How to Make More Money Teaching Yoga

For many people, yoga is a passion and a calling. You may not think of money when you think of yoga, but it is possible to take your love for the practice and turn it into a valid career.

Making money from teaching yoga takes nothing away from its spiritual nature and philosophical underpinnings. Everyone needs to make a living, so why not do it helping people and sharing your passion with them?

Build a Yoga Business

Becoming successful at earning a living through yoga involves much more than simply being hired by a yoga studio. Working for someone else as an instructor is more of a side hustle these days. It's difficult to earn enough that way.

What you really need to do is build a business. Making money teaching yoga today means being entrepreneurial, diversifying your offerings, and trying new things, like offering virtual classes and online coaching. Or if you already have a personal training business, adding yoga to your offerings is a perfect pairing.

Start with Yoga Instructor Certification

Before you can consider making money with yoga, you need credentials. Even if you have been practicing and studying yoga for years, a certification gives you authority and establishes trust with potential clients. This is just like getting certified as a personal trainer. Consider which yoga teacher you would hire: the one with certification or without?

Set Goals and Make a Plan

With credentials in hand, take some time to plan. Instead of just diving in, really think about what you want to achieve and how you'll do it. Planning and goal setting will focus your efforts so that you don't waste time on things that will not get you to your goals.

Learn from Others

Starting and running a business isn't easy. Instead of reinventing the wheel and making all the obvious mistakes, be smart about it. Research successful yogis and yoga studios. Find out what they do that makes them successful. Don't be afraid to reach out to those you admire and aspire to be like. They will most likely be happy to share their knowledge or even mentor you.

Keep Costs Low

Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be costly. You can get started on a budget and earn before you start spending on big things like your own studio. Start out by offering yoga classes online, in parks, or even in rented gym space. Don't blow all your savings at once. Start small, start smart, and build your empire.

Grow Your Client Base to Earn More

Maybe you're already teaching yoga, but you need to make more money. No matter where you are on your business journey, getting more clients is the most basic way to start earning and increase your income. Here's how to do it:

Take Advantage of Social Media

Build profiles on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites. Create content that draws in followers, and you can convert some of them into clients. This means posting valuable content: how-to videos, inspirational posts, and links to other sites or influencers of interest to your target audience.

Simply creating an account will not be enough to convert clients. You must actively post valuable content, connect with relevant people and organizations, and interact and engage with your followers. This takes time, but not only can you get more clients this way, but you can also increase earnings with endorsements, affiliate links, and sponsored content.

Build a Website

So many people search for new businesses online, either through a search engine or social media. If you don't have a website, new clients might struggle to find you. It's well worth spending some time to create a useful website that actually ranks high in searches. Hire someone to help you do it if you don't have the right expertise.

Network Wherever and Whenever Possible

Social media is the modern networking, but it isn't the only way to gain connections that can turn into clients. Try all the old-fashioned ways of networking, like setting up a booth at a community event, attending professional conferences, and even talking to people at the gym. Take advantage of every opportunity that arises to get the word out about what you offer.

Diversify Your Income

Another way to earn more as a yoga instructor is to offer your services at a variety of locations. Also consider changing up your programming, developing more niche programs, and using your yoga expertise to do more than teach.

How to Make Money Teaching Yoga by Extending Your Reach

One way to diversify and earn more is to get creative about where and whom you instruct. Don't limit your teaching opportunities to yoga studios. There are so many other places to reach new students and clients:

• Gyms. Check out big box gyms and even smaller, boutique gyms. They may rent space out to independent trainers and instructors. Working out of gyms helps you reach more clients and offer them more locations to meet you for a class.

• Corporate wellness programs. Many big companies have employee wellness programs. They include things like nutrition and meal planning, mental health care, and fitness. Check with companies in your area to see if you can offer them a regular yoga class.

• Pop-up events. Offer classes wherever you can. You don't need a permanent facility to provide yoga to the people. Use outdoor public spaces and host pop-ups.

• Local colleges. Community colleges and universities in your area have gyms and may need instructors for yoga classes.

• Community centers. The same goes for local community centers. Look for those offering fitness classes and wellness programs.

• Hospitals. Hospitals increasingly offer wellness programs as well. They may have fitness offerings for patients and their families. Check with your local medical centers, hospitals, and cancer centers.

• Hotels and resorts. If you live in a vacation spot, check out local resorts to find out if they need yoga instructors. Even in non-vacation areas, spas may offer yoga classes to clients.

Get Creative with Types of Yoga Programs

It's important to diversify location and client reach but also consider what you're offering. Don't limit your business to typical yoga classes. There are other types of programming that could lead to more clients:

• Private yoga sessions. Yoga doesn't always have to be done in a group setting. Some people may prefer a one-on-one session. You can charge more for these and offer more personalized and in-depth lessons.

• Yoga retreats. Consider renting space to do a weekend or week-long yoga retreat. You can offer different types of retreats, for instance for beginners or for more advanced yoga students.

• Workshops. Longer than a typical yoga class but shorter than a retreat, a workshop is a great way to target clients interested in learning more. Offer half-day sessions or workshops on topics like the history or spiritual practice of yoga, different styles of yoga, meditation, or other niches subjects.

• Yoga for children. Many parents will be interested in getting their children started on yoga. It's a great type of physical fitness for anyone, and for kids yoga can be a great way to learn how to cope with stress, use relaxation strategies, and meditate.

What about yoga for athletes and injury prevention? Check out this ISSA post to learn how to use yoga to strengthen and stretch the hamstrings, muscles that all too often cause injury.

Other Types of Jobs for Yoga Instructors

If you are a certified yoga teacher and have been practicing and learning about yoga for years, you have something to offer beyond the yoga studio. Increase your income by using that expertise outside the studio.

For instance, you may be able to write about what you know to earn more. Yoga magazines and websites need experienced practitioners to provide content. Also consider writing and self-publishing a book. Create a blog and social media accounts to create and share content. If you do it right, you can earn money through affiliate links and sponsored content.

How to Make Money Teaching Yoga Online

With the COVID-19 crisis ongoing, many people are still working out at home and relying on virtual coaches and instructors. Of course, teaching online yoga is not the same as in-person yoga, but it is still valuable, and clients will pay for it. There are several ways to do this:

• Teach live classes. This is simply regular yoga, but virtual. You lead a class through videoconferencing and clients pay for the link to join.

• Create a library of content. Earn passive income by creating a library of workouts and yoga sessions. Sell them with a subscription model, and clients can use them whenever they want.

• Offer one-on-one sessions. Individual sessions are great for the online setting. You can reach many more clients than you would with in-person coaching because it's less expensive. Unlike a virtual class, the client gets all your attention at an affordable price.

Get the right tools to make your online business a success. This post outlines the best software programs designed for personal trainers and other fitness coaches.

Yoga is a lifestyle, a philosophy, a workout, and so much more. To make money teaching others, you must be more than a yogi. You must be a smart businessperson. When you learn how to do both business and yoga, you'll start earning a great living doing what you love.

Earn a living doing something you're passionate about. The ISSA's Certified Yoga Instructor program is an online, accredited program that will help you achieve your dream.