Becoming a Nomadic Yoga Instructor: Guidelines to Follow

Traveling the world while sharing the practice of yoga can be an exhilarating experience. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to become a traveling yoga instructor, drawing on essential steps and useful tips.

Prepare Practically

Before embarking on your journey, it's crucial to have a solid foundation in yoga. A minimum of 6 months to 1 year of consistent yoga practice is recommended to build a strong understanding of yoga postures and breathing techniques.

Enroll in YTT

The next step is to enroll in a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program accredited by Yoga Alliance or other reputable organizations. This internationally recognized certification will allow you to register as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT), enhancing your credibility worldwide.

Complete Certification

Successfully complete the required hours and evaluations, including attending sessions, submitting teaching self-evaluations, practical teaching hours, and any coursework or written assignments within the allotted timeframe. Upon successful completion, you will receive your certification.

Register as RYT

Gain Experience

Seek teaching opportunities in diverse international settings such as studios, retreats, wellness centers, or through online classes. Building a network during your training can help facilitate these opportunities.

Advanced Training (Optional)

Consider pursuing advanced training, such as 300-hour courses or specialized certifications in styles like Yin, Hatha, Vinyasa, or Yoga Therapy, to deepen your expertise and marketability internationally.

Practical Preparations

Before you leave, ensure you have an up-to-date passport, the appropriate visa, and other documents such as birth certificate, passport photos, driving license, insurance policy, and required vaccinations for the country or countries you are traveling to. Remember that the process of applying for passports and visas can take several weeks or even months, so allow plenty of time for this before you start traveling.

Travel-Friendly Considerations

Networking, social media, physical job posters, and word-of-mouth can be effective ways to find travel yoga jobs when you get there. Yoga classes in hostels are often run for free or on a donation basis, and some hostels offer work exchange opportunities. Online yoga teaching is a flexible option for traveling yoga teachers, allowing them to teach from anywhere in the world.

Important Reminders

Some countries may require you to have at least 6 months validity on your passport before your arrival date in that country, so check passport requirements for each country you are visiting. Also, ensure that you have the required vaccinations for the country or countries you are traveling to.

UK Requirements

In the UK, a Level 3 yoga teacher training course is the minimum requirement to become a yoga instructor and travel abroad.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to becoming an internationally recognized traveling yoga teacher, equipped with formal, globally recognized qualifications and the experience needed to teach yoga around the world.

Some companies that offer yoga teacher insurance include Insure 4 Sport and BeYogi, while Top Dog Insurance and Navigator Insurance offer good working abroad travel insurance policies. Additionally, it's worth noting that Resort Work advertises exclusively jobs in resorts around the world, similar to WorkAway.

[1] Yoga Alliance [2] OriGym [3] WorkAway [4] Yoga Teacher Training [5] Yoga International

To broaden your skills and enhance your marketability as a traveling yoga instructor, consider pursuing advanced training in various yoga styles such as Yin, Hatha, Vinyasa, or Yoga Therapy.
Outside of formal training, incorporate fitness activities like sports and sets into your lifestyle to maintain overall physical fitness and endurance for teaching and travel.
For those interested in education-and-self-development, explore opportunities to lead fitness classes, such as yoga, during travels at various locations like hostels and wellness centers.
To complement your yoga training, consider supplementing your income through part-time travel-friendly jobs, such as online work, or work exchange programs, and travel insurance can provide peace of mind while exploring new destinations.