Yoga Teacher Pay

I have a few questions concerning paying Yoga Teachers .... As a Studio owner and Yoga Teacher, I am trying to figure the best way to pay the teachers at my studio.

How are you paid? ...hourly rate, commission, a combination of both or another method?
If you are paid by commission, is it based on student attendance?
Does your employer require you to have Teacher liability insurance?’

Thank you for your input and suggestions.

Many blessings!

ANSWERS:

From: Barbara, Mountain View CA

Dear Georgia,

At the locations in the Silicon Valley where I lead postures I am paid hourly and considered an employee. They do require me to have first aid and CPR training (current). I also have one class where I am paid a set rate based on the number of people who attend.

Hope this helps!! Blessings in your good works.

From: Paula Biskamp

Hey--being a yoga teacher myself, the going rate seems to be $50-$60 for a class: however, if only 3 people show up that doesn't work...so it's better to get a commitment for a series of 6 weeks from people...

From: Valerie Wint, AYTT Fall 2001

I teach at a small studio in an upscale neighborhood in Toronto, Canada, where we are paid $20 for up to 5 students (even if no-one shows up), for 6 students we get $30, and for 7 or more we're paid $7 per additional student.

At another studio, downtown, we are paid per student also, but at a lower rate (I don't have the details with me). Hope this helps.

Valerie

From: Bliss Wood, RYT 1999

Hi Georgia-

There are so many ways that I get paid as a yoga instructor. Gyms and Clubs usually pay by the hour and some will take out taxes...others with just 1099 (employee vs private contractor). Some studios will give me incentive bonuses for bringing in a certain # of students per class.

When I teach seminars at various facilities I receive a commission. For example, I will teach a 1/2 day seminar and the facility will promote it and provide advertising and I will receive a 60/40 split....60% to me and 40% to the facility. If I do all the footwork and they only provide the space, then I negotiate to 70/30

I do have liability and most of the facilities I work for require that I have it. It just makes sense for everyone.

Hope this helps!

Bliss Wood

From: Heather Bostian RYT in Flagstaff

After teaching in the SF bay area for a couple years I'm now doing the same thing here in Flagstaff.

I am also a CMT and have to have a 2 million dollar insurance policy which I can expand to include Yoga teaching. It’s very important to most renters (churches, etc.) that they don't get sued in case something goes wrong in the Yoga class.

They usually either set a fee ($15.00) a class whether a student shows or not or else 50/50 split. I like the last choice best.

A spiritual center is the most conducive to this style of Yoga I think. I tried in the gym setting and got very frustrated which defeated the whole purpose of teaching Yoga. It’s very loud there, and it's hard to utter the word God there too. Using prayer is really out of the question for me anyway, in those environments. Unitarian churches seem to be the most responsive to inviting class.

I think that's all.

Namaste

Heather

From: Marcia Framsted, RYT, AYTA 1989

Dear Georgia,

I am paid hourly and my employer requires me to carry liability insurance. If I am going to be absent from a class I must arrange for my substitute, as well. I have worked under many other arrangements and I find this one the most satisfying for me. Sincerely, Marcia

From: Mary Weddle, a graduate in the fall of 2001 in AYTT

I work in several different settings and thus each of the pay arrangements are different.

I work at Health Central, a health club owned by the local hospital. There I receive free membership and I am paid per class regardless of how many are in attendance. However, I have 25 students in that class 2x weekly and would love to be paid per student! I love the people and the exposure is great for me.

I work also at Walton Rehab Hospital and there I collect all monies and just pay a 10% on the gross for my space and I do have to have insurance there.

I also work at Augusta State University Continuing Ed. and I make 50% of the intake and I do not have to have insurance there.

I also work at a local elementary school with the teachers and I take in all of the money there, as well as the same arrangements with my church.

I have previously worked at a center where I made 20.00 per class and there had to be at least 5 people in the class, though that was never a problem.

Your teachers need to feel needed and that they are being treated fairly. When they work hard and build up their "own following” so to speak and don't feel any return on that then it can cause unrest. Remember they know what basically you are making on it overall, though if they haven't worked in a similar situation may not understand your overhead. Share your growth with them!

Sincerely, Mary Weddle, North Augusta, South Carolina

From: Lise Thom, YTT August 2001

At one place I get a 70% share and at the other I get an 80% share of the enrollment including drop ins. Neither one of the places does a lot of advertising for me except to list the class in their quarterly newsletter. It is then to my advantage to promote my own classes.

I have to carry my own liability insurance. This is both comfortable and fair to me.

Lise

From: Mary Jo Cleaveland, AYTT July 1997

I taught for five years in the Denver area, with one of my locations at a Wellness Center. The Center sold coupons for the classes. The teachers collected them and turned them in with an invoice at the end of the month. We were then paid 60% of the total of the coupons.

Also, we were required to have our own personal liability insurance. The owners also required certificate of our training, in addition to proof of our insurance.

As this was a "for profit" center, we were also eligible to purchase stock certificates in the center. This was a means of financial getting the center started.

Hope this is helpful.

From: Jill Lawrence, November 2000 YTT

What a great idea. I would be interested to know your findings. I work at a number of different facilities, and the pay varies:

yoga studio- $5 per student and any class I want to take is free
wellness center- $40 per class up to 6 students. If we go over 6, then it becomes a 60-40 split (60-teacher, 40-center)

Classes in the Raleigh area run between $12-$15 each, depending on location and "discount packages."

I teach at several schools, where I charge $8 per class since I don't pay any type of rent in these locations.

The wellness center does require that I carry liability insurance.

Hope this helps!

Jill Lawrence