Being a yoga teacher is one of the most fulfilling careers out there—and I’ve found the best tools to help you teach a successful live Group Class!
Teaching yoga for a living is, well, awesome. You get to do what you love while helping people create positive change in their lives! And with the right yoga teacher tools, you can build a whole career out of teaching on your own.
One of the best ways to get started as a new teacher is by teaching at yoga studios, where you can build a client following and learn from fellow teachers. But to be honest, it’s rarely possible to make a living teaching just at studios full-time, since they often pay a (low) flat rate to teach. Trust me: I tried it for a few years earlier in my career making around $30 a class, and it led to burnout.
To really teach yoga full-time, you have to build your own business.
This is definitely challenging, but it’s also even more rewarding. You become not just a yoga teacher, but a full entrepreneur, running a business of the brand that is you and your style of teaching. And you get to manage the finances rather than depending on a paycheck from a studio. The more clients you can attract, especially with Group Classes, the more money you can make. And you set your rates! That’s what makes being a fitnesspreneur so exciting—you can build and grow a career doing exactly what you want, as your own boss!
You can also get really creative about what you want your work life to look like: you can teach Private sessions, teach over Zoom (which I do), or lead group classes in spaces like public parks (with a permit, depending on where it is) or rented spaces.
I’ve been teaching since 2012, and these are the best yoga teacher tools I’ve found for a top-quality class.
One big benefit with teaching at a studio is that you have access to all their professional equipment. But it just takes a few key investments to be able to teach high-quality classes on your own! These reliable tools won’t let you down and will help you deliver a professional class with no distractions.
1. Speaker
If you use music in your yoga classes, a good speaker is KEY. The ION Block Rocker Plus (about $230—pictured above is an older model) produces powerful, loud, clear, high-quality sound, and it has wheels and a handle for easy transport! I love music and am a little bit of a self-proclaimed sound-quality snob, so trust me when I say this speaker delivers. It is a little bit of an investment, but mine has lasted for years.
2. Microphone
I’ve tried a few different microphones, and this one from Winbridge (about $40, pictured at the top of this page) is my favorite for a few reasons: it stays put, doesn’t give a ton of screechy feedback, and has a decent range (so you can walk around). It works great with the ION Block Rocker Plus or any speaker that has a MIC in input hole (it’s not Bluetooth).
3. Voice Amplifier
If you don’t plan to use music, a really simple and awesome mic option is this MAONO Voice Amplifier (about $35). It’s a mic and speaker in one! The sound comes out of this cute speaker box that you can either clip to your waistband, or you can use the belt provided. The sound quality is loud and clear with minimal feedback, and it’s an even easier option than using a whole speaker setup for just a mic. I use this to teach my weekly classes in San Diego at Sunset Cliffs and it’s strong enough to project out to a group of 30+ people.
4. Mini Speaker
On the flip side, if you want to use a speaker but not necessarily a mic, the best small speaker I’ve ever found is the UE Boom (about $150). It’s only about 7 inches long and weighs less than 2 pounds, which means you can easily throw it in your backpack or gym back to bring around town to teach. It’s even waterproof and virtually indestructible! And the sound quality is the BEST. I use this to play music at home and it’s just so good.
Image Credit: Adam Connie Sr. @thepeacefuljedi at my Sunset Cliffs class in San Diego
5. ThoughtFulls Cards
A great way to build your business is by giving your clients a special gift they can take home with them that has your contact information! These ThoughtFulls Cards (about $30 for a four pack, 120 total cards) are absolutely perfect. They pop open to reveal a secret inspirational quote, and every card is different, so it’s really exciting for people to open them and share their quotes with each other or on social media. There’s also blank lines on the back of the cards for you to write information. You can share your website or Instagram handle like a business card so your clients have the information they need to work with you further!
6. Essential Oil Spray
Nothing helps set the mood for a yummy yoga class like a good scent! I do recommend only using this in small group situations where you can ask if everyone is okay with you using it, as some people have allergies or are especially sensitive to smells. But if everyone is down for some essential oils, there is no better-smelling spray than Live with Moxy’s Lady Magic New Moon Mist ($15). It smells like vanilla, citrus, and black pepper and is infused with crystals and herbs for some special magic. It’s from a small business and only available direct from their website, but trust me it’s so, so worth it. It’s sweet and bright and energetic, and a rejuvenating crowd pleaser.
7. Journal for Mailing List Sign-Ups
Like the ThoughtFulls Cards, another way to get clients to come back and work with you again, it’s a great idea to have a place to collect their email addresses for your mailing list. Your mailing list is KEY to being able to communicate with your clients and share all that you’re offering. It’s probably your most valuable asset as a yoga teacher! Any cute notebook will do, but this glitter pink Ban.do one is my favorite. Be sure to mention it at the end of all your classes to help build up your client list.
With the right yoga teacher tools, all you have to worry about is teaching the best group class you can!
Let me know if you try any of these out, and what you think!
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What are your favorite yoga teacher tools that we should all try? Share with a Comment in the Disqus section below!
xo,
Amy
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