Teaching Yoga Without a Brick-and-Mortar Studio

When it comes to starting a yoga business, many people believe that they need to find the perfect studio space to have a successful business. Space is truly the only thing your students need to practice yoga. Luckily, it can be very easy to find space in several places.

Is It Possible To Operate a Yoga Business Without a Studio?

Yes! It is more than possible to operate a yoga business without a studio; it is possible to build your dream business. An open space and some yoga mats are all you need to teach a yoga class. Your success is just dependent on finding the right place to set up your classes.

How To Operate a Yoga Business Without a Studio

Whether you have a brick-and-mortar studio or teach classes at a local rec center, you’ll still need to go through the same process of setting up your business and finding a space to teach at. 

Get the Business Set-Up

Before you begin offering classes, you’ll need to get your business set up legally. Many fitness business owners choose to set up their business as a limited liability corporation (LLC) or S corporation (S corp). Take the proper steps to register your business with your state and any local municipalities. 

You may already be working on or have an hours-based yoga certification. A certification is not required to teach yoga, but it is recommended. Many clients seek out teachers who are certified and gyms/facilities may not let you teach in their space without the appropriate accreditation. It takes a minimum of three to five months to complete the training, so plan accordingly. 

Another item to have taken care of before you begin teaching classes in insurance. Yoga is known to restore the body, but accidents do happen. To protect your business and yourself, find good liability insurance. Make sure you discuss the mobile nature of your business with your insurance provider so you have the appropriate coverage.

In the digital world we live in, it is also important to have your social media pages and/or website ready to go. Online marketing is one of the top ways to get the word out about your new business. 

We have an article that goes over the start-up and ongoing costs to consider when setting up your yoga business. 

Find a Location To Offer Classes

Fitness Gyms

Local gyms can be the best businesses to partner with to offer your services. Most likely, their space is already conducive to yoga classes. Many specialty gyms, like CrossFit boxes, have fewer or no classes on the weekends and during the middle of the day. Children’s fitness activities, like cheerleading and gymnastics, have spaces that are usually free during the day while kids are in school. 

Some gyms may allow you to use the space at no cost. More likely, you will need to come to an agreement for either a rental flat rate or a percentage of class fees. You can also offer free or discounted yoga classes to the gym’s members in exchange for using the space. The agreement will come down to what works best for you and the gym. 

Larger globo-gyms may have enough yoga mats for you to use during your classes. At smaller gyms, you’ll probably need to provide your own equipment or ask your students to bring their own. 

Recreation Center

Many towns and cities have recreation centers for their residents to use. Depending on your local parks and recreation department, you may be able to offer your classes at the center for free or affordable rates. However, these spaces are used by many groups throughout the week so you may be limited as to when you can use them. 

At a space like this, you’ll definitely need to provide your own equipment or ask your students to bring their own mats. If the center has a basketball court, this is an excellent space to mimic a yoga studio. 

Oftentimes, classes offered at a recreation center are advertised or listed on the county/city website. When you’re first starting a business, it is helpful to get your name out wherever you can.

Park or Garden

A calm green space with nature sounds is a yoga-lover’s dream. Parks and gardens can be excellent locations to host your yoga classes. You will most likely be able to use the space for free (but you might need to get a permit). 

A couple of downsides to using an outdoor space include inclement weather, other people using the park, and no noise control. Don’t let these dissuade you from considering an outdoor space. The fresh air and calm visuals can outweigh the potential negatives. 

Private/At Home

A less common option is providing in-home or private yoga classes. This can be a profitable business if you are operating in an affluent area. If you have multiple clients in the same neighborhood, you can offer a small class at the neighborhood clubhouse or fitness center.

Freelance Teaching

When you first open a fitness business, finances can be tight. Working as a freelance yoga instructor for local studios is an additional revenue stream. You can choose when you want to work and it is easy to stop as your business grows. 

Benefits of Not Having a Brick-and-Mortar Studio

It comes as no surprise that the greatest benefit of not leasing or owning a studio space is the money that you save. Even if you are paying a rental fee at a local gym or rec center, the total is significantly cheaper than leasing a space of your own. In addition to the monthly rent or mortgage, you will also save on the utilities, rental insurance, and maintenance costs. 

Another benefit of a mobile yoga business is flexibility. You have the freedom to offer classes when and where you want. By offering classes at multiple locations, you make your business accessible to a larger demographic. You are also not locked into a location. If you don’t like a space, you can easily move somewhere else.

Final Thoughts

The costs associated with opening a brick-and-mortar yoga studio can be daunting. By operating a mobily yoga business, you can provide the same fantastic classes to your clients at a gym, recreation center, or in a park. You can then enjoy the perks of saving money that you would be spending on rent or monthly mortgage payments and having the flexibility to teach when and where you want.