Why hello there. My name is Jaçlyn and this is my current office in Nicaragua. Not too shabby hey? I’ve been a travelling yoga teacher for about a year now and although I’m quite new to the game, I’ve had to learn the ins and outs quick smart. As a yoga teacher, you can make the world your oyster. You have the opportunity travel to the most beautiful parts of the world whilst doing what you love. It’s a tough gig, but someone needs to do it right? Yes, but it doesn’t come without it’s challenges. Once you start to look into teaching positions abroad, you’ll find that a lot of places offer volunteer positions that allow you to trade your time for food and board. As us yogis are naturally generous (especially with our time) this can seem like a pretty appealing option, but there are many other things you need to consider before you jump in. Here are 5 tips that will help you land a job abroad and keep yourself afloat:

1. Where to find the jobs – There are a few great websites that are dedicated to yoga teaching jobs abroad. Yoga Trade is a fabulous place to start. They have the widest array of jobs advertised and charge $24 per year to subscribe to their service and I can vouch that it is worth every cent. Another great website to visit is Yoga Travel Jobs – completely free to browse and apply for jobs but not as much range as Yoga Trade. There are even a few Facebook forums that you can join such as YOGA JOBS & Yoga Jobs All Over the World. Another great way to get started is if you’re ever on holiday and fall in love with the place, go and ask studios and even resorts that offer yoga if there are opportunities coming up in the near future. If you don’t ask, you don’t know!
2. How to land the job – With more and more teachers graduating with 200 hour certifications, it is becoming more and more necessary to stick out from the crowd. What makes you special? What are your strengths? Employers have to sift through hundreds of CV’s, make yours stick out. Instead of a traditional CV, why not create a mood board with your credentials? Or send a video instead. To learn more about how to sell yourself join my 5-day online course on ‘Mindful Marketing‘ for just USD$9.99.
3. Research where you are going – Before you commit to going anywhere, I highly recommend researching the area and it’s surrounds. Look into how safe the area is, know what is around you and how mobile you can be once you are there. There is nothing worse than feeling trapped or secluded. Look into the legal working requirements for the country you are planning to go to and if your employer is going subsidise your working permit as these are usually expensive. Make sure you have a contract (especially if you are travelling far) and that you are comfortable with the terms and conditions. Look to see if there are any details about tax and if you are getting paid and don’t be afraid to negotiate.
4. How to sustain yourself – One of the biggest lessons I have learnt as a yoga teacher is to not sell yourself short. There are SO many work/exchange programs out there that it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that this is your only option. If you are happy with this arrangement then you need to factor in all the costs associated with getting yourself there, living comfortably and travelling to other destinations afterwards. It is also a good idea to see if there are opportunities for you to earn some money whilst your there. The good news is that there are plenty of paid jobs going around. These jobs usually require a certain amount of experience and training but keep your eyes peeled for them and make sure you dazzle them when you apply. Whatever option you choose make sure the opportunity is worth your while.
5. Once you are there, network – You will meet some amazing students and yoga teachers on your travels. If you really connect with someone, stay connected! Don’t be afraid to direct them to your website, sign up for your newsletters, grab their email etc. You may find that you have a whole lot of extra time too, so why not brush up on your anatomy, keep the self study going , find a new hobby, or create extra streams of income online. Also remember that you are still running your own business whilst abroad so keep track of everything you’re earning and spending. For helpful information on how to run your yoga teaching business more effectively and efficiently sign up for my 5 day online ‘Business Basics‘ course for just USD$9.99.

And lastly, make sure you look after yourself and have fun! Being in a new environment takes some adjusting to so eat well, sleep well and find things that keep you inspired and healthy.

Namaste
Jaçlyn