Finding Yoga Instructor Jobs in South Africa

The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to perform postures but in how it positively changes the way we live our life and our relationships. T.K.V. Desikachar

Did you know that 84% of South Africans have never tried yoga before? An astounding 68% of South Africans have never even heard of this form of exercise before.

These statistics clearly show us that there are so many possibilities for yoga teachers in South Africa. Just imagine the difference it could make in our country if you helped to contribute towards the effort of lowering these numbers. Yoga can have a tremendous enriching and healing effect leading towards happier people and more peaceful environments.

What are you waiting for?

It's time for you to start your career in your new-found passion as yoga enthusiast.

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How to Teach Yoga

First things first, instructing yoga is not for the fainthearted and is a very demanding profession. You first have to follow the journey of becoming a yoga teacher before you can find jobs as yoga instructor. Here are the 5 steps that will show you how to plunge into yoga teaching:

• Step 1: Decide why you would like to become a yoga teacher
• Step 2: Decide which yoga style you would like to teach
• Step 3: Find courses and certifications that best suit your needs
• Step 4: Mould your own method
• Step 5: Find yoga teacher jobs

Not only does teaching yoga require doing the actual activity and practising, but there is a certain art to this adorning exercise. Let’s dive into the skills you need to become a great yoga teacher.

The Skills You Need to Become a Yoga Teacher

Certain qualities can take you from being a good teacher to being a great teacher. A great teacher possesses the quality and energy to craft a class that will leave you with a calm body and mind. Infusing your burgeoning technical expertise with your ability to motivate a positive transformation through your teaching, you will capture your students’ attention. If you leave your students with a sense of joy and serenity you have achieved what only a great teacher can achieve. Here are the top 5 skills that will make your yoga teachings an unforgettable experience: 

• Being present
• The power of intuition
• Connecting with people
• Patience.

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The 5 Key Perks of Yoga Teaching

If you are a yoga lover, you will be aware of the positive impact it can have on your mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. If practising yoga on a weekly basis has so many benefits, just imagine the positive transformation it will create practising on a daily basis, round the clock. These are the benefits of growing into a yoga career: 

• It is a path to personal development and growth
• You will deepen your yoga practice
• You will empower other people
• You will develop your capabilities
• It will improve your physical fitness and flexibility.

Ticking all the boxes as you are reading this article? Now it's time to explore which type of employment suits you the best.

Which Employment is Right for You?

There are three main employment possibilities that are available for you to choose from.

• Get a full- or part-time job as an employee at a yoga studio, at a fitness centre or any other institution. Here you most likely will be coaching a group of people.
• Carve your own path as a freelancer and be a self-employed teacher that gives private lessons or even better you can start your own yoga school.
• Work as a volunteer at a non-profit organisation or simply because you would like to give the gift of yoga. 

The one or two that you select will depend on your mission as a yoga master.  All of the above employment opportunities have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive into the pros, cons and the salary view of each:

Permanently Employed Position

A yoga instructor with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of R193 487 per year. An experienced yoga instructor with more than 8 years of experience may typically earn R320 430 per year.

Pro: Earning a stable income and selecting whether you would like to be employed part- or full-time

Con: You are confined to the training program that is set by your place of employment

Work as a Self-Employed Teacher

The average rate per person for an hour-long class is R125.

Pro: You will have more freedom and determine your own schedule. You can have a more holistic approach to your teachings. 

Con: Not having job security or a stable income. 

Be a Volunteer

Pro: Get involved in activities and projects that fascinate you and areas that you are passionate about

Con: You don’t receive payment

Where to Find Yoga Teacher Jobs?

You have completed your yoga teacher training and now it’s time for you to pursue your career. Finding the ideal position where you fit in can be daunting and challenging. Specialising in a certain pattern might count in your favour and make it easier for you to find a suitable job. Here are three possible patterns that might pique your interest: 

• Yoga exercises for physical fitness
• Spiritual yoga
• Yoga therapy.

Although the competition is tough, you will be happy to know there are many possibilities available to you to find a suitable job. Let's look at some of the options:

Option 1: Find a Yoga Job Online

Google is your friend in this instance. You can search for yoga jobs online by using the keyword “yoga instructor jobs” and voila! The search engine will give you all the possibilities of available yoga jobs in South Africa.

Option 2: Contact Fitness Centres 

You can make a list of all the fitness centres in the areas you would like to teach that offers yoga classes. Contact these fitness centres and find out if they have any availability for yoga teachers. A good option would be Virgin Active. They offer three types of yoga classes:

• Yoga flow
• Yoga align
• Yoga calm

You can stick to giving one of these classes at Virgin Active or you can mix it up and give a class to two of them or even all three. 

Option 3: Find a Job at a Boutique Yoga Studio

There are a myriad of boutique yoga studios around South Africa. Some of them are situated in the most beautiful and serene environments. If you are lucky you can find one close to where you are currently living or if you are up for an adventure and would like to make a move, try and get a job in another area that you feel drawn to. 

Option 4: Become a Yoga Teacher at a School

If you love children and you have completed the relevant teacher training, educating children about yoga can be a fulfilling endeavour. Contact the schools that offer yoga classes and find out if they have any availability for a yoga teaching position. 

Are you a change maker?

Put together a proposal and present it to schools that don’t offer yoga classes yet and convince them how yoga can be a life-changing activity for children of any age. 

Option 5: Give Private Lessons

Starting off your career as a yoga teacher might sound intimidating. If you would like to get into the swing of instructing, starting with one-on-one classes could be a good option for you. Here are a few benefits of private lessons:

• You can teach in-person or online 
• Give your full attention to your student
• The one-on-one interaction helps you to build a relationship with each student 
• You will positively build your reputation meaning in future you can gain clients through word of mouth
• Build a schedule that suits you.

Like the sound of private lessons?

If you answered yes, you will have to start marketing yourself. Here are a few ideas on how you can do that:

• Put yourself out there and start advertising your lessons on social media. If you don’t already have an online profile, create accounts for yourself on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Post anything yoga related and create engaging video content that will attract potential clients. 
• People like personal stories. By sharing your teaching journey on your social accounts from the start you will not only build a loyal following but might inspire others to also practice yoga. 
• If you love writing you can start a yoga and lifestyle blog 
• Search for possible directories where you can advertise your classes
• Network and attend relevant events. A personal connection always wins. 

Option 6: Start Your Own Yoga School

Are you up for a challenge? Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit? If the sound of self-employed entrepreneur sounds exciting, then starting your own yoga school is the perfect option. Here you can find the perfect rhythm between practice, instructing and running a business. 

Do you feel inspired? Are you ready?

Inhale, exhale, begin  ...