Flow into Success: 7 Must-Know Business Tips for Aspiring Yoga Teachers

So you’ve qualified as a yoga teacher - congrats!!! I know how much this means to you and how much of your heart (and bank balance) you've invested into your studies

And now you find yourself staring at a sea of other teachers with glossy websites, swoon-worthy retreat photos, and the kind of Instagram handstands that could give Cirque du Soleil a run for their money.

It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough. Imposter syndrome, hello 👋🏼

But let me tell you something, new yoga teacher: you are absolutely good enough.

What you have to offer is uniquely you. Your experience, your story, your voice, your energy — that’s what your students will connect with. If you’ve been called to teach, it’s your job to share that light in the most authentic way you can.

And while passion is essential, a little bit of business wisdom can make your journey smoother, saner, and more sustainable - which is why so many new yoga teachers benefit from personalised yoga business coaching in those early months.

So here are some of the golden nuggets I've accumulated from teaching yoga since 2015 and from being in business since 2004 - from me to you , with love....

1. Treat your teaching like the business it is

When I first started teaching, I resisted thinking of yoga as a “business.” It felt cold and transactional — not at all in keeping with the warmth and community I wanted to create.

But here’s the truth: energy exchange matters.

You cannot sustain yourself and your family on peace, love and Om's alone, I don't care how much you feel like you want to share your passion and make everything better for everyone. (Which, btw, is completely how I feel, so no shade on that - it's just an honest reality check with satya in mind.)

The fact is, if you’re receiving money for your teaching, you’re running a business.

Seeing it that way helped me honour my time, effort, and energy. It’s not about chasing profit — it’s about valuing what you give and creating healthy, sustainable boundaries around it.

You are the founder of your own yoga business — whether that business is one class a week or a full schedule. So start thinking like the capable, heart-led entrepreneur you already are.

And if wrapping your head around the ‘business’ side makes you want to hide under your bolsters, this is exactly the kind of stuff I support new yoga teachers with in my mentoring and coaching - the real-life, heart-led business bits nobody tells you about.

2. Create healthy boundaries between you and your business

One of the best things you can do early on is separate your personal life from your teaching life.

Have a dedicated business email address (maybe not [email protected]), set up a professional contact number if needed, and decide what’s acceptable for you — your working hours, response times, and how you handle cancellations.

You don’t have to be “on call” 24/7. Your students will respect you more when you respect yourself and your time.

3. Build genuine community

It doesn’t matter whether three people or thirty people come to your class — those who show up have chosen to spend their time and energy with you.

Focus on connection, not numbers. That, my friend, is what sets you apart as a truly wonderful yoga teacher.

When your students feel seen and valued, they’ll come back — and they’ll tell their friends. That’s how real community (and steady class growth) happens.

Remember, people never forget how you made them feel.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

~ Maya Angelou

4. Show up online — in your own way

You don’t need to be everywhere online, but you do need to be somewhere.

Pick one platform where your students already hang out (Instagram, Facebook, or even a simple newsletter) and start sharing your classes, tips, and thoughts.

Social media is just another way to stay connected — to extend that lovely post-class glow into the rest of the week. And you don’t have to be perfect at it. Start where you are, learn as you go, and remember: authenticity trumps aesthetics every time.

And don't discount the power of having a website, because people still search Google for their nearest yoga class and AI summaries pick out information that is relevant. For the love of Buddha, though, make sure your class info and pricing is up-to-date!

One of the most underrated things I did as a new yoga teacher was setting up my website to allow for people to book and pay online. This was in 2015, and I hadn't found many people outside London doing this, but it made things so convenient for my new yoga-fam. Knowing what I know now in 2025 about CRMs and automations (aka Customer Relationship Management systems) - these are worth their weight in gold and can save you hours and hours.

Honestly, this is the stuff I love to help yoga teachers with - getting the simple systems in place so you can stop faffing with admin and actually spend more time doing what you love: teaching, creating, living, breathing yoga. You can drop me an email if there's something specific you want to ask about it.

Because I know you'd rather be on your mat than wrangling with spreadsheets or scraps of paper!

5. Connect with other yoga teachers

Being a yoga teacher can feel surprisingly lonely sometimes — especially if you’re the only one in your area, or surrounded by teachers who seem “further ahead.”

Community isn’t just for your students — it’s for you too.

Reach out to other teachers, join local meetups, or connect online. Share experiences, support each other, and lift one another up. There’s room for everyone in this beautiful industry.

6. Don’t undercharge!!

Please don’t sell yourself short because you’re new.

Yes, experience matters, but so does energy, care, and preparation. You’ve invested months (maybe years) in learning, practicing, and training. Honour that investment.

Charging fairly isn’t greedy — it’s an act of respect. It keeps you in alignment with asteya (non-stealing) — ensuring that your time, effort, and energy aren’t undervalued.

And let's bring in the concept of Brahman- the connection to something bigger; if you undercharge or worse still, deliberately undercut other yoga teachers, you are not only devaluing your own teachings but yoga as a whole. Please, we know how beneficial yoga is to every body. Don't do it.

If pricing yourself brings up all the wobbles (been there!), this is something I support yoga teachers with in my mentoring — getting clear, confident, and properly valued for the magic you bring.

7. Keep learning — but don’t rush

There’s a temptation after qualifying to jump straight into more courses, more workshops, more certificates. But learning sticks best when you’re ready for it.

Your most valuable teacher will always be your own practice. Don't skip your own mat time!

Roll it out, meditate, reflect. Teach what you know, and learn from your students as much as you do from your teachers. When you teach from lived experience rather than memorised notes, your authenticity shines through, and that’s where the real magic happens and you step into being your truest, most authentic teaching self - which, by the way, is my absolute favourite transformation point to witness in the yoga teachers I coach and mentor.

Running a yoga business doesn’t mean selling your soul to capitalism — that is definitely not what it is about. It means honouring and being respectful of the sacred exchange of energy between you and your students. It’s about creating structure around your passion so you can keep sharing it without burning out.

"Lee-ann has built her business from scratch with authenticity and deep care for people. She paves the way for others by showing women their worth as business owners and how to engage with clients from a genuinely caring heart."

~ Sally, Nottingham

If you want find out more about working with me as a Yoga Teacher Mentor please get in touch - I would love to cheerlead you in a tailored and practical way and to help you thrive!

You’re not “just” a yoga teacher. You’re a guide, a space-holder, a change-maker — and yes, you are a business owner.

Own it.

All my love,

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