How to become a yoga teacher – starting your own yoga business

Thinking about turning your passion for yoga into a sustainable business?

You’re in good company – the UK yoga and broader wellness market is growing, with thousands of businesses and strong consumer appetite for fitness, stress reduction and accessible classes, both local and online.

The UK yoga sector is estimated to be worth £1.0 billion, with over 5,200 businesses operating.

Demand does vary by region and niche, but with thoughtful planning, you can identify your target audience and establish a steady income.

This guide walks you step-by-step through the essentials, including choosing a model that fits your life, setting pricing and policies, getting qualified and insured, staying compliant with UK regulations, and marketing in a way that actually fills mats.

Choose your business model

There are several business models you could choose from for your yoga business.

Studio-based model

A yoga business based in your own studio could offer you a customisable space better suited to your personal and client needs. You’ll have complete control over your timetable, brand, and client experience.

However, you may incur fixed costs, such as rent and utilities, and the setup process could be more time-consuming.

This model may suit established yoga teachers with established local followings, access to finance, and an appetite for operations and leadership.

Mobile or pop-up model

A mobile yoga business involves hosting yoga classes in shared public spaces, such as community centres, schools, or coworking spaces.

This may be an ideal business model for those seeking low start-up costs and flexibility; however, venue availability can limit timetable consistency, and you’ll need to factor in time for setup/pack-down and transporting equipment.

This model may suit new teachers validating demand, those testing areas or niches, or anyone who values flexibility and low risk.

Online or hybrid model

An online business model – or a mixture of online and in-person classes – could allow you to reach a broader customer base with more flexibility.

It potentially has lower ongoing costs compared to a studio.

However, this route could make it challenging to build a community or effectively monitor your students’ progress and technique.

At the beginning of your yoga business journey, you might consider starting with a mobile/pop-up – by doing this, you could gauge demand for your business and then scale up.

Pricing, class packs, and memberships

The business model you choose for your yoga business may affect how you price your classes and services.

When setting your prices, there may be several things you want to consider, such as:

• direct costs – such as equipment, software costs, and employees
• overhead costs – such as rent, bills, marketing, and insurance
• your personal hourly rate
• what your target customer is willing to pay
• the perceived value of your offering
• competitor prices
• profit margins.

The price charged for yoga classes varies widely – some yoga studios offer low-cost deals for bundles of classes, while others charge up to £40 or more for single classes, depending on the style of class (such as hot yoga or aerial classes).

Besides charging per class, you might consider offering private lessons.

Private lessons could allow you to charge more, and might cost £50-80 per session to cover your exclusive attention, overheads and required transportation.

For online classes with unlimited attendee capacity, you could consider offering lower fees, with per-session costs starting at around £6, for example.
Class packs could be a way to encourage your target customers to commit to multiple classes by offering a small discount.

For example, if you charge £15 for a single yoga class, you might create class packs of 5 classes for £60.

Depending on where you are based, you could also consider creating corporate yoga class packs.

This could involve hosting classes for businesses to support employee well-being.

You could charge a higher fee for these, as they would involve teaching a larger group, setting up your equipment, and requiring more of your time, as well as transportation costs.

Memberships could be another option – clients could pay a monthly or annual flat rate to access your yoga services, plus enjoy additional benefits, such as access to online resources.

For a monthly membership, you could estimate that a member would take 1-2 classes per week to set your prices. 

However, also consider offering a discounted introductory period to encourage them to sign up for the full membership.

Learn more with our guide to pricing strategies every small business should know.

Pricing policies

It could be a good idea to set clear pricing policies to help protect your business financially.

Cancellations, refunds, and no-shows can negatively impact your bottom line, so having clear customer guidelines about what happens in these cases can be beneficial.

You may want to consider implementing a ‘pause’ policy for membership or class pack holders, allowing them to temporarily suspend their access when needed without losing their remaining sessions or membership time.

This can show goodwill to your regular clients and help to foster good relationships.

Additionally, consider implementing simple and secure booking and payment systems, as well as auto-renewal options for memberships, to encourage clients to continue returning.

Becoming qualified

While yoga is not statutorily regulated in the UK, professional standards matter to students and venues.
Being qualified can be key to establishing a trustworthy yoga business.

While the industry is currently unregulated and there’s no legal requirement for certification, completing accredited yoga training can help you offer safe and effective services.

It could also make it easier to secure business insurance and a suitable venue.

You may want to consider completing a Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga or a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course.

Many teachers choose certification from reputable boards, such as the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) and Yoga Alliance.

Being certified can help your business appear more credible, which may be helpful when hiring a studio or attracting customers.

If you offer in-person services, a first aid qualification from a reputable organisation, such as St John’s Ambulance or the British Red Cross, could be useful.

You may also want to consider completing mental health first aid training if you work with vulnerable groups.

As your business grows and you gain confidence in your teaching, you might want to pursue additional qualifications or specialist training to expand the range of services you offer.

This could include:

• pregnancy and postnatal yoga
• yoga for children and teens
• chair yoga and accessible yoga
• restorative and yin yoga
• trauma informed approaches.

Committing to your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) through short courses and workshops can help you maintain high standards and keep your business competitive.

As a yoga business owner, you could also need certain soft skills, such as empathy, clear communication, adaptability, and leadership skills.

What kind of venue and equipment do I need?

The ideal venue for your yoga business will depend on the business model you choose.

If you plan to provide in-person services, you may want to prioritise a venue that has plenty of space and appropriate facilities, such as bathrooms.

When searching for a venue, consider asking questions about its flooring, temperature, ventilation, noise levels, security, and accessibility.

If you plan to offer online services, consider creating a dedicated space in your home for sessions to help you maintain a work-life balance.

To run a successful yoga business, you might need equipment such as:

• yoga mats
• blocks and bricks
• straps
• bolsters
• blankets
• chairs for accessible classes
• portable speaker and playlists if using music
• cleaning equipment
• a laptop and camera for online sessions
• transport and storage for equipment.

Insurance for your yoga business

Business insurance could protect you, your clients, and your business in the event of an unexpected incident.

Public liability insurance is often considered essential for a yoga business, as many venues and clients expect it.

It could protect you and your business from injury or damage claims made by members of the public.

Professional indemnity insurance could protect you from claims against your teaching or advice, while personal accident insurance could be vital if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

If you own a yoga studio, commercial property insurance could be a wise investment to protect it and its contents from damage or theft.

As you search for the perfect venue, you may be asked to provide proof of insurance, so keeping your insurance certificates on hand could save time.

When taking out business insurance, pay close attention to policy limits, exclusions, and where you’re covered – whether that’s in person, online, outdoors, or on retreats.

If you plan to hire employees, it is usually a legal requirement that you have employer’s liability insurance.

Safeguarding students and professional conduct

Adults can be considered self-consenting; however, safeguarding and professional conduct may take on different forms when teaching individuals under 18 or those considered vulnerable.

To work with these groups, you may need to obtain consent forms, have a parent or carer present, and avoid one-to-one interactions in closed rooms.

You would also need to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

Some insurance companies and venues, such as community centres and school halls, may also require a basic DBS check in order for you to work with them – consider checking the policies of any venues you work with.

It could be wise to have a simple code of conduct that covers clear boundaries, inclusive language, opt-in touch, and incident records.

A brief safeguarding policy may also be helpful, outlining how to prevent incidents, identify concerns, and report them.

Choosing a business structure

Some of the most popular business structures for a yoga business could include sole trader, limited company, and partnership/LLP.

Sole trader

As a sole trader, you have total control of your business and the profits, and enjoy a typical setup.

This could be an ideal choice for providing small, local classes or online sessions.

You’ll need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC and pay Income Tax as well as Class 2 and 4 National Insurance.

Limited company

Operating as a limited company would mean you would be a separate legal entity from your business.

This structure can make you appear more professional and has potential tax planning advantages and limited liability.

You must incorporate with Companies House, register for Corporation Tax with HMRC, and set up PAYE to pay salaries.

You’ll also need to file annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House.

Partnership

If you plan to open a yoga business with a friend, you could operate as a partnership or LLP.

You would share profits and responsibilities, and you may find it encouraging to have someone else on this journey with you.

You’ll need to notify HMRC of the partnership, file a partnership tax return, and also submit individual returns for each partner.

Learn more about choosing the right business structure.

To keep your finances organised, consider using bookkeeping software and opening a business bank account.

Licences and permits

Running a dedicated studio may involve planning for use and adhering to local regulations for operating a business from the premises.

Consider checking your lease terms and any change-of-use requirements that might apply.

You will usually need a music licence if you plan to play music during your classes, both in-person and online – PPL PRS offers licensing for fitness classes.

To run outdoor classes – in a park, for example – you may need permission or a permit from the local authorities.

Health and safety for a yoga business

Prioritising client safety could be an important factor in building loyalty and encouraging repeat business.

Plus, if you don’t prioritise health and safety, you could face costly consequences.

You might consider:

• doing a simple risk assessment for each venue and class type
• screening new clients with a brief health form, asking about injuries or any medications
• ensuring clear walkways between mats
• cleaning shared equipment, and providing hand sanitiser and tissues between sessions
• inspecting equipment regularly and replacing damaged items
• being knowledgeable about emergency procedures, including fire exits, assembly points and who to contact in the event of an incident.

How to fund your yoga business

There are several ways to fund your yoga start-up.

Bank loans, personal savings, or loans from friends and family could be options.

You can also apply for small grants or consider crowdfunding if your yoga business has a community-focused purpose.

You might also consider a government-backed Start Up Loan.

Find out more about Start Up Loans and how they work.

How to market your yoga business

Your business plan should include a marketing strategy for your yoga business, ideally guided by market research.

Marketing basics could include creating a business website, having a Google Business Profile and setting up social media accounts.

Establishing a local presence by placing flyers and posters in cafés, libraries, and GP clinics can be an effective way to attract local customers.

You might also consider partnering with local physios, personal trainers, midwives, schools, and workplaces for affiliate marketing, offering referral fees or reciprocal promotions.

As your business grows, you can continue to build trust through your marketing by sharing client reviews and professional photos.

Read more about why marketing is important for start-up success.