By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

What is important to a facility, or studio, that is looking to hire a Yoga instructor? Teaching in a Yoga studio or an ashram is much different from teaching in a fitness center, church basement, senior center, or a condominium recreation center. The same can be said for the hiring requirements.

Most Yoga studios hire from their own Yoga teacher graduates. On the other hand, Yoga studios may only hold five to ten percent of the teaching opportunities within the average community. There are a few exceptions, if the local ashram or studio has International reach, dozens of Yoga instructors, and hundreds of students.

In most cases, local store front studios have modest foot traffic and may only have a few teachers on staff. This means that most of us have to look beyond the studios, where 90% to 95% of the Yoga teaching opportunities appear.

If you consider the words “corporate” and “Yoga,” you may be able to see the tip of a massive iceberg. Each business in your community has a potential teaching opportunity. Some businesses have corporate fitness centers, but many do not.

Yet, each company has employees. There was a time when office employee fitness and stress levels were ignored. These days, the rising cost of health insurance, and sick time, has caused employers to take a look at preventative methods for health maintenance.

In some cases, employees and the company split the cost of office Yoga sessions. There are many payment options, when employees and management work together for the better health of everyone, within a company. If a company is having financial difficulties, the employees may split the cost among each other.

Another opportunity is private Yoga sessions. Some Yoga teachers specialize in private sessions in their space or off-site. Yet, some teachers may ask, “How much do I have to offer to a student in a one-to-one private Yoga session?” The answer is obvious: If you successfully teach classes, you have much to offer.

The real issue is shyness in one-to-one situations. Teaching private sessions is not for every Yoga teacher. Over time, the bonds in private sessions tend to become friendships. This can also be difficult for those who do not want to over extend themselves.

Let’s say a local studio is seeking teachers from the outside. Maybe, they do not have an internal Yoga teacher training program. In such a case, you should be aware that being “on call,” as a substitute teacher, may be part of the path toward teaching your own class.

This requires you to make yourself available. Some Yoga teachers never answered the phone or replied to Email. Making your services available to your local studio requires patience on your part. Some Yoga teachers cancel at the last second. As a result, your telephone may ring – with a chance to get your foot in the door.

Honest relationships with program directors will result in more permanent positions. Patience is required. Learning when to say “Yes” is a skill that can result in many rewards.

Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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