You’re a talented yoga teacher from abroad, excited to share your practice in Indonesia. The students seem eager, the studios are welcoming, and everything feels perfect.
Then small things start going wrong. Students seem uncomfortable during certain poses. Your philosophical explanations get blank stares. The studio owner gives you polite but concerned feedback.
Let’s be honest, teaching yoga in Indonesia requires more than just good alignment cues and pretty sequences.
The Religious Sensitivity You Can’t Ignore
The biggest mistake foreign teachers make is treating yoga like it’s completely secular when most Indonesians don’t see it that way.
Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, and many students come to yoga with genuine concerns about religious conflicts. Dismissing these worries or being defensive doesn’t help anyone.
In real life, you need to address this directly and respectfully from day one.
Start classes by explaining that your focus is on physical movement and breathing, not religious practice. Avoid heavy spiritual language unless you’re teaching at specifically spiritually-oriented studios.
You need to explain things like this: “Today we’ll focus on strengthening our bodies and calming our minds through movement and breath.”
Let’s Talk About Touching Students
Physical adjustments that seem normal in Western yoga studios can create serious discomfort here.
Indonesian culture has different boundaries around touch, especially between men and women, and especially with religious considerations.
Never assume it’s okay to touch students without explicit permission. Even then, be extremely conservative with adjustments.
Same-gender touching is generally more acceptable, but always ask first. “May I help adjust your shoulder position?” goes a long way.
Honestly, it’s a smart move to rely more on verbal cues and demonstrations rather than hands-on adjustments.
The Clothing Challenge Nobody Mentions
That cute sports bra and shorts combo that’s perfectly normal in Bali beach studios? It might not work in Jakarta office district classes.
In Indonesia, you will have to switch to more modest clothing. Too much exposed skin can make other students uncomfortable.
You should be able to read your audience and create an inclusive environment.
If you are practicing in a more conservative area, consider wearing longer tops and pants. Check what regular students are wearing and adjust accordingly.
Why Sanskrit Might Backfire
You love the traditional Sanskrit names for poses, as they connect you to yoga’s roots and sound authentic.
But constantly using Sanskrit in Indonesian classes can create barriers. Students spend mental energy trying to remember foreign words instead of focusing on their practice.
In real life, most Indonesian students just want to understand what you’re asking them to do.
Use Indonesian or simple English for pose names. “Warrior pose” works better than “Virabhadrasana” for most classes.
Save Sanskrit for advanced workshops where students specifically want that traditional element.
Let’s Address the Income Assumptions
Many foreign teachers come from countries where yoga teaching pays well, so they assume the same rates apply in Indonesia.
Here’s what happens: demanding Western pricing immediately positions you as out of touch with local economic realities.
Studio rates in Jakarta might be 100,000-300,000 rupiah per class. Yes, that’s less than you’d make in Sydney or San Francisco, but it’s the local market rate.
Work within the system while building your reputation, then gradually increase rates as demand grows.
You need to understand that local economics shows respect for your Indonesian colleagues and students.
The Philosophy Problem
You’re passionate about yoga philosophy and want to share ancient wisdom. Great! But be careful how you present it.
Don’t focus on Hindu concepts, as it can make Muslim students uncomfortable. If you give references to chakras, deities, or spiritual awakening, then they might alienate the Muslim students instead of inspiring them.
You can focus on universal concepts such as mindfulness, gratitude, and inner peace without using specific religious language.
“Finding calm in busy minds” resonates with everyone. “Activating your third eye chakra” might not.
Understanding Indonesian Communication Styles
Indonesians are usually polite and indirect in their communications. They won’t tell you if something bothers them.
That quiet student who stopped coming to class? They might have been uncomfortable, but too polite to say anything directly.
Learn to read the room. Are students engaged and asking questions, or sitting quietly and leaving quickly after class?
In real life, feedback comes through body language and attendance more than direct verbal criticism.
The Ramadan Reality Check
During Ramadan, many Muslim students would be fasting from sunrise to sunset. This may affect their energy levels and preferred class times.
Scheduling intense vinyasa classes at 2 PM during fasting season shows cultural insensitivity.
Here’s the smart approach: adjust your teaching during religious observances. Offer gentler classes, be understanding about lower attendance, and maybe learn about Islamic holidays and their impact on your students.
Why Local Teacher Relationships Matter
Some foreign teachers may act as if they are the ones bringing yoga to Indonesia for the first time. They simply ignore the established local yoga community.
This attitude creates resentment, thus leading to missed opportunities for genuine culture exchange.
Indonesian yoga teachers have valuable insights about teaching local students effectively. Join hands with them, learn and acknowledge their expertise.
If they build genuine relationships with local teachers, then they can avail better opportunities instead of trying to compete with them.
Making It Work for Everyone
The goal isn’t to change who you are as a teacher, but it’s to adapt your teaching style to serve Indonesian students better.
Pay attention to your students’ responses. Ask trusted local colleagues for honest feedback about your teaching approach.
Honestly, it’s a smart move to spend time as a student in local classes before teaching extensively. This gives you insights into what Indonesian students expect and prefer.
Your Cultural Bridge Strategy
The best foreign yoga teachers in Indonesia become cultural bridges, as they bring international experience while respecting local values and customs.
This takes time, humility, and genuine curiosity about Indonesian culture beyond just the yoga studio.
Learn basic Bahasa Indonesia. Understand local customs and holidays celebrated in the country. Try to take part in your students’ lives and perspectives.
In real life, students connect with their teachers only when they respect their culture. It’s not the highly skilled teachers who succeed in Indonesia, but it’s the ones who are culturally aware, respectful to local customs and rituals, and interested in serving Indonesian students instead of just building their own brand.
