sure if I would be able to earn money from it.

I was also blinded by thinking, it would be “relaxing” and easy as I was just honestly mostly practicing sitting meditation. But on my 5th day, the training was physically challenging which led me to question myself, “Is this what I really want’?

But there I was, taking pictures with Teacher Helen, all smiling with the certificate being handed to me with the beautiful infinity view.

It was yet another beginning. I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

1. Who should I network with to be able to teach?

2. Are there even studios in the Philippines willing to hire me as a full-time Yoga Teacher?

3. How do I incorporate the business side of Teaching Yoga?

4. Will I be even earning enough?

Those were just the few questions I had. Can you see what’s the common factor from the list? Yes, it’s all about starting and managing a business. Starting a Yoga Teacher career meant that you need to at least know how to treat it as a business. But how? Here are some few points and a little good to know that I wish I knew earlier: 

200 HR Multistyle Certication with Helen Prieto of Marichi Yoga School