Yoga teacher

yoga instructor
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Sport and leisure
Care

Career outlook for yoga teacher

Average UK salary

£21,320

Currently employed in Scotland

8,100

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would teach yoga as a form of exercise that helps people feel fitter, healthier and happier.

With your help, your students would learn how yoga creates balance in the mind and body through exercise, breathing and meditation.

You would:

  • Teach people yoga postures and breathing and meditation methods
  • Design courses and lessons
  • Think about the needs of beginners, experienced students and mixed ability groups
  • Adapt yoga postures for conditions such as pregnancy or arthritis
  • Assess students' progress and achievements
  • Review your own courses and teaching skills

You could specialise in teaching particular groups such as pregnant women, or mother and baby classes.

Solid training and experience in yoga would be essential. If you want to run your own business, you would also need to be able to manage your own accounts.

Working conditions

Hours

A lot of yoga teachers work part-time, and often have another job working in a related role such as teaching other fitness classes. As a yoga teacher, you would usually set your own working hours, which may include evenings and weekends to meet the needs of your clients.

Environment

You could work at several sites, such as sports centres or health clinics, which would involve local travel.

Travel

You may work at several different locations.

UK employment status

Full-time

23%

Part-time

22%

Self employed

56%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Positive attitude
  • Self awareness
  • Mentoring
  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
  • Supporting
  • Building relationships
  • Respecting
  • Empathising
  • Creative

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications required to enter this role but you will usually require a good knowledge of yoga and at least two years of yoga practice to gain work as a yoga teacher.

A recognised Yoga Teaching qualification - available through Yoga Scotland - may be of value. 

You should complete the Foundation Course before you apply for the teacher training course. The Foundation Course takes a year to complete and normally starts in September. You must have been going to a yoga class taught by a recognised yoga teacher for at least two years to get on to the Foundation Course.

Useful subjects

  • Physical education
  • Dance
  • Care
  • Biology/human biology
  • Philosophy
  • Religious and moral education
  • Social studies such as business and psychology