Beyond the studio: How to make money as a yoga teacher
It’s all about money, money, money….
Um, no, scratch that!
It’s all about yoga, yoga, yoga!
I have yet to meet a yoga teacher who signed up for yoga teacher training to make buckets of money. The yoga teachers I’ve met were just so inspired by the way yoga makes them feel – on a physical, emotional and spiritual level – that they felt the urge to learn more and share that wonderful feeling with the world, and so began their journey to becoming a qualified teacher.
Let’s get back to money.
The truth is that we all need money to pay our bills, no matter what profession you have chosen. Ideally in the form of a secure, regular income. This ideal scenario can prove difficult for yoga teachers, especially when you’re starting out.
How much?
For most yoga teachers, the first step to earning money is leading group classes in a yoga studio. Yoga Australia’s 2018 Yoga Teacher Salary Guidelines show that teachers are paid an average base salary of $50 per hour for group classes in a studio or gym and $70 per hour for private classes.
Do the math and you’ll quickly realize that relying solely on group classes is unsustainable, not to mention exhausting! *Of course, a “reasonable income” varies from person to person and depends on their needs, expectations and circumstances. In a 2019 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average full-time income for an Australian is $1,634 per week.
So what’s a yoga teacher who wants to make a living doing what she loves to do?
Think outside the box
When it comes to making an income practicing your yoga passion, there are as many options as there are asanas. It’s time to put on your thinking cap! Are you ready to get smart and creative about the different opportunities, formats and audiences you can reach with yoga?
To get your brainstorming going, here are our 11 best ideas for making money as a yoga teacher.
1.Make your group known
As mentioned above, the most obvious option is to teach for a studio. But think about it – there are many other ways to gather a group of students to practice, and offering your services to a ‘ready-made’ group is a great place to start.
Bring balance to the boardroom
How about teaching yoga in a corporate setting, for example? Yoga in the workplace is becoming increasingly popular as employees want to incorporate exercise into their workday, and many employers are happy to offer a class before work or during lunch as a healthy perk. (Plus, what employee wouldn’t feel more energized and productive after a session on the mat?)
Although you should start by approaching large employers such as banks, government agencies and insurance companies, don’t rule out small businesses – you never know until you ask. Your best bet is to talk to the HR department or coordinator.
2.Educate yourself further
Check with your local TAFE, university or other adult education provider. Many offer recreational courses for students, and you may be just the person they are looking for to run courses.If you enjoy teaching children, go to primary and secondary schools in your area. You may be able to secure a paid position as a teacher for a weekly class.
3.Inspire them with workshops
A workshop (or 2) offers students the opportunity to deepen a particular aspect of yoga that would otherwise not get as much attention. And for you, it’s a chance to share your passion and knowledge for a fee.
For a workshop that really shines (and attracts paying participants), choose a topic that matches your own interests and expertise.
Do you love yoga philosophy?
How about a workshop on applying the yamas and niyamas to daily life?
Are you good at handstands?
Give beginners the time and instruction they need to get upside down easily and safely.
Get creative. What other skills and qualifications do you have that combine well with yoga? The right pairing can create a unique and engaging workshop experience. For example, I’ve discovered workshops for Restorative Yoga and Reiki, Yoga and Journalism, and Yoga and Art. What comes to mind?
4.Manage your own retreat
Ahhhh, who doesn’t enjoy getting away from it all for a few days? Hire a beautiful venue (check out Airbnb for inspiration) and entice participants more into yoga and out of their familiar surroundings. Host your retreat for an afternoon, a day, a weekend or longer – it’s up to you!
5.Hosts with the most
Companies that offer wellness retreats not only need qualified medical practitioners to run the courses, but often also staff to look after and welcome the guests. If you are well organized and enjoy interacting with people, working as a host could be a winning combination for you and your wallet.
6.Teach other teachers
Perhaps your enjoyment of yoga goes beyond teaching on the mat. Expand your income by running a teacher training program yourself, or become part of the teaching staff of an existing training provider.
7.Sell, sell, sell
The list of products you can offer for sale is endless! If you’re tech savvy, you can also sell digitally. Create a video of yourself teaching a class or record a meditation and make it available for download after purchase.
You can also buy wholesale and sell retail. Stretch Now, for example, offers wholesale pricing for yoga studios and yoga teachers. You can supplement your income by buying yoga props at wholesale prices and selling them in your studio at retail prices.
8.Teach private classes
Students who want private classes are usually willing to pay extra for the 1-2-1 attention and convenience of private instruction. If you enjoy teaching yoga in this format, it may be worth adding some regular private classes to your schedule.
9.Wealth of partners
Do you have a yoga product that you keep raving about? Some companies offer partnership deals where you receive a “kickback” payment for any sales that are a result of your referral. Reach out to your favorite product and ask if there is an affiliate program. If so, start recommending the products you love! Stretch Now offers an affiliate program.
10.Feel free in nature
Check with your local council, of course, but you may be able to save the cost of room hire by organizing group or private lessons in a park, in your garden or on the beach.
The advantage of teaching outdoors is all the fresh air and the feeling of being close to the earth. The downside is that you are at the mercy of bad or extreme weather, creepy crawlies and potential onlookers! Oh, and in the great outdoors you can eliminate “putting your feet up” from your lesson plan!
11.Write it down
Do you have a way with words? Reach out to your favorite yoga studio, prop or apparel provider to ask if they need help with blog posts, website copy or social media content. If you can put your yoga expertise into words well, this could be a successful way forward.
The numbers game
When looking for the point at which your ideal offer and your weekly earnings overlap, don’t forget your expenses. Factor in your insurance costs, trade association membership fees, transportation costs, clothing and equipment, etc. Get a financial advisor or even a friend who knows about money to help you do the math.
Letting the abundance flow
For dedicated yoga teachers, the rewards of sharing yoga with the world can be sweet and deeply satisfying. And without receiving a dime! It’s absolutely possible to make real and reliable money teaching yoga. If you play to your strengths and choose the way you offer yoga and the audience you offer yoga to wisely, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a truly wealthy yoga teacher.