How I Created a Sustainable
Yoga Teaching Practice

A few years ago, I found myself experiencing something common among yoga teachers: burnout. I was teaching studio classes almost seven days per week in multiple cities and locations. I’d leave home early in the morning, spend the day driving between teaching contracts, often eating lunch and dinner in my car, and not arrive home until late at night. If you’re a yoga teacher, you know that holding space for students requires a great deal of physical, emotional, and mental energy. My body and mind were exhausted, my creativity was waning, and I was barely making enough money to cover my rent.

Something had to change.

I knew I needed a more sustainable way to make a living as a yoga teacher. The idea of renting my own space to run classes seemed daunting. What if nobody signed up? What if I didn’t generate enough revenue to cover the rent? However, after some deep reflection, I realised the potential benefits outweighed the risks. I had to take a chance on myself! It was an opportunity to teach less but earn more, while also giving myself time throughout the week to put real thought and energy into planning my classes. Here’s how I did it:

1. Find a Space: I reached out to many different venues before I found one willing to let me rent space for yoga classes. Consider yoga studios, dance studios, physiotherapy clinics, community halls, or church basements. Even better, if you have space in your own home, you could invite students there. Seeking out your own space to teach can provide you with greater autonomy over your work: you can create your own schedule, set class times, and determine your own prices.
2. Figure Out Your Margins: What is the cost of rent? Is it an hourly rate or a percentage cut? How many students can comfortably fit in the space? How many do you need in each class to pay yourself fairly for your time and effort?
3. Determine What You Want to Teach: What type of class do you want to offer? What are you passionate about? Themed series can be wonderful as they create focus and structure while leaving room for your creativity to shine —  imagine anything from “Yoga for Beginners” to a seven-week journey through the chakra system.
4. Spread the Word: I started with a very small email list (probably around 14 people!) and invited them to my first pre-registered series. Take time to think about how you can market your series to reach your ideal students.
5. Help Students Understand the Benefits: A yoga series is different from a drop-in class. Typically, students register for a set number of classes in advance, which requires more commitment but can be ideal for those who need extra accountability. Pre-registered series foster deeper learning, as each class builds on the previous one in a more structured way, helping students grow in their practice.

Like anything, it takes time to build your classes, and they may start small. Consistency is crucial for building trust with your students over time. After four years of consistently offering monthly pre-registered yoga series, here’s what I’ve noticed:

More Revenue: On some nights, I’m able to pay myself ten times what I would have earned teaching public studio classes. There is nothing wrong with teaching public classes, however, this business model allows me to compensate myself fairly for my time and expertise.

More Creative Energy: Earning more per class means I don't have to teach as many classes per week to make ends meet. This frees up time to thoughtfully plan my classes and enjoy my own practice.

Community Building: The most rewarding outcome of running pre-registered classes has been the connections formed among students. Classes have grown slowly but steadily over time, and the sense of community that has developed is truly heartwarming.

If you are a yoga teacher* looking to pare down your teaching schedule while earning more, I highly recommend running your own yoga series. It’s a fantastic way to challenge yourself as a teacher, build a supportive community, and create a sustainable income — all while offering your students a more personalised learning experience.

*commission earned from this link.