3 Tips for Managing the Business Side of Being a Yoga Instructor
Embarking on the journey of a yoga instructor often focuses on the art of teaching and the transformational impact on students. However, mastering the business side is equally crucial for a sustainable career. This article draws on the wisdom of seasoned professionals to offer practical tips for flourishing as a yoga entrepreneur.
- Consider Yourself a Business Owner
- Create a Clear Schedule
- Build Relationships with Other Businesses
Consider Yourself a Business Owner
While you may work for a studio(s) as an independent contractor, you should consider yourself a business owner. You are the CEO. Professionalism is key in all businesses, yoga is no different. It's especially important to be consistently grounded and authentic in the yoga world.
I believe that you are not just teaching yoga, but sales, marketing, customer service and even a bit of therapy are necessary to be a successful yoga contractor. Build a strong following, take care of YOURSELF as well, and you could teach as few or as many classes and workshops as you wish.
Yoga has been an amazing career for me. I hope you can enjoy this path as well.
Create a Clear Schedule
When I started teaching yoga, balancing the business side felt overwhelming. To keep things simple, I created a clear schedule based on my energy levels and when students were most likely to attend. For pricing, I did research on what others in my area charged, then added value by offering free resources or quick tips after class.
Marketing was trial and error at first. What worked best was sharing authentic moments—like my own practice or teaching highlights—on social media. Word of mouth also grew when I built real connections with students. My advice? Be consistent, know your value, and don't overbook yourself. Protecting your time and energy keeps the quality of your teaching high.
Build Relationships with Other Businesses
As a yoga teacher, you need to build relationships with other businesses in your area in order to run your business. One time, I teamed up with a nearby health food store to host a free yoga class. This brought us both a steady stream of new customers. I also think you should consider co-hosting events or special deals with gyms or fitness centers to get more people to know about you and help your community grow. For me, free classes or events where people can donate in order to build trust in bringing people who aren't sure if they want to commit. I have used this method to give newcomers low-risk ways to join, which finally led to more regular sign-ups. When making your plan, you need to know who you're working for. I believe that morning and evening times work best for people who have to balance work and other obligations.
