35 Yoga Instructor Interview Questions (With Answers)

Updated 30 September 2022

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A yoga instructor helps learners and students perform different yoga poses. Working as a yoga instructor can be very rewarding, as they often focus on helping people and teaching them how to maintain their wellness. When applying for yoga instructor jobs, it can be beneficial to prepare for some common questions in advance. In this article, we list 35 common yoga instructor interview questions, share sample answers to some of them and discuss a few tips that can help you answer such questions confidently.

10 General yoga instructor interview questions

Here are 10 general yoga instructor interview questions you may encounter while applying for jobs:

Are you familiar with our services and values?
Why do you want to work as a yoga instructor?
Please tell me some things about yourself.
What are some of your strengths?
Why are you a suitable candidate for this position?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and improvement areas?
When are you typically available to teach?
Do you have any questions for us?
Why do you want to work for our studio?

10 Interview questions about the experience and background

Here are 10 questions that a yoga instructor might answer about their experience and background:

How long have you been practising yoga?
Have you worked as a yoga instructor before?
Do you have any experience running your own studio?
Please explain how you typically lead a session.
How has teaching yoga contributed to your career goals?
Can you please tell me which certifications you have completed?
Please describe a time when you helped a student who was having difficulty in class.
Do you know about any other forms of meditation?
What class sizes are you comfortable teaching?
How has practising yoga helped you personally?

10 In-depth questions for a yoga instructor

Here are 10 in-depth interview questions for a yoga instructor:

How did you get interested in yoga?
What do you think your expertise in yoga can add to our health centre?
How do you plan to sustain lasting relationships with students?
Do you think yoga is more taxing physically or mentally?
Which aspects of yoga are you most excited to teach?
Can you describe an instance when you helped someone overcome a challenge with yoga?
Which methods do you use to manage conflict in class?
Are you familiar with the chakra system?
What steps do you take to include yoga in your daily routine?
Do you have any formal training as a yoga instructor?

5 Interview questions for a yoga instructor with sample answers

Here are the sample answers to five common questions that an interviewer can ask a yoga instructor:

1. Describe the qualities of an ideal yoga instructor.

This question can provide an interviewer with insight into a candidate's values and familiarity with yoga classes. In your response, you can highlight the qualities you value in a yoga instructor and explain why they are essential.

Example: "An ideal yoga instructor is someone with a lot of patience and compassion for their students because I think helping students is the most critical part of the job. I also think an ideal yoga instructor has extensive experience in more than one style of yoga so that they can teach a variety of asanas to their students."

2. What teaching method do you most enjoy?

Employers can ask this question to learn about a candidate's teaching style. Since certain teaching methods can be more effective, it can be helpful for a yoga studio or wellness centre to confirm that a new instructor can fit in with their teaching approach and environment. To answer this question, you can describe one or two teaching methods that you enjoy using and that you find effective.

Example: "I prefer any method of teaching that is inclusive and focuses on making sure that all students in a class are comfortable. One of my favourite techniques is to use the word 'variation' instead of 'modified' when adjusting poses for students with limited mobility, as this can help create a more positive frame of mind. I am also a practical instructor, so I like to walk around the room and help students manually when they ask for assistance."

3. Which disciplines of yoga do you have experience teaching?

As there are many different disciplines of yoga, an employer might ask this question to determine whether a candidate has experience in the forms of yoga that their facility offers. This can be especially an important question for studios that advertise classes in specific yoga disciplines that require more complex instruction. When answering this question, you can list the specific forms of yoga in which you have teaching experience.

Example: "I have experience in a few different disciplines of yoga. For my first three years as an instructor at a studio, I taught classes in Hatha yoga and Ashtanga yoga. Then, I also started to offer classes from my home in Bikram yoga and Vinyasa."

4. What skills do you possess that make you a suitable candidate for this position?

An interviewer might ask this question to determine whether a candidate has the necessary skills to become an effective yoga instructor. Teaching yoga typically requires specific soft skills and knowledge, so you can answer this question by highlighting the skills that are most relevant to teaching yoga.

Example: "While I have many skills that help me be an effective teacher, I believe some most valuable skills are being patient and having strong communication skills. These skills help me guide students gently and ensure everyone remains comfortable throughout each lesson."

5. What can you do to manage a student who is disrupting the class?

This question can tell the interviewer how effectively you can manage conflict. As the aim of many yoga classes is often to create an environment of relaxation, knowing how to handle disruptions or distractions can be a valuable skill. You can answer this question by describing your methods for resolving conflict during class.

Example: "Whenever I notice a disruptive student in class, my first step is to make sure that others in the class also seem distracted before I intervene. Then, I typically approach the disruptive student and ask them quietly to stop the behaviour that is distracting the class. If the disruption continues, I might ask them to leave the studio."

Tips for answering yoga instructor interview questions

Following the correct strategy and approach to answering interview questions can help create a positive first impression on the interviewer. Here are a few tips that may be helpful in answering interview questions for a yoga instructor:

Include examples in your answers

It can be helpful to review your previous experience and look for instances that showcase your expertise as a yoga instructor. Using these examples while answering interview questions can help showcase that you are an experienced and knowledgeable candidate highly suitable for the job. This also helps you to respond with confidence as you feel more secure about your skills and abilities.

Rehearse answers in front of a mirror

It may be helpful to practise answering questions in front of a mirror by pretending that the mirror is the interviewer. This helps you analyse your body language and mannerisms, and you may improve these if you notice any weaknesses. Doing this regularly can also help improve your confidence levels and make you a better communicator.

Be authentic

Some interviewers may ask you about instances where you had the chance to perform more effectively. Some questions may even require you to discuss your improvement areas. While answering such questions, it is important that you stay authentic and sincere. You may respond by telling the interviewer what the situation was and what did you learn from it, and how you are working on improving yourself. This showcases confidence and an ability to learn, adapt and grow.