Teaching Yoga in 2025: What’s Expected (And What Isn’t)

So you finished your 200-hour training and got your shiny certificate. Now you’re ready to teach others what you have studied and practiced in all these weeks. But, there is one thing that is bothering you, i.e., having no experience teaching real people in real studios.

Here’s what you wish someone had told you about teaching yoga right now, without the Instagram filter.

Your Poses Don’t Need to Be Instagram-Ready

Nobody cares if you can’t stick a perfect handstand in the middle of class. In fact, students often relate more to teachers who use blocks, show modifications, and admit when something doesn’t work for their body.

There have been many instances where teachers lose their classes because they couldn’t relate to their students struggling with tight hamstrings. Teachers who say ‘I hate this pose too’ while doing a difficult pose continue to get more students.

The point is to be real, don’t fake something that you don’t know about. You can show your students a variation of that pose by using a prop or something. Students trust honesty way more than they trust perfect poses.

You Actually Need to Know How to Use a Computer

This part blindsided me. Nobody warned me that half of teaching yoga now happens on a screen or involves wrestling with various apps and software.

You need to be able to teach decent online classes, which means figuring out lighting (hint: face a window), audio (your laptop mic probably sucks), and platforms like Zoom without constantly muting yourself by accident.

Most studios use scheduling software, payment apps, and class management systems that you’ll need to learn. Some of this stuff is intuitive, some of it isn’t. Ask for help when you need it – most studio owners would rather spend five minutes showing you how something works than deal with scheduling disasters later.

The Social Media Pressure (And Why You Can Ignore Most of It)

Instagram makes it seem like you need thousands of followers and daily content to make it as a yoga teacher. That’s mostly nonsense.

It’s true that social media helps connect with students. You can also share about yourself and your expertise as a yoga teacher. But, it’s important to get indulged in the community because that’s how you keep getting work despite having less followers on social media.

If you like posting on social media, then keep posting cool stuff. Otherwise, there are people who just post on social media because of the tough competition and end up getting very little to no engagement.

The Boring Business Stuff (That Actually Matters)

Here’s what they don’t emphasize enough in teacher training: you’re running a small business, even if you’re just teaching a few classes a week.

Show up on time. Communicate clearly with studio owners. Keep track of your income for taxes. Learn how payment systems work. Check your emails regularly and try to respond to the important ones on priority. Doing these things will help you stay ahead of the competition.

Safety of the Students (It’s More Complicated Than You Think)

Student safety is obviously important, but what that looks like has changed a lot. You can’t just tell people to “listen to their body” and call it good.

You need to actually understand some anatomy – not memorize every muscle, but know enough to recognize when someone’s about to hurt themselves. Learn to spot the difference between effort and strain.

Physical adjustments are tricky now. Some students love them, others really don’t, and policies vary by studio. When in doubt, ask first or stick to verbal cues. You can help people plenty without putting your hands on them.

Also, be ready for students with injuries, anxiety, or other challenges. You’re not their therapist or doctor, but you should know when to suggest they talk to one.

You’re Never Done Learning (Whether You Want to Be or Not)

The learning doesn’t stop after your initial certification. Students can tell when a teacher has gotten stale, and it shows in their energy and instruction.

This doesn’t mean you need to spend thousands on advanced training (though some are worth it). Read about what’s happening in yoga and wellness. Go to workshops when you can. Find mentors who’ve been teaching longer than you have.

Many studios require continuing education hours now. If you can’t offer it at the moment, then consider it in the upcoming weeks. The world of yoga continues to evolve, so it’s better to stay up-to-date for sustainable business growth.

What Students Want (It’s Simpler Than You Think)

After teaching for a while and talking to lots of students, here’s what they actually care about:

They want to feel safe and welcome in your class. They want clear instructions they can follow. They want you to remember their name and ask about the shoulder injury they mentioned.

They want classes that have some kind of purpose – whether that’s getting stronger, more flexible, or just feeling calmer. Random collections of poses don’t cut it.

Besides, students don’t want to be judged or get the feeling of not being good enough for yoga. Your job as a teacher is to make the practice accessible to whoever shows up in your studio. Don’t try to flaunt your perfection because it may do more bad than good.

Flexibility Is Your Friend (Not Just Physical)

Studios need teachers who can adapt. Maybe you prefer slower, gentle classes, but can you teach something more active when needed? Can you handle both 60 and 90-minute formats? Switch between in-person and online?

Studios prefer teachers who can work with different class types and schedules. There is no need to teach every style of yoga. Many new teachers do the same and get overwhelmed.

Feeling Unprepared Is Normal

Most new teachers worry they do not know enough to teach others. This feeling continues even after years of teaching. Teachers who think they know everything are often not the best teachers.

Teaching real students is how you improve. Practice with friends or small groups first if large classes feel too difficult. Each class teaches you something new, even when things do not go well.

Try to ask for specific feedback like ‘Was the pace too fast’ instead of asking ‘how was class?’ People can give you better answers when you ask about particular things.

Mistakes happen to everyone. You might forget which side you practiced or give unclear instructions. Simply correct yourself and continue with the class. Students understand that teachers are human.

What Matters Most

Many people will give you advice about how to teach yoga. Much of this advice is personal opinion, not absolute rules.

The important things are: show up on time, keep students safe, and care about helping them. Everything else can be learned over time.

It’s important that you come prepared, pay attention to all the students and create a comfortable environment. Ensuring these are more important than being perfect at the yoga poses.

Focus on helping the students rather than impressing them. Also, show your willingness to learn from your experiences and mistakes because these are what make you a better teacher in the future.