6 Things to Look For in a Yoga Teacher

I love that yoga is accessible everywhere, including online. You’d think it’s easy to find a teacher that’s right for you. But it isn’t necessarily the case. Naturally, you want a trusted teacher that can help you grow, be it in a physical, emotional or spiritual way. Here are some basic tips I often share with folks that ask “How do you find a good yoga teacher?” The answer is it all depends on where you are in your journey. Here are some general guidelines that I use for my own teacher-seeking journey.

1) Friendliness

According to Yoga Journal, the number one thing students look for in a yoga teacher is friendliness. Is your teacher available, approachable and welcoming before, during and after class? Watch out for teachers that talk way too much about themselves and carry a one-sided conversation.

2) Walks the Talk

A good teacher shares from their heart and practice rather than from their mind or ego. When they speak, you can feel the loving teachings from their heart. You find their class joyful and empowering. You may even naturally gravitate towards their presence of peace and calmness.

3) Works the Room

We emphasize this point in the Art of Teaching module of our 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program. The teacher needs to know their yoga stuff, which means they have a solid idea of their teachings from sequencing and assisting (if they’re comfortable with touch), to class flow, breath cues, safety while observing, maintaining a sacred and comfortable environment for everyone. More specifically, a good teacher is always observing their class in order to give options and permission to accommodate all bodies in the class at all times. In short, the teacher needs to accommodate and know their anatomical alignment, breath and mindful cues.

4) Knows How to Hold Space

A good teacher is strong in their practice and is capable of holding space for you with their presence to be, breathe, let go, reflect, and cultivate love, peace and joy. Their voice is caring, loving, and dynamic. On a side note, their playlist should also reflect this. Remember that yoga is a sacred place of practice. Not a rock concert.

5)  Makes Class Enjoyable

It can get boring and a bit painful if you feel “stuck” in a room full of strangers for 60-75 minutes; meaning you are not enjoying class. When the teacher is fully present, they know how to hold space in an inclusive way so you feel a sense of belonging in class, and they make the class fun and light-hearted.

6) Is Always Growing

A good teacher is someone that you would likely be learning from for the most part of your yogic journey. “But wouldn’t you get bored of hearing the same stuff from the same teacher?” You ask.  Not if your teacher is also on a learning and growing journey and joyfully brings you along to help deepen your journey too. My belief is, a good teacher is always growing with their students. 

Happy teacher-seeking,
Hang