Yoga instructors spend years perfecting their practice. They find enlightenment and peace through their practice. Its teachings inspire teachers to want to share that enlightenment and peace with others. Unfortunately, there are real world problems like yoga liability that can intrude on that desire to share.
Research
Potential instructors must do their research before jumping headlong into a business that traditionally has people teaching part-time instead of full time. That means most yoga instructors are not making a full time income from teaching students directly. Exercise instructors need to fully investigate their employment choices. Jobs in gyms, health centers, retirement communities and recreation centers might not be possible for someone just starting out in the field unless the community doesn't have many exercise instructors.
Business Considerations
The first step of becoming an instructor is to learn how to teach others, but the next step can take the longest time and be the most difficult to accomplish. The newly accredited instructor has to figure out the type of business he or she wants. Will the instructor teach students out of his or her home? Will the teacher instruct students with videos online?
Yoga Liability Insurance
It's a real concern, and instructors need to have coverage in case a student trips and falls in the studio. Teachers can't be sure the venue will cover them in the case of a legal problem. The liability coverage needs to cover the instructor and should be a personal policy. It can help cover defense funds, lost time from work while defending against a suit or a variety of other considerations. The policy type depends on the business model of the teacher. Every instructor should have a detailed business plan in place. It should have details such as marketing strategy and lead generation plans. The type of company detailed in the business plan will help when picking insurance coverage.
Research
Potential instructors must do their research before jumping headlong into a business that traditionally has people teaching part-time instead of full time. That means most yoga instructors are not making a full time income from teaching students directly. Exercise instructors need to fully investigate their employment choices. Jobs in gyms, health centers, retirement communities and recreation centers might not be possible for someone just starting out in the field unless the community doesn't have many exercise instructors.
Business Considerations
The first step of becoming an instructor is to learn how to teach others, but the next step can take the longest time and be the most difficult to accomplish. The newly accredited instructor has to figure out the type of business he or she wants. Will the instructor teach students out of his or her home? Will the teacher instruct students with videos online?
Yoga Liability Insurance
It's a real concern, and instructors need to have coverage in case a student trips and falls in the studio. Teachers can't be sure the venue will cover them in the case of a legal problem. The liability coverage needs to cover the instructor and should be a personal policy. It can help cover defense funds, lost time from work while defending against a suit or a variety of other considerations. The policy type depends on the business model of the teacher. Every instructor should have a detailed business plan in place. It should have details such as marketing strategy and lead generation plans. The type of company detailed in the business plan will help when picking insurance coverage.
Full-Time or Part-Time
When first starting out, the new instructor has to be realistic. There might not be full-time positions available at the local gym or rec center. The teacher will have to decide how much money is needed for living expenses and use that marker to influence the choices made in teaching events. Many teachers have a few events where they instruct on a daily basis. Other teachers participate in personal instruction in their home.
Marketing and Lead Opportunities
Every teaching instructor has to get their name out into the public's mind. This is done in a variety of ways from yellow page advertisements to offering free classes at a local community center. The type of yoga taught will help influence the opportunities and leads generated. Senior practice would be taught at retirement community centers while children's exercise classes would be taught at a family oriented location.
Instructors need to focus on the business side of their teaching like yoga insurance, their business plan and various revenue streams. If it's approached like a business initially, the instructor will be able to enjoy the process of teaching others and leading them on the path to a more fulfilling life without worrying about potential problems in the future.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA.
