Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your unique teaching style and expertise in various yoga practices can be a daunting challenge. Our guide provides tailored strategies to help you articulate your personal philosophy and the breadth of your skills, ensuring your application stands out to potential employers.
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche yoga instructor role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Formatting your yoga instructor CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional yoga instructor CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional yoga instructor CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
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Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a yoga instructor CV
- Professional Summary showcases your passion and expertise in yoga.
- Yoga Teaching Experience highlights past roles and contributions as an instructor.
- Relevant Qualifications lists certifications and training specific to yoga teaching.
- Specialised Yoga Styles details the types of yoga you are trained to instruct.
- References Available Upon Request indicates willingness to provide professional endorsements.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your certifications and specific styles of yoga you are trained in, as this demonstrates your qualifications and the variety you can offer to potential employers or clients.
- Detail your experience with different class sizes, highlighting your ability to manage and personalise instruction in both large group settings and one-on-one sessions, which is vital for adjusting to various teaching environments.
- Include any special programmes or workshops you have conducted, such as yoga for stress relief or prenatal yoga, to showcase your adaptability and expertise in catering to diverse needs.
- Discuss your philosophy and approach to teaching, conveying your understanding of yoga as both a physical practice and a mental discipline, which can resonate with students looking for a holistic experience.
- Highlight any additional skills that complement your role as a yoga instructor, such as knowledge of anatomy, nutrition, or meditation, to illustrate a well-rounded skillset beneficial for comprehensive wellness instruction.
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What information should you include in your yoga instructor CV header?
The CV header is potentially the section that recruiters would refer to the most, as it should include your:
- Contact details - your professional (non-work) email address and phone number;
- Professional photograph - if you're applying hinting at the value you bring as a professional.
Many professionals often struggle with writing their yoga instructor CV headline. That's why in the next section of this guide, we've curated examples of how you can optimise this space to pass any form of assessment.
Examples of good CV headlines for yoga instructor:
- Certified Yoga Teacher | Hatha & Vinyasa Specialist | Mindfulness Advocate | 5 Years of Experience
- Senior Yoga Instructor | Advanced RYT-500 | Restorative Yoga Expert | 10+ Years Teaching Excellence
- Yoga Wellness Coach | Anatomy-Focused Instruction | Mental Health Ally | E-RYT 200 Certified
- Yoga Practitioner & Educator | Ashtanga & Iyengar | Child Yoga Programs | 8 Years Dedicated Teaching
- Lead Yoga Mentor | Therapeutic Yoga Approach | Lifelong Learning Advocate | Over 12 Years' Expertise
- Professional Yoga Guide | Pre/Postnatal Expertise | YACEP Accredited | Progressive Teaching for 7 Years
What's the difference between a yoga instructor CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your yoga instructor CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a yoga instructor job:
- With over 10 years of dedicated yoga instruction experience, this seasoned professional boasts expertise in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Restorative yoga. Having successfully grown a local yoga studio client base by 300%, their passion for holistic wellness and personalised programme design shines through in every session.
- A former dance instructor with 7 years of teaching experience, now a certified Ashtanga and Kundalini yoga instructor, brings a unique blend of choreographic skill and yogic discipline to deliver engaging and transformative classes that deeply resonate with practitioners of all levels.
- A chartered physiotherapist with 5 years in clinical rehabilitation, this career changer integrates deep anatomical knowledge and therapeutic exercise experience into a newfound yoga teaching path, creating safe and effective yoga programmes tailored for recovery and strength.
- A dynamic former corporate HR manager now turned Iyengar yoga instructor combines 3 years of yoga teaching with expertise in team-building and wellness programs, showing a marked increase in attendee vitality and workplace morale through tailored corporate yoga sessions.
- Aspiring to bring a fresh perspective to the yoga community, this motivated individual seeks to leverage their extensive background in customer service and their recent 200-hour yoga teacher training certification to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for all yoga enthusiasts.
- Keen to embark on a journey as a yoga instructor, this recent graduate from the 200-hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training programme aims to utilise their newfound skills and knowledge in pranayama, meditation, and asana to inspire others on their path to physical and mental well-being.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your yoga instructor CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Planned and instructed a variety of yoga classes, including Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin, tailoring sessions to the specific skill levels and physical abilities of participants.
- Completed 200 hours of Yoga Teacher Training accredited by Yoga Alliance, specialising in both traditional and contemporary yoga philosophies.
- Developed and implemented workshops focusing on mindfulness, meditation, and stress relief, receiving positive feedback on participants' increased wellbeing.
- Conducted one-on-one yoga sessions providing personalised attention and adapted postures to accommodate individual needs and health conditions.
- Promoted a holistic approach to health and fitness, incorporating nutritional advice, and mindful breathing techniques into class practices.
- Utilised social media platforms to connect with students, share yoga tips, and promote upcoming classes and events, leading to a 30% increase in class attendance.
- Collaborated with other health professionals, such as physiotherapists, to offer a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation and recovery through yoga.
- Kept abreast with the latest trends in the yoga industry, continuously enhancing personal practise and teaching methodology to improve client experience.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and welcoming studio environment, ensuring all equipment was hygienic and properly set up for classes.
- Designed and implemented a diverse range of yoga classes for all levels, significantly increasing studio attendance by 30% over the first year.
- Organised and led a successful weekly yoga workshop focusing on stress reduction which consistently attracted 20+ participants per session.
- Initiated a community outreach programme, collaborating with local schools to introduce yoga to children, enhancing the wellbeing of over 200 students.
- Developed and taught a unique 'Hot Yoga Series' which resulted in a membership growth of 40% during the tenure.
- Led a team of yoga instructors, providing mentorship and weekly professional development sessions to improve teaching strategies.
- Compiled and utilised client feedback to tailor a special 'Mindful Yoga Program' that became one of the most recommended sessions at the studio.
- Facilitated rehabilitative yoga sessions for over 50 individuals recovering from injuries, significantly improving mobility and pain for 90% of participants.
- Established a corporate yoga program which enlisted 10 corporate clients, improving workplace wellness and productivity.
- Pioneered a 'Yoga for Athletes' program that became a cornerstone offering, enhancing the performance of over 25 local athletes.
- Implemented a comprehensive 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course, certifying 15 new instructors and expanding the studio’s teaching capacity.
- Leveraged social media platforms to elevate the brand's presence, doubling the studio's online following and driving a 20% increase in client registrations.
- Championed a sustainability initiative within the yoga studio, reducing waste by 50% through the introduction of eco-friendly practices and materials.
- Crafted and delivered a highly successful 'Yoga for Mindfulness' campaign, engaging over 500 participants and enhancing the studio's reputation for wellness.
- Coordinated and executed a comprehensive rebranding of the yoga class portfolio, resulting in a 25% uptick in sign-ups for specialised classes.
- Founded a monthly 'Yoga in the Park' event that consistently drew in excess of 100 participants per session, fostering a sense of community and raising brand awareness.
- Spearheaded the launch of an online yoga platform which accrued a subscription base of 1000+ members within the first six months.
- Curated a blog series on the benefits of yoga, attracting on average 3000 reads per entry and establishing the studio's expertise in the wellness market.
- Directed a successful 'Yoga for Mental Health' workshop series, which led to partnerships with local mental health organisations and benefitting over 150 individual clients.
- Advanced the practice of traditional Ashtanga Yoga by integrating contemporary anatomical knowledge, enhancing safe practice for 400+ weekly students.
- Collaborated with physiotherapists to develop a postural correction workshop, which improved chronic back pain for 95% of attendees.
- Orchestrated a high-ticket international yoga retreat, generating £25,000 in revenue and solidifying relationships with 20 loyal clients.
- Launched an innovative prenatal yoga series, supporting more than 100 expectant mothers through each trimester with tailored yoga exercises.
- Networked with local healthcare providers to refer patients, increasing studio traffic by 50% and establishing the studio as a leader in prenatal wellness.
- Initiated a volunteer-based 'Yoga for Low-Income Families' program, which provided free sessions to over 30 families, improving access to yoga in the community.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Key yoga instructor CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your yoga instructor CV:
Hatha Yoga
Vinyasa Flow
Ashtanga Yoga
Yoga Anatomy
Pranayama Techniques
Meditation Practices
Alignment Principles
Yoga Philosophy
Yoga Therapy
Restorative Yoga
Communication
Empathy
Adaptability
Patience
Active Listening
Time Management
Leadership
Cultural Sensitivity
Motivation
Conflict Resolution
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Further professional qualifications for your yoga instructor CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your yoga instructor CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your yoga instructor CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
