20 Awesome Ways To Make Money As A Yoga Instructor (2024)

There seems to be a common theme among yogis….

…at a certain point in their journey, passion for the practice grows. They see how great yoga is for their own health and well-being and they feel like they want to share it with others.

Perhaps teaching is on the horizon?

But then there comes the question of making money as a yoga teacher.

Is it possible to earn a decent living when you teach yoga? And what is the average yoga instructor salary anyways? How do you maintain ahealthy cash flowas a yoga teacher?

Well, being a yoga teacher isn’t such a straight path, so it’s hard to answer that (look at me!).

A yoga career is more likely to have lots of twists, turns and creative detours.

But I think that’s what makes it so interesting and exciting!

Along with the traditional paths, there are many who pave their own way. Whether you want to teach full time at a yoga studio or be a nomadic teacher, this handy guide can help steer you in the right direction.

If you want one-on-one guidance, my 300-houryoga teacher trainingdoes exactly that. It’s like this entire blog post in an organized, individualized program. Check it out here:300-Hour Online Yoga Teacher Training

How Much Do Yoga Instructors Make?

Thepay scale for yoga instructorswill vary wildly depending on how you choose to apply your knowledge. There are some common paths that yoga instructors follow and some other not so common paths.

Don’t worry, I can break those down for you to make things a bit more clear.

According to 2018 data from theUS Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a fitness instructor is around $19 per hour. This comes out to just under $40,000 a year if working full time at a gym or yoga studio teaching group classes.

If you want to branch out and teach private lessons, you will make considerably more per lesson, but you may not teach as many classes. The hourly rate you charge will vary depending on your location, skill set, and type ofyoga certification.

But the national average for a private lesson is between $70 and $80.

All those numbers aside, great yoga teachers are earning a living (or making a LIFE, depending on how you look at it) all over the world.

And what is better than connecting people with the yogic lifestyle as an actual job?

Your opportunities to earn a living as a yoga instructor are endless and can far surpass minimum wage…

…by a lot.

The best part?

You can use your yoga certification to create your own path. You can live the life that you want for years on end, all while pursuing your greatest passion.

Here are some ways that you can think beyond the mat and make money doing what you love.

You might also like:10 Things You Must Do After Your Yoga Teacher Training

20 Ways To Make Money As A Yoga Instructor

So how much do yoga instructor make anyway? Well, that depends on how they choose to teach classes, their years of experience, their RYT status, and, as with all industries, who you know.

But don’t worry. The yoga community is large and growing. Once you make a single connection, the whole world will open up to you 🙂

No matter how you choose to earn a living spreading theyogic lifestyle, though, do yourself a favor andget liability insurance. It’s not usually necessary but is super helpful when it is. (I’ve got a great deal for you throughBeYogi.)

You might also like:How to Be a Yoga Instructor: 6 Things You MUST Know Before You Begin

Teaching In-Person:

1. Teach at a gym or studio

The most common way to work as a yoga instructor is toteach at a yoga studio. It is a great option and can be done on a full or part-time basis. It’s also a great way to bulk up youryoga instructor resume. However, if this is your sole source of income, it may lead to burnout. While you can earn anywhere from $30 to $100 per class, you often end up hustling around town to teach classes at multiple studios and gyms. It is best to diversify and consider other revenue streams.

2. Teach private lessons

After teaching at a studio or gym for a while and gaining some regular students, you may begin toget some private clients. You’ll be able to set your own hourly rate, a lot like a personal trainer, and so you’ll make more than a group class. And as an added bonus, they can be worked around your schedule.

3. Teach corporate yoga

More and more companies are noticing thebenefits of yogaand mindfulness. Some have even started to offer it as a benefit to their employees (yay!). Whether at a corporate retreat, a team-building event, or just a lunch break, you can teachyoga and meditationto busy, stressed-out employees. Adding companies to your client list can help you diversify your income stream and client base.

4. Teach at a hotel or resort

Many hotels and resorts now offer yoga classes to their guests as theyoga travel industrybegins to explode. While your students may be temporary, it will be a good way to gain experience (and probably in an idyllic location). You can teach all kinds of yoga styles, from hatha yoga torestorative yoga, which is especially popular among weary travelers.

For new teachers, consider offering free yoga classes at a hotel or hostel. If they are happy, it may lead to a paid position down the road.

You might also like:Can I Teach Without a Yoga Alliance Certification? (Yup)

5. Offer your services at a daycare or after-school program

Children’s yogais gaining in popularity as its benefits are realized. Offering classes at a local daycare or after-school program can bring yoga to kids who might not otherwise get the opportunity. If you are not yet certified to teach kids yoga, there are many online and in-person training programs to choose from. As far as yoga instructor jobs goes, this is perhaps the most fun option out there 🙂

6. Hold yoga pop-ups

When you are new in your yoga teaching career, this can be a great option. Pop-ups give you the chance to gain experience outside of a traditional studio setting. Since yoga can be done anywhere, you can get creative with where you hold classes. Parks, beaches, rooftop lounges…the sky’s the limit!Meetup.comand Facebook groups are perfect for establishing yourself and organizing yoga pop-ups wherever you are.

You might also like 10 Best FREE Facebook Groups For Yoga Teachers:

7. Travel and teach at retreats

Are you a wanderlusting yogi? Thenteaching at yoga retreatsmight be for you. There has been a huge increase in the number of yoga and wellness retreats in recent years, so there are plenty of options to choose from in both the US and around the world. You can teach yoga, make some money and see the world all at the same time. You can either reach out to a yoga center to ask if they’re hiring or joinYogaTradeto see teaching jobs pop up all around the world.

8. Host your own retreats

As you work in the industry, you will gain a network of regular students, fellow teachers and other wellness workers within the yoga community. Once you have these solid connections, you can choose to organize and facilitate your own retreat.Organizing a retreatis great for those planners out there who have a desire to create something of their own.

Upload your yoga retreat to a site likeBookRetreats.comand start getting paying students who are willing to travel for the practice of yoga.

9. Offer workshops

Many people who are attracted to teaching yoga also have other areas that they are passionate about. Putting together your own unique workshop is a way to supplement your income while combining your talents. You can offer a yoga and meditation workshop, a workshop on the yogic lifestyle, or a style-specific workshop. Yoga therapy, aerial yoga,yoga nidra,Ayurvedic diet, and sound healing workshops are especially popular.

You might also like:13 Types of Yoga Teacher Tax Deductions (And Other Tax Tips)

Working Off The Mat:

10. Write for yoga blogs and publications

There are other ways to share your yoga knowledge. Why not take a break from the mat and write about it? There are so many yoga and wellness blogs out there looking for contributors. You can supplement your income and get out of your leggings for a bit.

You can search for writing opportunities on YogaTrade or look online for publications who are hiring writers . One easy way to find these publications is to do an easy Google search. Put in the search bar ‘allintitle: yoga + contribute’ or ‘allintitle: yoga + submissions’ to find sites that are looking for guest contributors.

See Also

Need a Side Hustle? Become a Children’s Yoga Teacher!

One way to get started is to submit content to online publications like YogiTimes, although it is unpaid. The idea is to increase your exposure and build a portfolio before getting paid for your hard work.

11. Write a book or ebook

If you are passionate about writing and are looking to do a more extensive project, you may consider doing a book or ebook. There are even ways to self-publish an ebook, which can make it more accessible to do. Writing can provide you with a passive income to supplement your teaching on the mat.

That’s what I did! As my practice evolved to be more nourishing than a strict guideline, my entire life blossomed. I write all about it in Yoga Life to share the concepts of yoga in a way that supports and nourishes my students. A book can be a beautiful and powerful way to enrich your students’ lives even further… plus add to your income stream.

12. Start a podcast

Another way to share your yoga expertise with people off the mat is to talk about it. Recent statistics show that 26% of Americans are listening to podcasts regularly. So why limit your role as a certified yoga instructor to your geographic location? With the rise in podcast popularity, many studios are now renting out their spaces for recordings. (Many online fitness trainers are already doing this.) Creating apodcastis now easier than ever.

Want some ideas on how to get started? Take a listen to my yoga podcast to find inspiration!

13. Build a brand

This will take time and marketing savvy, but if successful, it can be very lucrative. Once you have an established brand, there are a lot of different ways that you can make money. One way is to offer retreats or training programs under your brand name. Another is tolaunch a yoga app.

Check out my Uplifted app to see how I organize my courses!

Or, you can choose to completely create your own style of practice. Think of how Corepower yoga created a signature style, which is more reminiscent of a fitness class than a meditative yoga practice. While you don’t have to follow in their footsteps and become a group fitness instructor, you can definitely improve your salary figures by learning from their business design. Create a fusion style, brand it and market it.

14. Manage a yoga studio or retreat center

It may not exactly be teaching, but you will still be immersed in the yoga culture. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes at a yoga center or studio. Whether it’s administrative tasks, sales or marketing, these are all ways that you can make money off the mat.

15. Organize yoga retreats and teacher trainings

Maybe planning is your thing and you prefer to stay behind the scenes. There is a lot that needs to be done to organize a yoga retreat or yoga training, especially those that are held abroad. Some positions might include monetary compensation, whereas others will offer free accommodation and food for your service.

Want help organizing your yoga business? Take a look at my yoga business launchpad course to see if it’s right for you!

Monetizing Social Media:

16. Become an Instagram influencer

For those social media savants, abusiness account on Instagramcan substantially add to your revenue stream. Influencers on Instagram are typically users who have over 10,000 followers along with a good amount of engagement (likes and comments). When you are at this level, you are likely to get offers from companies to post content or endorse products via your Instagram photos. While some yoga influencers only get free products, others can earn upwards of$25,000 per post. (I know)

Some might argue that this capitalizes yoga, but I would say it depends on how you use it and what you advertise. Keep your endorsem*nts to things that you actually believe in and don’t lose sight of your values.

17.Start a YouTube channel

If creating videos calls to you, then you may consider starting aYouTube channeland using that as a platform toteach yoga online. Once you get around 250,000 views and a good amount of subscribers, your videos will be desirable to advertisers and start generating income for you. ..

…that’s how I got started 😉

I wrote an in-depth post abouthow to start a YouTube channel with allllll the details you need to do this!

You might also like:10 Truths About Becoming a Yoga Instructor (That Nobody Talks About)

Teaching Online:

18. Teach online yoga classes:

Online yoga platforms are growing in popularity. These subscription-based sites offer a variety of classes from different instructors. Since there will be people remotely taking your classes from around the world, it can definitely help you establish your name and reputation as a teacher. YouTube is an excellent launching platform. Though it may take some time before you can begin to monetize your content, there’s nothing like free advertising to a worldwide audience.

19. Offer paid content/subscriptions on your website

If you don’t want to rely only on YouTube, you can create a section on your own website that has yoga classes and even lectures. Adding a paid subscription option can help you to further monetize on your website and create a passive income stream. Create a section foryoga videosthat is only accessible through a subscription. I do this with myUplifted programand many other instructors offer exclusive online yoga classes as well. And if you’re worried about the competition, know that the yoga and fitness industry has room for all of us!

20. Create your own online training program

Once you are more experienced, you can begin to share your expertise by offering your own teacher training program. You can develop one that isYoga Alliancecertified or you could even create your own signature training program. I offer a200-hour yoga teacher training programthat covers yoga postures, anatomy and physiology, yogic philosophy, and teaching methodology. I also offer a 300-hour yoga teacher training program that helps my students gain teaching experience and create a business of their own…

…like a personal business mentor for whatever option you choose as a yoga instructor!

The most important thing to do when you are starting your yoga career is to have clear values and align yourself with them in all aspects of your career. Teaching yoga is not about making buckets of cash. But, if you teach with passion and align yourself with your values, you will be met with abundance.