Returning To Teaching Yoga After A Career Break: A Personal Story

For two years, I didn’t teach a single yoga class. It wasn't because of an injury or lack of opportunities. It was a choice—a deliberate, personal one. Don't get me wrong; yoga never left my life. My self-practice remained a steady constant, and I continued to immerse myself in the world of yoga and wellness through writing. Yet, after four years of teaching, I chose to walk away. Why did I stop? And, more importantly, what brought me back? If you're considering taking a break from teaching, or you already have and are wondering if you'll ever return, let me share my journey with you.

Why I Took A Break From Teaching Yoga

When I completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training back in 2018, I felt like I had found my life's purpose. And for a few years, I loved it.  I loved holding space for others. I loved watching my students grow and transform. I loved witnessing their breakthroughs, both mental and physical. Then COVID-19 hit, and like many yoga teachers, my classes came to a halt. I tried transitioning to online teaching, but it wasn't the same. I missed the energy and in-person community of teaching at studios and gyms.

Being such an uncertain time, I began to shift my focus to other things. I started writing for yoga websites and found joy in rescuing and fostering kittens. I discovered fulfilment in ways I hadn't expected. Slowly but surely, my passion for teaching dimmed. By the time the world was back to "normal" post-Covid, I felt no desire to return to the studio. I wondered if this chapter of my life had closed for good. Had I wasted thousands of pounds and multiple years building a yoga business for nothing? Rather than forcing an answer, I let the question sit. I gave myself space.  And then, one day, during the most challenging period of my life, the answer came…

Why I Decided To Return To Yoga Teaching

My decision to return to teaching was as personal as my choice to step away. A few months ago, I moved back to the UK after the sudden loss of a close family member. As I do in all times of hardship, I turned to yoga—not just as a practice, but as a lifeline. On my mat, I found grounding, clarity, and healing. What I was surprised to discover, though, was a new-found desire to teach yoga again.

This time, the calling felt different. My grief had softened me, opening a deeper level of empathy and compassion I hadn't accessed before. I started to see the world differently. Sitting on the train, I'd look around and wonder about the invisible struggles people carried. I felt a quiet conviction rise within: yoga could help them, just as it had helped me. Suddenly, I knew I had to teach again—not to rebuild my career but to share yoga's profound ability to heal, soothe, and transform. 

How I Started Teaching Yoga Again After A Long Break

When the call to return to teaching yoga came, I didn't hesitate; I knew I had to act on it. One of the perks of being back in my hometown, London, was the abundance of teaching opportunities. I remembered a local Facebook group where yoga instructors often posted looking for cover teachers. Covering other instructors' classes felt like the perfect way to ease back into teaching. There was no pressure to commit to a regular schedule, and I didn't have to start a class from scratch.

So, I jumped in. I covered a handful of small classes at gyms around the city and was pleasantly surprised to find that teaching yoga is like driving a car - you never forget how to do it!  Sure, I was a little rusty at first. But I felt natural and at ease being in front of the class again, and most importantly, I enjoyed it! Being back in the studio, guiding students through their practice, and feeling those moments of connection reminded me why I fell in love with teaching yoga in the first place.

Teaching Yoga After A Career Break - My Top Tips

Returning to teaching yoga after a long break can feel scary and intimidating. You might feel like you’re starting from scratch again and have to relearn everything, but I can assure you that is not the case. Yes, it might take time to rebuild your confidence and get back into your groove, but teaching yoga is not a skill you either use or lose - it stays with you for life. If you're returning to yoga teaching after a career break, here are my top tips:

1. Check your insurance - If you haven't taught for a while, your yoga teacher insurance may have expired, and if that's the case, you'll need to take out a new policy. Remember, most studios and gyms require you to have public liability insurance.

2. Refresh your knowledge - You don't need to take another YTT! Instead, read through your old YTT manual and notes. You'll be surprised by all the things you had completely forgotten!

3. Attend lots of classes yourself - If you're not already, attend some studio classes or follow some online. Get yourself into your 'teacher's head' by focusing on the cues the teacher is giving, the sequencing, and the way the teacher holds space.

4. Keep it simple - For your first few classes back, just teach the most common poses and stick to simple flows. 

5. Create a sequence and practice it yourself - As you go through the sequence, remind yourself of the correct alignment and some modifications for each pose.

6. Find your old playlists or create new ones - I used to have about 10 Spotify playlists for yoga classes, but I lost them all because I cancelled my premium membership. So, I had to start a new Spotify premium and create new playlists. 

Final Thoughts On Returning To Yoga Teaching

I don't know what is next on my yoga journey. But what I do know is my break from teaching wasn't a detour; it was part of the journey. Stepping away allowed me to return with new life experiences under my belt and a more compassionate heart.

If you're returning to teaching yoga after a career break, embrace who you've become during your time away and let that evolution shape the way you teach.

Or, if you're thinking of taking a teaching hiatus, trust your journey. Sometimes, stepping away isn't an end; it's a recalibration. And when the time is right to return, you'll know—just as I did.