Yoga instruction: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What yoga instruction is

Yoga instruction is a class or private session where a teacher leads postures, breathing and relaxation, adapting poses to your body and experience.

Signs you need it

  • You want a gentle way to move
  • You want to stretch and relax
  • You want a class suited to your level
  • You want private attention
  • You want to learn poses safely

What the pro does

  • Arrive, settle and set intentions
  • Warm up with gentle movement
  • Poses and breathing guided by the teacher
  • Teacher offers options for different bodies
  • Rest and closing

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Class or private
  • Length
  • Style such as gentle or flow
  • Group size
  • Location
  • Props provided

What a written quote should spell out

  • Session length and schedule
  • Drop-in versus pass terms
  • Props provided
  • Cancellation terms
  • Level and style

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What style do you teach?
  • What training do you have?
  • Do you offer modifications?
  • How do you handle injuries?
  • Do I bring a mat?
  • Can I try a class?

Red flags

  • Pushing into poses that hurt
  • No options for beginners
  • Ignoring injuries you mention
  • Hands-on adjustments without asking
  • Pressure to buy a long pass

What you can do yourself

You can follow gentle online classes with a mat, but a teacher can correct poses. Talk with your doctor before starting if you have health conditions, an injury or take medication.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach fitness. Ask about any certification, first aid and CPR training, and liability insurance, and how to verify each with the issuer, and ask for a client reference.

Yoga instruction questions

Do I need to be flexible?

No. Yoga builds flexibility over time, and teachers offer options for tight bodies.

What should I wear?

Comfortable clothes that let you bend and stretch, and a mat if the studio does not provide one.

Is yoga safe?

It can be when you go at your own pace. Tell the teacher about injuries, and talk with your doctor if you have health conditions.

What styles exist?

Common styles range from gentle to flowing to heated. Ask the teacher which style a class is and who it suits.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer yoga instruction remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

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  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

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