9 ideas for new yoga teachers

This article was originally posted at yogobe.se in Swedish
​By Elin Jensen and Lisa Andersson Rhodiner

1. IDENTIFY YOUR OWN INTENTION 
   Establish a five year plan for yourself, as a yoga teacher. What are your dreams? What will you offer? Who will you be? Your goal might be to own a studio, to host retreats on the Maldives, or simply to make a living teaching yoga. Identify what you need to do in order to reach your goals. 
   
   
2. THINK LONG-TERM 
   Don't rush into this. Long-lasting success in the yoga industry means strong relations, quality and trust over time. 
   
   
3. KEEP YOUR OWN PRACTICE GOING
   You went deep in your teacher training. Now you need to keep developing from your new platform. Stay curious. Take other teacher's classes. Do your home practice. Bring a notebook to every class and note anything new, good, inspiring as well as anything less impressive. 
   
   
4. BE HUMBLE
   Identify some teachers that inspire you, teachers you can learn from. Offer to assist their classes. Stay after and ask questions. Find your mentors. Yes, you can have many and you can switch.
   
   
5. TEACH FOR FREE UNDER YOUR OWN NAME 
   As a new teacher you might find yourself stuck not getting a job because you lack experience actually teaching. Its crucial that you gain experience and confidence in your new role as a teacher. Don't be afraid to offer free classes in the beginning. Maybe at your job, if you have a day job. Maybe outside in the summer or to a group of friends in your home. 
   
   
6. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX 
   Are there any spa hotels or wellness centers in your area? A gym? A training center? A high school with a sports programme?A home for the elderly? Call around and offer your services. Generally these jobs don't pay well, but right now you need to gain experience. 
   
   
7. OFFER TO SUBSTITUTE 
   Studios of all sizes need a list of subs to call. Nobody wants to cancel a class, and regular staff will get sick, travel, get pregnant just like the rest of us. Make sure your name is on lots of lists. Be available when others typically travel (Christmas, Easter, summer, school breaks, national holidays). Make an agreement ahead of time that you are happy with. Never agree to teach for free at a yoga studio. You might be new, but you do have a value.
   
   
8. KEEP BEING A STUDENT 
   Go on a retreat. Take a workshop. Take an advanced training. Buy books. Take another 200 hour teacher training. Find your expertise, your thing. Excel in what you are already good at. It might be a style of yoga: yin, iyengar or vinyasa. It might be a group of people: children, overweight people or pregnant women. It might be a direction within yoga: anatomy focus, philosophy based, yoga for athletes. Let it take time and slowly fine tune your thing. 
   
   
9. BE YOURSELF
   Stay true to who you are. Teach what you know. Develop your own ways of teaching. It is you and your unique personality that will attract the right students, who will love you for being you. And they will come back.