Updated October 10, 2024

Teaching yoga isn't just a career path–it's a way to share a connection with a community, serve, and help others lead meaningful lives. If you've ever considered teaching yoga, this article was made for you. Explore a few key benefits (and lesser known pros!) that teaching yoga can have on your life, spirit, and overall well-being.

September is World Yoga Month, and whether you're reading this before, during, or after September rolls around, it's likely that it's impacted you in some way. For many, that impact comes in the form of potential transformation from yoga student to yoga teacher.

I remember when I first thought about teaching yoga I was hesitant and I didn’t know if I was ready to teach, but looking back I know it was the right time and I haven’t regretted it since.

No matter what reason you have for loving yoga, consider what you could do. Becoming a yoga teacher can change your life and the lives of so many. Now is the perfect time to deepen your practice and ignite the yoga teacher within by considering a yoga teacher training, or learning something new about the practice.

For many people, they aren’t sure if they should take the leap, but I have five reasons why I think you should considering taking the steps to start teaching yoga.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

5 Reasons You Should Consider Teaching Yoga 

Deepen Your Understanding of the Practice 

It is not uncommon for students to want to take the leap to becoming a yoga teacher because they want to deepen their understanding of the practice.

In fact, I have had many students that have taken a yoga teacher training without any intention to ever teach, but to grow their knowledge and yoga toolbox for their own personal practice.

Nothing allows you to grow your knowledge of the yoga world, and explore all aspects of the practice.

Studying ancient yogic philosophy, exploring the Yamas and Niyamas, as well as learning how to safely modify or adjust poses for different body types are a few things students learn as they take the leap from student to teacher.

Share What's Written in Your Heart 

One of my favorite things about yoga teachers is that they are all different. They describe poses differently, they share unique themes in their classes, they cue differently, and they share what is written on their heart.

I personally love teaching about non-violence toward myself and learning how to speak kindly to your body.

You might have a deep passion for teaching Pratyahara, or with drawl of the senses, or meditation. There is enough room for all yoga teachers in this world and when they share what is written on their heart, that is where the true inspiration comes from.

Fulfill the Need to Share, Serve, & Build Community

Often when I ask people what they like most about coming to their favorite yoga class they tell me that sharing what they love to do with a group of like-minded people is near the top of the list. The community that yoga creates is unlike any other. Students love being a part of a group that shares a love of yoga.

When you take the step from student to yoga teacher you go from being a part of a community, to leading a community. You begin to take an active role in building, nourishing, and celebrating your group of students.

If you choose to have a specialty in your teaching such as Prenatal yoga, or yoga for seniors, you are helping to bring special populations together and fostering a space of community and support.

Turn Your Passion Into a Career

This one might seem more obvious, but it shouldn’t be overlooked. If you are a yoga student and you love going to classes, learning about the practice, and want to share this passion, why not make a career out of it?

Teaching yoga is something that you can do either as a stand-alone career, or you could teach a class.

There is something so fulfilling and uplifting about having your job be what you love. When you love what you do for work, it doesn’t feel like work.

Help Transform Lives

I want you to think back to the first time you truly experienced what I like to call "yoga magic". That time when you took a yoga class and you thought that was unlike anything I have ever experienced.

For me, it was the first time that I felt like I had been released in Savasana. I let everything go, and surrender. I remember it so clearly in my mind and it was from that moment on that I saw the power of yoga and what it could do for me.

Every yoga teacher that I have spoken to can recall the first time they experience "yoga magic", and when you teach yoga you are giving your students the opportunity to experience it too.

Sharing thought provoking ideas, encouraging students to celebrate their bodies through movement, or giving your students the opportunity to surrender during your classes could be the one thing that provides them with "yoga magic."

 Your teachings might be that one thing that shows people the true power of yoga and begin the transformation of their life.