To make money as a yoga instructor, you have to be flexible. The industry is competitive and always growing. But, you can stand out from the crowd and build a six-figure business.
How?
Keep reading! We dive into the best ways to make money doing yoga. Whether you’re an aspiring yoga instructor or a seasoned pro, you’ll love these money-making tips.
Can You Make a Living Doing Yoga?
Absolutely! According to Indeed, yoga instructors make about $30 per hour working at gyms and yoga studios. Independent yoga instructors can make six figures taking on their own clients. When you run your own yoga business, you set the rates and pocket all of the cash (minus the cost of studio space, travel, and equipment).
How Do You Make Money as a Yoga Instructor?
#1 Offer In-person classes
Don’t be afraid to stick to the basics. You can earn good money teaching in-person yoga classes. In-person classes give you a chance to connect with clients and offer hands-on instruction.
Yoga instructors typically charge around $20 for an hour-long, in-person class. So, you can make at least $100 per hour for a session with 5+ students. Schedule as many classes a day as you need to hit your income goals. Just be sure to leave buffer time for rest and self-care.
Here’s a tip: Look for yoga gigs at colleges and local businesses. Universities and corporate offices offer yoga classes and other wellness activities to help their students and employees relieve stress. If they’re not actively looking, take the initiative and offer your services. It could be the beginning of a profitable partnership.
#2 Offer Private Sessions
You can make more money as a yoga instructor by offering private sessions. Some clients are shy or busy, so prefer a private lesson on their own schedule.
It’s okay (and highly recommended) to charge more for one on one yoga lessons. Some yoga instructors charge well-over over $150 for a private session. You might make less per hour than you would for a very large class. But it can be easier to build trust with your students (and get repeat bookings) with a 1:1 session.
It’s a good idea to offer both group classes and 1:1 yoga sessions, especially if you’re just starting out. Over time, you might find that one fits your business better.
#3 Host Online Classes
You can attract more clients and earn more cash as a yoga instructor by taking your classes online. Clients want online fitness classes that can be done from the comfort of their homes.
Virtual classes allow you to take on clients across the country. And you won’t lose out on a session if a client travels or moves. The best part: you don’t have to rent a studio or pay for gym space. It’s a low-cost way to get your yoga business off the ground.
You can offer virtual classes in the PocketSuite app using video conferencing. All you have to do is connect your Zoom account.
#4 Sell Products
When you’re neck deep in the yoga business, you’re bombarded with ads for yoga products every day. Why not flip the script and sell products yourself?
You know what makes yoga gear worthwhile. And clients will trust your expertise. You can sell yoga blocks, mats, or protein bars to make more as a yoga instructor.
You don’t have to go all in on one product. Try out a few different products and see what your clients gravitate towards. Recommend equipment that could help clients in the class. Or offer a bundle of products and classes as a package in the PocketSuite App.
You can even create your own products or merchandise to sell to your students.
#5 Write Guest Posts
You can earn extra cash by writing guest posts for yoga, fitness, and wellness blogs. Bloggers need industry experts to write content for their sites. And you don’t have to be a pro writer to make a guest post.
Type “write for us + yoga” in your search bar. You’ll find dozens of blogs ready to pay guest writers for their yoga expertise. Just make sure the time you spend on an article is worth the pay rate.
Guest posting is a great way to market your business and establish yourself as an authority in the industry. Most blogs give you an author’s bio with a link to your website or booking page.
If you’re up for the challenge, you can start your own blog where you write about yoga and wellness-related topics. With time, you’ll build an audience and make money from ads and affiliate marketing.
#6 Become a Yoga Influencer
As a yoga instructor, social media is the best place to market your business (for free!). Your social media page can be a portfolio, a booking site, and a consistent stream of income, if you become a fitness influencer.
The good news is that you can create content on dozens of platforms. You can:
- Create short videos with quick tips on TikTok
- Film long-form workout videos for YouTube
- Post lifestyle photos and wellness quotes on Instagram
- Or start a podcast about yoga
Once you build a following, you can earn money from ad revenue on your content and brand partnerships. Brands will pay you to promote their products to your audience, like smartwatches, yoga sets, or equipment.
#7 Coach a Newbie Yoga Instructor
If you’re a seasoned yoga instructor, you can earn money teaching inspiring yoga instructors to grow their businesses. People want expert advice to take their small businesses to the next level. And you have it!
You can offer beginner consultations, teach them how to attract clients and budget their expenses or share your top tips for landing repeat bookings. As a coach, you’ll guide clients through every step of building a successful yoga business.
Also, if you’re tech-savvy, you can design websites, email campaigns, and marketing materials for yoga instructors and studios.
#8 Create a Yoga Membership
Some yoga instructors create subscription-based memberships, where their clients get access to special content for a monthly price. You can give members access to:
- Live classes
- Yoga workshops and retreats
- Networking events
- Discounts and giveaways
- Special products
- Facebook groups
- Personalized routines and meal plans
Memberships are meant to build a sense of community. So, make sure to connect with your members and offer them value. If you treat your clients like they’re part of a V.I.P. club, they’re more likely to work with you again.
#9 Develop an Online Course
Online courses are taking over the internet. And for good reason. They give you a chance to earn extra cash for your expertise. You can create courses on:
- Prenatal yoga techniques
- Developing a yoga routine
- Or building a high-earning yoga business
The possibilities are endless. Just remember to provide value to your audience. A good online course can earn money for years to come.
The Bottom Line
If you want to earn more as a yoga instructor, it’s time to diversify your services. Most yoga instructors make money from online and in-person classes or by selling memberships, products, and courses to their clients.
At PocketSuite, we want to make running your business as relaxing as a yoga session. We have all the tools you need to onboard and manage clients. You can schedule appointments, send contracts and receive payments all in one app.
