What it Takes to Flow into Business as a Yoga Teacher

Namaste, fellow yogis and yoginis!

Have you ever thought about turning your passion for yoga into a business?

Well, you're in luck because today we're diving into the world of entrepreneurship for yoga teachers. Whether you're a seasoned yogi looking for a career change or a fresh-faced instructor ready to spread the good vibes, the aim is to explore what it takes to set up your own yoga business.

There’s many pathways into teaching yoga, and I have to say, if you feel compelled to tech, then you must! My biggest takeaway from doing this myself from scratch is to be realistic. As a new freelance Yoga teacher, you’ll be starting at square one, but you can and will succeed with the right planning.

1. Certification and Expertise:

It's crucial to have a solid foundation in teaching before you teach Yoga classes. You’ll find that most training centres will require you to have a lengthy practice, or at least a good understanding of yoga before allowing you to join their training.

In my opinion and experience of being a yoga teacher, it’s worth researching the best yoga teacher training courses you can afford, as you’ll only do your foundation yoga teacher training once. An immersive course, of say one month, like I did with Avid Yogi, will really allow you to evolve from a yoga student to a yoga teacher. You also have the added support of your fellow yoga students to support you on your journey. This connection is very special.

Once you have completed your training, you might discover that some yoga studios require a recognised certification, such as Yoga Alliance, or Yoga Alliance Professionals, to ensure you have received the necessary education and training.

2. Define Your Specialisation:

There are many different styles of Yoga, and finding the style that suits you best is key to success. I accidently stumbled upon Ashtanga yoga in my training, and out of nowhere developed a love for the structured approach. But Ashtanga is a serious practice, and over time I found myself drawn to Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative Yoga. It might be an idea to start with your favourtite yoga classes, and define the style of them, before researching what type of YTT will suit you.

Before you embark on your training, you may not be aware that Yoga comes in various forms - from gentle Hatha to dynamic Vinyasa flows. It's essential to identify your niche or specialisation as a yoga teacher. By focusing on a specific style or target audience, you can attract clients who resonate with your unique offerings.

Once you have completed your foundation training, you can move to a more specialised practice, like prenatal yoga, power yoga, or yoga for seniors.

Finding your niche will help you stand out in the crowd, and help you with the next step.

3. Building a Brand:

Establishing a strong brand presence is vital for any business, and the yoga world is no exception. Start by creating a memorable and meaningful brand name that reflects your teaching philosophy and style. Try to be as authentic to yourself and your values as you can. You do not have to start wearing traditional yoga clothing, and likewise, you can if you want to and it vibes with your style.

There is an avoidable business side to yoga, and to be successful, you will need to devote some time to being a marketing manager, accountant and business manager. You can of course, hire people to do these tasks for you, but as a first time freelancer, you may not have the budget. It’s good practice to write down everything you want to achieve, and align them to SMART goals.

A quick win for marketing yourself include taking HubSpot courses. They are free, cover topics like social media, and SEO, amongst the lengthy list of courses available. In short, they will help you, help yourself.

Canva is a great place to design a visually appealing logo to make your business instantly recognisable.

4. Create a Welcoming Space:

If your business involves offering private sessions or renting a space for group classes, creating a welcoming environment is key.

You’ll find many freelance Yoga teacher travel with a lot of bags, packed full of props like Yoga blocks, blankets, candles, and incense. My car boot used to be full of bolsters, blocks, my portable speaker, my yoga wheel for students to play with, and foam rollers for that fascia work! My house is still packed in nooks with yoga paraphernalia!

But all of this is personal choice, it’s not needed, just ensure your space is clean and welcoming. You may find studio or gyms are equipped with the necessary yoga props. You’ll also find that temperature is a challenge in gym studios. These spaces are usually cool for HIIT classes, or suchlike, and Yoga is better practiced in the warmth. However, you will overcome these challenges as you discover them.

To counteract the gym studio vibe, you could consider adding soothing elements like calming music, essential oils, or even a small meditation area to enhance the overall experience for your clients.

5. Develop a Marketing Strategy:

Once your brand and space are ready, it's time to spread the word about your yoga business. My best advise is to tell everyone you know, they will likely have a contact, who has a contact. Word of mouth is still one of the best marketing tools for small businesses today.

Set up pages or groups on social media sites, and design a website, this can easily be done for free with HubSpot, or a minimal cost with Squarespace, Wordpress or, the ever popular Wix. These sites are remarkably easy to use, so don’t be afraid, or think you’ll lack the technical knowledge. They are designed for non tech experts, so go forth bravely!

Utilise various marketing channels such as social media, websites, and local directories to reach potential clients. Develop a content strategy to engage and educate your audience by sharing insightful posts, yoga tips, and relevant articles. This content calendar will help you plan monthly content. As I mentioned before, (and I am not on commission!), HubSpot has various tools that will help you achieve all of this and more.

It’s a good idea to collaborate with other wellness professionals or local businesses to expand your network and reach a wider clientele. Sweaty Betty and Lululemon run an ambassador programme, where they invite local Yoga teachers to run free classes to the community. Reach out to your local stores to find out more.

6. Pricing and Business Essentials:

Setting up a business means dealing with numbers - not everyone's favorite part, but an essential one nonetheless. You can sign up to accounting sites like Freeagent, to keep track of your payments and create invoices. This will come in handy when you submit your self assessment. Make sure you keep receipts for any business purchases! Don't forget to factor in expenses like insurance, equipment, and marketing costs.

Once you have that handled, it’s time to think about your fee. How much you will charge for your services? Consider factors such as your location, competition, and experience. You’ll likely find you are beholden to what the current market rates are. Studios tend to pay anywhere form £20-£30 per hours class. This is then invoiced for at the end of the month, and paid anywhere from a week to a month after.

Staying solvent and ahead fo your cashflow is going to be important. As much as you’ll love teaching yoga, you may need a second job to sustain you building up your classes. In all my years of teaching Yoga, I have met few yoga teachers who teach full time, without a supplement income.

Consider your health, teaching 20+ classes a week can have an impact or your body. So be realistic on what you can handle and your body can achieve. And, bear in mind any accidental injuries, these will possibly make it hard for you to teach classes. There’s a lot to plan for!

Make a plan and start your Yoga teacher journey!

Embarking on a yoga teaching business can be an exciting and rewarding adventure. Remember, it takes dedication, continuous learning, and a sprinkle of entrepreneurial spirit to create a thriving yoga venture.

By investing in your education, defining your specialisation, building a strong brand, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful yoga entrepreneur.

So, take a deep breath, trust the process, and let your yoga journey unfurl into a prosperous business.

Need to recap? Download my eBook The Yoga Business Survival Guide now!

Namaste!