When I got promoted from Team Leader to Manager back in my corporate days, my boss told me something that would shape the way I approached leadership and, eventually, my own business: “Now you need to learn how to wear different hats.”
He explained that I was not only a people manager but also a business owner in many ways. This role included being a finance manager, team trainer, personal life coach (since some team members would look to me not only as a boss but as someone wiser and more experienced), coordinator between cross-functional teams, and the person ultimately accountable to clients. My job was to learn how to juggle all these hats and know exactly when to wear the right one.
I led an incredible team of over 100 people across multiple regions, managing projects for clients as big as Microsoft and working with the latest automation and robotics technologies. Then, I gave it all up...
to become a full-time yoga business owner. Thanks to my yoga knowledge and extensive business background, I was able to turn my yoga dreams into a successful venture.
Years later, when I started my yoga business, that lesson became my secret weapon. With a solid background in business management, I knew how to transition between roles smoothly, making strategic decisions and managing administrative tasks effectively. But for most yoga teachers, it’s a different story. The transition from simply teaching to running a business—handling marketing, finances, client relationships, and more—can feel overwhelming. The sheer amount of responsibilities and the challenge of balancing teaching hours with business tasks leaves many unsure of where to start.
So, if you are someone who is thinking of starting your own yoga business or looking to grow your existing business, I am here to guide you on how to shift your mindset in ways that will help you navigate the demands of entrepreneurship with more confidence and clarity.
One of the most significant mindset shifts you’ll need to make as a yoga entrepreneur is viewing yourself not just as a yoga teacher but as a business owner. This means adopting strategic thinking, planning for the future, and making decisions that will drive your business forward. As a business owner, your responsibilities extend beyond teaching. You’ll need to manage finances, handle marketing, build client relationships, and set both short- and long-term goals. Approaching your yoga business with a CEO mindset enables you to think about sustainability, growth, and the systems you need to put in place to succeed.
Many yoga teachers struggle with the idea of charging for their classes, often viewing money as a negative or taboo subject. However, money is simply a tool that helps you grow and sustain your business, and by charging for your services, you enable yourself to serve more people and continue doing what you love. The key is to shift your mindset and understand that money is not something to be feared, but rather a form of energy that supports your business, your growth, and your ability to help others.
Charging for your classes means that you are valuing your time, expertise, and energy. It enables you to invest in improving your business, paying for necessary resources, and dedicating time to your own professional development. When you are comfortable with charging for your services, it sets a healthy boundary and empowers you to grow your yoga business sustainably.
To start feeling more confident with your pricing, begin by calculating your monthly expenses (studio fees, software, insurance, etc.) and decide on your desired income. You can also try my FREE Excel calculator, which will give you a clear vision of your finances and help you price your services accordingly. You can download it here.
From there, set a reasonable price for your classes that covers your costs and helps you achieve your income goals. Be sure to factor in the time and energy you dedicate to each class, as well as any value-added services you offer. Understanding the numbers behind your business will make you feel more at ease with charging.
As yoga teachers and entrepreneurs, it's easy to fall into the trap of doing everything. You might feel the need to hustle constantly, taking on new projects, offering extra classes, or trying to grow your business in every direction. However, without clear focus and prioritization, this can quickly lead to burnout. Effective prioritization is essential for both your well-being and the success of your business.
Don’t be afraid to say “no” to tasks or opportunities that don’t align with your priorities—focus on what truly matters. This means identifying the tasks that will have the greatest impact on your business and personal growth. Effective prioritization saves you time and energy, helping you stay aligned with your goals without spreading yourself too thin.
In my Online Yoga as Business Course, Yogipreneur 101, I teach strategies for being more productive, using automation tools, and implementing other techniques to help you stay on track and avoid delays with business-related tasks. If you're ready to build your own online yoga business and turn your yoga dreams into reality, join the course!
Letting go of perfectionism was—and still is—the hardest thing for me. I call myself a "perfectionist-in-recovery" because it’s an ongoing journey. For years, perfectionism held me back. I hesitated to start certain things, thinking I wasn’t good enough or that I needed more time and experience. The pressure to be perfect prevented me from moving forward, and I often found myself stuck in a cycle of self-doubt.
What helped me break free from this? The mindset shift. Over time, I’ve worked on building my self-confidence and learning to accept myself as I am. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is not to compare my path to others. Everyone’s journey is unique, and focusing on my own goals—rather than measuring my success against others—has made all the difference.
In business, especially in the yoga world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison. You may look at other teachers or entrepreneurs and think, "They’re doing better," or "I’m not there yet." But here’s the truth: perfectionism and comparison are just distractions. Progress is what matters. It’s about taking consistent steps forward, no matter how small, and embracing the journey instead of waiting for the perfect moment to start.
When you start running your own business, you might fall into the trap of feeling uncomfortable with sales. You may think you're imposing your services on others, and that feeling can hold you back from taking action. So, what can you do in this situation? Once again, it’s a mindset shift!
Instead of thinking of yourself as a "Marketing Agency," shift your perspective. Think of yourself as a person who possesses unique knowledge, skills, and qualities—someone who is ready to share and uplift others. Your offerings are not just services; they’re valuable tools that can help people transform their lives. When you start to see marketing as a way to share your gifts with the world, the discomfort fades, and you’ll begin to feel more confident in promoting your business.
In business, especially when starting your own yoga business, failure is not something to fear—it’s something to embrace. You may face setbacks, make mistakes, or encounter challenges that make you feel like you're not progressing as quickly as you'd like. But here's the thing: failure is an essential part of the growth process.
Each failure presents a valuable lesson that can teach you what works and what doesn’t. Instead of seeing setbacks as defeats, view them as opportunities to learn and improve. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who fail, learn, and continue to move forward.
Building a successful yoga business takes time, dedication, and the right mindset. By shifting the way you view challenges, marketing, and growth, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with confidence.
If you're ready to take your yoga business to the next level, I invite you to join my course, Yogipreneur 101. It’s designed to help you develop the mindset and practical strategies you need to succeed in the business side of yoga. Let’s transform your yoga dreams into a thriving reality!
✅ Join my Yogipreneur 101 Program, an 8-week journey with live sessions designed to empower yoga teachers with the knowledge and tools to build and scale a thriving yoga business.
✅ Download a FREE Guide '25 Ideas for Reaching $10,000 Monthly as a Yoga Teacher' with automated Yoga Business Excel Planner & Calculator.
✅ Sign up for Yoga Teachers Weekly Newsletters to get secret discounts for my upcoming courses; get some inspiration and learn tips and tricks on yoga business and revenue generation.
✅ Join my Online Individual Yoga and Yoga Therapy Live Sessions for a personalized recovery plan and to elevate your practice to the next level.
✅ Practice with me on my YouTube Channel.
✅ Find me on Instagram, I'd love to chat with you!
Stay Blessed! Stay Inspired!
Namaste!
Sviatlana Y.
