So, why become a yoga teacher? That’s the golden question for everyone who practices yoga, especially those who enrol in a yoga teacher training course. Well, part of the answer to the question lies in the benefits of teaching yoga. And trust us, there are a lot of perks!
As much as the practice of yoga is much more than a fitness routine, teaching yoga is much more than just a job. It’s a lifestyle – a spiritual practice, a holistic way of life. If we want to get really deep, it’s a union between the mind, body and soul. We’re sure you’ll agree with us that the more people who practice yoga, the better!
But why is yoga so important?
The benefits of yoga
Well of course, yoga itself is enriched with health benefits. Some of these include:
- Yoga fosters a calmness of the mind. Paired with the practice of breathing and meditation, your brain will sharpen and boost your mental stamina.
- Comparably, yoga can reduce the symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety.
- Yoga increases your flexibility and supports your joints.
- At the same time yoga builds up your strength and tones your muscles.
- Yoga maintains a functioning nervous system. A side benefit of this is that it can aid your sleep.
- Regular yoga practice aids your athletic performance in general.
- Internally, yoga boosts your cardio health and respiratory system. This includes lowering your blood pressure.
- It also lowers your cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and maintains your calcium levels.
- Yoga can support your digestive system – particularly through twists.
But above all else, yoga is a time-out from the real world. Once you’re in the safe sanctuary of your mat, all thoughts remain in the present as you focus on your flow.
10 benefits of teaching yoga
There are countless benefits of teaching yoga. We could list hundreds of benefits in fact. But, don’t worry – we know you’ve got places to be. So, today we’ve whittled down our list to the top 10 benefits of being a yoga teacher.
By the end of this article, you’ll have your answer to why become a yoga teacher!
1. Your own practice will improve
Naturally, one of the key benefits of teaching yoga is that you have more time to engage with and improve your own practice. As a yoga teacher, you will spend several hours each day on the mat. Through your instruction to your students, you will cultivate your own style of sequencing. Every day you will feel your practice get stronger and more assured.
2. A healthy lifestyle
Yoga teachers don’t spend eight hours plus a day slumped over a laptop. That means no screen induced backaches, eye strain, and headaches. Your posture will flourish rather than flounder and you’ll walk tall. Nor do yoga teachers need to sit in stagnant meeting rooms. We’re not saying that yoga isn’t a mentally and physically exhausting job, but it’s certainly healthier for your body than other lines of work.
Some yoga teachers even get to teach outdoors, in shaded parks or on beautiful beaches whilst waves lap at their feet. Furthermore, yoga teachers typically are more conscious about what they put in their body and make an effort to eat clean.
3. You are seen as a leader
All teachers are in positions of respect. Every time you walk into that studio, you radiate knowledge and a sense of empowerment.
When the average person musters up an image of a yoga teacher, they usually envision a calm, self-assured soul spreading zen and harmony wherever they go. Your students will look to you for guidance, not just on the mat but in their mindset. Not to pile the pressure on!
4. You’ll foster your entrepreneurial skills
As well as developing your leadership qualities, establishing your career as a yoga teacher will release your entrepreneurial spirit
Despite the fact there are a number of yoga teachers out there, it’s still not a conventional career path. Yoga teachers are self-starters, independent thinkers. You will need to be extremely savvy on how to sell your services, forge relationships and nurture your talent. As a yoga teacher, you are responsible for marketing yourself so you’ll need to get your head around marketing and social media. You’ll want your students to remember you and return to your class, so you’ll need to harness strong interpersonal skills.
As we said, due to how many yoga teachers are out there means that you do need to curate your image so that you stand out.
5. You will feel liberated
One of the major benefits of being a yoga teacher is the feeling of freedom it brings you. Sure, you’ll be working long hours and will constantly be learning ways to improve your style. But, you are usually self-employed and get some autonomy over your working hours.
If you enjoy working with a particular studio, you can build a repertoire in the hope they give you more classes. You can determine which days you teach and which days you rest. If you wish to work whilst travelling the world, your position as a yoga teacher will help you secure work wherever you go.
6. Your students will revitalise your energy
All teachers are motivated by inspiring their teachers, and yoga teachers are no different. Yoga practitioners are known for their compassion, their kind souls and their open minds. The more you give your students, the more they will give you in return. It’s extremely satisfying to see students improve and develop their practice and confidence under your instruction.
And what’s the best thing about your yoga students? The fact that they actually want to be there every session!
7. You can travel the world
We already touched on this, but it’s a point we feel extremely jubilant about. One of the benefits of being a yoga teacher that we are passionate about is that it’s a job you can take on the road. With over 300 million people practising yoga all around the world, there are yoga schools on practically every continent.
You can find work in schools whilst travelling or you can choose to settle as an expat if you find a destination that speaks to you. Another option is to offer your services at a yoga retreat or overseas yoga teacher training school. Once you have a certain degree of confidence, you may even want to launch and manage your own yoga retreats and yoga holidays!
8. You will find a unique community
The yoga community spans both your fellow yoga teachers and your students. Yoga isn’t competitive like other industries – it has a real community spirit. Yogis are always open to sharing their insight and knowledge to inspire others.
Whether you teach at a gym, retreat, or local park, you are likely to make vibrant connections with likeminded people.
In fact, where are you at this very moment? Yoga Teacher Land is a community of supportive yogis right here at your fingertips!
9. Your creativity will flourish
As your own practice deepens and grows and more students pass through your studio, your creativity will flourish. At first, you’ll be hard at work remembering the sequences and poses you wish to teach. But, the more experienced you become, the more your intuition will take over.
You’ll learn to read the body language of your students and pick up on their capabilities. You may find that your planned lesson deviates slightly if you have a livelier or more bashful group of students to accommodate. Assessing your group and adapting your classes to suit their individual needs will impact your creativity and, in turn, your confidence.
10. You can combine yoga with another passion
Have a look at the event listings in your current city, specifically for yoga. You’ll probably find a few entries for your classic hatha class. But, dive a little deeper and you may find some quirkier sessions. Aerial yoga, yoga with wine, yoga with cats (or yoga with dogs – ‘Doga’ – if you prefer), laughter yoga and even Harry Potter yoga. Yes, all of these really exist! Look further afield and you combine pretty much any other activity or skill. Surfing, painting, massage, hiking; retreats exist for all of these combinations.
The business of yoga is constantly being refreshed with wild and wacky new variations. If you have another skill or interest that you think would gel with yoga, you might be onto something. Who knows, you might be the person to invent the next trend!
Why become a yoga teacher?
Now that you’ve heard our top 10 benefits of teaching yoga, we hope you feel inspired to begin your journey. You can start planning your career as a yoga teacher by browsing Yoga Teacher Land’s featured yoga teacher training courses. If you’ve already covered your 200-hour YTT, don’t stop there. Keep learning and honing your technique by furthering your yoga education.
Are there any other benefits of being a yoga teacher that we’ve missed? Let us know here or tell us via social media.
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