How to Become a Traveling Yoga Teacher

Do you have the travel bug and love adventures? Do you get bored staying in one place for too long? Do you love yoga? If you can say yes to all these questions, a career as a traveling yoga instructor might just be your dream come true. 

Working and living like a nomad has challenges but also undeniable benefits. If you are exploring this as a career option, learn more about what it takes to successfully travel the world while earning a living teaching yoga. 

What Is a Traveling Yoga Teacher? 

When people talk about being a traveling yoga teacher, they are usually referring to international travel. It’s not a standard career, but one you create for yourself on your own terms. It might mean moving to a different country every few months. Or, you might choose to stay in one country abroad, moving from place to place. 

What Are the Challenges of Being a Yoga Instructor Abroad? 

There are some obvious benefits of being a traveling yoga instructor if you are adventurous. It allows you to see the world while earning a living. It’s an exciting alternative to the typical 9-to-5 office job many people settle for. 

This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, though. Before diving in, be aware of the challenges you’ll face: 

• You have to figure out how to legally enter and work in various countries. Getting a visa isn’t always straightforward. 

• It takes some time to adjust to different cultures and how they work and live. 

• Compensation is often less than what you can expect in the U.S. 

• Traveling can be lonely, especially if you have close friends and family back home who you miss. 

Of course, there are many wonderful things about this lifestyle. It can be a great adventure and a chance to meet new people and see more of the world. Weigh both the pros and the cons before jumping into a career like this. 

Related Article: Is Yoga a Good Side Hustle?

Tips for How to Become a Traveling Yoga Teacher

Before you set out on this exciting journey, do your homework. Research what the lifestyle is like. Read up on the experiences of people who have forged this path ahead of you. Here are some tips to get you started and to give you an idea of what it takes to become a traveling yoga teacher. 

1. Start With Yoga Teacher Training and Certification

An absolute must for any career in yoga is proper training and a recognized certification. You might be able to find some jobs based on your personal yoga experience and nothing else, but this is rare. Most spas, retreat centers, and other employers abroad only work with certified yoga teachers. 

Look for a program, like one offered through the ISSA, that is approved by the Yoga Alliance (YA). YA is the leading professional organization for yoga throughout the world. A certification from a program approved by YA will give you more options. 

The entry level certification is a 200-hour course, which qualifies you to register with YA as a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-200). You can also seek a 300-hour or 500-hour certification. The 200-hour credential is enough to get started. 

This guide provides more information about yoga certification, choosing the right yoga teacher training course, and why you need it. 

2. Get Some Teaching Experience and Build Your Resume

It’s a good idea to stock your resume with more than your certification. Consider working for a period of time at home, so you can add work experience to your resume before seeking a job overseas. This will make it easier to find a position and will also help you feel more confident jumping into a completely new culture and country. 

This is also a good time to start working on your online presence. It will help you later to start building now, so that you have social media followers, connections to others in the industry, and a website that helps people find you and that can act as a virtual resume. 

If you’re itching to start traveling now, you can find ways to get experience abroad. Retreat centers sometimes recruit new teachers to volunteer for a period of time. Many hostels provide accommodation in exchange for teaching a few yoga classes for visitors. Once you have some experience, look for paying jobs. 

Here’s a guide for getting your first yoga job stateside after finishing yoga-200 training. 

3. Find the Jobs

When you’re ready, you need to know where the jobs are. Some of the types of places that hire yoga instructors abroad include: 

• Resorts and spas

• Yoga studios

• Yoga retreat centers

• Cruise ships 

• Ports that service super yachts

You can apply directly to these types of employers for a job. Also, look for opportunities on yoga job listing sites. Yoga Trade is one example of a site that lists international positions. Join Facebook groups for traveling yoga teachers who share opportunities for other ideas. Join groups for expats in areas you’re interested in to make some local connections. 

You might want to choose a location and secure a job before leaving home for greater security. If you have some money saved, you can travel to your desired destination and look for opportunities when you arrive. It is possible to get jobs in person simply by showing up and resorts and retreats that often hire instructors this way. 

4. Get Your Documents in Order

It goes without saying that you need a passport to go abroad, so check the expiration date on yours or apply for one if you don’t already have it. You’ll also need to investigate the requirements for traveling to and working in the country of your choice. Apply for any visas you need to work there. 

Consider getting insurance for your travels as well. It takes just one accident or event to wipe out your bank account. Consider getting international medical insurance in case you get sick or hurt. Travel insurance can save on costs associated with travel mishaps. Liability insurance is always a good idea for working as an independent yoga teacher. 

5. Build an Online Yoga Business

In addition to being a traveling yoga teacher, you can make money and build more security as a digital nomad. With connection to the internet, you can work from anywhere if your income is online. Create a website and a social media presence to build your brand and network. 

With an online presence, recruit virtual clients to take classes online. You can also earn money by selling online videos of your yoga programs or becoming an influencer on social media. 

There are lots of opportunities and options, but it does take time and effort to build a strong presence online that generates results and income. One of the best things you can do is to get active on social media, connecting with influencers in yoga and interacting with followers. 

6. Keep an Open Mind

Perhaps most importantly, be open to new experiences and people. Traveling to different countries and experiencing new cultures can be disorienting and, at times, difficult. Approach it with a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and a friendly approach. You can have all the experience and credentials in the world, but they’ll get you nowhere without the right attitude.

Traveling abroad for your career has the potential to be a rewarding, exciting adventure. But, it could also end in disaster. To avoid the latter, put some time and thought into the logistics of being a traveling yoga teacher. With planning and preparation, you can have a great experience. 

Get Started as a Registered Yoga Teacher

Whatever type of yoga teacher you want to be, start with the ISSA’s Yoga Alliance-approved 200-hour teacher training program. The ISSA is a leader in training fitness professionals, and this extends to yoga instructors. This foundational course is a launching point for a successful career in the industry.