Job options in the Yoga Industry

1. Yoga Teacher

This is perhaps the most popular path to yoga as a profession. Certifying as a teacher via a Yoga Teacher Training course doesn't necessarily guarantee a full-time job immediately, however, it starts you on the journey.

After Yoga Teacher Training, you have a professional certification - that serves as a launchpad, to build your career. A teacher training certification course varies between 200 and 500-hours, and costs between $1,500 - $4,500.

Most new teachers start off teaching yoga as a side hustle. With some experience under their belt, and after establishing their brand, they can move into making a living, full-time if they so desire.

Yoga Teachers with a niche focus, such as Yoga for Runners (runYOGAroll) find it easier to stand out and differentiate their service. Set a premium fee.

Key action: Build relationships. To launch your career as a Yoga Teacher, you will need people. students and people who will hire you.

Start building these relationships, when you decide to become a yoga teacher. Create a community to follow your journey as you develop as a teacher.

A  mistake some yoga teacher trainee make, is that they wait until they complete  their certification, before announcing their new career choice. This leads to them contacting people when they need  students. A more appealing choice is to get in touch with your community, and offer them value - whilst you are training. 

Value can be a 'free' demo, an offer to look at a potential student's postural alignment or to teacher assist for a few classes at your local yoga studio.

2. Studio Manager

If you contemplate opening a yoga studio one day, working as a studio manager is an excellent way to get a feel for the business side of yoga.

Managing a yoga studio requires marketing and finance skills. But perhaps more importantly, it requires that you can manage and relate to a diverse group or people.  Manage a rooster of yoga teachers and the studio clients.

Having your Yoga Teacher Training certification makes it possible for you to be a regular fixture on the class schedule. You get to engage with the studio members, and get direct feedback. Also, inevitably there are last minute teacher cancellations, as a studio manager you can cover these classes,

Upside: working at a yoga studio comes with enticing perks, such as meeting plenty of like-minded people, spearheading the direction of the studio, deciding on special courses and workshops.

Key Action.  Research and visit various studios. Look at timetables and observe the studio set up for flow. Join yoga + health industry newsletters to stay up-to-date with the latest trends.

3. Brand Ambassador

If you have a huge following on social media.  If you have excellent people skills.  If you have the ability to attract people to a cause.  Consider working as a Brand Ambassador.

As an influencer, you can work with different Yoga brands to promote yoga-related products or services.  By making your audience aware of the brand, by creating 'user generated content'. 

As a Brand Ambassador, your job may be varied, from online presentations, to demo-ing at a yoga festival, studio openings, other yoga-related events.  As a certified yoga teacher, you  bring authenticity to the promotion.

Key actions: Get familiar with the brands you want to promote. Use the product, so you have 1st hand knowledge about the product/service. This is important for your pitch to the Brand.

4. Yoga Researcher - Journalist

As the yoga community grows, there is an appetite for more information on the physical and mental benefits of yoga on human performance.

As a certified yoga teacher, you are well-positioned to offer an opinion on the impact of yoga on health & well-being.

You can research and write about yoga for runners; fascia release and injury prevention; yoga and pain reduction (back pain, knees, neck & shoulders); yoga and sleep, among other topics.

Key actions: Pitch your ideas and examples of your writing as a subject matter authority, to different publications. As well, write a blog series on your own website, guest blog on popular websites to get exposure. Using SEO (search engine optimization) you can become the go-to expert on all thing yoga.

5. Yoga Therapist 

Yoga as Therapy.  The aim is to support the health & wellbeing of a client. Therapy sessions utilize yoga and meditation to address issues such as depression,  pain management, among other health concerns. Yoga Therapists design psychological and physical therapy programs using the research behind 100s of years of yoga.

Yoga therapists can work in rehabilitation clinics, physical therapy offices, community health centers or even open their own private practice.

Key actions: The field of Yoga as Therapy is an emerging one. Starting with a Yoga Teacher Training, as a foundation, is a good place to get your feet wet.

You can then follow up with an advanced university degree in yoga therapy & science. 

6.  Entrepreneur

The yoga industry is growing in leaps and bounds with yoga-specific and yoga-related products & services. The industry is worth over $84 billion.

Entrepreneurs can capitalize on this opportunity, and explore a variety of new products that may enhance the yogic experience.

Some products introduced by entrepreneurs to uplevel the yogic experience, such as custom yoga mats, yoga leggings that enhance correct posture, non-slip yoga socks, to specialised food and drinks such as coconut water and kombucha.

Key actions: Do a brainstorm, mind map to find new ideas. Yoga & health festivals, publications are all brilliant places to keep up with trends and get new ideas.

7. Festival Organizer

If you are interested in events production, then the role of a festival organizer may interest you.

Yoga festivals are held yearly in many locations around the world. There are also hybrid festivals that include yoga classes mixed with art, music, or food.

To get inspiration, festival ideas, check out the Wanderlust Yoga and Music festivals, the 3HO Yoga Festival in Europe, or the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud, Bali.

Key Action: Research date & times for Yoga festivals. Contact the Yoga Alliance, Yoga Journal and Yoga Magazine. Organising a Festival takes time, so apply early. 

8. Music DJ

Many festivals and retreats feature a live DJ to accompany the yoga flow.  DJ styles run the gamut from classic rock, hip-hop, modern techno-pop, deep house to ethereal ambient.

At the class level, yoga teachers are embracing the use of 'branded' yoga music. As a certified yoga teacher, understanding yoga posture sequencing and class structure and design. This will contribute to your music creation process.

Key Actions: If you have a passion for music creation. Create a music demo, and pitch a sample tape to festival organizers.