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.
Getting hired as a yoga instructor is an exciting milestone in your career. But first, you need to nail the interview.
Job interviews can be intimidating. However being prepared with answers to common yoga instructor interview questions will give you an advantage.
We’ll cover everything you need to know to do well in your yoga teacher interview in this full guide, such as:
- An overview of typical yoga instructor interview questions
- Tips for preparing for your interview
- Detailed sample answers to the most common questions
- A checklist of what to bring to your yoga teacher interview
You’ll feel confident and ready to impress your future boss at your interview if you follow this guide.
Understanding Common Yoga Instructor Interview Questions
Yoga instructor interviews evaluate your skills experience and fit for the role. Interviewers want to learn why you want to teach yoga and why you’d be a good culture fit.
Some common topics for yoga teacher interview questions include:
Your background and interest in yoga teaching
- How did you get into yoga?
- Why do you want to teach yoga?
- How has yoga impacted your life?
Your qualifications and experience
- What yoga teacher trainings have you completed?
- Do you have experience teaching yoga? If so, tell me about it.
Your teaching style and philosophy
- How would you describe your teaching style?
- What is your yoga philosophy?
- How do you build relationships and connect with students?
Scenario-based questions
- How would you handle a student injury during class?
- What would you do if a student was being disruptive during a session?
Your strengths and weaknesses
- What do you think are your greatest strengths as a yoga instructor?
- In what areas do you hope to improve as a yoga teacher?
Your availability and salary expectations
- What is your availability for teaching classes?
- What are your salary requirements?
Thinking through these common yoga interview topics in advance prepares you to highlight your skills and give strong, articulate responses.
Next, let’s look at some best practices for getting ready for your big interview.
5 Tips for Preparing for Your Yoga Instructor Interview
You only get one chance to make a first impression at a job interview. Follow these tips to put your best foot forward:
1. Research the studio thoroughly
Learn about the yoga studio or gym’s mission, class offerings, teacher training requirements, and client base. This shows the interviewer you’ve done your homework.
2. Practice answering questions out loud
Grab a friend and do mock interviews. Practicing your responses out loud builds confidence and smooths out any awkward phrasing.
3. Prepare examples from your experience
Have stories ready that showcase your skills as an instructor. Examples make your answers vivid and memorable.
4. Review common yoga poses
Brush up on the names and alignment cues of foundational yoga postures. You may be asked to demo a pose.
5. Dress professionally
Wear clean, pressed business attire, even if the studio’s dress code is casual. You want to look polished and put-together.
Thorough preparation takes the stress out of interviews. Next, let’s look at sample responses to common yoga teacher interview questions.
13 Yoga Instructor Interview Questions and Example Responses
Here are some of the most frequent questions asked in yoga teacher interviews, along with strong sample responses:
Why do you want to teach yoga?
Yoga has been an integral part of my self-care routine for many years. I love the way teaching allows me to share the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of yoga practice with others. My goal as an instructor is to create an inclusive, welcoming space where students feel empowered in their practice, whether they are brand new to yoga or have decades of experience on their mat.
What yoga teacher trainings have you completed?
I recently completed my 200-hour training with YogaWorks. I loved exploring yoga history, philosophy, anatomy, and gaining hands-on assist experience during the intensive. Previously, I completed Judith Hanson Lasater’s Restorative Yoga Teacher Training. Restorative yoga remains a passion of mine, and I look forward to offering restorative classes.
How would you describe your teaching style?
My teaching style is warm, welcoming, and focused on proper alignment. I give clear, succinct cues to set students up for success. Safety is my top priority. I aim to hold space where students feel comfortable exploring their edge while honoring their bodies’ abilities each day. My classes have an emphasis on breathwork to build the mind-body connection.
What is your yoga philosophy?
Yoga brings us into the present moment, which is a gift. My philosophy is about cherishing each moment on the mat, being grateful for our health, and using our practice to cultivate mindfulness. Yoga reminds me that all we have is right now. I try to spread this mindfulness to students by emphasizing the importance of being fully present during each pose.
How do you build relationships and connect with students?
Getting to know students individually is so meaningful. I make a point to chat before and after class, learn students’ names, and check in about how their practice is evolving. I also encourage questions during class and make sure students feel comfortable approaching me one-on-one. My goal is for the studio to feel like a community where everyone is welcome.
How would you handle a student getting injured during class?
If a student got injured, my first priority would be making sure they are comfortable and safe. I would stop class to address the situation. If the student could not continue, I would assist them in gently exiting the pose. Then I would tend to any first aid needs, get them water, ice packs, etc. I would ask them questions to discern the severity of the injury. If it was serious, I would ensure someone contacts emergency services. Student safety comes first.
What are some of your strengths as a yoga instructor?
I think some of my biggest strengths are my cueing skills, ability to break down complex poses in an accessible way, and my passion for continuing education. I’m always learning by taking workshops, reading books on yoga anatomy and philosophy, and practicing self-study. I also have strong classroom management skills from my background in education.
Do you have any questions for me about the position?
Yes, I’m curious to know more about the culture at the studio. How would you describe the environment among the teachers and staff? I’d also love to hear about the typical student demographics – is it mostly beginners or a mixed level? Getting a better sense of the community here will help me understand how I can best contribute as an instructor.
What are your salary requirements?
My salary requirements are in line with industry standards for yoga instructors with my level of experience in [city]. I’m open to discussing compensation packages including class pay rates and bonuses. I’m most interested in finding the right long-term fit where I can grow as an instructor.
Preparing responses like these demonstrates you are a thoughtful, safety-focused teacher who prioritizes students. Interviewers want to see your passion for yoga and desire to positively impact students.
Finally, don’t forget these key items to bring to your interview:
- Copies of your resume and cover letter
- Yoga teacher training certificates and CPR/First Aid cards
- Portfolio including lesson plans, class sequences, pose charts (optional)
- List of professional references
Arriving prepared with these items makes a fantastic final impression on your potential employer.
Interviewing for that dream yoga instructor job? With the right preparation, you can walk in cool, calm, collected, and ready to wow the person across the table.
Keep these tips in mind:
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Research the studio so you understand their mission and can speak knowledgeably
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Practice your responses out loud to build confidence
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Have examples and stories ready that highlight your skills and passion
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Review common poses and yoga terms
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Dress professionally and arrive early
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Bring all required documents and certifications
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Ask thoughtful questions about the open position
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Be yourself – let your love of yoga and students shine through
Now that you know what to expect, you can tackle those yoga instructor interview questions with ease. Best of luck landing your ideal teaching job!
#4 – Do Your Research Before Your Yoga Teacher Interview
If you want to be ready for the different yoga teacher interview questions, you should learn more about the company. When doing this should aim to cover a variety of topics, such as:
- Their Mission Statement: This is usually in an “About Us” section of the company’s website. If you look into this, you can learn what the company stands for and what they want to give their customers.
- Important Things They’ve Done: If you know what awards and nominations the studio has, you can get an idea of how successful the brand is. You can look at their Google and Trustpilot reviews as proof of this.
- They offer different kinds of yoga classes. Knowing what kinds of yoga classes the studio offers will help you understand your main duties and roles. During your interview, this can also help you show that you want to teach other styles, even ones they don’t offer yet.
- The Target Audience: Finding out what kind of people the studio usually works with will help you show that you have experience working with that group.
- What Does the Studio Realistically Want? — Keep the job application in mind at all times. This will help you write an answer that makes you look like the best candidate.
Conducting this kind of research will influence the answers you provide for your yoga instructor interview questions. Knowing this will help you give a thorough answer that shows why you’re the best and most qualified candidate.
Moreover, by giving a well-researched answer, you show the employer that you have indeed done this research.
If someone asks you what kinds of yoga the studio offers, for example, you could show that you know how to teach the studio’s signature style. Then, go one step further and show how you’ll help their business.
#9 – How Would You Respond To A Student Who Is Struggling With A Specific Pose Or Element In The Routine?
This type of interview question is for yoga teachers to actively explain how they teach their classes. When writing your answer, you should look for examples from the past to back up what you say about how you would handle the situation.
During the hiring process, employers want to know how you handle being in charge and whether you can change the way you teach to help students who are having trouble.
This is crucial if the business offers classes for various abilities, or for specialist populations such as:
- Pregnant people
- The elderly
- The disabled
- Children
As a yoga teacher, you will need to make sure that you can teach a wide range of people when you are asked these interview questions.
Doing some research ahead of time will help you figure out if the studio offers this, which will allow you to customize your answer.
For example:
However, if you have never taught before, you can make up an answer to this yoga instructor interview question because of the way it is worded. For example, you could pull from experience gained on your qualification:
You should always try to answer the questions put to you honestly and thoughtfully. You can always use what you’ve learned in training to help you come up with an answer, even if you haven’t had any formal experience with that situation.
Trainer Yoga interview questions
FAQ
How to prep for a yoga interview?
Why should we hire you as a yoga teacher?
What questions do yoga instructors ask?
Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various yoga instructor interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions. What inspired you to pursue a career in yoga?
How do you answer a yoga interview question?
An interviewer might ask this question to determine whether a candidate has the necessary skills to succeed as a yoga instructor. Teaching yoga typically requires some particular skills, so you can answer this question by highlighting the skills you have that are most relevant to teaching yoga.
How do you interview a yoga instructor?
The interviewer is trying to get to know the Yoga Instructor on a personal level and learn more about their motivations for pursuing a career in yoga. It is important to ask questions like this because it helps the interviewer understand the person they are interviewing and whether they are a good fit for the job.
What questions do interviewers want from a yoga teacher?
Yoga teachers often work with students who are new to the practice and may not be able to perform certain poses or breathing exercises. Interviewers want to know how you handle these situations so that they can ensure your teaching style is appropriate for their school’s student body.
