Ready to turn Your Passion into Practice? Here’s How to Become an Office Yoga Instructor
Becoming an Office Yoga instructor can be a fulfilling way to share your passion for yoga while promoting wellness in a work environment. If you’re wondering how to become an Office Yoga Instructor, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Cultivate Your Yoga Practice
Before you become a yoga teacher, it’s important to deepen your personal practice and explore why and how you want to teach. Strengthen your understanding of yoga by attending classes, workshops, and retreats. Yoga is a vast subject, and every instructor has a unique way of sharing their expertise. Explore different yoga styles and teachers to broaden your knowledge.
Once you’ve explored yoga and know the style you want to teach, enroll in a yoga teacher training program. Look for courses focusing on office or corporate yoga to gain specialized knowledge.
Step 2: Understand the Office Environment
If you’re anything like me, you can’t hold a corporate job for long. Therefore, it is essential to study and understand the challenges in office settings like stress, sedentary lifestyles, and ergonomic issues. Then, research the specific company’s industry to see what stressors they may be experiencing.
One of my clients is a bank in the South Bay Area. When Silicon Valley Bank and First National Bank collapsed, I adapted our practice to meet the fear and uncertainty my client was facing. Tailor your service to address specific concerns your client may be experiencing.
Step 3: Develop Teaching Skills
Language and effective communication are essential in the corporate environment. Avoid yoga-specific terminology with new clients and practice clear communication and instruction.
Office environments include people with various fitness levels and yoga experience. Learn to modify poses for different body types and abilities, considering any physical limitations your students might have. Adapt the format to Desk Yoga or Chair Yoga if there is limited space in the office.
Step 4: Create a Business Plan
Identify your niche and the specific benefits you offer for office-goers. I work with many law firms, and attorneys don’t have a full hour to practice yoga in the middle of the day. To accommodate their busy schedules, I offer a 20-minute Desk Yoga format a few times a week. Define your target audience and develop a marketing plan. Consider offering introductory sessions to gain visibility and attract your niche clients.
Step 5: Legal and Practical Considerations
Liability insurance will protect you in case of any incidents during classes. Companies will request a copy of insurance (COI), W9, and certification. I use Hiscox Business Insurance for small businesses. Ensure you have the necessary certifications and business registration to meet legal requirements to teach yoga in your area.
In this spirit of using business as a force for good, I recommend getting a B Corp certification. B Corporation is a third-party certification that measures a company’s entire social and environmental impact. This ensures that companies practice what they preach regarding environmental impact, equal pay, social impact, community service, and governance. I’ve certified both my businesses, Office Yoga and ZaaS | Zen as a Service, to ensure we walk the walk.
Step 6: Offer Your Services
Start with places you already teach. Let your students know that you offer office yoga classes and you’re available to come onsite. Contact local businesses, HR departments, or wellness coordinators to offer your services. You can also explore online platforms or create your own website to advertise your classes. Consider offering demo sessions to showcase the benefits of office yoga.
Step 7: Continual Growth and Learning
Continued education is what inspires the seat of a teacher. Keep learning and stay updated on new techniques, research, and trends in yoga and wellness. Create customized programs that suit the time constraints and needs of office workers. Gather feedback from your clients to improve your services and teaching methods. Be flexible and adapt your teaching style to the needs of the office environment.
Workplace well-being is a new industry and will continue to evolve as younger generations demand that companies do better for the planet and employee health. Remember, building a career as an office yoga instructor takes time and dedication. Stay passionate and committed to your practice and teaching, and it will be a rewarding journey!
Office Yoga trains yoga teachers how to teach in the corporate space. If you’re interested in Office Yoga Teacher Training, learn more.