How To Become A Yoga Teacher In London

When looking to become a yoga teacher in London, we understand the amount of information can be overwhelming, so we’re here to help! We’ll cover:

• About The Job Of A Yoga Teacher
• Step 1 - Find The Right Qualification To Become A Yoga Teacher
• Step 2 - Find The Right Course Provider
• Step 3 - Map Out Your Yoga Teacher Career
• Step 4 - Get Insured As A Yoga Teacher
• Step 5 - Expand Your Client Base As A Yoga Teacher

Regardless of where you work in the UK, you will first need to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Yoga! This is the minimum requirement that most employers will ask for, so without it, you may struggle to find work.

But before we begin, if you're interested in working outside of London be sure to check out this general guide on Becoming a Yoga Instructor.

About The Job Of A Yoga Teacher

Before we take a look at what’s required to become a yoga teacher in London, let's break down the role.

The main part of any yoga teacher job description is to plan and deliver a range of yoga classes. You’ll also be tasked with maintaining the studio by keeping it clean and tidy as well as complete administrative duties such as registering new students and managing basic expenses.

Most yoga teachers in London have a varied schedule but many will hold classes in the early mornings and evenings for those who work during the day.

According to Indeed, once you become a yoga teacher in London, earnings can be anywhere between £20,000 and £88,000. However, the average salary for a yoga teacher in London is £42,302.

Salaries can vary depending on factors such as:

• Experience
• Working hours
• Type of employment

However, those who become a yoga teacher in London can expect to earn more than elsewhere in the UK as wages are higher here due to the cost of living.

Step 1 - Find The Right Qualification To Become A Yoga Teacher

To become a yoga teacher in London, the qualifications you need include:

• Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga
• Level 4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga

Most employers expect you to hold at least a Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga, so it’s important to find the right qualifications.

You should ensure your qualifications are regulated by an Ofqual-approved body, such as Active-IQ or Focus Awards, and accredited by CIMSPA. All of our courses at OriGym meet this criteria!

Ofqual is the government body responsible for regulating vocational qualifications in England. This regulation means every Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga course provides students with the same level of training regardless of the provider.

CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector that works with course providers to ensure fitness professionals qualify with a high standard of knowledge.

Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga

This entry level course qualifies you to become a successful yoga teacher. A qualification like this builds a foundation of skills and knowledge you can expand upon by advancing onto more advanced courses.

Level 4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga

After completing the Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga, you’ll be a qualified teacher and will be able to progress onto courses such as this. Courses like this allow you to specialise in a certain discipline of yoga and develop your own niche clients, whilst also increasing your employability.

Step 2 - Find The Right Course Provider

It’s important to choose the right course provider as this can make a huge difference when it comes to your experience while studying and future career prospects.

When choosing a provider, here’s some questions to ask:

What study methods are available? Depending on where you study, students may be able to choose how to study, such as full-time, part-time, or online. At OriGym, we offer blended learning, combining practical experience with the flexibility of online study.

What post course support is available? To make it easier for you to find work in the industry after studying, you’ll want to choose a provider who offers plenty of post-course support.

For example, students with OriGym get access to our free business resource platform with plenty of guides to help you in the industry. For those in our London location, you’ll also have access to our jobs board where companies advertise positions.

What do past students have to say? By checking out the opinions of past students on review sites like Google Reviews or TrustPilot, you can find out about their experience with certain course providers.

Step 3 - Map Out Your Yoga Teacher Career

As you finish your yoga teacher studies, it’s important to gain an idea of what kind of career you want. Yoga teachers can work in full time employment at a yoga studio, as a freelancer, or on a self-employed basis.

Become A Yoga Teacher In A London Studio Or Gym

The most common route for those who become a yoga teacher is to gain traditional employment. This allows beginner yoga teachers to start their career by giving them the chance to earn a stable income while still developing their skills and building a reputation.

It’s the easiest route for yoga teachers as you’ll be employed directly by the studio which will provide teachers with an existing clientbase. This means you don’t have to work as hard at the beginning of your career to find students.

Teachers can spend less time marketing their services and more time developing your yoga skills and class delivery while earning a stable wage.

Become A Yoga Teacher In London With Your Own Business

Once you gain more experience, you can then transition into freelance work or even self-employment by choosing to start a yoga studio or business.

Being self-employed or having your own business means you’re in charge of your working hours and job structure. This also means you’re responsible for your own earnings and whether you choose to increase or decrease your rates depending on how often you work.

However, if you become a yoga teacher in London, you should consider the price of renting somewhere to operate your business from. You may also need to purchase equipment for your studio, such as yoga mats.

To help with this, you may decide to start an online yoga business, especially when first starting out. Depending on how much space you have, you can save money on renting by operating your online business from your own home.

Step 4 - Get Insured As A Yoga Teacher

To become a yoga teacher in London, you need some yoga teacher insurance.

The main types of insurance you should consider are:

• Public Liability Insurance - Covers you for all claims from a third party
• Professional Liability Insurance - Covers claims of professional negligence or mistakes.

Even if you find employment in a studio, you should always take out your own insurance in case you aren’t covered by their policy.

Other types of insurance to consider include:

• Income Protection - Protects your income if you become ill or injured
• Business Equipment Insurance - Covers you if your equipment is damaged or stolen.

If you plan to become a freelance or self-employed yoga teacher in London, you need to ensure you cover yourself with the right level of insurance. This should certainly include the policies above, as failing to do so could result in large legal and financial consequences.

Step 5 - Expand Your Client Base As A Yoga Teacher

If you become a yoga teacher in London, one of your main priorities will be to attract new students to use your services.

One of the best ways you can target specific students and find your own niche is by gaining a Level 4 Diploma in Teaching Yoga, as we mentioned earlier. Specialising in a certain discipline such as Ashtanga or Hatha Yoga can help you attract more students and increase your employment prospects.

Advanced qualifications such as this helps you attract new students to your sessions by offering them additional yoga expertise. This qualification means you can develop skills and knowledge in a particular discipline, allowing you to:

• Become an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher
• Become a Hatha Yoga Teacher
• Become a Hot Yoga Teacher
• Become an Iyengar Yoga Teacher

Carving out a specific niche sets you apart from other yoga teachers in London and allows you to target a demographic of students you know are more likely to use this service.

There are various ways you can attract new clients such as:

• Building a website
• Developing a presence on social media
• Creating a Google My Business page

One of these simple tips is to ask current students for referrals! By providing incentives for students to gain something such as a class discount or free session means they’re more likely to recommend you and help expand the number of students using your service.

Ready To Kickstart Your Yoga Teacher Career?

After reading all this, we're sure you're eager to start teaching yoga in London!

Remember, in order to become an officially recognised instructor, you will first need to complete a Level 3 Yoga Teaching Diploma! 

For more information on how this qualification can benefit your employability download our FREE course prospectus.