Am I too old to train as a Yoga or Pilates teacher?

Here are our top 10 reasons why we firmly believe, and actively promote, that you are never too old to follow your dreams and train to be a Yoga or Pilates teacher:

1. Age IS just a number

We firmly believe that functional capacity, heartfelt passion and commitment matter far more than chronological age. What you bring to your teaching isn’t measured in years.

2. These practices support the body at every stage of life

Yoga and Pilates are often recommended by GPs and other health professionals as a safer form of exercise as we age, being low impact and kinder to joints and backs, while helping with high blood pressure, stress and inflammation. If they can be practised and enjoyed at any age, they can be taught at any age too. Not only does it help your students stay healthy, it helps YOU too.

3. Living proof: teachers still practising into their 100s

Both Tao Porchon-Lynch and Charlotte Chopin taught Yoga at the age of 101, and Mary Bowen, the oldest known “Pilates Elder” who was trained directly by Joseph Pilates, taught well into her 90s. These stories are genuinely inspiring, and show that not only can Yoga and Pilates be taught at any age. You may also inspire others to do the same.

4. Mindset and motivation are ageless

I’ve always been grateful for teaching, as it’s given me accountability to keep moving throughout my life. Even on days I haven’t felt like going, I’ve always felt better for it afterwards – proof that the benefit is as much about mindset as it is about movement.

5. Your life experience becomes your teaching superpower

We learn through overcoming setbacks, injuries and dis-ease, and everything you’ve learnt along the way will (usually) inform your teaching, making you a more compassionate and empathetic guide for your students.

6. Your own transformation is your ‘why’

Most people are drawn to teaching Yoga or Pilates because it has made a positive difference in their own lives. That conviction is what sets great teachers apart, at any age. You’re not just teaching technique, you’re teaching from proof that it works.

7. Adaptability means there’s a way to teach at every stage

Pilates and Yoga are highly adaptive, meaning you can offer modifications to suit all ages and levels, and we train you how to do this on our courses. This means you can teach according to where you are on your journey, adapting both the setting and style of class accordingly.

8. Students often want to see themselves reflected in their teacher

Older adults may feel more comfortable attending classes led by a more mature teacher, as it can help them feel less intimidated. I recall an article reporting that, in a large-scale study, feeling intimidated was the number one reason people chose not to return to a Yoga class. Inclusivity and non-judgement are central to our training, so our graduates can help every student feel genuinely welcome.

9. A mix of ages makes for a richer learning community

Having diversity on our courses supports everyone’s learning and growth, as different life stages bring different blessings and we all learn from each other. It also reflects real life, in that there will be a mixed age range of students in most teaching settings.

10. Age can become your specialism, not your limitation

You can go on to specialise in teaching the ageing population, common health conditions, community-based classes, or chair and wall Yoga and Pilates. Our 4-day older adult and back care CPD course, for example, is extremely popular, and a fantastic option if you want to focus on this important client group. We also run a ‘Pilates with hand weights’ workshop, which is proving just as popular – helping students maintain bone health and muscle mass without increasing impact or needing to set foot in a gym.

Already teaching? Click here to find out more about these CPD courses.