You may be just starting out on your yoga teaching path, or perhaps you have been teaching part time and are looking to build this into a career. Our founder John Ogilvie has put together a simple 20 step process to help guide the way to full time teaching. Just jump in to the list where you are currently at on your journey and then head towards number 20 at your own pace!

1 Commit to attending regular classes
Find a class with a teacher you like, where the location and timing fits with your schedule, so it’s easy for you to go at least once a week.

2 Establish your own home practice
Invest in your own yoga mat and start to get up a little earlier, establish a routine. If you need an online resource, Byron Yoga Centre has a Level 1 sequence on our shop page.

3 Start to explore yoga beyond just asana
By now you would have noticed that yoga is more than a physical practice. The Sutras of Patanjali lists the 8 limbs of yoga – do you know what these are?

4 Complete your 200 Hour Level 1
Obviously I would recommend Byron Yoga Centre’s all-inclusive residential intensives. Purna Yoga is a classic hatha style that is suitable for new teachers and we offer lots of practical experience of real public classes to build teaching skills and confidence.

5 Get insurance
Insurance is a must and you could also consider joining Yoga Alliance as a RYT, or this could wait until you are teaching regularly. Subscribing to blogs or magazines such as Australian Yoga Journal and Wellbeing will give you inspiration and aspirations.

6 Start teaching family and friends
Get all the teaching practice you can to build your skills and to keep that momentum going after your training. Even two people in your living room is a class!

7 Set up basic marketing materials: webpage and socials, commit to regular posts
Start to create your ‘brand’. For this you need to consider what your focus is and who you are looking to attract as students. Build followers and an email list so you can communicate with your students.

8 Offer to assist one of your regular teachers
When you assist a teacher you build adjusting and correcting skills, plus you observe sequencing and alignment cues and most importantly, you learn how to hold space.

9 Ask to be put on the covers list at your local studios
This is a great way to get your foot in the door! Be prepared to step in at short notice and be ready to adapt a sequence to suit the class and level of students.

10 Approach gyms, hotels and organisations such as retirement homes
It can be a challenge to get onto the timetable at your local yoga studio, so look outside the box and be tenacious about looking for teaching opportunities

11 (You’re halfway there), time to establish your style
Now you have some general teaching under your belt, it’s a good idea to start to focus in on a style. It could be in the way you sequence, your cues, developing your unique voice, or the energy of your classes.

12 Reach out to yoga studios or gyms for regular classes. Be persistent.
You may need to be prepared to travel outside your local area or to work early mornings, evenings or weekends.

13 Choose a specialist training (Yin, Restorative, Trauma-Aware Yoga, Practical Anatomy – Byron Yoga Centre does them all!)
Adding a specialist training to your qualifications, especially leaning to teach a style such as Yin or Restorative will enhance your employment opportunities.

14 Update your marketing materials with your new skills, perhaps start a YouTube Channel!
You should regularly refresh and update your promotional materials. Look for new avenues for publicity such as blogs, guest ‘takeovers’ on social platforms and presenting at yoga festivals.

15 Book your 300 Hour Level 2 to become a 500 Hour RYT
If you feel it’s time to expand your knowledge, or perhaps you have not had the opportunity for much teaching experience and you want build more confidence, a Level 2 would be your next step.

16 It’s a good time to review how your yoga teaching journey is going and perhaps revisit your aims
Do you want, and is it realistic, to aim for full time teaching of say two classes plus one-two privates per day, or does part time work better for you?

17 If your aim is to teach more then now is the time to utilise your email mailing list and social channels
Put out some promo to seek private clients or find a suitable venue and start your own classes

18 Remember not to compromise your own practice and keep learning from other teachers
Go back to the first three steps and if necessary recommit to them.

19 Consider running retreats or becoming a yoga teacher trainer
Byron Yoga Centre does occasionally have employment opportunities in Byron Bay and Melbourne for E-RYT 500 teachers with a TAE (Certificate IV in Training and Assessment) to work on our 12 month and two year courses. Our tranquil Byron Yoga Retreat Centre is also available for your private group bookings!

20 Open your own studio!
… but this is another 20 step process!!