Dec 4

Dec 4 How To Make More Money As A Yoga Teacher

By Brooke Nally

Teaching yoga is by far one of the most rewarding jobs anyone can have. It’s far more than just teaching somebody how to stretch -- it’s guiding people to understand their bodies on a deeper level. It’s teaching someone how to be approached with a challenge, and learning how to breathe through it. It’s teaching someone how to calm their mind, and reconnect them with their spirit.

There is the down side though.

Unfortunately, the majority of yoga teachers find it difficult to sustain a life on a yoga teachers salary. In fact, you’d be lucky if you get a ‘salary’ at all. -- most of the time, teachers are paid on an hourly basis or from a head count, averaging anywhere from $10-$30 an hour.

But coming from a yoga teacher who’s been teaching now and figuring it out for 8 years -- don’t fret! I’ve figured out some fantastic ways to cultivate new and additional income, to make full time yoga teaching a reality:

1. Focus on events & workshops

This tip is more for advanced yoga instructors who have some experience under their belt and are ready to take it to the next level, while creating better income. If you have a special ‘thing’ you like to teach -- whether it’s handstands, acro yoga, juicy heart openers, or breathwork, then it’s time to start owning your power and promoting your special skills! If you don’t know where you can do a special workshop or event -- just start by checking for similar events or workshops already going on in your area. (It’s easy to check on Facebook.) Then either go to these events and start networking, or go directly to the owners and pitch them your event idea.

Pro tip: Be PROACTIVE. These events won’t happen on their own. I’ve had to go out of my way to find the event space, create and print off my own fliers, and do all of the marketing. But guess what? It’s so worth it. I’ve made up to $400 on just one 90 minute event -- definitely a pay increase from the $20/hour yoga class.

Not only will this grow you by pushing you out of your comfort zone, but you’ll become more known in a community as an expert in your field. Even if only a couple people show up, it’s better than not doing the event at all!

2. Offer classes outside / without a venue

Often times, most of the cost of the yoga class is going directly back into the yoga studio owners pocket. How do we get paid more? By taking out that overhead of the studio, of course!

Start looking up places where you can teach yoga classes for FREE. Whether it’s your parents backyard, a public park, or maybe in an awesome location under the stars for a candlelit flow. I started teaching classes in the gorgeous red rock desert where I grew up. Not only were my students more than thrilled to practice yoga in such a beautiful outdoor setting, but I felt like my energy was fairly exchanged, making more money than I would in a yoga studio setting.

3. Do yoga trade

This is honestly the best way to make teaching yoga worth it -- teaching yoga for all expenses paid. Yes, you heard me. I’ve been able to live and teach yoga all over the world for free. Using Yogatrade.com, I’ve found jobs teaching yoga at a boutique hotel in Bali, in the rainforest jungle in Costa Rica, and at a cool surf hostel in Sri Lanka. Most of these exchanges have gone like this: I teach one class a day, and they provide me with free food and accommodation. Yes, I’m teaching yoga for free -- but without any overhead costs of living, what more could I need? Even if you just try this out for a month, I definitely recommend this!

4. Promote your classes

More students = more money. It’s math. Start getting business and marketing savvy and your yoga business will thrive. Whether you’re promoting yourself on your social media accounts, or just connecting with people in the grocery store, the coffee shop, the university, and inviting them to your classes. Make it a goal to tell at least one person a day about who you are and what you offer -- and invite them to your next class. In the beginning you might feel shy -- but trust me, every time you do this it will get easier.

Also make an effort to promote wherever it is you are teaching -- if you’re teaching at a yoga studio, let them know that you’d like to help them with their marketing. They’ll appreciate this, and might offer to pay for promotional content such as posters or boosted social media content.

5. Yoga Retreats

Of course, this takes more time, planning, and expertise -- but is a sure way to make more money and I know people who make their entire years salary just from yoga retreats. It can be done! Yoga retreats are a great way to give people a full yoga experience -- you get to be with your students for an extended amount of time and dive deep. Yoga retreats are a beautiful and enriching way for your students to spend their money -- and a beautiful and enriching way to make money. It’s a win-win experience! I know many yoga instructors who suffer from a guilt complex, thinking they shouldn’t be asking for any money to do what they love to do. But here’s the thing -- the only way you can continue doing what you love, and in order to grow it and make it more accessible to more people -- is by getting fair compensation. Again, it’s math.

Here are just 5 simple tips to help my fellow yogi - instructors on their path. Hopefully these tips served you. Follow along with what I’m up to on my instagram: @brookenally & my yoga instagram: @theedgeyoga.