How to become an inspirational yoga teacher

"It's easy" says FLY founder and CEO, Vidya Heisel. "Just practise a lot, take a training and then practise some more!"

If the words ‘easier said than done’ come to mind - don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. We’re here to flesh this out so you can feel confident and qualified in your decision to become that inspirational yoga teacher you’ve always dreamed of!

Here are our three top tips for becoming an outstanding yoga teacher:

Pattabhi Jois famously said, "practise and all is coming". It sounds simplistic, but with a regular yoga practice, a depth of knowledge is naturally gained that is essential as you embark on your own journey of teaching. 

Yoga encompasses a set of guidelines, or observances, that encourage you to live a lifestyle that will serve your highest good, with the ultimate goal of reaching Samhadi, or ‘union with consciousness’. These form part of Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga. 

Self-discipline, or Tapas, is an important step along the Eight-Limbed Path. If you want to become an inspirational yoga teacher, then employing discipline when it comes to practising is non-negotiable.

Tapas refers to having a dedicated, consistent and steady practice. This helps you effectively train the body and mind and understand Asana from a lived experience. It's important that, at least initially, you have a qualified yoga teacher to guide you, creating a foundation to develop your own regular personal practice to derive inspiration from. 

Integrating the teachings of yoga into your daily life, both on and off the mat, is fundamental before you impart this wisdom to your students. Don't panic though as this can be done gradually.

So you've decided you would like to share the gift of yoga with others. Now's the time to choose a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) that’s right for you! There are a number of different ways you can undertake a YTT course. Take your time in researching the best possible training programme for your needs.

First of all, it’s helpful to consider what style of yoga you’d like to focus on - this will likely reflect the type of yoga you enjoy practising! After all, you are your own ideal student. From Hatha, Vinyasa or Ashtanga to Yin and Restorative Yoga, there’s a training programme for all preferences. 

Some schools cover a combination of styles to provide a comprehensive background to the roots of yoga and how it has evolved, whilst others will focus on a specific style for a more concentrated approach in one area.

It's worth considering the lead teachers' qualifications, their approach to yoga and how long they have been teaching. 

The length of the programme is another important aspect when people look for YTTs. You might prefer a three-week intensive training course, or perhaps the opportunity to study over a longer period of time is more fitting for your lifestyle. There are endless options out there so take time to research the best one for you. 

At FLY we offer three-week intensive 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Programmes here in the heart of Spanish Andalucia. This framework provides the opportunity for trainees to immerse themselves fully into all things yoga, away from the demands of daily life. 

Past students love that they can conduct this transformational journey at our beautiful Suryalila Retreat Centre where all their needs are catered for! This allows students to deep dive into the yogic teachings whilst leaving everything else at the door.

Suryalila was designed by Vidya after years of teaching at other centres across the world and never quite finding that perfect package. So she built her own bespoke centre for the very purpose of hosting her world-class trainings. 

There’s that word again! Practise, practise practise. Of course that goes for teaching as well. Vidya recommends offering at least ten free classes to friends, family and acquaintances in exchange for their honest feedback. This will provide you with valuable insight as you develop your identity as a teacher. 

You'll likely be nervous as you begin teaching, this is completely normal! Just remember that as you grow in confidence and continue to practise, you'll begin to feel less nervous. It's not about being perfect but about guiding students safely through a yoga session and gently offering guidance and inspiration when required. 

Everyone starts somewhere and we promise once you take the first step on your journey - you’ll never look back!

So there you have it. How to become a yoga teacher in three steps, as recommended by our own Master Yogini, Vidya Heisel.

Vidya and FLY have perfected this world-class training over the past 23 years so rest assured, you know you're in good hands.