How to Set Rates as a Yoga Teacher

Yoga is a collection of mental and physical disciplines originating from India and practiced throughout the world. Yoga instructors typically teach classes of students, but they can provide individual instruction. A yoga instructor’s rates depend on the certifications, experience and specialties of the instructor.

1. Consider your teaching experience. You will typically need to charge a low rate if you have fewer than 200 hours of teaching experience. A rate of $35 per class is typical for a one-hour session if you have more than 200 hours experience but no formal qualifications.


2. Include your formal training in yoga when setting your rates. A typical course in yoga instruction consists of 500 hours of classroom study. Graduates with this level of training and two years teaching experience often charge at least $45 to teach classes with fewer than 12 students. Private instruction from these yoga instructors is typically $75 per lesson.


3. Charge a flat hourly rate if you are employed by a fitness center. These organizations typically pay their instructors a fixed rate, but they may also offer a bonus based on the size of the class.


4. Increase your rates if you specialize in a particular type of student or yoga. Instructors of pregnant women or children's instructors typically charge a higher rate because of the special requirements of these students. Instructors of specialized disciplines such as pranayama also charge a higher rate for instruction. This discipline consists of breathing exercises and meditation and requires years of study to become an instructor.