Teaching Yoga Full-Time

It’s been over a month since I finished my masters degree. Whenever it comes up in conversation I get asked a lot of questions about what’s next for me and if I’m applying for social media positions.

In short, right now I’m not. Instead I’m focusing on teaching yoga (and other fitness classes) as my full-time gig mixed with blogging and freelance writing on the side.

Saying that out loud scares the crap out of me. I know it’s not what’s expected of me, especially now that I have a masters degree. I also know it’s not a very traditional career path to be on. But right now, it’s what my gut is telling me to do.

I am happiest when I am teaching.

I’m a performer. It’s what I went to college for. Teaching fitness and yoga has been the most magical performance opportunity I could dream of. I get to stand in front of a room and transform people’s day. How incredible is that?

Throughout this past year of teaching at CorePower Yoga I’ve been craving more. I’d get sad on Wednesday mornings because I knew my teaching week was over. I resented having to sub out my classes for grad school things.

There are definitely good days and bad days as an instructor. Some classes go better than others. Sometimes people are assholes to you for no reason. But I almost always leave the studio feeling exhilarated and lucky that I get paid to do this.

 

I’m hustling my ass off right now… but I’m also happy.

I’ve been scooping up subbing opportunities at the two studios I teach at. Last week I taught 10 classes in one week for the first time ever. But I’m loving it.

I know I’m going to sound like such an OMG millennial when I say this, but I haven’t loved most of my previous jobs. I thought a traditional 9-5 job would be the answer, but it wasn’t. It didn’t matter if I was working in an industry I loved doing things I’m passionate about with a boss that treated me well, it still wasn’t my jam.

And I know not everyone loves their job, nor do people always get to. But hey, why not try to do something you love.

 

I’m scared about the future

As with any “non-traditional” career path, there are a lot of what-if’s.

Right now I’m not making a full-time salary through my permanent teaching schedule. Starting in September I’ll have 8 permanent classes between the two studios. I have a few auditions in the works and I’m also doing some writing on the side as well as the usual blog/instagram partnerships. I have a lot of anxiety about making enough money to support myself in the near future. But I’m working on it.

I’m trying to figure out how many classes I can teach in a week while not losing my voice. Or my sanity.

And there’s the whole pesky health insurance thing. I’m currently on my parents plan until I’m 30 (I know I’m a lucky bitch) because my previous full-time gig didn’t offer benefits. I’m creeping my way towards 30 and will have to figure out my options. Or y’know I’ll get married to someone for their health insurance.

 

I’m going to see how this goes.

Because you don’t know unless you try, right?

I can always apply for more “traditional” jobs in the future. Reevaluate how things are going. But right now, I’m going to give this teaching thing my all and see how it goes.

If you’re also in a similar boat to me and thinking about becoming a full-time instructor, both Amanda and Nicole wrote great blog posts about what it’s like to teach fitness full-time.

 

Any full-time (or almost full-time) instructors out there? What’s your advice for people hoping to make fitness their full-time gig?