Let’s Talk Numbers & Opportunities

4 yoga teacher training students exploring wide legged forward bend in partner work creating a circle with their feet connecting.

The Dream vs. Reality

Is that what you ask yourself?

Maybe you love the idea of teaching yoga—you love yoga and can see yourself building a career around it—but you're unsure about the financial side. How viable is it? Can you actually make a living from it?

When I started, teaching yoga was often seen as something that should be cheap or even free. The notion of karma yoga was strong, and if you charged for your teaching—especially if you charged a substantial amount—you weren’t considered a true yogi.

I remember offering my yoga sessions and Ayurvedic massages in a part of London with a predominantly Indian demographic. When it came to fees, there was often disbelief that I could ask for money at all. There used to be a general lack of respect for what yoga teaching truly entails.

Thankfully, the situation has evolved. More yoga teachers have advocated for fair compensation, and people are beginning to recognise the value of skilled yoga instruction.

But if you’re considering yoga teacher training, you still need clarity on whether this can be a sustainable career path.

Now that yoga teaching is more recognised, the big question remains: Can it actually provide a sustainable income?

Let’s take a look at the numbers and opportunities available.

The Real Numbers – How Much Do Yoga Teachers Earn?

One of the most common questions new yoga teachers ask is: How much can I actually earn?

The answer isn’t straightforward, as it depends on multiple factors:

Where you teach: Urban areas like London tend to have higher class prices but also higher venue rental fees, while rural areas may have lower costs but fewer potential students.
How you teach: Studio classes, private clients, workshops, and online teaching all have different income potentials.
Your experience & niche: Specialised yoga teachers (e.g., Yoga for Stress, Ayurveda & Yoga, Pre/Postnatal Yoga) can often charge more than general group class instructors.

General Income Ranges in the UK (approximate figures for context, not fixed rates!)

Studio classes: £20-£60 per class, depending on location and experience.

Private 1:1 sessions: £40-£120 per session.

Workshops: £25-£50 per participant (can be more for niche topics).

Retreats: Potential earnings vary greatly, but a well-run retreat can generate £2,000-£5,000+ profit for the teacher.

Online courses/memberships: Passive income potential varies, but some teachers build £500-£2,000+ monthly over time.

Scenarios: How Yoga Teachers Earn Differently

👉 Studio Teacher in London: Might teach 10-12 group classes a week, earning £30-£50 per class, but also pays high rental fees if hiring space independently.

👉 Private Yoga Coach: Offers bespoke 1:1 sessions at £75 per session, seeing 6-8 clients weekly for a higher but more selective income.

👉 Yoga Teacher in a Small Town: Teaches at a community space, charging £8-£12 per student, balancing smaller class sizes with a loyal local following.

👉 Hybrid Model (Online + In-Person): Runs a mix of group classes, workshops, and an online membership, generating steady income across different sources.

As you can see, most teachers don't rely solely on studio classes to make a full-time living. This is where multiple income streams come into play.

Check out this little study by Talent.com on the average income of Yoga teachers in the UK.

Beyond Teaching Classes: Multiple Income Streams

Yoga teacher leading a class on the beach – how to earn a living as a yoga instructor — Kaylee Garrett @realkayls

The Value of Yoga Teaching: Commitment, Investment, and Worth

One of the biggest mindset shifts yoga teachers need to make is that offering yoga is valuable work, and compensation allows them to sustain that work. Many of us invest significant time, energy, and financial resources into our training.

In my experience, free sessions often lack commitment from students. Those who invest financially tend to show up, engage, and take their practice seriously.

This isn’t just about money—it’s about perception. People will easily spend £20-25 on a night out, yet question spending the same amount on a yoga class.

That’s why many successful yoga teachers go beyond traditional classes and create multiple income streams, such as:

Private sessions (higher rates, more personalised approach).
Workshops & retreats (a bigger financial investment from students).
Online programs & courses (scalable and accessible to a wider audience).
Corporate yoga (companies often have budgets for employee wellbeing).
Selling digital content (meditations, eBooks, guides).

Feels all too much? You don’t need to have all of this figured out right away. It’s just good to know that when you’re ready, there are many options.

Is It Possible to Make a Full-Time Living?

Many new yoga teachers start by teaching small classes to friends, family, or colleagues. This allows them to gain confidence and experiment in a safe space. Some of my former trainees continued teaching these classes well after their training ended, gradually expanding as they grew more comfortable.

To give you an idea, here’s how I started:

After moving to London, a friend mobilised her friends, my first class was born.

From there, I expanded to a daytime class, completed a specialist training in Pregnancy and Postnatal Yoga, and started teaching for a local studio.

Over time, opportunities came my way—a family centre invited me to teach, a local council asked me to run yoga sessions for their staff, and I eventually trained to offer Yoga Teacher Training.

Yoga is a broad and versatile field, and your career path will evolve in ways you might not expect.

Today, my yoga business has transitioned into a hybrid model, blending in-person yoga classes, workshops and Yoga Teacher Training with online courses focusing on stress management through Yoga and Ayurveda. This shift has allowed me to reach a wider audience while maintaining the in-person connection that I love.

How to Set Yourself Up for Financial Success

Find Your Niche: Reflect on what drew you to yoga. Which students do you feel most connected to? Yoga for Stress? Pregnancy Yoga? Corporate Yoga? Specialising will help you stand out.
Build an Online Presence: You don’t need to be a social media expert, but having a visible online presence (a business Instagram or website) helps potential students find you.
Learn Basic Business Skills: Pricing, marketing, and networking will play a role in your success.
Create Long-Term Offers: Workshops, memberships, and retreats help you establish stability beyond weekly classes.

Final Thoughts: Is Yoga Teaching Right for You?

Making a living as a yoga teacher takes planning, but it's absolutely possible.

Many teachers start small and build up over time. The key is to stay adaptable, find what works for you, and value your teaching as the powerful offering it is.