Once you’re aware of common yoga teacher interview questions, the job application process becomes far less intimidating. Once you know these things, you’ll be able to write a good answer that will impress potential employers.
This guide is useful for everyone, whether they are new to the business or have been working in it for a while. It covers:
But first, if you want to get ahead and impress potential employers, the best way to do it is to get a Level 4 yoga teacher certification. This will give you a lot of expert knowledge and teach you a highly sought-after specialty.
You can also download our FREE prospectus to learn more about the courses we offer at OriGym.
Interviewing for a yoga instructor position can feel intimidating, but going in prepared can help you ace the interview with confidence In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the 9 most common yoga instructor interview questions, and provide sample answers to help you craft thoughtful responses
Whether you’re a newly certified instructor looking for your first teaching job or a seasoned pro interviewing at a new studio thoughtful preparation is key. Read on to get the inside scoop on how to nail the most frequently asked questions, stand out from the competition, and land your dream yoga teaching job.
Why Do You Want To Be A Yoga Instructor?
You can answer this open-ended question by telling us why you want to teach yoga. Prepare to talk about what first interested you, such as a personal practice that changed your life, a desire to help others find yoga, or an inspiring mentor.
Focus on the unique gifts and qualities you offer as an instructor. For example:
“I was drawn to yoga for the physical and mental benefits, and saw firsthand how empowering the practice can be. As a teacher, I want to create a welcoming space for students to disconnect from stress and reconnect with their body and breath. My lighthearted and encouraging teaching style helps students feel supported as they build strength, flexibility and inner peace.”
Are You Familiar With Our Studio?
Interviewers want to know that you’ve done your homework on their business. Visit their website and social media, and take an intro class if possible. Highlight your impressions:
“Yes, I’m very impressed with the diversity of your class offerings, from gentle yoga to power vinyasa. It’s clear there is a strong sense of community here. The variety of levels ensures students can grow their practice over time. As an instructor I would be excited to foster that welcoming atmosphere while helping students progress.”
If you can’t go in person, talk about what you learned about them on the web and what you liked about their mission, class types, values, and vibe.
What Are Your Strengths As An Instructor?
This is your chance to highlight your unique talents and skill set. Think about what makes you stand out. Examples could include:
- Ability to connect with beginners and make yoga accessible
- Skill for cuing alignment in detail
- Calming presence and guidance for restorative yoga
- Energy and motivation for power classes
- Adaptive teaching skills for special populations like seniors, prenatal students, etc.
“Some of my strongest assets as a teacher are my cueing skills to help students find optimal alignment, as well as my ability to create sequences that build heat safely. Students appreciate that I offer variations to meet different needs.”
Tell Me About Yourself
Share a snapshot of your background as an instructor, like training and certifications, years in the field, specialized skills, and populations you enjoy teaching.
“I have over 300 hours of training and have been teaching yoga for 5 years.” I’m experienced with vinyasa, yin and restorative styles. Some of the things I’m good at are working with seniors, using props for therapeutic practice, and helping students set up a home practice. I weave meditation, pranayama and yoga philosophy into classes for a well-rounded experience. “.
Drop in any other relevant experience like anatomy training or mindfulness certifications. Keep answers succinct. The interviewer will ask follow-ups about details that interest them.
What Are Your Salary Requirements?
Do some research beforehand on average pay rates for yoga teachers in your location and at similar studios. Take your training, skills and experience level into account. It’s fine to give a salary range and say you’re open to discussing specifics. For example:
“Given my background and certifications, I’m targeting $50-60 per class based on average rates for teachers in this area. I’m open to discussing details of compensation and schedule flexibility.”
If asked about salary early in the interview, say you’re flexible and would like to learn more about the position’s responsibilities first.
Why Should We Hire You?
Summarize why you’re an ideal fit. Highlight your relevant strengths and interest in the studio. For example:
“As an instructor, I’m committed to holding space for students to feel safe and supported as they connect with their practice. My diverse training enables me to teach adaptive classes that resonate with different levels. I’m passionate about facilitating growth and would love to bring my skills in [yin, prenatal, etc] yoga to support your studio’s offerings.”
Focus on the unique value you offer. Do your skills fill a gap or complement existing teachers? Express genuine excitement to join the team.
What Styles Of Yoga Do You Teach?
List any styles you’re trained and certified in. Share how many years you’ve taught each style and in what contexts (studios, gyms, privately, etc). Spotlight skills that align with the studio’s class offerings.
For example:
“I teach primarily vinyasa and hatha yoga, with over 7 years experience teaching both styles in studio settings. I also have training in yin, restorative and prenatal yoga. My vinyasa classes focus on breath-synchronized movement to build heat, endurance and flexibility, while my hatha classes emphasize proper alignment in foundational poses.”
Don’t inflate your skill set – only list styles you are fully trained and qualified to teach safely. If asked about a style you don’t teach, acknowledge that and express interest in learning.
How Do You Get To Know And Connect With New Students?
Building rapport with students is an essential instructor skillset. Share how you welcome and connect with new faces.
“I make an effort to introduce myself and chat with new students before and after class. I offer modifications and check in with them individually for feedback on pacing and adjustments. My lighthearted cues help students feel at ease as they get comfortable. I also invite feedback via email or surveys.”
Emphasize your commitment to making yoga accessible for newbies. A caring, approachable manner keeps students coming back.
How Do You Manage Class Safety?
Your ability to manage risk and create a safe space is key. Discuss your preparation process and risk management strategies:
“To ensure safety, I arrive early to check equipment and mat spacing, and review my planned sequence for appropriate pacing and pose sequencing. I offer alignment cues and demo modifications for varying abilities. I also circulate regularly to provide hands-on adjustments or props as needed. If I ever feel a pose risks injury, I offer an alternative.”
Reassure the interviewer that student wellbeing is your top priority from setup to hands-on support. Your procedures show professionalism.
Are You Ready to Ace Your Yoga Instructor Interview?
Preparing responses for the most common questions will give you confidence to share your skills and experience when interviewing for that dream teaching job. Be ready to speak knowledgeably about your specific qualifications, preferred teaching styles, and strengths in connecting with and supporting students.
With thorough preparation, you can step into the interview ready to have an authentic conversation that shows the interviewer all that you can bring to their yoga instructor team. Stay positive and focus on the great experiences you can provide students when you land that ideal role. You’ve got this!
#1 – Visit Your Potential Employer Before Your Yoga Interview
One of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to visit the place where you want to work before your yoga teacher interview.
The best way to do this is to sign up for a class, which will also give you a chance to get to know how the studio teaches. This way, you can see what other teachers are doing and figure out what you need to do.
Don’t be afraid to ask these instructors questions about the working environment. For instance, you could ask them about the pros of their job and what they like most about the studio.
Aside from that, the visit can also help calm any worries and fears you may have about yourself. From this, you can ask yourself whether the studio is an environment you will feel comfortable working in.
When you go to the studio, you might also want to do a practice run of your planned commute. This will help you figure out how long it really takes to get there. By doing this you can ensure you get to the yoga interview with plenty of time to spare.
One of the worst things you can do at an interview is be late, because the employer will see right away that you are not professional.
Being prepared for your yoga teacher interview removes all the stress and anxiety associated with the process itself. This means that you should definitely check out the studio before your meeting with the employer.
#12 – As The Fitness Industry Evolves, How Would Make Your Classes More Accessible For People With Different Physical Or Mental Abilities?
In order to make yoga more open and available to everyone, you may be asked interview questions that show the social and practical need for change.
These yoga teacher interview questions will help you show if you have experience working with students from a specific group.
If this is the case, talking about how you dealt with this accessibility issue will show that you can handle any safety issues that might come up in class.
You will be able to give a hypothetical answer even if you have never worked with these students before because of what you have learned in your qualification.
Here are a few examples that explore the ways you can make classes more accessible:
Try to be proactive in how you answer this interview question for yoga teachers. Your desire to keep up with the changes in yoga shows that you want to make sure it’s available to everyone.
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[Yoga Interview] #1 Simple questions about yoga with Eric Sparks
FAQ
How do I prepare for a yoga interview?
Why should we hire you as a yoga teacher?
