Working as a yoga teacher abroad is a good way to do what you love while traveling. To work internationally as a yoga instructor you will need to obtain a teaching certificate and the proper work visa. Once you are certified, there are tons of countries you can teach in and various ways to find a job. This post will provide you with what you need to know in order to be a certified instructor, find a job, and apply to work as a yoga teacher abroad.
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Working as a Yoga Teacher Abroad
What an International Yoga Instructor Does
Working abroad as a yoga teacher, or yoga instructor, gives you the opportunity to teach yoga in locations across the world to people of various skill levels.
Locations to Work as a Yoga Teacher Abroad
Yoga is a global practice, which means you have the ability to work in various countries across the world. Some of the most popular locations for international yoga instructors are; Thailand, Costa Rica, Indonesia, India, Cambodia, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Yoga teachers work in hostels, hotels, spas, wellness retreats, holistic centers, yoga studios, surf camps, cruise ships, yachts, ports of call, and more.
Yoga Instructor Pay
Your pay will depend on your experience, the country you are working in, and who you are working for. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to obtain a higher paying job.
Each company/business will pay differently and it’s important to know how much you are making in comparison to your cost of living. You could work at a wellness retreat that pays you a monthly salary, a surf club that pay per-student, or a yoga studio that pays per class taught. If you are just starting out and need experience, then you could find work at a hostel abroad that offers free room and board instead of a paycheck.
Requirements to Work as a Yoga Teacher Abroad
Instructor Requirements
To teach yoga abroad, you will need to be a certified yoga instructor and hold the proper work visa for the country you want to work in.
How to Get Certified
To be recognized as a yoga instructor you will need to hold a 200 hour teaching certification. There are 300 and 500 hour certifications, but you only need a 200 hour one to be hired as an instructor.
You should make sure that this certification is recognized by the Yoga Teaching Alliance, which means it is considered a globally recognized certification. This is because some countries and companies prefer to hire instructors with certifications that are recognized by the YTA.
If your certification is not recognized by the YTA it does not mean you can’t teach. It only means it could possibly limit job opportunities.
Experience Needed
You do not officially need teaching experience to be a yoga teacher, but some businesses will prefer you have a certain amount. The more teaching experience you have, the more higher paying job opportunities will available to you.
If you want to gain experience, you can start by teaching at your local studio at home or accepting a work exchange opportunity where you teach in exchange for room and board.
Visa
The visa you need will depend on the country you want to work in. It’s possible you are able to teach yoga while on a tourist visa, if you are not being paid. However, you will most likely need a work visa.
Each country will have their own classification of the kind of work a yoga instructor does. They could consider it hospitality, teaching, volunteering, etc… You need to do your research to make sure you apply for the proper visa.
How to Find a Yoga Teaching Job Abroad
There are several ways to find a job as a yoga teacher abroad. The way that works best really depends on what you are looking for and what you are realistically able to do.
Work Exchange
Work exchange is a great option for teachers looking to gain experience or to have the types of experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Work exchange is usually unpaid but offers free room and board (and sometimes other perks like free meals, events, or excursions) in exchange for your yoga teaching skills.
The most popular work exchange websites are Worldpackers or Workaway, but you can also use one of the 10 work exchange websites on this list.
Yoga Job Boards
Using job bulletin boards are another way to find work as a yoga teacher abroad. These job boards are popular, which means everyone on these sites are applying for the same job. So having your resume ready and applying quickly can be beneficial.
- Yoga Trade
- Membership Fee: $60/year
- Wellsphere
- Membership Fee: $15/month
- Facebook Group: Yoga Jobs
- Facebook Group: Paid Yoga & Holistic Jobs
Research & Reach Out
Another way to find work as a yoga teacher abroad is to do your own outreach. Find companies and business (like resorts, yoga studios, hotels, etc..) in the countries you want to teach in. Then, go to their career page and see if they are hiring yoga instructors. Or, if they advertise yoga classes, you can reach out to their HR/hiring team to show your interest and inquire about how you can apply.
This is probably the least competitive way to find a job teaching yoga abroad. It does require a lot more work and effort on your part, but it will also allow you to be picky with who you choose to apply to work for.
Network
Word of mouth is something that is greatly overlooked. If you are looking for a yoga teaching position abroad, start by asking the instructors and other yogis in the courses you are taking (especially in your teaching course) where they have worked abroad or if they know anyone who has.
If you are currently traveling and looking for work, ask the front desk or other guests you meet at the hotels or hostels you are staying at if they know of anyone in the area that is hiring. Conversations lead to connections, and connections lead to opportunity.
Applying to Teach Yoga Abroad
Stand Out
Working as a yoga teacher abroad is a popular job. While there are tons of job opportunities, there are also three times the amount of qualified teachers applying for these job. Thus, you need to do your best to stand out by making sure your resume and online presence is creative, organized, and professional.
What to Have on Your Resume
With any resume, it should be tailored to the job you want. The same resume you send to a hostel might not be the same one you send to a private yacht club.
You should always add your teaching style, certification, and any yoga teaching experience to your resume. If you speak any other languages, this is good to add because it’s helpful when working abroad.
It’s good to highlight your skills as a teacher, especially if you do not have yoga teaching specific experience. Add any other teaching certifications, experience, or skills (such as lesson planning, communication, classroom management, etc..).
Companies also like when their teachers have other skillsets in the wellness/holistic realm, because it means you may be able to offer their clients more than just yoga classes. Are you experienced in meditation, pilates, breath work, etc… If so, these are positive skills to add to your resume.
Have an Online Presence
Having a professional online presence (via instagram, website, youtube, etc…) is both common and popular in the yoga space. Social media helps you show off your skills to future employers, thus giving you a leg up when you apply for a job. It also builds credibility with possible clients/students who are searching for yoga classes/instructors near them.
What They Look for in the Interview
During the interview, businesses are looking for instructors that match the vibe of their brand. Usually this means they are searching for positive, confident, and grounded people. However, depending on the types of yoga classes they advertise and the overall vibe they are trying to sell their clients, the personality type they are looking for could range from zen to bubbly.
It will help to do your research on the company you want to work with before jumping into the interview. This way you not only know what they are looking for but if it’s a place where you can be happy and are able to be yourself.
Conclusion
Working as a yoga teacher is a good way to travel while sharing your passion. Hopefully this post has helped you learn what you need to work as a yoga teacher and how to find a job abroad. Have you worked as a yoga teacher abroad? What was your experience like? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!