How Much Should I Charge As A Yoga Teacher?

Updated April 23, 2024

Unlike most careers who work hours a day and get paid a fixed rate or salary, your salary as a yoga teacher is based on your financial goals and what you charge. In this article, we'll explore how you can determine what to charge as a yoga teacher.

How to Consider What to Charge as a Yoga Teacher 

Both new and experienced yoga teachers should be paid fairly for their expertise. Learn key tips on how to price your yoga classes.

Despite the specific career choice, money is usually an unfavorable topic of discussion for a yoga teacher. Yoga teaching is usually a passion before it is a source of income. However, it's a topic that should not go unnoticed—how much should you charge as a yoga teacher?

One of the perks of working for a well-established yoga studio is that most of the business facets are already taken care of for you. Typically, yoga studios handle the pricing as well as the charging of the clients and usually pay teachers a predetermined rate for their time.

On the other hand, there are some yoga studios that pay a substantially lower flat rate and then increase that price based on attendance. This provides you with the incentive to promote your classes to help boost and grow your class count in order to raise your income. To make sure you are being fairly valued for your time and expertise, it's important to know your worth and what amount of payment is acceptable by industry standards.

As a yoga teacher fresh out of training, the question of, how much to charge is at the forefront of your mind. This question really brings your self-worth and time value into monetary terms. Unlike most people, who work hours a day and get paid a fixed rate or salary, your work as a yoga teacher is a little more sporadic.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Fair Payment: Yoga teachers, regardless of experience, deserve fair compensation.
• Pricing Decisions: Determine rates carefully, considering industry standards and your value.
• Studio Dynamics: Some studios set rates while others offer incentives based on attendance.
• Understanding Value: Start with donation-based classes to gauge student willingness to pay.
• Seek Advice: Consult experienced teachers and studios for pricing guidance.
• Payment Models: Be aware of different payment structures, like flat rates or per-person compensation.
• Private Sessions: Set fair rates for private classes based on expertise and personalized attention.
• Emphasize Value: Highlight the value of your services beyond just time spent.
• Adaptability: Adjust rates as demand grows to reflect your expertise and popularity.
• Self-Worth: Remember your value extends beyond time; consider your training and experience.

How to Choose Your Service Rates as a Yoga Teacher

Consult Your Current Yoga Students

When you first start out and are establishing your following, just like any consumer, people tend to go with what they know. Once you have a following, others will join in based on personal recommendations or hearing positive experiences through the grapevine. However, your new students will return based on the connection and trust that you ignite in them.

One useful way to keep your clients in mind when it comes to pricing is to start classes at a donation-based rate with a suggested donation. This is not a long-term strategy but it can offer insightful data to help you determine what people in your area are willing to pay. As a platform, this gives the teacher a taste of their money-making potential and after a few sessions, some insight on a price point moving forward. 

Another idea, which could be intimidating, is asking your students directly.

Connect with Experienced Yoga Teachers

Another helpful tip to determine pricing is to consult local, well-established yoga teachers and studios. Their experience can help determine the consensus of your area and what people are willing to pay per class outside of a studio. On average, most yoga studios charge clients about twenty dollars for one drop-in class.

1. You may receive a flat rate per-class - and this flat rate may or may not come with annual raises.
2. You may be compensated per person. 

The per-person rate has its benefits as well as its faults. If you have a small following, which is common at first, you may only make $20 per class. But as attendance grows, your earning potential is only limited by the size of the space.

Talk to teachers in your area to see what the average compensation is, both in studios and for private teaching.

Consider Private Yoga Clients

Private classes are a great way to connect with students on a more personal level as well as a way to make a little more money as a yoga teacher. The tricky part here is once again, putting a dollar value on your time and skill set.

For private classes, you are only profiting from one person therefore, your price is one solid rate. There are many factors to consider when formulating a reasonable and worthwhile cost for your attention, time, experience, and teaching.

Apart from a group class that is sequenced ahead of time and under your discretion, what makes private yoga sessions valuable is that they are all about the student/client. This is their time with your expertise and your full attention on anything that they would like to work on within their practice.

Though the price range may vary in your area, based on expendable income and how much value is placed on health and wellness, knowing the average cost of a private class is a great place to start. Because they are in control and have the freedom to learn as they choose, $75 to $100 per session is a fair price per hour. 

It is natural to feel uncomfortable with starting at this price point because you are unfamiliar with this type of exchange. You may consider a lower “starting” rate until you have some experience and feel confident charging more. Just remember, confidence in anything is key! 

Remember: Making Money Takes Times

Once you start to see how willing students are to pay these prices for your services that uneasy feeling will start to disappear. As you become more popular and the appeal of your teachings grows, so does the cost of your time and skill set. 

It is congruent with the basics of supply and demand. The more students that are after your slots, the higher the outlay per hour. Some teachers eventually make their way to charging anywhere from $150 to $200 per hour.

At the end of the day, you are the one calling the shots. The key to this capital conundrum is to never, for even just a second, forget your self-worth. You are offering more than just an hour of time, you are offering your years of training, experience, and individual insight. This truth is the heart of success as a yoga teacher as well as becoming more comfortable with this modern-day energy exchange.