At a crossroads after completing your 200-hour yoga teacher training? Unsure whether to start teaching independently, join a studio or further your qualifications with additional courses, like yin yoga? Wondering ‘what now?’ and ‘what does this mean for me?’. Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Here are ten ways to branch out and things to do after completing your 200-hour yoga teacher training course.

1. Create your yoga resume: Start with compiling a portfolio of your yoga journey. Include skills related to yoga, teaching and training. Include your 200-hour yoga teacher training course (YTTC) certification. Make a small portfolio of your own progress and experience in yoga with pictures, a personal statement, etc. Don’t worry if you don’t have professional teaching hours yet. The more you show off your yoga experience, the better.
2. Register with yoga alliance (optional): If you are planning to start teaching, you may want to head over to the Yoga Alliance website and enroll. This will allow you to use their ‘registered yoga teacher’ (RYT) 200 hours accreditation. When you are registered with Yoga Alliance, your exposure may increase since you will be listed in their directory. (Note: This registration is totally optional and voluntary. If you graduated from an accredited yoga school like Sampoorna Yoga, you are entitled to teach anywhere in the world without being a member of any yoga association).
3. Certifications and insurance: Depending on where you are teaching, it could be useful to get the necessary certifications and liability insurance. These legally protect you and showcase a certain sense of professionalism. Be sure to keep your coverage statement and all certifications carefully in a file.
4. Set your intention: One way to decide which direction to move in is to set your goals and intention. Think of why you joined a yoga teacher training program in the first place. Was it for personal benefit? Was it to explore teaching as a career? Now, think of what a yoga teaching career means to you? Is it a full-time role? Or a passion you would like to explore on the side? Spend some time thinking this through. This will help you decide your next move.
5. Gain teaching experience: Just like you would with any other career, it is best to start your career with some amount of classroom experience. Ask your previous teacher if you can train under them or join your local yoga studio as a trainee. Stay active, network, observe other teachers and teach as much as you can. Offer to assist as much as you can for a few weeks. Teaching workshops and beginners programs is also a great way to start teaching, get exposure, and start making money out of your new career.
6. Be ready to teach: If teaching is on your radar and is something you are planning to take up soon, plan a few things for your class. How much will you charge? Find out what are the industry rates for a new teacher and have a base figure in mind. (Important: Avoid teaching for free or on donation bases, after your students get used to this model it will be very difficult to start charging for your classes. Also, you need to honor your career, time and effort; everything in this Universe is energy and your classes are an exchange of energy, you need to receive something in return!)
7. Create a few sequences: Start creating different flows which you will teach. Practice them yourself to see if they are impactful or need any changes. Add different types of postures (standing, balancing, sitting, supine and prone), breathing techniques and relaxation. Think of cues, transitions and variations. If you have these aspects ready, then you will feel more confident if you are called upon to assist (if you are training with an experienced teacher or joined a studio) or you choose to start a class. Sometimes, it is also best to dive right in and start teaching – after all your 200-hour teacher training program equips you with that!
8. Network: Get active in the yoga, fitness and wellness circles around your area. Keep in touch with your batchmates, get a small group together to regularly practice yoga, meet as many teachers as you can, and take the time to attend more workshops. The more you network and more people you know in the industry, the better it is for you. You can also join online groups via social media sites to meet people from the industry in different regions.
9. Keep your practice going: After your course is over, don’t let your practice fall short. Stay dedicated and practice regularly. Join a class with another teacher if you need additional motivation to keep practicing. Regular progress and training are an integral part of being a good teacher.
10. Continue your education: After completing your 200-hour YTTC, explore other courses. There are several courses that contribute towards your continued education. You can explore different styles of yoga, meditation and Yoga Nidra courses, anatomy and physiology courses, Yin Yoga, and much more. The options are plenty and the value immense. You can also continue gaining knowledge via yoga books. There are many valuable books on yoga philosophy and applications that will help you in your own practice and in teaching students.

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Completing your 200-hour yoga teacher training itself is a big milestone. Don’t stress about what to do next. Take your time figuring out which direction you would like to go in. Be enthusiastic and committed to continuing on the path. Keep up the patience and faith, it will pay off!