How hard is it to become a yoga instructor?

It is not very hard to become a yoga instructor. Becoming a yoga instructor typically does not require a formal degree or extensive educational qualifications. However, it does involve a certain level of dedication, training, and skill development.

How To Become A Yoga Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a yoga instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Yoga instructors guide students to better connect to their breath and being in the present moment. They do this by showing yoga poses and meditation exercises, teaching first and foremost how to listen to one's body and respect both its power and its boundaries.

Being a yoga instructor goes way beyond the desire for a flexible body. A passion for well-being and both physical and mental health is the basis of yoga practice. This is why having in-depth knowledge of the mysteries of the human psyche and anatomy will be necessary to succeed.

You need to undergo thorough training and obtain a certificate to be able to find a job as a yoga instructor. You can start looking in yoga studios or wellness centers, or you can go solo and start building your client base using social media.

ScoreYoga InstructorUS Average

Salary

3.6

Avg. Salary $45,673

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.4

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 5.11%

Black or African American 7.05%

Hispanic or Latino 10.64%

Unknown 5.40%

White 71.31%

Gender

female 87.01%

male 12.99%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.5

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a yoga instructor

Explore yoga instructor education requirements

Most common yoga instructor degrees

Bachelor's

69.4 %

Master's

13.7 %

Associate

10.5 %

Start to develop specific yoga instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
CPR	41.92%
Customer Service	20.16%
Class Attendance	7.65%
Teacher Training	4.62%
Pilates	4.56%

Complete relevant yoga instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New yoga instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a yoga instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real yoga instructor resumes.

Gain additional yoga instructor certifications

Yoga instructor certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific yoga instructor certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for yoga instructors include Instructor and Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I.

More About Certifications

Research yoga instructor duties and responsibilities

Manage operations, develop and teach the syllabus for group/private classes.
Recognize by the gym ownership for utilizing a CPR certification and managing an on scene emergency.
Manage general fitness center cleanliness and coordinate group fitness instructor schedules
Lead adult fitness classes involving yoga & Pilates classes.

Prepare your yoga instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your yoga instructor resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a yoga instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable yoga instructor resume templates

Build a professional yoga instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your yoga instructor resume.