The 3 Pillars to Becoming a Good Yoga Teacher

I want to share something really close to my heart: the three pillars I believe make someone a solid, reliable, and impactful yoga teacher. Now that I am about a decade into my full-time yoga teaching career, I get asked a lot from in my mentorship program for yoga teachers and new teachers about how to get better at teaching. These reflections are rooted in my own journey, what I’ve learned from experience, and what I’ve seen in this industry over the years.

I made a podcast episode and youtube video on this same topic, feel free to go listen on spotify or watch this topic!

1. Quantity: Repetition Builds Confidence

Ask yourself:

• How often are you teaching?
• How many hours a week?
• How much are you practicing your skills?

You’ve probably heard the saying: “You need to put in 10,000 hours to get good at something.” I believe that applies to teaching yoga too.

When I first started teaching, I said yes to everything. I taught like crazy — anywhere, anytime. I was in a season of life where I had time, and I went all in. I made so many mistakes, but that’s exactly how I grew.

Here’s the truth: you don’t get comfortable or confident by waiting until you’re “ready.” You grow by doing. A lot. You have to teach a lot to get good at teaching — just like anything else in life.

Tips for New Teachers:

• Look beyond yoga studios: Try corporate offices, gyms, senior centers, parks, beaches, donation-based classes on the beach or at the park, or even teaching friends at home.
• Why it works: These spaces have different expectations, low pressure, and allow you to experiment and find your voice.
• Studios aren’t everything: They often come with drama, bureaucracy, and pressure. In the beginning, focus on experience — not prestige.

2. Length + Consistency: Time Matters, But So Does Integrity

The amount of time you’ve been teaching makes a difference — but it’s not just about the years. It’s about how often and how consistently you show up.

Someone who’s been certified for 10 years but only teaches once a month is not going to have the same experience as someone teaching 10 classes a week for five years.

Over time, you go through challenging situations, manage group dynamics, and learn to navigate people and spaces. You gain wisdom from showing up again and again.

Why Consistency Matters:

• It builds trust. People rely on you. Studios notice. Students feel it.
• It gets you jobs, referrals, and community loyalty.
• It shapes your character. I try really hard to be a consistent person — not just in teaching but in who I am.

Let’s be honest: the yoga world has its fair share of flaky people. People who don’t follow through, who sub out their classes all the time, who don’t commit. And as someone who now gets asked to recommend or hire teachers, I don’t vouch for people like that.

If you want to build a long-term career, show up, be truth worthy — consistently.

3. Continuing Education: Stay a Student

The last pillar is one I’m truly passionate about — never stop learning.

The best teachers I know are always still learning. They have mentors. They stay curious. They invest in themselves.

You can feel when a teacher has stopped growing — their teaching is stagnant, in their cues, sequencing, energy, and overall vibe.

And we can’t afford that. This work is living. There’s new research in anatomy, biomechanics, psychology, and more emerging all the time. As teachers, we have a responsibility to keep up — just like PTs, therapists, or doctors do.

Why Continuing Education Matters:

• It shows you care about your craft.
• It keeps your teaching fresh, inspired, and evolving.
• It’s how you stay connected to your passion.

My Journey:

Some of the things I’ve studied (and loved) outside of just yoga:

• Anatomy
• Trauma-informed teaching
• Accessible yoga
• Injury prevention
• Fertility and female health
• Restorative yoga + prop work
• SmartFLOW method
• Myofascial release
• Physical therapy
• Running, Buddhism, dance, strength training

All of these have shaped my voice, style, and niche. I followed my curiosities — and that’s where I’ve grown the most.

Tips for Choosing What to Study:

• Find teachers with strong qualifications and a teaching style you resonate with.
• Choose subjects where you’re lacking knowledge.
• Follow what lights you up. That’s how you build your unique voice and niche.

Final Thoughts

These three pillars — quantity, consistency over time, and continuing education — have shaped me deeply as a teacher. I hope they support you too, no matter where you are on your path.

Whether you’re brand new or a decade in, these are things we can always return to. Always refine. Always grow through.

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