Teaching Opportunities: As a newly qualified Yoga teacher, how can I start looking for Yoga teaching opportunities at a Yoga studio?

If you are not already connected with a Yoga studio as a student, it is recommended you go and take classes at those studios you would like to teach at, and if you can, take classes with the owners/managers of the space. This can help to build relationships and to discover if there are any openings or opportunities currently available. This is a much more effective way to make your introduction, rather than sending countless resumes and cover letters. Studios enjoy hiring teachers that they have already built relationships with or that are part of that yoga community. If you are looking for a way to join a yoga studio community, perhaps you might consider offering to work/volunteer at the front desk or participate in an energy exchange program, if there is one in the studio, which usually involves cleaning and tidying tasks at the studio in exchange for participation in classes.

If you are already practicing or working at a Yoga studio then you may already have built connections and relationships with the owners or managers of the space. If you have shared with the studio that you have completed your 200hr Yoga Teacher Training and that you are interested in teaching opportunities, it could open the door to some or all of the following possibilities:

• You may be invited to begin teaching a “by-donation” class, where you can invite friends and family to come and take your class. You can use this opportunity to build your confidence, experience and to gain valuable feedback. 
• You may be invited to join the teachers sub-list and be called upon to teach if there is an opening or another teacher is away. 
• You may be asked to teach a short segment of a class or a full class to the studio owner/manager in order for them to see your teaching style and to see if your classes would be a good fit for their space. 
• You may even find that you are asked to jump straight into teaching classes on the schedule, especially if the studio owner was waiting for you to finish your qualification and has classes set up for you!

Other options to consider if you are not wanting to teach in a Yoga studio or you are simply wanting to build some more experience, shake off some of those new teacher nerves and begin teaching as soon as possible, would be the following:

• Teaching small groups of friends and family and asking for constructive feedback.
• Connect with your local gyms/community spaces such as YMCA, to see if they would be interested in having a free or by-donation Yoga class on the schedule.
• Charities are often looking for yoga teachers to volunteer their time and services to host yoga classes.
• Offering park/outdoor Yoga classes for friends and family in the warmer months.
• Look for volunteer teaching opportunities in your community.
• Offer free online or by-donation yoga classes on Facebook or Instagram.