Teaching Yoga is the New Second Career

According to U.S. News and World Report, yoga teacher is the new second career choice for the harried and yearning to breathe freely. It's not only "hip" but more and more it's a viable alternative for those looking for a second income or simply a change of pace completely.



It's heartening to see so many people embracing yoga, but the commercialism and the odd applications aren't as yoga as they are just fitness and beauty oriented. Although yoga can physically transform people, it doesn't always and really wasn't meant to. The sleek slim body aspect is an add on that earlier eras of yogi's realized would help them "sell" their skill set.



People like Indra Devi and Bikram dumbed down asana a bit to attract those who were more interested in the outside shell than the inner self.



For the record, anyone can train to become a yoga teacher but teaching is more than just a skill. Some people are teachers born regardless of the subject matter while others are just not and believe me - it shows.



Unless a person is willing to treat yoga instruction as a true business, which means knowing your competition, the market and developing aspects of your teaching and studio that are unique to you, the money will be modest.



And teaching wears down more than just the body. A teacher lays themselves out there like the students put down their mats. It is almost a tangible energy hand-out that is exhausting.



Loving yoga and being bendy will never be enough. One has to love teaching, have confidence in themselves and be a student of yoga as well as a teacher of it.