Career Changers

Thinking of becoming a yoga teacher in Ireland?

Joe Casey

January 7, 2026

•

min read

Considering a career switch into yoga teaching in Ireland

null

You’re not the only one who’s wondered, mid‑savasana, if life could look a bit more like this and a bit less like your inbox.

null

If you’re in a steady job that doesn’t quite fit anymore, yoga teaching can seem like an antidote: real people, movement, space to breathe, maybe even more control over your time.

null

It can also mean uncertainty, self‑employment, marketing yourself, and taking on responsibilities you don’t have as an employee.

null

What follows is a grounded look at what switching into yoga teaching in Ireland can actually involve – the training, the work, the money, and the risks – so you can decide whether it’s a good fit for you, and on what terms.

null

Why mid‑career professionals move into yoga teaching

null

People rarely move into yoga teaching because everything in their current career is awful. More often, it’s because something important is missing.

null

Common reasons career changers talk about:

null

I want work that feels more human and less screen‑bound.
I’d like my working day to support my wellbeing, not just what I do in the evenings.
I want some control over when and how I work, even if that means more responsibility.

null

Yoga teaching can offer:

null

Meaningful, people‑facing work
A way to build movement, breath and rest into your day
More flexibility than a traditional 9–5
Scope for self‑employment, creativity and variety

null

But there’s a clear trade‑off:

null

Income is variable, especially at the start
You’re responsible for filling classes, managing cancellations and doing your own admin
You’re effectively running a small business, even if it’s just a couple of classes a week

null

If you like structure, a payslip that’s the same every month and clear boundaries, that doesn’t automatically rule yoga teaching out – but it does mean you’re likely to be more comfortable with a gradual, part‑time build rather than a sudden leap.

null

What “becoming a yoga teacher” actually looks like in practice

null

Before you think about 200‑hour yoga training or handing in your notice, it helps to picture what paid yoga teaching can look like on the ground in Ireland.

null

A realistic mix of work might include:

null

Studio yoga classes in Dublin or your nearest town
Gym classes as part of a wider fitness timetable
Community‑hall yoga you organise and run yourself
Small‑group yoga or private yoga lessons in people’s homes or online
Workplace wellbeing yoga or corporate yoga Ireland, often at lunchtime
Short courses or yoga workshops Ireland (beginners’ series, “back care”, “yoga for runners”)
Yoga retreat Ireland weekends and one‑day events, sometimes linked to tourism or seasonal demand
Online yoga classes or recorded yoga programmes people can access on demand

null

Most people don’t jump into all of these at once. A more common early pattern is:

null

Teaching one or two evening or weekend classes while staying in your current job
Adding an occasional lunchtime workplace session if the opportunity arises
Building a couple of 1:1 or small‑group yoga clients through word of mouth
Experimenting with a simple online class once you have a small base of students who know you

null

Where you live matters:

null

In Dublin and other larger cities, there are more studios and gyms, more potential students and more corporate opportunities – but also more competition and higher costs. Dublin yoga jobs can look busy on paper but often mean travelling between several venues.
In smaller towns and rural yoga Ireland, there may be no dedicated studio at all, but strong demand for reliable community‑hall yoga, local sports‑club sessions and seasonal retreats.

null

The shape of your working week ends up being a mix of teaching time plus:

null

Planning and sequencing classes
Travelling between venues
Replying to emails and messages
Posting updates or newsletters
Keeping on top of bookings, payments and tax
A surprising amount of quiet thinking about how to help specific people in your classes

null

This “hidden” work is easy to underestimate, especially if you’re used to someone else handling admin, marketing and scheduling.

null

Training pathways: from first course to ongoing development

null

Yoga teaching in Ireland is not a state‑licensed profession. There’s no national statutory licence in the way there is for, say, physiotherapy, nursing or secondary‑school teaching.

null

Instead, the field is shaped by:

null

Industry expectations (for example, a 200‑hour foundational yoga teacher training as a minimum)
Insurance requirements
What studios, gyms and clients recognise and trust

null

It’s helpful to think of your development in three layers rather than “one and done”.

null

Layer 1: Foundational teacher training (often 200 hours)

null

For most people, the first formal step is a “200‑hour” foundational yoga teacher training. You’ll see it described as 200‑hour yoga training, 200hr yoga, 200‑hour yoga teacher training and similar.

null

You’ll also see different formats:

null

Part‑time yoga teacher training in Ireland: weekends over 6–12 months, sometimes with a few intensive days
Intensive: 3–5 weeks full‑time, often abroad

null

For mid‑career professionals, the part‑time model tends to be more realistic. It allows you to stay in your job while you train, though you’ll need to protect your time and energy.

null

A solid foundational course typically covers:

null

Teaching skills: cueing, sequencing, planning classes
Anatomy and physiology relevant to yoga
Alignment, modifications and safety
Philosophy and ethics
Practicum: actually teaching, with feedback

null

When you’re comparing courses, look less at the “200” and more at:

null

Who teaches the course and their track record of teaching real students
How much supervised teaching practice and feedback you’ll get
How the course is recognised by yoga organisations and insurers
Whether yoga insurance Ireland providers will cover you based on that qualification
How much support you’ll have between weekends or modules

null

If you’re considering teaching abroad or working with international online yoga classes, check how widely recognised the credential is in those contexts too.

null

Layer 2: Specialty trainings

null

Once you’ve completed – or are well into – a foundational course, you’ll see specialist trainings such as:

null

Prenatal yoga Ireland and postnatal yoga
Children’s and teens’ yoga (often linked to Garda vetting for teachers)
Yoga for older adults or chair‑based work
Restorative yoga or more therapeutic yoga training
Trauma‑informed yoga approaches

null

These can open doors to specific groups and give you more confidence with particular needs. They don’t replace a good foundation, and they don’t automatically qualify you to work with complex medical or psychological issues. Think of them as further tools, not a shortcut to being a therapist.

null

Layer 3: Ongoing CPD and mentorship

null

One course, even a very good one, doesn’t make you a fully rounded professional.

null

The yoga teachers who sustain a career over time usually:

null

Take regular continuing professional development yoga (CPD) workshops
Work with some form of yoga mentorship or senior teacher support
Join peer practice or supervision groups
Keep refining how they communicate, plan and hold space
Update their knowledge as research, best practice and client needs evolve

null

This matters even more when you’re working with specific populations – pregnant people, older adults, people in chronic pain, or those recovering from injury or trauma.

null

Accreditation, recognition and why the language matters

null

You’ll come across phrases like “Yoga Alliance certified”, “Registered Yoga Teacher”, or “accredited yoga teacher training in Ireland”. It can sound very official, but it’s worth understanding what’s actually going on.

null

In broad terms:

null

Accreditation is when an industry body approves a course or teacher against its own standards.
Recognition is what happens in practice – which studios, insurers and clients accept or value that accreditation.

null

It’s not the same as:

null

A government licence to practise
A guarantee of employment
A promise that you’re fully prepared for every possible teaching situation

null

When you’re weighing up training options, it’s worth:

null

Asking which organisations recognise the course
Checking with Irish insurers that they accept that training for teacher insurance
Talking to studios locally about what they look for in teachers

null

Aim for clear, accurate language when you talk about your own training as well. It’s better to say “I’ve completed X training, accredited by Y organisation” than to imply you hold a state‑issued licence that doesn’t exist.

null

Planning your switch: from salary to variable income

null

For mid‑career switchers, money is usually one of the biggest questions.

null

How long until this is viable? Do you have to quit your job to “take it seriously”?

null

Most people find a phased approach is both safer and less stressful.

null

Stage 1: Exploration (while fully employed)

null

This is the “do I really want this?” phase.

null

You might:

null

Commit to a consistent personal practice, not just classes when work is quiet
Attend a mix of classes, teachers and styles – including beginner yoga course options – to see how different teachers handle new students
Talk honestly to yoga teachers you respect about their work – the good bits and the hard bits
Start setting aside savings as a buffer for future low‑income months
Notice when teaching appeals: leading groups, explaining concepts, holding space

null

The aim here isn’t to make any big decisions yet. It’s to understand what teaching days really look like, beyond the view from the mat.

null

Stage 2: Training alongside your job

null

If you decide to go ahead with foundational training, many people:

null

Choose a part‑time 200‑hour yoga training in Ireland that fits around their current role
Block training dates and study time well in advance
Start practice‑teaching with friends, colleagues or small groups once the course allows

null

A surprise for a lot of mid‑career students is how demanding this phase can be on top of full‑time work: physically, mentally and in terms of time to read, practise and reflect.

null

It can help to:

null

Temporarily reduce other commitments if you can
Be realistic about social life and energy levels
Keep talking to family or housemates about the time and attention your training will need

null

Stage 3: Early teaching phase (side income)

null

As you near the end of your course, or just after, you might start teaching as a part‑time yoga teacher:

null

One or two weekly classes in a studio, gym, community hall or workplace
Modestly priced private yoga lessons or small‑group yoga sessions for people you already know
Occasional online yoga classes from home

null

At this stage:

null

Income is usually small and inconsistent
You’re learning how to plan classes for real people rather than ideal scenarios
Yoga scheduling can feel like a jigsaw puzzle around your existing job
Marketing is minimal but present – perhaps a basic profile, a simple booking page or a small email list

null

This early phase can last anywhere from 6 to 24 months, depending on:

null

Your financial obligations
How quickly you build up classes
The demand in your local area
Your willingness to travel or teach online

null

Stage 4: Reshaping your main work

null

Once your timetable is steadier and you have a sense of your average monthly income from teaching, you have options:

null

Reduce hours in your current job
Move into a role with more predictable hours or remote work, to free up mornings or evenings
Step gradually towards being a self‑employed yoga teacher as your main income source

null

It’s important not to assume yoga teaching will match or exceed your current salary quickly, if at all.

null

Some teachers do reach a full‑time income, but usually by:

null

Mixing income streams (studio yoga classes, privates, corporate, retreats, online)
Accepting that January and September look very different to July or late December
Treating their work as a yoga business Ireland, not just “a few classes”

null

What a realistic week might look like

null

To make this more concrete, here are two sample weeks that reflect patterns many teachers in Ireland work with.

null

Example 1: Dublin‑based teacher, part‑time around a 4‑day job

null

Monday
Daytime: office job
Evening: online class 7–8pm
null
Tuesday
Morning: admin (replying to emails, updating bookings)
Midday: workplace wellbeing yoga in the city centre
Afternoon: office job
null
Wednesday
Daytime: office job
Evening: two back‑to‑back studio yoga classes
null
Thursday
Daytime: office job
Evening: planning next week’s classes, light yoga marketing (posting schedule, updating website)
null
Friday
Early: short online class before work
Daytime: office job
Evening: rest
null
Saturday
Morning: studio class followed by one private client
Afternoon: free
null
Sunday
Usually off, with the occasional yoga workshops Ireland or one‑off event
null

null

Here, yoga brings in extra income and satisfaction, but the main financial stability still comes from the salaried role.

null

Example 2: Rural‑based teacher, self‑employed mix

null

Two or three weekly evening community‑hall yoga classes in different villages
One morning class in a nearby town
A short 6–8 week beginner yoga course a few times a year
A couple of sports‑club or GAA team sessions
Seasonal retreats and events yoga when tourism or local interest is higher
A handful of online students who have moved away but want to stay connected

null

Travel time is higher, but venue costs can be lower than in cities. Retreats and online offerings can help bridge quieter local periods, but they need more planning and involve more upfront risk.

null

Setting yourself up as a small business in Ireland

null

The moment you start accepting money for teaching yoga, you’re effectively in business, even if it’s just one weekly class.

null

Business structure and tax

null

In Ireland, most yoga teachers start as sole traders (self‑employed individuals).

null

Key early steps:

null

Register as self‑employed with Revenue once you begin earning from teaching (revenue self‑employed)
Keep simple, clear records of all income and expenses from your first payment
Set aside a portion of each payment for tax – easier than trying to “find” it later
Be aware that VAT thresholds, income tax rates, PRSI rules and other details can change, so always check current guidance on Revenue.ie or speak with an accountant before relying on a specific figure you’ve heard from someone else

null

You don’t have to become an accounting expert, but you do need a basic system you can keep up with. A simple spreadsheet or basic bookkeeping app is enough at the start.

null

When you’re thinking about tax for yoga teachers, build the habit of:

null

Logging every class, every payment and every expense
Filing digital copies of receipts and invoices
Blocking a monthly “money hour” to stay on top of it

null

Insurance and liability

null

Most yoga insurance Ireland policies for teachers include some combination of:

null

Public liability insurance yoga (for classes in studios, halls, workplaces or clients’ homes)
Professional indemnity cover
Additional cover for online classes, retreats or overseas teaching, if relevant

null

Insurers often want to see:

null

A recognised foundational teacher training (commonly 200 hours)
Appropriate specialty training if you’re teaching pregnancy, postnatal, children or more therapeutic‑style work
Sometimes, a current first‑aid certificate

null

Policies and requirements vary and do change, so it’s worth:

null

Reading the wording carefully
Confirming that your policy covers how and where you actually teach (in‑person, online, abroad, retreats)
Asking directly if you’re unsure, rather than assuming you’re covered

null

Legal responsibilities and client data

null

Working with real people also means handling their information and setting clear boundaries.

null

Areas to consider include:

null

GDPR for yoga teachers: how you collect, store and use client data (names, contact details, health information, email addresses)
Health and consent forms: asking about injuries, medical conditions, pregnancy and preferences in a clear, respectful way
Contracts and agreements: studio‑hire terms, corporate contracts, retreat terms and cancellation policies
Garda vetting for teachers: required if you work with children, teens or in certain organisations (for example, some schools, youth services or clubs)

null

If you’re planning to email students with updates or new offerings, make sure your sign‑up process is opt‑in and that you’re clear about how you’ll use their details.

null

Safety, scope of practice and professional boundaries

null

Many people considering a switch into yoga teaching worry about two things:

null

What if someone gets injured?
What if a student shares something very heavy emotionally?

null

Some guiding principles help here.

null

Be clear about your role

null

As a yoga teacher, you’re:

null

Supporting movement, breath and awareness
Offering practices that may help with stress, sleep, strength and focus

null

You’re not:

null

A GP, physiotherapist or other medical professional
A psychologist, psychotherapist or counsellor

null

Scope of practice yoga matters. Avoid claiming that yoga will “cure” or “fix” medical or mental‑health conditions.

null

Where appropriate, you can:

null

Encourage students to speak with their GP or relevant healthcare professional
Work in collaboration with, not in place of, other professionals if a client is already receiving care
Be clear in your yoga teacher ethics and marketing language about what you do and don’t offer

null

Build safety into how you teach

null

Practical approaches to client safety in yoga include:

null

Using intake forms to learn about injuries, health conditions and relevant history
Offering options and modifications rather than pushing people into a particular shape
Emphasising that rest is always available and that opting out of a pose is welcome
Designing sequences that are progressive and adaptable, not performance‑driven

null

First aid for yoga teachers is strongly recommended and, for some venues and insurers, expected. Even a basic emergency response course can make a big difference to your confidence.

null

Know your limits

null

It’s good to be ambitious about your learning, but also honest about your competence.

null

If you plan to teach:

null

Pregnancy and postnatal yoga
Classes for people with chronic pain, complex injuries or mental‑health challenges
Trauma‑sensitive or more therapeutic yoga training‑style sessions

null

then appropriate training and, in some cases, supervision or mentorship are essential. It’s also fine to say, “That’s outside my scope, but I can suggest someone who might help.”

null

Finding your niche in the Irish yoga landscape

null

Ireland’s yoga scene isn’t one single market. It looks quite different in Dublin city centre compared with a coastal town in Clare.

null

Broad patterns:

null

Urban areas (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick)
null
More studios and gyms offering yoga
null
Higher competition for prime evening and weekend slots
null
More scope for corporate yoga Ireland and workplace wellbeing yoga
null
Better public transport between venues
null
Smaller towns and rural yoga Ireland
null
Fewer formal studios, sometimes none
null
Good potential for community‑hall yoga, church or GAA hall sessions
null
Retreats, day‑events and seasonal offerings, especially where tourism is strong
null
Students often willing to drive further for a consistent, good‑quality class
null

null

Many career changers find it useful to specialise to some extent. Your yoga niche might be:

null

Gentle, restorative yoga or chair‑based classes for older adults
Workplace wellbeing yoga, aimed at offices and remote teams
Yoga to support specific sports (GAA, running, cycling, golf)
Prenatal yoga Ireland and postnatal classes for new parents
Nervous‑system‑focused or trauma‑informed yoga (with appropriate training)
Yoga CPD sessions for other teachers if you have a specialist background

null

Your existing career is often an asset here:

null

If you’ve worked in corporate environments, you understand meeting culture, time pressures and office politics – useful for designing realistic lunchtime sessions.
If you come from teaching, coaching or training, you’re used to structuring learning, managing groups and setting boundaries.
If your background is healthcare or social care, you may already feel comfortable liaising with other professionals and thinking about risk.

null

Instead of discarding your previous experience, you can weave it into how and where you teach.

null

Yoga marketing and branding without hating it

null

For many career changers, the idea of “selling yourself” is almost more daunting than the idea of teaching.

null

Yoga marketing at the beginning doesn’t need to be slick. It’s mostly about:

null

Being clear about who you’re for and what you offer
Making it easy for people to find you and book
Building trust over time

null

A simple starting point might look like:

null

A one‑page website or profile with your bio, class times and booking links
An email list for people who want updates (often more reliable long‑term than social media alone)
One or two social channels you can maintain without resentment
Clear, straightforward yoga pricing so people know what to expect

null

Yoga branding at this stage is less about logos and more about consistency:

null

The way you write and talk
How you show up in class
How reliable you are with times, communication and boundaries

null

Referrals and word‑of‑mouth are powerful in Ireland. A lot of steady small‑group yoga classes and private work come from simply doing a good job and being easy to recommend.

null

Seasonality and demand: why the year doesn’t look flat

null

Another factor to be aware of is yoga seasonality.

null

Many teachers notice patterns such as:

null

January and early spring: high demand, especially for beginner yoga course intakes and “back to routine” classes
Summer: quieter regular classes as people travel, evenings are bright and routine goes out the window
Autumn: another steadier period as schedules settle again
December and holiday periods: unpredictable – some classes empty, some one‑off retreats and events yoga do well

null

If you plan to rely on teaching income, this matters for:

null

Budgeting – you may need to treat stronger months as partly covering quieter ones
Planning offerings – retreats, intensive courses or online programmes can help balance quieter times, but they carry more upfront risk and require careful planning
Managing your own expectations – a quiet July class doesn’t mean you’re a bad teacher; it may just be summer in Ireland

null

Balancing training with your current job

null

The logistics of “when would I actually do this?” can feel more daunting than the idea itself.

null

Energy

null

Weekend trainings on top of a full working week are tiring. You may need to:

null

Scale back other commitments for a season
Accept that some weekends will be spoken for
Build in intentional rest, rather than treating your “days off” as a chance to cram everything else in

null

Time

null

Most 200‑hour yoga teacher training courses involve:

null

Contact hours in workshops or weekends
Personal practice between sessions
Reading and reflection
Practice teaching with peers or volunteer students

null

It can help to:

null

Block time in your calendar for study and practice, not just the formal training days
Be honest about what you can give up temporarily (for example, a weekly social commitment) to make space

null

Money

null

Beyond tuition fees, there are often extra costs:

null

Travel and accommodation (if the course isn’t local)
Books, props or equipment
Insurance once you start teaching
Studio or hall hire if you run your own classes

null

Many people find it useful to treat the first 12–18 months as an “investment and testing” period: you expect to put in more time, money and energy than you take out in income, while you decide what role you want yoga to play in your working life.

null

Common misconceptions to watch out for

null

A few beliefs come up repeatedly among potential career changers.

null

“A 200‑hour course will fully qualify me, and then I’m done.”

null

A foundational course is usually enough to begin teaching general group classes. It’s not the end of the road.

null

Developing confidence with:

null

Sequencing for real, varied bodies
Reading the room and adapting on the spot
Communicating clearly
Running the business side (bookings, payments, yoga scheduling, marketing)

null

takes time, experience and often further CPD and mentorship.

null

“Yoga teaching will quickly replace my current salary.”

null

Even in busy urban areas with plenty of Dublin yoga jobs, it takes time to:

null

Build a steady class timetable
Fill those classes consistently
Develop higher‑earning strands like retreats or corporate contracts

null

A more sustainable expectation is:

null

You’ll probably have mixed income for a while (job plus teaching, or different types of work)
Your monthly earnings from yoga will go up and down
It may or may not ever fully replace your original career salary – and that’s not automatically a failure

null

“Yoga teachers are basically therapists.”

null

Yoga can be deeply supportive for people’s mental and emotional wellbeing, but teaching yoga is not the same thing as providing therapy or counselling.

null

Blurring those lines can:

null

Put pressure on you to offer support you’re not trained for
Delay someone getting the professional help they might need
Create risk for you and your students if boundaries aren’t clear

null

Being clear about scope of practice yoga, safety and ethics is part of being responsible.

null

A simple 12‑month roadmap if you’re considering the switch

null

Everyone’s circumstances are different, but a rough outline many career changers find helpful looks like this.

null

Months 1–3: Clarify and research

null

Deepen your own practice and try different classes, teachers and styles
Have honest conversations with two or three working teachers about their reality
Research foundational yoga teacher training in Ireland and abroad if relevant
Check how each course is recognised by insurers and respected bodies
Review your finances and set a savings or buffer goal

null

Months 4–9: Train while you work

null

Start your foundational 200‑hour or equivalent course in a format that fits your job
Begin practice teaching with willing friends or colleagues
Take a basic first‑aid or emergency response course if you can
Sketch out simple, low‑pressure visibility: a one‑page website or profile, an email list, a short bio

null

Months 10–12: Start teaching and test the waters

null

Take on one or two regular classes, even if the numbers are small at first
Register as self‑employed with Revenue once you’re earning, and arrange appropriate insurance
Put basic systems in place: intake forms, GDPR‑aware data storage, simple bookkeeping
Track your income and expenses from day one
Notice how teaching feels in your week: energy levels, satisfaction, stress
Reflect on what’s emerging – who you enjoy working with, what times and formats suit you, and whether you’d like to grow it further

null

At that point, you’re in a much better position to decide whether yoga will remain:

null

A meaningful side‑career alongside your main job
A gradually expanding part of your income
Or a skill you integrate into other roles (for example, workplace wellbeing, education or health‑adjacent work)

null

Bringing your existing skills with you

null

If you’re mid‑career or later, you’re not starting again from zero. You’re bringing a whole toolkit with you.

null

Skills that often transfer surprisingly well into yoga teaching include:

null

Communication and presentation
Facilitation and group management
Planning, scheduling and project management
Customer service and relationship‑building
Basic marketing or sales experience
Administration and record‑keeping

null

These show up in:

null

The clarity of your cues and explanations
How you structure courses, workshops or retreats
How reliable and professional you seem to clients and studios
How organised you are behind the scenes

null

It’s worth taking time to actually list what you’re already good at and how it might support you in this new context. Many career changers underestimate this part.

null

Next steps if you’re seriously considering the switch

null

If yoga teaching in Ireland is something you’re genuinely drawn to, you don’t have to decide today whether to become a full‑time teacher.

null

You can:

null

Treat the next 6–12 months as a structured experiment
Put some boundaries and numbers around that experiment (budget, time, energy)
Pay attention to how it feels in your week, not just how it looks from the outside

null

Before you commit to any specific course or major financial step, it’s worth:

null

Talking to working teachers whose lifestyle and values you actually respect
Comparing training options carefully and checking how they’re regarded locally
Verifying current guidance on tax for yoga teachers, insurance requirements and Garda vetting that might apply where you plan to work
Getting clear on your own reasons for wanting to teach – and the level of risk you’re comfortable with

null

If you’d like structured, impartial help weighing all of this up – in the context of your wider career, finances and long‑term plans – a one‑to‑one career guidance consultation can give you space to think it through properly and make a grounded decision that works for you.

null

And whatever you decide, keep that final reminder in mind: always double‑check current local rules (Revenue obligations, insurance, Garda Vetting) and course credentials before you commit your time and money to a yoga career switch.

null

Looking for more personalised support?

Book a consultation today and let's discuss your options in more detail.

Book A Consultation

Joe Casey

Share this post

Subscribe for updates and more