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Yoga as your path to self-employment
by Joe Miller
on Sep 14 2025
The journey to self-employment is full of challenges, but also filled with many moments of growth and clarity. Before you unroll your mat and embark on your new career as a yoga teacher, there are a few things to consider. Combining yoga and self-employment isn't just a matter of mindset, but also one that involves clear, practical steps and a bit of planning. Learn here how to master self-employment while ensuring you're financially and legally sound. Let's get started!
Your inner attitude is the foundation for success.
Before you start teaching yoga classes or opening your own studio, you should ask yourself: What does yoga mean to you? Especially in difficult times, you can draw on your practice with a positive attitude to maintain focus and not be discouraged by setbacks.
Business is about perseverance, patience, and trust. Trust that your efforts will bear fruit, even if it sometimes takes longer than you would like. Yoga also teaches you to detach yourself from external expectations and find your own path – a valuable lesson for your self-employment.
Quality over quantity
In Germany, the profession of yoga teacher is not regulated by the state, meaning there are no fixed training requirements. Nevertheless, your training should comprise at least 500 hours and be certified by recognized institutions . A solid education not only provides you with the necessary knowledge but also the confidence to guide your students safely and competently. It's worthwhile to focus on quality rather than quantity. Others immediately notice when you are well-trained and have confidence in what you teach.
Don't just use your training as a quick career move, but as an opportunity to deepen your practice and develop personally. The market is large, but the best yoga teachers distinguish themselves through their authenticity and sound knowledge. Certificates and further training with recognized associations such as the Professional Association of Yoga Teachers in Germany ( BDYoga ) are an important step in this direction.
Find your niche
The yoga market is diverse. Yoga for pregnant women, yoga for seniors, therapeutic yoga – the possibilities are almost endless. But how do you find your niche? It's quite simple: pay attention to your own interests and strengths. What particularly inspires you? Where do you see the needs of the people you want to reach?
Perhaps you've had an experience that motivates you to help others. You could, for example, tailor your services to yoga for office workers or athletes. Your specialization will not only help you stand out from the competition but also allow you to target your audience effectively. This increases your chances of success and ensures that you can transform your passion into a sustainable business.
Legal basis
As a yoga teacher, you generally have the option of working freelance. You register with the tax office and receive a tax identification number. Business registration is usually not required unless you sell products or operate a studio. In that case, your activity is classified as commercial, and you must register your business.
It's important to understand the difference between freelance and commercial activity , as this affects your tax return and other legal obligations. It's worthwhile to speak with a tax advisor early on to ensure you do everything correctly and avoid any surprises.
From passion to income
The financial side of your self-employment is just as important as your yoga practice. You should create a clear business plan that realistically reflects your income and expenses. Consider not only your course fees and studio rent, but also costs for insurance, continuing education, and marketing. This is where IT security comes into play: If you offer digital services or teach online, a business VPN is a smart investment to protect your clients' data from unauthorized access – an absolute must if you work online.
Besides safety, it's important to calculate your prices realistically. Be aware that you're not just selling your time, but also your expertise and experience. Consider how you can structure your services so that they offer added value for both you and your clients.
Combining yoga and self-employment can bring you not only professional fulfillment but also deepen your personal practice. Use the principles of yoga as a guide on your path and find fulfillment both on the mat and in business. This way, you will grow not only as a yoga teacher but also as a person!
Tip: Yoga teachers receive a 12% discount at yogabox.
by Nick
on Jul 31 2017
Yoga: the concentrated start
Yoga is fun and always a challenge. You can start at any age. Whether you're a child or an elderly person, there are very simple physical exercises that seem to be easy to do. However, they still require full concentration. Each exercise should be performed with equal parts playfulness and attention to avoid mistakes. It almost sounds contradictory, but effort and enjoyment are closely linked here. Those with orthopedic limitations naturally only go as far as their body allows. Over time, the body responds to the exercises, becoming more flexible and slowly changing. Perhaps that's why it will go a little better next time.
Timeless in concentration
Yoga takes time – and takes its time. It's not about completing as many exercises as possible in half an hour. The movement being practiced right now, in this moment, should be followed with utmost attention. Often you will remain in a particular position for a moment. Then you will gradually release the position. You set the pace yourself. A good yoga teacher always gives the group some time. So if you take a little longer than others, that's okay. And if you're not as flexible as others, that's okay too. To be clear: Yoga is not about competition. Maybe you're just in the wrong group. Nevertheless, you can bring a little ambition to complete the exercises as well as possible. You'll see how good yoga is for you, no matter your level.
Yoga mats and more
People who start out with yoga usually book a class at an adult education center or in a studio. With the expert guidance of the teacher, mistakes are impossible to make. Especially as a beginner, you can make a lot of mistakes that would miss the purpose of the exercises. Necessary equipment is also provided. Floor mats are provided for many classes. If you don't have one, you'll need to buy your own exercise or yoga mat. These aren't expensive and can also be useful at home if you want to do some extra exercise. The mat is lightweight and can be rolled up and easily transported. If you want to invest more right from the start, specialty mats are a good option. Yoga mats are available in a wide variety of materials , in many colors, and some even have beautiful designs. A mat with an embroidered symbol not only looks attractive, it also makes a great gift. Put it on your Christmas or birthday wish list.
Those who practice yoga for a longer period of time will likely want additional products over the years. These include yoga cushions , for example, which are also available in a wide variety of designs. They are an alternative to chairs and mats for breathing exercises and meditation. You sit comfortably with an upright back and can remain in this position for a while. After all, you don't want your concentration to be disrupted by uncomfortable conditions.
For advanced practitioners, there are yoga blocks, for example, that provide valuable support in difficult poses. Yoga straps are also in demand, allowing you to stay in a particular position for longer. These aids serve to optimize your stretches.
Is yoga for you?
But all these tools are only needed once you've been passionate about yoga for a while. While yoga can be practiced by anyone, not everyone enjoys it. Some people don't connect with this form of physical training or the philosophy behind it; some start with enthusiasm, but after a short time, the joy fades and they stop practicing. So test it out for a while to see if you've made the right decision.
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Training to become a yoga teacher – dream job as a yoga teacher?!
by Nick
on Apr 08 2016
Training to become a yoga teacher – dream job as a yoga teacher?! Is the yoga mat your favorite place? Or do you dream of making it your career? Then yoga teacher training is exactly what you need. You can teach yoga full-time or part-time. However, you should have qualified training, because yoga is more than just teaching others exercises of varying difficulty levels. A career with a future It's a demanding and rewarding profession. You interact with a lot of people, working in a quiet atmosphere full of concentration and contemplation. You're your own boss, perhaps with your own studio—which naturally brings with it additional obligations and a great deal of responsibility. Your own advantages include a fit body, the perspective on new issues (because each student brings new perspectives), and the enjoyment of an active lifestyle. Furthermore, the future prospects are not bad, as yoga caters to trends and hype: general interest in exercise, engagement with Eastern wisdom, and the desire to find oneself, to find peace, and to bring more relaxation into a hectic life. Traditional and modern elements must be combined in your teaching in such a way that your students enjoy listening and practicing. The basic idea of yoga is just as important as encouraging their own reflection, but this shouldn't be intrusive. You need to be a good listener, able to assess individual flexibility, encourage the anxious, and rein in the overzealous. Yoga is therefore also a profession for people-watchers . Much of this can be learned very well through a thorough training program. Yoga also means lifelong learning for teachers There are numerous ways to get a teaching position. Of course, you can point to your years of practice, but as a qualified yoga teacher, you always have a better status and a credential that your students trust – provided you invest in high-quality teacher training and ongoing professional development. The job title itself isn't protected, but with appropriate certifications and a positive attitude, you're sure to be successful. Affordable... Some books present yoga teaching in a fun and easy way, but you should be careful. Yoga requires years of personal development; if you want to teach it to others, you need to create a harmonious combination of your practice, what you've learned, and what your students tell you about themselves. Sequences, or practice patterns, must be well-adapted to the target audience. Very experienced yogis sometimes teach based on instinct, but this requires years and decades of intensive yoga practice. ... or very expensive
A rather expensive option is to visit teachers in the Far East. Learning yoga in the country of origin or in a stunning setting certainly has an exotic feel, but you have to weigh the costs and benefits. You could plan such a trip as a substitute for a vacation and use it alongside another training course. This way, you combine the pleasant and new with the useful. On the safe side...
You can also contact the BDY, the Association of German Yoga Teachers, for example. In a reputable association, you'll be well integrated for the future and receive the latest information and continuing education opportunities. If something isn't going well or you're in crisis, you can seek advice. Publications and a special member service round out the program. In addition to training, great emphasis is placed on medical and educational aspects, as well as the background of yoga teachings. ... or on your own
Furthermore, many different institutions offer training courses. We recommend that you carefully check the individual websites for their offerings, reliability, costs, certifications, and overall impression. Otherwise, the internet is a helpful resource when it comes to general questions, such as mistakes you might make as a yoga teacher and thus as a self-employed person. The best way to start your dream job as a yoga teacher is with plenty of reading material, lots of questions, and a few phone calls. Image © creatista / 123rf.com