Whenever you complete a course, you are often left with an anxious feeling about what comes next. And it is possible that this same feeling has risen when you graduated from the Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course.
It\’s an exciting and overwhelming feeling to finish your yoga teacher training. But it might also be difficult to figure out how to increase your newly acquired abilities. For recent graduates, the period immediately preceding and following graduation is crucial.
If you took the training only to enhance your knowledge, you pretty much know your way forward. The concern mostly arises for people who want to make teaching yoga a full-time job. They are not sure how to enter this field as a new graduate and make their name out there.
So if you are a recent YTT graduate, looking to become a yoga teacher, here are some tips you can follow:
Organize Your Training Material and Certificate
Make a few color copies of the certificate after you receive it, then have them laminated. Second, create a folder where you may save all the paperwork associated with the training you have already completed.
Gather your notebooks, books, and handouts and arrange them. To simplify future referencing, assemble your reading materials and organize them into relevant categories.
With more training coming up over the years, having these important materials all in one location would be useful. Having all of that data in one location will be especially useful when submitting applications for teaching jobs.
Get Yourself Registered
If you want to register for yoga in your area after receiving your certification, consider contacting the local authorities. You can register as a yoga teacher or certified trainer thanks to the alliances that many yoga schools offering certification have with various agencies.
Even though it is optional, you can also register yourself with Yoga Alliance, if your school was registered with them, to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT).
As the yoga alliance is an internationally recognized organization, you can avail many benefits such as access to online workshops, listing in their RYT directory, invitations to yoga alliance events, etc. You will have more opportunities to apply for a job anywhere in the world.
Build Your Resume
Design a CV that includes your professional skills, teaching experience (if any), training, philosophies, and things that might be relevant to you getting a teaching job. For new graduates, you can include details about your certification, a personal statement about your teaching style, any specialization you plan to learn, any volunteer experience, and the skills you can bring with you to enhance the learning experience of the students. Make sure the content of your resume is more towards the translation of your skills, learning, and experiences towards teaching.
Get Insured
Getting your yoga liability insurance is considered best if you are planning to start your one yoga studio or take on private clients. It is also a requirement by many yoga studios to have self-insurance at the time of applying for a teaching position. Most yoga studios offer a blanket insurance cover to all those who are employed.
Once you receive your insurance copy, create a copy and store it safely in the folder you created above.
Become an Assistant
It is possible that you might not get a job instantly after attaining your certification. However, it is important to gain classroom experience to develop your teaching style and method.
You can explore your local yoga community to see if any yoga studios are taking in assistants. Offering to be a sub in the yoga studio you practice at is also another option. Sign up for an apprenticeship or a mentor-mentee program.
All of these will help you get into a routine and provide the know-how of a class setting. Start by enrolling for a month and then you will automatically find ways to commit more time.
Invest time in Marketing Yourself
If you want people to know about you, you need to spend time on marketing strategies. There are many ways you can approach self-marketing.
Create a website or a blog where you can post your schedules, experiences, thoughts, or any other information you think might attract people to yoga.
Create business cards with a creative background. You can create your business cards yourself by using DIY websites that offer free subscriptions.
Leverage social media such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to spread the word around. LinkedIn is also a good platform to enhance professional networking. Set up a separate dedicated yoga-related account in them and manage them daily.
Start a YouTube channel where you can demonstrate your skills or vlog your daily routine. Link these accounts and channels to your website or blog.
And lastly, do not forget the power of word-of-mouth! You never know who in your family, neighborhood, office, or friend circle might be on the lookout for a yoga teacher.
Develop Your Teaching Method
Start started with one or two students at first to gain some confidence. Gather around your family and friends to create a classroom-like environment and teach them. Once you have gained confidence, you can also opt for volunteering in community centers or opening a donation-based class.
It can aid in establishing your reputation in the neighborhood and assist in the development of your teaching methodology. Create your classroom strategy and get into the habit of teaching.
Attend Workshops
The world of yoga is forever active. You will always find an offline or online workshop that will teach you something new. It will help you in keeping abreast with the latest developments and techniques while increasing your knowledge. You never know when they might come in handy.
