Yoga and travel are pretty much a dream combination, especially when you consider the similarities they share. Both encourage personal growth, teach you to let go of your expectations, and take you on a journey of self-fulfillment.
It’s no wonder then that the desire to become a traveling yoga teacher is one that many yogis share. With your YTT certification and some teaching experience under your belt, the opportunity to explore the world while doing what you love is there. Read on to get our tips to help you achieve your goals of becoming a traveling teacher.
Tips To Help You Become A Traveling Yoga Teacher
Put Together An Amazing Resume
Before you start applying for teaching positions, you are going to need an outstanding resume that will help you shine. It is going to need to highlight your unique abilities and set you apart from the rest of the teachers out there.
Best practice here includes detailing your teaching style, your qualifications, work, and life experience. Also, include a picture of yourself as well as a descriptive bio which lets your personality shine through. You want to let potential employers know what it is that you excel at and what you can bring to their business.
Have An Online Presence
If you don’t already have a website and social media profiles, now is the time to put them together. Think of it as creating a brand for yourself. They will be especially useful if you are applying for jobs from home before traveling, as again, it will help potential employers get a better idea of who you are when they search for you online.
Use the profiles and website as a place to define what you stand for. Teach a strong Vinyasa flow class or traditional Ashtanga? Maybe beginner students love your Bikram class, or you specialize in restorative Yin yoga. Share the praise you have received and let your qualities be known by posting student reviews or videos of your teaching classes online.
Connect With Your Community
Often opportunities present themselves through people we know in our community. Once you make the decision to become a traveling yoga teacher, speak to your students and mentors to let them know your intentions.
Word of mouth is a great way to make connections, and you might find that someone you know has heard of an opening for a part-time teaching position that needs to be filled. The truth is that you won't know unless you put it out there.
If you are already out in the field, then connect with the yoga community where you are hoping to find a position. Pop into the studios in the area and speak to the managers or owners. It is also a good idea to search for Facebook communities or websites online, and have a look to see if anything is advertised. If not, then place your own advert in the relevant groups to let people know that you are available.
Search For Teaching Positions Online
There are several online resources where you can search for teaching positions online. Websites such as Yoga Trade and Yoga Travel Jobs advertise work opportunities available across the globe. Some are paid jobs, others are work exchanges.
In the case of an exchange, you are not compensated with money for teaching yoga classes. Instead, you are offered something else in exchange – often board and food. While this cuts down your travel expenses, it does mean that for any extra spending you will either have to have some savings to take with or find another paying job.
Apply To Teach In Retreat Centers or Holiday Resorts
Once you have a location in mind that you would like to spend some time in, you could try applying for a teaching position at a retreat center or at the resorts which offer yoga, advertise wellness, or have a gym with yoga classes. You might find they have a position that needs to be filled, especially during their busy season.
Be Willing to Volunteer
Just completed your YTT? You might need to get a bit of teaching experience first before you become a traveling yoga teacher. While it is not the ideal situation to be working for free as we all need to make a living, if you don't have the experience you might need to put in a bit of time to gain some.
It is not all bad news though, as volunteering to teach yoga classes will give you the chance to hone your skills as a teacher and get in the practice you need. Plus, volunteering can be a very rewarding life experience and will be something that enriches your connection with the community you are staying in even further.
Agree On A Work Contract
Once you have landed a job, be sure to discuss the terms of work with your employer beforehand just as you would at home. You don’t want to end up in a foreign place, away from your usual support network in an unhappy work situation. Agreeing on the terms right away will help to prevent this from happening.
Discuss things like how often you will be teaching, the size of your classes, how you will be paid, how long the contract is for, who will pay for visas if you need them, are there any other daily requirements of you, and what will the employer provide in exchange.
Be Present
Remember that you are on an amazing journey, fulfilling your life goals to become a traveling yoga teacher. Be present, take stock of your surroundings and make the most of the extraordinary situation you are in.
Keep up your own yoga practice to stay centered, and open yourself up to learning and expanding your horizons through travel and the people you meet.
