8 Tips For New Yoga Teachers (What to do after your YTT)

So you just graduated from your 200-hour yoga teacher training, you’re now a fully certified yoga instructor and feel phenomenal! Congrats!

Although you’re still in that blissful “post-YTT bubble,” your thoughts are probably shifting to what to do after yoga teacher training. 

This is an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming and nerve-wracking. You may feel like there is so much to do next, and you don’t know where to start. 

Don’t worry, I’ve been there too and it’s totally normal – doing a yoga teacher training is a life changing experience, especially if you are considering changing your whole career! 

Although I graduated from my first 200-hour yoga teacher training five years ago, it feels like yesterday. I clearly remember just how pumped yet anxious I felt. So, to help guide you through this transitional stage, here are my 8 top tips for new yoga teachers.

8 Things To Do After Your Yoga Teacher Training

1. Reflect, Reflect, Reflect

I can’t stress this enough; the most important thing you should do after you finish your yoga teacher training is to take a moment to pause and reflect. 200-hour YTTs are intensive, full-on, and overwhelming; our brains can only absorb so much new information at once. 

So dedicate a few weeks after your course to reflect on what you’ve learned and allow those teachings to integrate. Honestly, it felt like I was still processing four weeks after graduation, so try not to rush back into daily life after your course ends.

2. Practice Teaching

Whether you set up free classes in the park or teach your friends and family, keep up the momentum you built from the course by getting lots of teaching experience immediately. 

Yes, you will feel insanely nervous about teaching people who are not your classmates, and you’ll probably battle imposter syndrome. But the only way to overcome that fear is to face it head-on. 

The more practice teaching you get, the more the anxiety will fade, and you’ll start to enjoy sharing your passion with others.  

3. Do A First Aid Course

Did you know you must have a first-aid certification to teach in most gyms and yoga studios? Aside from your YTT certificate, almost every prospective employer will ask for this so it’s an important thing to do for new yoga teachers.

Don’t worry; first aid training is short and easy. There is no difficult exam or homework; you simply complete a one-day training course and get your certificate.

4. Start Looking For Jobs

There are many reasons to do yoga teacher training besides beginning a teaching career. However, if you are passionate about sharing your newly gained knowledge with the rest of the world, you’ll surely wonder how to get a job after yoga teacher training.

If you want to teach in your hometown, start by telling the yoga studio where you practise that you’ve just completed a YTT. Even if they are not hiring new yoga teachers, they will likely keep you in mind when they need a cover teacher.

I also recommend enquiring at other yoga studios, gyms, and leisure centres in the area. Even if they are not hiring, there is still a good chance they will ask for your details and add you to their cover teacher list.

In my experience, I found covering classes was the best way to get into a studio and gym. In most cases, after covering classes somewhere, I would get offered a permanent teaching spot when one came up.

If you dream of traveling the world and teaching yoga, you’ll be wondering how to find yoga teaching jobs abroad. There are many places to search for teaching positions in other countries, such as:

• Facebook groups.
• Dedicated platforms like Yoga Trade.
• The old school way of researching and contacting retreat centers you would like to teach at.

5. Create A Yoga Resume

One thing you will need when searching for and applying for yoga teaching jobs is a resume specific to your yoga experience and qualifications. You cannot use your standard resume to apply for yoga positions.

So what should you put on your yoga resume? First, you only need to add previous work experience related to wellness. For example, if you are also a massage therapist, this complements yoga, so you’ll want to include this on your resume.

Likewise, when it comes to your past education, besides the 200-hour YTT you’ve just completed, only add other relevant qualifications, such as personal training or nutrition.

One qualification or skill I do recommend adding, if you have it, is marketing. This is because some yoga studios expect you to market your classes/the studio, so showing your knowledge in this field will be a huge advantage.

6. Get Liability Insurance

Another essential task that all new yoga teachers must do if they want to teach is to get insured. Like a first aid qualification, liability insurance is something most studios will require from their teachers.

Besides needing it to get teaching jobs, liability insurance is essential for protecting yourself legally and financially. Should every yoga instructor’s biggest nightmare happen – a student gets injured, you won’t have to worry about them suing you.

In addition to insurance, you may want to consider registering with Yoga Alliance. Although many studios don’t specifically require this, becoming a registered Yoga Alliance teacher may increase your credibility and show you completed your training with a reputable school.

7. Consider Signing Up For A 300-hour YTT 

One thing new yoga teachers often realize after their first yoga course is that a 200-hour qualification is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel like your teacher training left you wanting to dive even deeper into the world of yoga.

And, if there is one thing you shouldn’t do after your YTT, it is to stop learning. I’m not suggesting that you book a 300-hour TTC immediately after your foundational course. But it’s definitely something you might want to consider and plan for in the future.

Alternatively, you can join workshops or short continued education courses. Perhaps you want to focus more on Yin Yoga or offer Prenatal yoga classes, you could do a short 50 hour YTT to top up your knowledge. Whatever you do, just don’t put an end to your studies!

8. Don’t Forget About Your Personal Practice

Finally, one of the most essential tips for new yoga teachers is to keep up your regular yoga practice. 

Once you graduate from your 200-hour YTT, it’s easy to get swept up in your new career path and give all your time and energy to teaching others. So be sure to make your personal practice a priority, just like it was before your YTT. 

And if you do start teaching straight away, understand that teaching a class does not equate to “getting in your practice.” When you instruct a class, you guide the students rather than practise with them. So even if you demonstrate most of the poses, your focus is on your students, not yourself; thus, it cannot be doubled up as your own practice. 

A Few Final Thoughts

I hope this article has given you a better understanding of what to do after yoga teacher training. Starting any new path in life can feel overwhelming, and if you’re looking to start a teaching career, it’s natural to feel anxious and unsure. However, your 200-hour certification provides the foundation to kickstart this occupation, but remember to keep practising and studying too!