Teaching Yoga: Where to Begin?
Elodie Abadie • 1 septembre 2025
Teaching Yoga: Where to Begin?
It is often said that we learn best by teaching others what we ourselves have understood.
Teaching, and especially teaching yoga, is a true vocation rooted in sharing.
More and more yoga enthusiasts are taking the step to become teachers.
But how do you start teaching yoga? What steps should you take, what skills are required, and what qualities are essential to transmit this ancient discipline?
In this guide, we’ll explore the key points to becoming an inspiring, competent, and aligned yoga teacher.
Teaching Yoga: First and Foremost, a Calling
Being a yoga teacher is not just about showing postures. It’s about transmitting a way of life, values, and a holistic vision of well-being.
👉 Teaching yoga means:
- Offering students a safe and nurturing space.
- Sharing a personal and authentic experience.
- Inspiring through your practice and attitude.
Passion and vocation are the two main driving forces to embark on this path.
Can You Teach Yoga Without a Diploma?
The yoga teaching profession is not regulated in France. This means it is possible to teach without an official diploma. However, starting without solid training presents several risks:
- Lack of knowledge in anatomy and pedagogy.
- Difficulty ensuring student safety.
- Less credibility with students and partner organizations.
👉 This is why it is
strongly recommended to complete a certified training.
It allows you to:
- Gain theoretical foundations (anatomy, philosophy, pedagogy).
- Practice teaching in real conditions.
- Develop recognized professional skills.
- Build credibility and trust with your students.
Professional Options for Teaching Yoga
A yoga teacher can work under different professional statuses:
- Self-employed (freelancer/independent): the most common choice, ideal for teaching in studios or private sessions.
- Employee: in an association, fitness center, wellness studio, or specialized structure.
- Part-time activity: for those who want to teach alongside another profession.
Each status has its advantages and constraints, but the important thing is to choose what best aligns with your life project.
The Qualities of a Good Yoga Teacher
Beyond technical skills, teaching yoga requires precious human qualities:
- Passion and motivation: a deep desire to share your practice.
- Compassion and kindness: welcoming students as they are, without judgment.
- Adaptability: adjusting classes according to each student’s needs and levels.
- Patience: respecting the pace of each individual’s progress.
- Curiosity: continually learning and enriching your practice.
💡 A good teacher is not the one who “knows everything,” but the one who remains a student at heart, open and constantly evolving.
How to Structure a Yoga Class
A yoga class requires intention and preparation—it cannot be improvised.
A typical session includes:
- Opening and centering (breathwork, relaxation).
- Gentle warm-up to prepare the body.
- Main sequence with postures (asanas), usually built around a theme (flexibility, balance, energy, chakras, etc.).
- Breathing exercises (pranayama).
- Final relaxation (savasana) to integrate the practice.
👉 Small groups (8 to 12 people) are recommended so you can observe, correct, and support each student.
The Importance of Continuing Education
Yoga is a living, infinite discipline. To be a teacher means to remain a lifelong student.
- Attend workshops and retreats regularly.
- Deepen knowledge in different yoga styles (yin, vinyasa, yoga dance, prenatal yoga…).
- Study philosophy and classical yogic texts.
- Learn to adapt classes for different audiences (seniors, athletes, pregnant women).
👉 Continuing education enriches your teaching and keeps your practice vibrant.
Finding Your “WHY”
Before starting, it’s essential to ask yourself a simple question:
👉 Why do you want to teach yoga?
Is it to:
- Share a passion that transformed your life?
- Help others feel better in body and mind?
- Bring more balance and well-being to the world?
Knowing your WHY gives meaning to your project. It becomes a source of motivation, a reminder during times of doubt, and a compass to stay aligned with your values.
💡 You can even materialize this “why” through an image, a quote, or an object that inspires you and reminds you of your mission each day.
Conclusion: Teaching Yoga, a Path of Growth
Teaching yoga is much more than a profession: it is a path of personal and collective transformation. It’s about offering others what yoga has given you—awareness, presence, and harmony.
👉 Do you want to become a yoga teacher?
Discover our certified professional trainings and bring your project to life:
www.yogadanse.eu 🌿
Because teaching yoga is, above all, about transmitting with as much passion as you practice.
Namaste 🪷
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