How Much to Charge for Yoga Class: Factors to Consider

Being a new yoga instructor, you have a lot of decisions to make. You need to decide where you’ll work, if you’ll create your own yoga business, and more. Certainly, there are a lot of tips and tricks that can make these decisions easier. But how do you decide how much to charge for your yoga class if pricing is up to you?

Two Popular Yoga Class Pricing Models

There are many ways to set your yoga class prices. Two common methods or models are:

• Session-based pricing. You can set your rates based on the number of sessions your yoga student will get. This generally begins with setting a rate for a single session, then giving discounted rates if a student signs up to take multiple sessions. The average cost for a 1-hour session is $20 (1). So, you might offer each class for $15 if they pay in advance for 5, 10, or 20 classes.

• Time-based pricing. Another common pricing model is to charge based on time. Unless someone is new to yoga and not sure whether it’s for them, they likely want more than a single class. For this student, you may offer a package that provides them access to unlimited classes for a certain length of time. You might have one price for 30 days of unlimited yoga and another for 60 days, 90 days, or more. This type of pricing may be more appealing to regular practitioners as it allows them to take a class more often without having to pay each time.

Considering Group Class Size

Another factor to consider is the size of your group classes. If you’re teaching a small group yoga class, you may charge more due to providing more personalized attention. Alternatively, a larger group size enables you to charge less per session but make more simply by having more students.

For instance, if you have a group of six students and charge them $20 each, you will earn $120 for that session. But if you have a group of 20 students and charge them $15 each ($5 less), you will earn $300. You make more money, even though you’re charging a lesser rate.

Pricing Factors Related to Yoga Style

Your class pricing might also vary based on the style of yoga you teach. This is because certain styles may cost more to offer to your students.

If you teach Ashtanga yoga, for example, you may be able to keep your pricing lower because it doesn’t require your students to use any blocks. Conversely, if you specialize in prenatal yoga, your prices may be higher to offset yoga block purchases. 

Or you might charge more for aerial yoga since you’ll have to install and maintain the silk fabric or ropes. You may also have higher prices if you offer Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, since you must pay extra to keep the studio hotter. 

Charging for Public vs. Private Yoga Classes

Will you offer public classes, private classes, or both? If you hadn’t considered offering private yoga, you might want to. You can charge more for a private yoga session since your student will receive more personalized instruction. 

While not everyone desires a private class, some people do. Celebrities and high-profile individuals are more likely to want a private session, for example. So, if you want to cater to this type of student, marketing yourself as a private yoga teacher is important.

How much do you charge for a private lesson? In the U.S., the average rate for a private yoga lesson ranges from $70 to $95 per hour (2). Additionally, the rates for private yoga are generally higher on the coasts than they are in areas that are more in the middle of the country.

Costs of Running a Yoga Business

It can be expensive to start and operate a yoga business. If you want to be a successful yoga studio owner, you must charge enough to at least break even. However, your ultimate goal is to make a profit. That’s why it’s important to consider your expenses when deciding your class rates.

Certainly, you can’t set your pricing based entirely on how much you spend to run your yoga business. But these costs are definitely a factor. If you don’t bring in enough to pay your basic expenses, you’re not likely to be a studio owner for long.

Costs to consider include:

• rent or mortgage payments on the yoga studio

• utility expenses such as electric, gas, and water

• equipment costs (especially if you supply each student with a yoga mat, block, etc.)

• office supplies, such as a computer, printer, paper, and pens

Don’t forget about irregular costs too. If the roof of your studio is old, you may need to replace it soon. Or you might get hit by a flood or tornado and have to make repairs. Factoring these non-regular expenses into your budget—and your class rates—can help keep these types of events from putting you out of business.

Other Services Offered

If you offer additional services at your yoga studio, this can also affect your rates. The more value you provide your students, the more they are willing (and expecting) to pay.

Some studios offer sauna services in addition to yoga classes. Others provide Pilates training or fitness classes. If you give complimentary swag to your yoga students, you may charge more for your packages then too.

Consider what each student gets when they work with you to help establish a rate that aligns with the value of your services.

How Much to Charge for Yoga Class Offered Online?

If you teach an online yoga class, your pricing may be different than if you teach classes in person. In many cases, you can charge less and still make a good amount.

One reason is that you can pre-record your online classes and enable students to play them on demand. This allows you to put in the time just once to record the class, then sell it over and over again. So, you may charge a lesser rate since the class doesn’t require your continual effort. All the work is done.

If you teach online yoga classes from home, you also don’t have the expenses of a yoga studio. With less overhead, you can charge lower rates without hurting your bottom line. 

Your Experience and Education as a Yoga Instructor

Other factors that should be considered when setting your class rates are your level of experience and education. The more you have of both, the more you can charge as a yoga teacher.

What if you don’t yet have much experience teaching yoga? That’s okay. There are several things you can do to get more experience. And as your experience increases, so too should your rates.

Your education plays a role in your pricing as well. The more yoga teacher training you’ve had, the more knowledge you can apply to your classes. You also have a broader information base with which to help your students.

Skills you gain in a yoga course include:

• how to break down and effectively teach each yoga pose

• common yoga injuries and how to help your class avoid them

• ways to establish rapport with your yoga student

• motivational techniques for developing a regular yoga practice

Improving your knowledge and skills in these areas can help make you a better yoga teacher. It also enables you to charge higher rates based on the greater level of value you provide.

The ISSA Yoga & Wellness Academy offers a Yoga Alliance approved 200-hour course. This Yoga 200 course provides yoga teacher certification. Upon its completion, you are eligible to become a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). 

References

1. 2023 yoga classes cost (with local prices). Lessons. (n.d.). https://lessons.com/costs/yoga-classes-cost 

2. How much does a personal yoga instructor cost? (AVG in USA, Australia, and the UK). Yogaveler Blog | Yoga Lifestyle, Philosophy and Travel. (2023, May 23). https://blog.yogaveler.com/yoga-meditation/personal-yoga-instructor-cost/