Yoga

Three years ago, Anihira was teaching twelve group yoga classes a week at three different studios. It appeared that she was living the yogi dream — quitting her day job to pursue what she loves. In reality, she was burning out. She never visited, commuted to the city back and forth all day for two classes a day and then crumbled into bed at night, still not knowing how she was going to pay rent.

 One afternoon a student stayed after class and asked, “Have you ever considered working one-on-one?” The honest answer was no. Anihira had always thought private sessions were always for time-starved celebrities and could only be given by equally celebratory yoga instructors.

But that student had planted a seed and, after investigating the income potential, Anihira decided to give it a go. The first session was a revelation. Anihira was able to custom-tailor every pose, every cue, and every breath. The student left glowing; Anihira left excited—she made more in that one hour than teaching a full group class.

Word spread. A few months later, private clients had gone from her side hustle to her primary source of income. Soon, she had tripled her old salary and yet worked fewer hours than before.

In this guide, you will discover exactly how Anihira tripled her income teaching private yoga sessions  — and how you can too!

Understanding The Shift To Private Yoga

The core reason private yoga teaching can transform your earning potential is that you are being paid for your expertise, not just your time. With group yoga classes, your hourly rate is typically capped by budget, and by how many students you can fit in the room. On the other hand, with private yoga, you can set your rate and offer 1-to-1 tailored sessions — a service that clients are willing to pay substantially more for.

The majority of studios pay group class instructors $25–$50 per class. Regardless of how many students they’re working with. In contrast, a private yoga session could earn you between $80-$150+ per hour. That’s 3–5 times more per hour — and you don’t have to split your attention among multiple students.

Here’s a simple comparison:

Income Potential: Group Classes vs. Private Sessions

What counts as “private yoga”? 

Private yoga means teaching one-on-one or with very small groups (typically 1–4) in a space customized to the student's unique goals and needs/habits of practice. It could be in your client's home, your own home studio, rented space or even via video call online.

Clients pay more because they receive a personalized experience — where you can tailor the training to their injury, to an anxiety or stress-reduction series that suits their mood and need that day, or to sports-specific training. Clients are paying for 1:1 focus, purposeful outcomes and the convenience of everything coming to them. For instructors, this premium rate reflects both the quality of the service and the value of your expertise.

Key Strategies To Triple Your Teaching Income

1. Define Your Niche: The quickest way to start earning higher fees is to focus on just one area of specialization. Instead of working as a generalist, it's much better if clients see you as the perfect fit for their own needs. A specialized instructor may charge a higher fee than someone who teaches general classes. Top money making niches include corporate wellness (stress reduction and posture correction for office workers), prenatal yoga (appropriate each trimester), therapeutic yoga (back pain, recovery from surgery or long-term restrictions like MS), and athletic performance improvement (yoga for runners, swimmers or team sports people).

To identify your niche, list all your most powerful skills, largest segments of clients (or students), and areas of expertise. Next, match your skills, passions and expertise to customer segments that you know have the money both to pay and the need for your specialized skills. 

For example, if you have done work with athletes in the past, then set yourself up as the “go-to” yoga teacher for athletic performance in your area.

2. Profit Goals Must Be Crystal Clear: You can’t triple your income without knowing exactly what “triple” means for you. So, take your total monthly income as a yoga teacher and triple it. That’s your new target.

Next, figure out how many private clients you need to reach this goal with the formula:

(Number of clients) x (Rate per session) x (Sessions per month) = Monthly income 

Example: If your goal is $6,000/month and you charge $100/session, that means 15 clients who book 4 sessions each month.

Be realistic about your timeframe-most instructors need 3–6 months to replace group-class income with private clients through their marketing and networking.

3. Leverage Referrals and Word of Mouth:  Your best new clients always come courtesy of old ones. At the end of a great session, just ask them:

“Can you think of anyone who'd enjoy working one-on-one with me?”

You may even offer a reward, such as a 30-minute free session for any new business brought in by your current customers. Don’t overlook community networks – team up with local health practitioners, gyms, or wellness centers to share referrals. With the right approach, one satisfied private client will often lead to two or three more without having to spend money on advertising directly.

Finding And Retaining High-Paying Clients

1. Target Corporate And Affluent Markets

Corporate wellness programs and affluent individuals are two of the most lucrative client groups for private yoga. These markets can afford — and expect — premium service, which means you can set rates well above your standard private fee. A single regular client can be worth many thousands of dollars annually.

Ways to Approach Corporate Customers:

• Spot leads: Seek firms with wellness budgets or progressive HR policies: technical companies, law offices, design agencies, industrial development companies, and banking organizations are more likely than others to have discretionary wellness investment
• Use LinkedIn: Look for human resources workers and fitness directors on LinkedIn and make connections with them. Before you attempt to begin pitching, leave an insightful comment on their posts or share an appropriate article.
• Attend networking events: Meetups, Chambers of Commerce, and business breakfasts allow you to make direct contacts.

Crafting a proposal:

Point out advantages: Decreased stress levels and improved posture mean that you won't see as many sick days or miss much time off work. The healthy boost in energy and focus that mindfulness can offer is invaluable.

Outline the Structure: Give a session overview (warm-up for 10 minutes, 40 minutes of training, 10 minutes relaxation)  and show them the session timetable.

Offer Flexible Scheduling: Offer early morning sessions, lunch break or late in the day slots.

Provide tiered options: Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly packages.

Prices for corporate sessions:

Present the session price, rather than the price per person. For example: 60 minutes of sessions for up to 15 people. It is recommended that you charge $200–$400 per hour.

You may want to use a retainer model (e.g., $1,200 is the price for one training session a week ) for a stable income-flow.

Include optional add-ons like custom video recordings, posture workshops, or wellness consultations.

For affluent private clients:

Affluent individuals are among the most lucrative private yoga clients because they value personalized attention, exclusivity, and convenience over cost. 

Where you will find them:

Within exclusive communities: Gated neighborhoods, exclusive apartment complexes and exclusive communities often have small private gyms

Clubs: Yacht clubs, tennis clubs, golf courses and country clubs are places where affluent people gather.

Social Networks: Art galleries, charity galas, high-end fitness facilities, and boutique wellness events attract this demographic.

Professional Circles: Partner with financial advisors, personal chefs, and personal trainers who already work with high-net-worth clients.

2. Use Social Media And Local Partnerships

Social media and community connections are strong marketing tools for your private client yoga business. By visual storytelling on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, you'll be able to create a professional yet approachable “face” for yourself that shows people who you really are and showcase skills in action. The goal is to create a professional yet approachable presence that demonstrates your expertise, personality, and the premium value you offer.

The Best Social Media Platforms for Yoga Marketing:

1. Instagram – Very effective for short videos, behind-the-scenes insights and client testimonials (with permission). Use reels and stories to create personal connections.
2. Facebook – Great for local networking and community engagement. Share events, live Q&A sessions, and promote special offers in local groups.
3. LinkedIn – Make connections with professionals and corporate wellness decision-makers. Share articles, case studies, and corporate class testimonials.
4. YouTube – Establish authority by creating short "how-to" videos that are strategically designed for the specific clientele you wish to attract.

Content Strategies to Attract Private Clients

• Educational Value – Post short articles or videos giving tips or tutorials.
• Client Spotlights – Share anonymous or approved success stories showing how you've helped clients get results.
• Behind the Scenes – Give the preliminary steps you take in a private session.
• Call-to-Action Posts – Ask the reader/viewer to do something; sign up, ring up or just ask for more information.
• Consistency: Posting every day makes sure there is fresh content available at all times.

Local Business Partnership Opportunities

Target businesses whose clients already value wellness and premium service, such as:

• Spas & Wellness Centers – Offer cross-promotions or package deals (e.g., a spa facial + private yoga session).
• High-End Fitness Facilities – Provide specialized classes their trainers don’t offer, such as restorative yoga for recovery.
• Boutique Hotels & Resorts – Partner to provide in-room yoga for guests.
• Physical Therapists & Chiropractors – Collaborate on post-rehab yoga programs for their patients.

How To Approach Potential Partners:

• Do Your Research – Visit the business, understand their clientele, and identify how yoga could add value.
• Create a Win-Win Offer – Suggest co-branded workshops, exclusive discounts for their clients, or referral commissions.
• Present Professionally – Share a concise proposal including:
  • Who you are and your qualifications.
  • How the partnership benefits their business.
  • Clear pricing or revenue-share options.

Follow-up – After your initial meeting, send a thank-you card along with a simple action plan to start small (e.g., a 1-month trial collaboration).

3. Offer Repeatable Packages

One of the most high-speed ways to create a stable private yoga money system is offering repeatable session packages rather than one-off bookings. This "package pricing" works because it combines psychology with practicality. Clients are more likely to follow through if they have already purchased a number of sessions, and you have a fixed income and less hassle.

Why Package Pricing Works 

1. Commitment & Accountability – More likely to stick to their practice when clients pre-pay for a number of sessions in bulk.
2. Perceived Value – Slightly reducing the per-session rate for packages makes clients feel they’re getting a deal while still paying premium rates..
3. Ease of Renewal – When one package ends, it is natural to send the next, lessening the need for constant re-selling.

Sample Private Yoga Package Structures

The above is an example. Adjust for your market and niche.

Pricing And Packaging Private Sessions

1. Competitive Hourly Rates

Your hourly rate forms the foundation of your income. Rates vary widely depending on experience, location, and the level of service you offer:

• Beginner (1–3 years experience): $60–$80/hourly rate
• Intermediate (3–7 years experience): $80–$120/hourly rate
• Advanced (7+ years or specialized certifications): $120–$200+/hourly rate

To get a feel for what others are charging, look at online directories of yoga instructors in your area. Adjust for your unique selling points — niche expertise, specialized certifications, or exceptional client results can justify rates on the higher end.

When to Update Rates: Review your rates every year. If your time is consistently booked up, demand is strong, or you have expanded your skills, it's time to update the prices.

Telling People You Are Going to Raise Rates: Tell people with at least 30 days notice. Here’s a sample script …

I appreciate the work and results we have achieved together. From [date], my private session fee will be [$X]. This is a fair adjustment given the increased value and expertise I provide in our sessions.

Discounted Multi-Session Packages: Multi-session packages mean that clients have a financial incentive to make longer-term commitments, and they help balance your income. A good rule of thumb is to give about 5-15% off each session, with the rate varying depending on how many sessions are bought.

Sample Structures:

• 5 sessions – 5% discount
• 10 sessions – 10% discount
• 20 sessions – 15% discount

When offering packages, focus on value, not savings:

“By committing to 10 sessions, we can build consistent progress, tailor your practice to your goals, and track results over time — plus, you’ll save compared to single-session rates.”

2. Premium Specialty Programs

Specialty programs allow you to offer high-ticket packages that go beyond standard private yoga sessions. These cater to specific goals or audiences and often include added services.

For example …

1. 8-Week Transformation: $1,500–$2,500 — mix private yoga, direction in nutrition and meditation guidance.
2. Corporate Wellness: $3,000–$6,000 — This is good for companies which provide yoga tailored to employees and stress management
3. Therapeutic Healing: $1,800–$3,000 — Are you hurt no matter what? For example, specially designed sessions focused on recovery from injury or pain control for chronic problems in collaboration with physiotherapists.

Marketing Tips:

• Use client success stories to highlight results.
• Position programs as a complete solution rather than “just yoga.”
• Offer a free consultation to discuss the client’s goals and how your program can meet them.

Scheduling And Managing Private Yoga Sessions

When you switch to private yoga instruction, your ability to manage time and keep things in order is as important as the teaching itself. A good scheduling and client management system will save you hours of work every week, create professional experiences for your clients, and reduce the pressure of internal factors. 

1. Use the Right Tools and Systems:  Invest in tools that can help you work more efficiently. Scheduling software such as Gymdesk can manage bookings automatically and remind clients before a session takes place, as well as manage cancellations. 

Cloud-based calendar syncing services from Google Calendar or Outlook prevents you from double booking your time yet enables you to keep both private and business commitments in one spot. 

2. Reduce Travel Time Between Sessions with the Client: If you're traveling to clients' homes or offices, group your meetings together by location and time of day.

Designate "area days," for example: Mondays in downtown, Wednesdays in the north suburbs.

Offer Zoom sessions to get odd gaps in your weekly schedule filled-in, and also to avoid travel fatigue (eg: online yoga classes where all you have to do is get up from the computer).

3. Streamline the Client Intake Process: A smooth onboarding process sets the tone for a professional relationship and ensures you have the information you need to tailor sessions. Your intake package should include:

• Health and fitness questionnaire (to tell you about the client's injuries, medical conditions, or special needs)
• Goal-setting form (to tell you what the client wants from you)
• Waiver and liability release (for legal protection)
• A sheet of policies and rules, so that cancellation terms, scheduling rules, means of payment are clearly defined

4. Automate Where Possible: 

• Appointment confirmations
• 24-hour reminders
• Replies after each workout (eg review of what the session was like)

Automated operations reduce the amount of office time you have to spend and help keep clients interested in booking further sessions.

How Gymdesk Can Help

Yoga teachers who are moving into private instruction may find Gymdesk particularly helpful as a system that does everything:

• Keep a record of client milestones and how far they have come
• Arrange for bookings and payment collection to be done automatically
• Set fixed training times without any trouble at all
• Combine email and SMS to remind people to turn out - and in so doing reduce lost sales through nonappearance
• Generate income statements, statistics about your lessons and customer satisfaction surveys

Marketing Tactics To Stand Out

In a growing wellness market, being a skilled yoga teacher is no longer enough — you must also stand out in the minds of potential private clients. Strategic marketing will help you build authority, earn trust,and consistently attract high-value clients.

1. Build An Online Presence

Your website is your online shopfront. For private yoga, it should be clear, professional, and customer-focused. Key elements of the site include:

• Separate Private Yoga Page: Present your services, fees and coaching offers so that the reader can grasp them readily with persuasive copy stressing transformation and benefits to clients.
• Professional Photos and Videos: Present real photos and videos of yourself working with private customers,maybe in their home settings rather than using generic stock yoga positions.
• Client Testimonials & Case Studies: These describe real people who have achieved results through private sessions with you; the story should have before-and-after elements (physical, mental or lifestyle)
• Content Marketing: Create posts for your blog, short videos or downloadable guides aimed squarely at your target audience (e.g., “5 Yoga Poses to Ease Desk Stress” for corporate customers).
• Clear Call to Action: Each page should lead the visitor to book a consultation, try out one of your services or even just get in touch.

2. Email Marketing 

Email marketing is one of the cheapest ways to bring leads through your sales funnel and turn them into comfortable private clients.

Build Your List: Collect emails through your website, social media and at all public events you attend. Give out a free lead magnet like “10 Minute Desk Yoga Video” or “Private Yoga Starter Guide.”

Nurture with Value: Send weekly or bi-weekly emails with helpful tips, short sequences, or client success stories. Keep the content relevant to your ideal client profile.

Craft Compelling Offers: Run promotions for a limited period (e.g., “Book Three Private Sessions, Receive One Free”) targeted at those subscribers who have shown an interest.

Segment Your Audience: Send different messages to corporate leads, people interested in sport or those who pursue the wellness lifestyle so your offer appears more personal.

3. Go to Local Wellness Events 

Face-to-face networking still works. In fact, it is crucial for high-value private yoga clients.

Where to Go: Attend wellness shows, company health fairs, charity runs, local community fitness days and networking events for local professionals. · 

How to Network: Make yourself approachable, offer a little yoga demonstration or a mini posture check, and have professional-looking business cards or QR codes that go directly to your private yoga booking page.

Follow-Up Plan: Contact anyone who has shown interest within 48 hours. Send a personal message referring to the conversation and a special offer, inviting them to try again. Engage in this way three more times before you give up.

Potential Online And Corporate Yoga Expansions

Expanding beyond traditional, in-person private sessions opens the door to new income streams while broadening your reach. Two of the most effective growth opportunities are virtual private sessions and corporate wellness programs.

1. Remote Clients Through Live Video

Offering private yoga online, enabling you to work with clients worldwide, removes limitations of the local market and fills those odd slots in your calendar. 

Technology & Setup:

• Stable Platform: Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams with HD video.
• Webcam Quality Audio & Video: Invest in a 1080p or higher webcam, wireless lapel microphone, and good lighting to make sure that clients are able to see and hear every cue clearly.
• Stable Internet: At least 10 Mbps upload speed to prevent lag or dropouts. Test connections before each session.
• Camera Angles: Position your camera so it captures your whole body in standing and floor poses; consider multiple camera angles for advanced teaching.

Pricing Strategies:

• Price online sessions are somewhat lower than in-person to account for the decreased travel and setup costs, but not so low that you devalue your service (if an in-person session is $100/hour, then an online session would probably be $80–$90 per hour).
• Offer hybrid packages (some in-person and some virtual sessions) to give people flexibility and encourage them to keep coming long term.

Creating an Engaging Virtual Experience 

• The session plan should be personalized. Send clients a pre-class checklist from before every class.
• Call people by name because that helps them keep their attention on what you are doing and it gives them a feeling of being involved.
• Email after your class with key takeaways, stretches or breath work to practice until next week.

2. Partner With Corporate Wellness Programs 

Corporate wellness is a high-value market which can be relied on for abundant, gamut-size bookings. Businesses want employees to reduce tension, work more effectively together and produce better; yoga may be the answer they're looking for. 

Approaching Corporate Wellness Departments: Research local firms with wellness initiatives or high-stress environments (tech firms, legal offices, finance companies).Send out a professional pitch proposal or email which highlights the benefits: fewer sick days, more focus and a better team spirit..

Give decision makers a free trial to experience your teaching style and find out what value you bring to their people. 

Sample Corporate Pricing Structures

Scaling and Maintaining Premium Rates

• Schedule sessions during lunch breaks, before work or after work to bring in the largest number of participants possible
• Hire or subcontract out other yoga teachers under your brand name as demand grows.
• Package your services into multi-month contracts so as to secure a predictable income stream and avoid feast-or-famine behavior.

Creating A Sustainable Private Yoga Business

Transitioning from simply being a yoga teacher to becoming a business owner is the key to long-term success in private yoga instruction.  Teaching skills are important… but if you want a business that can outlast changes in Facebook protocol or Instagram reels, there has to be some strategy, systems, and emphasis on the client experience as well as your operational capacity

Adopt the Business Owner Mindset
Another consideration is to stop viewing things as only individual one off sessions and see instead the lifetime value of a client, return on marketing investment, and if money being made can be replicated. This includes measuring and optimizing, becoming data-driven, and planning for future growth.

Put Systems in Place
A thriving private yoga business runs on clear systems for:

• Client onboarding: Standardized intake forms, health waivers, and goal-setting questionnaires.
  
• Scheduling: Efficient use of time to avoid gaps or excessive travel.
  
• Billing: Consistent, timely payments, preferably automated.
  
• Marketing: Regular outreach through social media, email, and partnerships.

Prevent Burnout While Scaling Income
Limit your availability, batch sessions where you can, and take care of yourself. Remember — your energy and attention span dictate the quality of your teaching, so you must manage it with care.

Leverage Management Software

Using a platform like Gymdesk can be a game-changer. Gymdesk allows private yoga teachers to:

• Track and manage clients in one place.
  
• Automate billing and session renewals.
  
• Streamline scheduling and reminders.
  
• Access detailed business analytics to make smarter decisions.
  

With Gymdesk handling the administrative load, you can spend more time doing what you love — teaching — while growing your income without burning out.

Start your free 30-day trial today and see how Gymdesk can help you take your private yoga business to the next level: 

Sign up here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Yoga Sessions

How do I handle insurance and liability for private yoga sessions?

Your insurance should include:

• General liability (damage occurring out of or to a yoga session)
• Professional liability (claims that come from your work or advice)
• Product liability (physical injury resulting from the equipment you provide)

Yoga-specific insurers such as BeYogi and those recommended by Yoga Alliance are top-rated, but you can also buy through providers who may be more broadly focused in health or fitness, like Next Insurance and Hiscox. 

What contract elements should I include for private yoga clients?

A private yoga teaching agreement should clearly outline expectations and protect both you and the client. Key elements include:

• Services rendered (duration, frequency, location)
• Conditions of payment: to specify when payment is due, how much it will be for, and in what form.
• Cancellation policy (for example, 24-hour notice needed or else the entire session charge is forfeited).
• Participants must sign a liability waiver acknowledging that they are engaged in a physical activity.
• A confidentiality clause in case personal or medical information gets exchanged.
• Rescheduling arrangements.
• A signed agreement not only ensures a truly professional service but also makes for smoother communication in the future.

How much should I charge for my first private yoga session?

Initial rates are affected by your experience level, location, and customer base. Here are some rules of thumb:

• New teachers (1–2 years’ experience): $50–$75 per hour
• Mid-level teachers (3–5 years’ experience): $75–$120 per hour
• Experienced/specialized teachers: $120–$200 for a longer class or $75–$200+ per hour

Can I really make a living teaching only private yoga?

Yes, you can. With proper pricing and a good customer base, many full-time private yoga teachers have annual earnings ranging $60,000–$100,000 or more while working fewer hours than they would teaching group classes.Your example business model might look something like this:

10 clients/week at $100 per session: $52,000/year 15 clients/week at $120: $93,600/year Retail contract (weekly $300 session) plus 8 private clients/week at $110: a total around $80,000/year.

How do I convert my current group class students to private clients?

Use Value-Based Communication In A Subtle Way. Identify the students most likely to be responsive--those who ask a lot of questions, have specific goals, or need modifications to poses. Mention the idea in passing--"If you ever wanted to work on that pose some more, we could get really into it and have a private session."

Emphasize the benefits--more personal attention, quicker accomplishments, time is flexible. Offer an introductory package or reduction to lower the difficulty of entry into private lessons. Follow up the introduction with a personalized plan and offer a package.