Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content Can't find what you're looking for?

Job profiles

Yoga teacher

  • Hours

    Variable

  • Starting salary

    Variable

Yoga aims to create balance in the mind and body through exercise, breathing and meditation. It is a form of exercise that increases fitness and wellbeing. It is sometimes used as a therapy to combat health problems. If you want to help people and you are interested in philosophies that originated thousands of years ago, this job could be just what you are looking for.

To become a yoga teacher, you will need to have high standard of fitness. You will need patience. You will also need a caring approach and an interest in people.

To be a yoga teacher, you will need to have experience of practising yoga with a qualified teacher. You must have a yoga teaching qualification. You will also need a first aid certificate.



The work

As a yoga teacher, you would teach people various yoga postures (positions). You may also teach controlled breathing, meditation and visualisation. Your tasks would include:

  • designing course and lesson plans
  • recognising the needs of beginners, experienced students and mixed ability groups
  • teaching a wide range of yoga postures from simple to complex
  • modifying postures for individual conditions such as pregnancy or arthritis
  • teaching efficient breathing habits, ranging from basic breathing techniques to breath control exercises
  • assessing students' progress and achievements
  • evaluating your own courses and teaching skills.

You could specialise in teaching particular groups such as pregnant women.


Hours

Your working hours would probably include evenings and weekends.

You would usually work in places like sports and leisure centres and health studios.


Income

There are no set salary rates, as most yoga teachers are self-employed. Annual income will vary considerably depending on the area of the country you work in, the number of sessions you teach or the type of organisation you work for.

Teachers often charge a session or hourly rate, usually ranging from £20 to £60.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.


Entry requirements

To be a yoga teacher, you will need to have:

  • extensive experience of practising yoga with a qualified teacher
  • a yoga teaching qualification
  • a first aid certificate
  • a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation certificate (CPR).

If you want to work with children or other vulnerable groups you will need Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. See the CRB website for information.

The CYQ Level 3 Certificate in Teaching Yoga is nationally recognised and is offered by a range of training providers. This qualification is also recognised for membership of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). By becoming a member of the REPs (also known as the Exercise Register) you will be able to show employers and clients that you meet fitness industry standards of good practice.

You can also become a REPs member by gaining a teaching award from the British Wheel of Yoga, the national governing body for yoga in the UK. See the British Wheel of Yoga website to search for your nearest course.

To find out more about REPs, and recognised courses and qualifications visit the REPs website.

If you are already a yoga teacher, you may be able to get your skills and knowledge recognised and apply for registration at Level 3 with REPs through Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning. See the SkillsActive website for details.


Training and development

As a qualified yoga teacher, you will need to keep your skills up to date. For example, with the British Wheel of Yoga, you will be expected to attend at least one qualifying in-service training day each year to keep your qualification up to date. Training days are held in each region. See the British Wheel of Yoga website for links to regional websites.

You can do a variety of further training modules after completing your teaching qualification. For example, with the British Wheel of Yoga these include:

  • Teaching Yoga to Children
  • Pregnancy
  • Meditation.

Skills and knowledge

To become a yoga teacher, you will need to have:

  • training and experience in yoga practice
  • a high standard of physical fitness
  • patience
  • a caring approach and an interest in people
  • the ability to motivate individuals and groups
  • good spoken communication skills
  • awareness of the risks that can be involved in exercising.

More information

SkillsActive (Opens new window)
Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300
www.skillsactive.com

Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) (Opens new window)
3rd Floor
8-10 Crown Hill
Croydon
Surrey
CR0 1RZ
Tel: 020 8686 6464
www.exerciseregister.org

British Wheel of Yoga (Opens new window)
25 Jermyn Street
Sleaford
Lincs
NG34 7RU
Tel: 01529 306851
http://www.bwy.org.uk/


Opportunities

You will be self-employed and probably work part-time.

With experience, you may be able to train as a yoga therapist or take further qualifications so that you can train yoga teachers.

Please see the yoga therapist job profile for more information.

See the British Wheel of Yoga website for details.

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (Opens in a new window) there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.


Related industry information

Industry summary

The health and fitness industry is part of the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, represented by SkillsActive Sector Skills Council. This sector is based on leisure and recreation and includes: sport and recreation; playwork; the outdoors; and the caravan industry. The UK active leisure, learning and well‐being sector currently employs 663,300 people, representing just over 2% of the UK workforce, and an estimated 1.9 million volunteers in England (equating to 54,000 full‐time equivalents). There are an estimated 39,800 workplaces, of which 74% employ 10 or less people. Much of the workforce work in a part‐time capacity (47%) and seasonal employment is important for outdoors, caravans and playwork, which attract students and other temporary workers.

The health and fitness industry focuses on the supervision of exercise and physical activity. The UK has thousands of fitness clubs, leisure centres and gyms for public use. Over the last decade, the industry has grown rapidly, which has come both from within the private sector, but also through the government’s reliance on the industry to help it deliver on public health and activity targets in the fight against illness and obesity.

Key facts:

  • There are 51,500 people working in the health and fitness industry.
  • There are over 3,100 private fitness facilities within the UK with 4,397,200 members.
  • There are just under 2,600 public health and fitness facilities, which have over 2,758,400 members.
  • 38% of the workforce is employed full‐time, 42% part‐time and 20% self‐employed.
  • Around 29% of the health and fitness workforce is aged 16‐24 years (compared with 14% across all industries in the UK).

Jobs in the industry include: fitness instructor, personal trainer, group exercise instructor, yoga and pilates teacher, recreation assistant, club managers, duty managers, sales personnel, receptionist, lifeguard, finance manager, beautician, crèche staff, children’s activity staff.


National and regional data

East Midlands – There are 44,300 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region hosts a broad range of activities, including coastal and countryside destinations (e.g. the Peak District, Sherwood Forrest and the National Forest). There are many places to walk and cycle, and the growing network of rights of way, footpaths, multi‐use trails and long‐distance paths forms an important recreational resource. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; and child protection.

East of England – There are 61,400 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 6,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.

London – There are 70,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. London has a rich mix of active leisure and learning facilities, high profile sporting clubs and venues and hosts a wide range of international, national, regional and local events. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; initiative; first aid; child protection; project management; and working with people with disabilities.

North East – There are 24,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,900 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has 20 facilities listed in the London 2012 Pre‐Games Training Camps Guide and 4 universities providing sports provision recognised in the 2012 Training Camps Guide. The region hosts to the Great North Run, which has the largest participation in the world. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; first aid; team‐working; health and safety; working with disabled people; child protection; and initiative.

North West – There are 65,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,400 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region is home to the Lake District, Forest of Bowland and the coast, so facilities include a purpose built mountain bike trail and outdoor activity centres. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; initiative; team‐working; planning and preparing work; child protection; and first aid.

South East – There are 96,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 8,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Two of the nine UK Sports Institutes are based in the region at Bisham Abbey and Bisley. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; first aid; child protection; communication; management; and planning and preparing work.

South West – There are 53,700 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 4,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region offers a range of opportunities for surfing, sailing, surf lifesaving, Tarka Trail, Camel Trail and coastal paths. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; planning and preparing work; initiative; project management; and problem solving.

West Midlands – There are 48,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,700 are employed in the health and fitness industry. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; management; team‐working; initiative; and planning and preparing work.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There are 51,900 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 3,500 are employed in the health and fitness industry. The region has a strong sporting infrastructure and is home to a cluster of sports science, technology, medicine and economics research and development units. The region hosts three National Parks and a range of outdoors activities including rock climbing, airborne activities, water sports and cycling. Industry skills gaps in the region include: sport specific technical skills; communication; child protection; initiative; and management.

Northern Ireland – There are 10,738 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 1,000 are employed in the health and fitness industry.

Scotland – There are 58,200 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 5,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.

Wales – There are 29,500 people employed in the active leisure, learning and well‐being sector, of which 2,100 are employed in the health and fitness industry.

[N.B. Data derived from Annual Business Inquiry (GB), 2007, Northern Ireland, 2005 and Labour Force Survey (Annual average), 2008.]


Career paths


Further sources


View full Job market information






Get skills in..

Want to get the skills needed to be prepared for this job? Click on the links below to see relevant courses.



What are people talking about today?

View our Forums

Career Tools

We’re interested in your opinion!

We’d like to know what you think of the National Careers Service website.

If you would like to take part in a short survey after you have finished using the website, please click ‘yes’ below.