Yoga has exploded in popularity in recent years. With its focus on strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, it provides enormous physical and mental health benefits. Yoga can also be a fulfilling and lucrative career for those with a passion for the practice. Here are some tips on how to make money teaching yoga.
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Get Trained and Certified
While you don’t need a certification to teach yoga, getting certified demonstrates your knowledge and seriousness about the practice. It will make you much more marketable as an instructor. There are several major yoga teacher training organizations to choose from, such as Yoga Alliance and Yoga Fit. Training is intensive, often 200 hours or more, and covers asana techniques, anatomy, philosophy, and teaching methodology. Once certified, you’ll need to complete continuing education to stay current.
Decide What Type of Yoga You Want to Teach
There are many different yoga styles, so decide which one you most enjoy and would like to teach. Hatha, Vinyasa, and Power Yoga are among the most popular, but there are many others. Teach a style that resonates with you personally. Then look for training and immersions to deepen your practice in that style.
Gain Experience
Before branching out on your own, it’s helpful to gain experience teaching at local gyms, yoga studios, or community centers. Many studios hire apprentices or junior teachers. Use this time to improve your sequencing and cueing skills in a supportive environment. Teaching classes for free or donating to charity is also great for building your resume.
Build Your Yoga Business Plan
Running your own yoga teaching business takes planning. Where do you want to teach? Will you travel to students’ homes or rent studio space? What costs and fees are involved? How much will you charge per class or session? What’s your marketing strategy? Developing a business plan helps turn your passion into a sustainable venture. Taking business classes or workshops can help too.
Develop Your Brand
Strong branding is crucial for establishing your business in the yoga industry. Come up with a memorable name and logo for your classes or studio. Create an online presence by launching a website and building social media channels. Use high-quality photos and videos to showcase your teaching style and expertise. Print brochures and hang fliers to spread the word locally.
Network and Grow Your Community
Word of mouth is powerful, so the more yogis you connect with, the more potential clients you can build. Attend yoga conferences and events to introduce yourself. Partner with local businesses like juice bars, health food stores, or boutiques to cross-promote. Build genuine relationships with yoga studio owners and offer subclasses. Your network will help spread awareness of your teaching services.
Consider Niche Markets
While mainstream yoga classes are saturated, consider niche markets that are underserved. Prenatal and postpartum yoga is a growing field. Yoga for golfers, athletes, or office workers also attracts students looking for targeted practices. Seniors, people with disabilities, and corporate employees are often open to yoga but may not feel comfortable in a traditional studio class – an opportunity waiting to be tapped.
Provide Yoga Private Lessons
Private yoga lessons often command $50-150 per hour, allowing certified teachers to easily earn over $100k annually. Many students prefer one-on-one instruction tailored to their ability level, injuries, or goals. Travel to clients’ homes or teach remotely via video chat. Target busy professionals, athletes seeking improved flexibility and balance, or couples and friends looking to bond.
Lead Yoga Retreats and Workshops
Lead weekend, weeklong, or longer yoga retreats in exotic destinations like Costa Rica or Hawaii. Or host workshops focused on specific practices like handstands, backbends, or meditation. These intensive programs allow you to earn while deepening students’ practice. Consider partnering with hotels or yoga studios to handle logistics like food and lodging. You can even film workshops to sell online courses later.
Create Yoga Online Classes or Apps
The Internet allows you to take your teaching global. Film yoga video classes and sell downloads or subscriptions on your website or platforms like YouTube and Vimeo. Make and market yoga-focused online courses that students purchase to learn on their own schedule. Or team up with a developer to create a custom yoga app. The possibilities are limitless for monetizing online.
Sell Yoga Merchandise and Products
Yogis and yoga teachers can earn extra income by selling branded merchandise like t-shirts, tank tops, and water bottles. Partner with artists to create unique designs. You can also create and sell specialty yoga products such as unisex yoga pants, environmentally-friendly yoga mats, or reusable water bottles. Offer these for sale at classes, your website, or local shops.
Write a Yoga Book
Position yourself as an expert by writing a book related to yoga. Share your personal journey, tips for beginners, sequences focused on certain goals, or yoga philosophy and history. Use the book to grow your audience and credibility. Once published, hold book tour events and sell copies on your website. Books can become passive income streams through digital sales long after publication.
Teach Yoga Part-Time
Many new teachers start out teaching yoga part-time on evenings and weekends while keeping a full-time day job. This allows you to earn money from yoga while building your business and following. Teaching 4-8 classes per week can bring in an extra $500-$1000+ per month. Look for opportunities at gyms, studios, and community centers, or offer pop-up classes in parks.
Remember Your Purpose
Yoga teaches that we attract the things we give off. While earning a living is important, avoid becoming overly attached to money. Focus on sharing your gifts, uplifting students, and growing your abilities. Build karma through selfless service and seva. Trust that you will attract what you need. Keep your rates fair and a portion of classes donation-based or free. Prosperity will flow from joyful teaching.
Make Money Teaching Yoga Without Certification
If getting certified is not feasible presently, you can still earn as an instructor by:
- Assisting or demonstrating poses in certified teachers’ classes
- Leading free or donation-based yoga in your community
- Offering yoga-inspired fitness, stretching, or meditation classes
- Teaching yoga to friends, family members, or groups informally
- Making YouTube yoga workout videos monetized via the partner program
- Selling downloadable video classes or courses focused on yoga techniques
The certification path offers more income potential but requires a serious commitment of time and money. But by sharing your love of yoga however you can presently, you set your longer-term teaching path in motion.
Related Links：
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
