7 Alternative Work Environments for Yoga Teachers Beyond the Studio

To help yoga teachers find new and exciting places to work beyond the regular yoga studio, we asked seven professionals from various fields, including CEOs and community managers, to share their insights. From exploring community-based yoga opportunities to offering modified yoga in senior centers, here are their top suggestions.

Explore Community-Based Yoga Opportunities

Outside of a yoga studio, there are boundless opportunities to teach yoga. Just think outside the box! Local gyms, CrossFit studios, churches, or partnering with parks, neighborhood communities, or recreation centers are some of the many places that you can teach yoga. 

One of the most impactful places I've found to teach is within schools. You can set up an after-school yoga program, or you can teach weekly classes for school staff. Teaching within a school has been the most rewarding experience for me. Kids embrace yoga so quickly, and the effect is noticeable almost immediately! Explore any and all opportunities to get into it in your community and make a difference.

Adrienne Smith, Podcast Host, Yoga Teacher and Trainer, FamilyFlow Yoga®️

Venture into Virtual Yoga Classes

Yoga teachers can create online classes and workshops that are tailored to different people, and even offer personal training and one-on-one classes for different levels of yogis.

At Kickoff, we hire all kinds of fitness specialists and instructors, and having a certified yoga instructor is essential to help with clients who want to focus on improving their mobility, boosting their flexibility, and offering a low-impact exercise that is easy on the joints and suitable for seniors, pregnant women, as well as those with injuries.

John Gardner, Co-Founder/CEO, Kickoff

Learn More: How to Become and Online Yoga Instructor

Integrate Yoga in Climbing Gyms

There are many places yoga teachers can work—because many sports benefit from the healing practices yoga provides. As a climbing expert, many climbers benefit from the unique stretching and strength challenges yoga provides. 

Yoga isn't only a stretching practice, like many people think it is. Balancing breath and movement, and exercising strength through a wide range of motion, are two skills yoga practices that are uniquely suited for climbing. Integrating yoga classes at a climbing gym is a great way for a yoga teacher to expand their client list and see how their practice helps others.

Kevin Le Gall, Owner and Lead Editor, Climbing House

Teach Yoga in Natural Beauty Spots

Teaching yoga doesn't have to stop at the studio door. If you live near a place of natural beauty, you may have the opportunity to teach extra sessions and generate additional cash. Living in an area of San Diego called Pacific Beach, every Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the cliffs above the ocean, there's a free yoga class open to the public, but "donations" are recommended. 

The class started with just eight participants on Saturdays years ago. Today, over 150 people attend every session on Saturday mornings. In fact, there's no longer room on the cliffs to support the entire class, and the yogi has to use a PA system to guide the session. It's amazing what it has morphed into, and from what is understood, it's very lucrative. This could be replicated in other places of natural beauty. Weekly, outdoor side sessions are a great side venture for yoga teachers.

John Ross, CEO, Test Prep Insight

Yoga Instructor Salary Tips: How to Make Money as a Yoga Teacher & Grow Your Income

Innovate with Brewery-Based Yoga

Yoga has really caught on in some surprising locales as a way to draw in new clientele. One of these places is breweries.

"Beer yoga" has been in vogue for a decade now in the U.S., as yoga participants "work off" the calories from drinking alcohol either during or after a yoga session.

It's very popular here in Upstate South Carolina. One brewery holds a monthly "Beers and Balance" class on Saturdays. Another brewery hosts "Hoppy Yoga" twice a month. And a craft beer and wine store/taproom has a monthly "Yoga and Mimosa" class on Sundays with a varied theme, from "Yacht Rock" to "Witchy Yoga."

For a yoga instructor to teach at these venues, they should make sure they have the appropriate liability insurance. It will protect them personally against all potential lawsuits. Luckily, premiums for yoga insurance are usually low.

Michelle Robbins, Licensed Insurance Agent, Clearsurance.com

Learn More: Do Yoga Teachers Need Liability Insurance?

Lead Yoga Sessions in Luxury Resorts

Luxury resorts and cruise ships invite guests to partake in rejuvenating yoga sessions. Resort yoga instructors, like their counterparts in other workplaces, lead a variety of yoga styles, from classic Hatha and Vinyasa to exotic forms like aerial or beachfront sessions.

But the role expands beyond the mat. Instructors often curate enriching workshops on mindfulness and holistic well-being, guiding guests on inner journeys to harmony. For those seeking personalized attention, private yoga sessions await, tailored to unique needs and abilities.

The allure of these positions lies not only in their responsibilities but also in their surroundings. Resorts and cruise ships are often nestled in picturesque settings, offering breathtaking backdrops for yoga. They prioritize holistic wellness, making them ideal for instructors passionate about well-being. Moreover, the diverse global clientele enriches instructors' experiences through cross-cultural interaction.

Nina Paczka, Community Manager, Resume Now

Offer Modified Yoga in Senior Centers

Senior centers! If you choose to teach modified yoga, such as in chairs, then there are plenty of opportunities to offer classes for older populations. These are groups that may appreciate the gentle exercise and flexibility that doing yoga can offer.

Kelsey Bishop, CEO and Founder, Candor

How to Become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT)

Love yoga but not yet a yoga instructor? Get certified with the ISSA Yoga & Wellness Academy. Our Yoga 200 teacher training course is approved by the Yoga Alliance. Upon completion you can become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and begin the career of your dreams!