How to Teach Yoga Abroad: 5 Ways to Become a Traveling Yoga Teacher
Want to teach yoga and travel at the same time? I’ve been doing it for 3 years and I’m going to share all my tips with you!
I’m breaking down all the ways to find an international yoga job and become a traveling yoga teacher: from online yoga teaching to getting a position in a resort, and everything in between, you are sure to find the way that works for you!
If you want to learn exactly how to teach yoga abroad, and how reality compares with your dream, keep reading!
Table of Contents
The reality of becoming a traveling yoga teacher:
While becoming non-location based as a yoga teacher is one of the most rewarding experiences, you’ll also want to do a quick reality check before you go:
1. Visas are complicated
Before you go, make sure you have the right to work in the country you are going to be living in! A lot of places have working holiday visas but it will all depend on your passport, so research it well.
Yes, this applies to volunteer yoga instructor positions as some countries have specific rules. If you’re an online yoga teacher, things will be easier as you are not technically working in the country.
Not all countries have easy freelancer visas: when I was looking for yoga teacher jobs in NYC, my work visa was tied to my day-job which allowed me to teach yoga part-time.
2. Having an online presence can help you a lot
When going abroad, you can’t rely as much on your local network, so you need to turn to social media and the internet to build credibility.
Reaching out to people who have done what you are trying to do on social and asking them questions is also a good way to get ready. Make sure you have good online networking etiquette: keep them posted on what you do and say thanks!
3. It’s not only practicing yoga on the beach at sunset
Be aware of the cultural differences of the country you’re going to! Different countries have different expectations, work cultures, and ways to manage time. So keep an open mind.
Also, be aware that what you see online about a destination might be different from the actual reality of the place (here is an article about this in Paris)
4. Compensation varies wildly
From unpaid work exchanges to highly paid yoga jobs in resorts to everything in between. Make sure you budget accordingly and you are honest with yourself about your needs.
It also depends a lot on the country and the market there: Yoga teacher jobs in Europe will probably have a different structure than yoga jobs in Bali for example. Be careful as well as salaries vary a lot from region to region, so do your research.
5. It’s so worth it!
It’s super fun so if you feel drawn to it, do it! I’ve personally taught in 3 different countries (US, UK, and France), in two of the four languages I speak and it has been so rewarding to get to experience cultures through yoga and always keep learning.
Teach yoga abroad and travel the world
For a lot of us, that’s the dream! I’m an online yoga instructor and love to travel so it’s clearly a goal of mine to keep discovering our planet. There are so many yoga teaching jobs abroad and while they can seem hard to get at first, applying the tips below will help you!
Here a few ways you can find travel yoga jobs around the world:
1. Organize yoga retreats abroad:
This is the easiest first step to take if you feel you want to test out the nomadic yoga lifestyle without actually committing to it too much. You will get to travel with people from your community and discover a beautiful destination together.
It is for you if:
You love traveling with a group
You are very organized: you will be planning all of their schedules
You have an existing following, locally or online
How to get this type of position:
Create your own luck by organizing a retreat with your own community. You can also do it in partnership with a studio or other organization you teach at.
2. Online yoga jobs:
It is now my favorite way to teach! I love staying in and reaching people from all over the world at the same time. I also love the flexibility it brings as I can teach from anywhere in the world.
It is for you if:
You enjoy connecting with people from all over the world
You are a pro at being organized as it’s easy to miss a class because of the time difference, lack of internet, or any other unexpected issue that can happen during your travels!
You want to stay flexible in terms of location
How to find this type of traveling yoga teacher job abroad:
Reach out to online yoga studios and platforms, have an internet presence to attract your own students.
3. Yoga jobs abroad:
If your dream is to move to another country for a few months and really immerse yourself in the local life, you will want to find a yoga job abroad. If you speak English or the local language, it will be easy to find opportunities. It is better if you live in the country for at least six months as things will not fall into place right away.
It is for you if:
You love learning about cultures and languages in depth
You enjoy having a home base and traveling slowly
You love learning: Being able to teach in the local language doesn’t hurt!
How to find this type of position:
Reach out to all the places you want to teach at, by email and physically, and apply all the tips of this article.
4. Yoga travel jobs:
You will also be part of the travel industry. Concretely this means you’ll be interacting with travelers on vacation, looking to unwind or stay fit during their trip. You’ll have a yoga teaching job at resorts, hotels, or on cruise ships as a part of their wellness team, often living on site. You’ll have very long and fun days and a seasonal job, which means you’ll work mostly in the high travel season and relax in the off-season.
It is for you if:
You have another added skill (like social media management or a personal trainer certification) or previous experience in the travel industry
You are not afraid to work really hard and then chill for a few months (it is seasonal work)
You want to meet other travelers
How to find this type of traveling yoga job:
Reach out to teach yoga at resorts, cruise companies, or hotels that might interest you. You could even get a position for a company that targets travelers from your country.
5. Work exchanges or yoga volunteer positions:
They are a good way to find yoga jobs abroad but keep in mind that all opportunities on these sites are not always paid. Unpaid opportunities don’t often turn into paid opportunities: so make what you are getting and what you need to do in exchange very clear right from the beginning.
If you are looking to be a volunteer yoga teacher, I’d recommend you do some research about the organization you’re going to be helping to make sure it aligns with your values and qualifications, especially if you’re teaching yoga in schools or to children.
It is for you if:
You already have savings or an additional source of income
You want to discover and learn: a lot of these places are newer studios opening for example or charities in the case of volunteer positions
You want to participate in a project with others
How to find this type of traveling yoga instructor job:
Websites like Yoga Trade, Yoga Travel Jobs, or Workaways, are a good way to look for yoga jobs worldwide.
I hope you now feel inspired to travel and teach yoga overseas, if you’re still hesitating, just take the first step today, you won’t regret it!