By C.J. Thomas
It’s time to rethink the idea that in order to be a successful yoga teacher one needs to teach in a studio. While studios are huge in the yoga world, it’s easy to get stuck in the mindset that if you aren’t teaching in a studio then you aren’t a viable yoga teacher – but that’s simply not true.
After a series of failed attempts to find a teaching gig, C.J. Thomas decided to rethink what it meant to be a successful teacher and started to forge her own path. She’s here to share her journey, and offer tips on how you too can find success outside a yoga studio.
Like many new yoga teachers, after I completed my 200-hour training, the first thing I did was brainstorm how I could get my first gig.
I hopped on Google maps and searched high and low for yoga studios in my area. I live in a small town, so that search took about three seconds, and in those three seconds, I found just as many studios. Next, I did what any new teacher would do – I sent in my resume, I showed up for classes, and I even taught demos. My urge to land my first gig was so strong that I once was bold enough to knock on a locked studio door so I could speak with the manager who was inside. He heard me, but he ignored my incessant knocking. I got the message, but it was a huge blow to my ego!
Needless to say, this wasn’t my best moment and I clearly didn’t get hired. But, I’m thankful these moments happened because they set into motion a turning point in my early yoga career: I’d have to look outside of a yoga studio setting to find my break.
This realization was comparable to the feeling of clouds opening up in the sky as choruses of angels sang, and a pegasus soared by pooping rainbows! Okay, it wasn’t that majestic, but I realize something…
If you remove the walls of the yoga studio, there is literally no limit to where you can teach!
Thus began my journey, and I haven’t looked back since!
If you’re like me, and you’re trying to find ways to break into teaching, there are several different ways you can find success outside a yoga studio. After following the steps below, I’ve been able to create and grow my own classes, and now have a consistent following of over 10 people who come to each classes religiously. I hope these tips will also help you jumpstart your yoga career.
Start in the Park
Not only is this a lovely way to ground and connect with nature, it’s also a free space to teach a class! If you’ve been struggling to figure out how to make the money to rent out a space, this is a great alternative. While you do need a plan B for the colder months, it’s a great option for late spring through early fall. I started by picking a good spot in my favorite park and reaching out to my friends. Next, I made online flyers and posted them in community groups on Facebook to bring in a crowd. From there it was word of mouth and repeat students that kept me going.
Teach in a Restaurant
A long-term teaching gig that I adored was a class I held in a local underground teahouse. Yes, it was literally underground in a basement. But, the space had an open hallway and great floors! I approached the owners of this space because I felt that combining yoga with drinking tea would be a great idea. In order to pique their interest, I offered to give the students a discount for class if they stayed after for tea. The surrounding shops were closed on Sundays, so the owner and I teamed up and I held a consistent yoga class for about six months. It was a great partnership! I was able to bring in customers on one of the restaurant’s slowest days, and it allowed me to connect with my students over a soothing cup of tea after class! It was a win-win all around.
Success Outside a Yoga Studio Doesn’t Mean Group Classes
One of the most lucrative areas of yoga I’ve experienced was through cultivating a list of private clients. Not everyone feels comfortable showing up to a yoga class, especially if they are new. Taking yoga to your students right in their own home is a great way to personalize the practice to meet their needs! To get started in this area, I created a flyer and posted it on community Facebook groups and at various locations around town. Eventually, the clients started to roll in.
Teach at Local Family Centers
A super fun job I took on was teaching yoga to children at gymnastics summer camps. This helped me push my edge as a teacher and I was able to connect with a different age group: three to nine-year-olds. If this is a niche you’re trying to reach, start by reaching out to your local dance studios or circus arts centers. Research family meeting places in your area and send out emails offering a class. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door.
Offer Group Classes at a Gym
Gyms are always looking for yoga teachers to teach group classes. Believe it or not, it’s challenging for gyms to keep good yoga teachers, so don’t hesitate to reach out! I loved teaching classes in a gym because I was introduced to so many different demographics. From elders to bodybuilders, everyone tried the class at least once and I quickly gained frequent students.
Teach at Festivals and Events
Once I got more experience teaching, I started reaching out to teach at retreats and festivals. There are so many yoga festivals that take place every year all over the world, and it’s a great way to open up your practice to large audiences and build your following. I taught in Idaho at TreeFort Festival and a Women of Color in the Wilderness retreat with Bibi McGill. I even took on a silent disco yoga class for the summertime in my own town! While these typically aren’t paying gigs, they are a great way to network and get a free pass to a fun event. They also allow you to build up your mailing list so you have people to reach out to if you decide to offer online workshops!
Take the Leap
In the spirit of yoga, I encourage you to quiet your mind and tap into the many different ways you can spread yoga in the world. The studios are great, but they aren’t the only option. Don’t be afraid to break outside of the box!
C.J. Thomas is a 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher, Ayurvedic Health Coach, and Copywriter/Brand Consultant for life coaches located in Ashland Oregon. She’s been teaching yoga for four years and her goal is to elevate others so they can elevate the world! You can find her in catalogs and videos for Banyan Botanicals, at lifebythemoomnyoga.com or on Facebook and Instagram @lifebythemoonyoga. (Photo Credit to Barbara Bowman Photography)