Have you ever thought how wonderful it might be if you could teach yoga from the comfort of your own home? Now, teaching yoga online is legit! Moreover, lots of yoga instructors have shifted to online training.
If you are also looking to make the most of your yoga experience and start teaching yoga online, this comprehensive guide is for you. Together, we will discuss the most effective ways to teach yoga online and generate a recurring revenue stream.
Why become an online yoga instructor?
Online yoga training is booming. You may have seen thousands of yoga lessons presented in Instagram reels or YouTube videos and shorts. One of the well-known online yoga instructors on YouTube is Adriene Mishler, who has more than 12 million subscribers. Besides offering classes on YouTube, Adriene also has a website where she posts her paid online yoga classes.
But makes online yoga classes a popular choice for yoga instructors?
There are several reasons for that.
- You get the opportunity to help more people when you are offering online yoga classes. With a traditional yoga studio, the number of your students is limited to the ones living near your studio. Yet, your own online yoga studio broadens your reach.
- You become more independent in terms of both time and location. You offer classes at times that are most suitable for you and no matter where you are.
- As an online yoga instructor, you also get numerous passive income opportunities. For example, you create and sell pre-recorded sessions, workshops, or courses that students can purchase and access at their convenience. This way, you earn money even while sleeping.
According to statistics, yoga instructors who offer classes in brick-and-mortar studios usually make $34 per hour, and the average salary in the US is $41.000. At the same time, the income for online yoga instructors is much higher. As an online yoga teacher, you can make $100.000 per year on average. Now, what do you need to do to start teaching yoga online?
5 easy steps to teach yoga online
Here are five things you should pay attention to if you want to teach yoga online:
- Decide on your specific niche
- Choose a format for your yoga classes
- Work on your social media presence
- Set up your online yoga studio
- Build your funnel to get leads and convert them to clients
Let’s get into all these steps in more detail.
#1 Decide who your online yoga classes are for
As you transition to offering online yoga classes, your first ever step is to choose your specific niche and understand precisely who you are helping. As we mentioned above, there are thousands of yoga classes available. Deciding on a specific niche will help you:
- stand out from the rest
- make your offerings more effective
- find your ideal students
“Fifteen years ago, you could get away with doing general yoga. But, especially since the pandemic, that whole model does not work. That is because it doesn’t resonate with anybody”.
Co-Founder at Marvelous
For example, you might offer prenatal and postnatal online yoga classes for mothers, or teach basic postures and breathing techniques to beginners. Another popular niche is yoga for stress relief to teach mindfulness and meditation. Or perhaps you want to specialize in yoga for athletes.
Whatever your specialization is, make sure you clearly know who you are helping and who are those who benefit form your online instructions the most.
#2 Decide on your online yoga class format
As an online yoga teacher, you can choose to employ different teaching styles to deliver your training. The most popular ways include pre-recorded courses, live classes, memberships, and bundle offers.
Pre-recorded online yoga courses
With the help of pre-recorded courses, your students can enroll and learn asynchronously at their own pace. This means that you can record and upload a series of videos once and continue generating recurring revenue as your students continue to purchase your courses. Sure, you may want to update your recorded course occasionally.
The recordings can feature you demonstrating and teaching yoga, or they can be recordings of classes you've taught to a group so other participants are also included in the video. This is how Ira delivers her classes. First, she taught her classes live on Zoom, then provided with the recorded versions.
However, with this approach, you will not be able to guide your students directly and give instant feedback on their progress as they follow your instructions.
Live classes
If you want to offer real-time feedback to your yoga students, you can go with live classes. If these are group classes, you should publish a schedule indicating the start times of your classes. For individual sessions, include a booking link to make it easy for students to schedule their sessions.
For example, Lizzie Gilles likes to have her yoga classes live. She also makes her live yoga classes available with membership.
There are also instructors who prefer to offer a mix of live and pre-recorded classes.
Membership website
If you prefer diverse ways of delivering your online yoga classes membership site is an excellent way. With a membership model, your students will pay you monthly in exchange for your content. This means that you can
- have a steady and predictable income
- create a sense of community among your students
- provide exclusive content to members
For example, CorePower Yoga offers all access membership and at home membership with a monthly fee of $19.99. Their membership provides students with unlimited live classes.
#3 Establish online presence as an online yoga instructor
When speaking about building your online presence you should especially pay attention to two main channels - your website and your social media. These are important for your students to get to know you, and familiarize themselves with your style. On the other hand a strong online presence helps you build awareness and trust with potential students.
Social media
At first, try to identify the main social media platforms your audience hangs out with. We also recommend creating and running your YouTube channel. Especially if you are a beginner, YouTube is an excellent place to start building awareness. Besides, you get the chance to experiment with the style of videos you want and get comfortable teaching yoga online. You may also monetize your YouTube channel as you have the necessary number of watch hours and subscribers.
YouTube isn't the only platform to share your content. You can also create short clips from your videos and share them as Instagram Reels. This way, you will be able to reach a broader audience and increase your visibility.
Your professional website
Your website is usually the first thing potential students check to see if you are legit. So, if you want to appear credible, make sure your website is there. One of the best ways to get your beautiful website ready in minutes is to start with Uteach.
Uteach offers an advanced website builder, so you can choose your favorite template and customize it to your heart’s content.
Mahasiddha Yoga uses Uteach to deliver its online yoga courses. They mainly focus on spiritual subjects like yoga, traditional Tantra, and Meditation.
Building a website doesn't mean you need to create dozens of pages. Often, just 2-3 well-designed pages are sufficient to showcase your online yoga school and offerings.
Here are a few main components your website may have.
- Your homepage with images and videos showing your yoga style
- About page with information about you as an instructor, qualifications, and experience
- Class schedule, in case you offer live classes
- Your course catalog with the list of available classes
- Details about membership plans, pricing, and what each plan includes.
- Blog section with articles, tips, and resources on yoga practice and wellness
- Contact information and links to your social media profiles
#4 Set up your space
Now it’s time to build your online yoga studio. Here, you want to make sure you have the necessary equipment and everything is set up in a way that will give you that perfect shot.
When it comes to equipment, it shouldn’t necessarily be the most expensive one. The basics you will need include a good camera and a microphone. You won't even need a microphone if you are not giving instructions while filming your yoga practice or don’t plan to add voiceovers.
As for the camera, you may use your smartphone or even your computer.
“To just get started, you need something to capture video. If you’ve got a cell phone the you’re good to go. You need something to capture audio, and your cell phone will usually do the job. And you also need good lighting”.Yoga teacher and Business Coach
When it comes to lighting, ensure your recording space has ample natural light. If possible, position your camera so you face a window, maximizing the natural light on you. If the light from the window is too weak, you can always use additional lights to balance the lighting on both sides of your face.
Tip: If you want to create that natural and sublime look, place lights at a 45-degree angle from where you are sitting or standing.
Now, depending on the type of shot you want to get, the camera placement will differ. If you want to get that full shot from your head all the way down to your yoga mat, place the camera about 2.5 meters from you. Yet, when you raise your arms and reach out, they might extend out of the frame. That is why you need to test your frame before hitting the recording button.
“I recommend filming lengthwise, aka horizontally. Most people are going to watch on a computer or even a TV. However, if you turn your phone in an up-and-down way, you won’t get as much to fill the screen when your videos are put on TV”.Yoga teacher and Business Coach
After you set up the space and rehearse everything, start recording. While recording, there are still a few more things to consider. For example, if you want to create a feeling that you are talking to your students on the other end, make sure you keep eye contact with the camera.
#5 Build your funnel to convert leads into clients
Now, the most important part of the whole process is figuring out how you will get your yoga students. For this purpose, you will need to work on your marketing funnel. One of the traditional ways of achieving this is through your website.
Here is how you can do it.
- Create lead magnets to attract potential students. These can be free resources like a downloadable yoga guide, a short video series, or a mini e-book on yoga tips. Offer these in exchange for visitors' email addresses.
- Once you have their email addresses, set up an email sequence. Your first ever email is a welcome email thanking them for signing up and providing the free resource.
- Next, you want to nurture your email subscribers with helpful content. These emails are necessary for you to build relationships with your potential students. Follow up with a series of emails that offer value—such as additional tips, success stories, or insights into your teaching philosophy. At some point, you can start introducing your paid offerings. Share information about your classes, memberships, and any special promotions.
Another great way to get new students is by building a referral program. When someone you know recommends a yoga class for you, you are more likely to sign up. This is an excellent way to turn your existing students into your brand ambassadors. For example, as an incentive for each referral, you can offer your student a free class, a discount, or additional content.
FAQ
Let’s also answer some of the frequently asked questions.
Can you make a career out of yoga?
Absolutely, you can make a career out of yoga. Many people become certified yoga instructors and teach classes at studios, gyms, or even online. You can also open your own online yoga studio and offer classes to a wider audience. Besides teaching, you can write books and eBooks, create online content, or host workshops. There's a growing demand for yoga in various fields like corporate wellness programs and schools. With dedication and the right training, a yoga career can be both fulfilling and profitable.
What qualifications do you need to be a yoga instructor?
To be a yoga instructor, you might want to get a certification from a recognizable training program, often a 200-hour course. Such programs usually cover yoga techniques, teaching methods, anatomy, and philosophy. Many yoga instructors also complete a 500-hour course for advanced training. Having a CPR certification is also helpful and contributes to your credibility. Besides the formal qualifications, being passionate about yoga, having good communication skills, and continuing education are essential for success in this field.
Is it hard to make money as a yoga instructor?
If you are offering online yoga courses and classes, making money can still be challenging but also rewarding. The online market is competitive, so building a strong online presence and loyal following is crucial. Your success most likely depends on effective marketing, engaging content, and consistent interaction with your audience. If you are looking to make the most out of being a yoga instructor, consider offering a mix of live classes, pre-recorded sessions, and subscription-based content to diversify your income.
Is 30 too old to become a yoga teacher?
Not at all! At age 30, it is definitely not too old to become a yoga teacher. In fact, many people start their yoga teaching journey later in life. That’s how 31% of today's yoga instructors are in their 30s-40s. Yoga values personal growth and lifelong learning, so as long as you're passionate and committed, age is just a number. Whether you're 30 or older, you can still build a fulfilling career as a yoga instructor.
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