“The Top 3 Mistakes New Yoga Teachers Make (And How to Avoid Them)”

Hey Yogi, its me your YOGA BIZ Bestie and COACH,

Are you a newly certified yoga teacher feeling excited—yet slightly overwhelmed—about launching your teaching career? Don’t worry—you’re not alone! In my work with yoga instructors across the globe, I’ve noticed three common mistakes that can hold back even the most passionate teachers. The good news? Once you spot these pitfalls, you can avoid them and build a thriving yoga business that feels aligned with your soul.

Mistake #1: Overlooking Real Marketing

Why It’s a Problem

Many new yoga teachers rely heavily on word-of-mouth , grass roots, or sporadic social media posts. While posting beautiful yoga poses is tempting (and gets “likes”), it doesn’t necessarily solve an actual problem for your ideal students and it definitely isn't a sustainable way to create your Yoga Biz. If your goal is to fill your classes, build a clientele for private sessions, or even launch online offerings, you need a clear Yoga Business Blueprint, a roadmap, a plan for your marketing,sales, and services.

There are so many different kinds of Marketing and I firmly believe in 

Grassroots: It can be as simple as setting up a booth at the city festival, donating a yoga block, yoga mat, and private lesson to a silent auction, or being listed on a community website, offering to lead meditation or opening tune in for others training. Think about watering your own lawn first. If you already have a relationship with a local studio , start showing up, create your resume, put together a workshop and ask to give a free class to create some momentum then talk to the owner about offering quarterly training.

Organic Reach: You showing up consistently on your Socials, being your weirdest, wildest self, talking about your Yoga Business and what you are offering, creating a landing page with you FREE LEAD MAGNET, telling your story and your dream students magically finding you and opting in ( giving you their name and email) to receive it- While this does happen every so often , it is not a viable business strategy.

Ok what is online Marketing: Using the internet, digital channels, and socials to talk about what you offer and serve the people who need YOU.

These are actual strategies that you need to learn for your YOGA Business to create long term success and automate your process, so you can still Live the life you want while building it!

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Using words that your Dream customer is searching for to improve website ranking in search engine results.  Think - Google that shit, and use it in all of your posts, copy, and content. Look back over this blog and count how many times I use Yoga Business or Yoga Biz for instance.
• Search Engine Marketing (SEM):  ADS- PAY per click,  Using paid advertising on search engines to optimize your reach and promote your  websites by improving your YOGA BIZ visibility in search engine results pages 
• Social Media Marketing: Spoiler Alert- its not likes, follows, or shares- It is creating a campaign to promote products, offerings, or services on social media platforms. 
• Email Marketing:  THINK - FUNNEL ( more about this later) Creating a landing page with your FREE OFFER that has OPT IN asking for your dream customers trust to give you their name and email sp you can Sending  nurturing, promotional, and sales  emails to  them ( without an email list you have no YOGA BUSINESS, it’s still just a hobby). 
• Content Marketing: Creating and sharing valuable content to attract and engage customers or  sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, and social media posts) to promote your brand, create curiosity,  and encourage  interest in your offerings, products, classes, or services.
• Influencer Marketing: Collaborating with influencers ( I despise this word) but it is effective here- think about working with people who have the same heart of service, energy of intention, and align with your Yoga Biz ethics to promote products or services. 

All of those sound a little CRA CRA to you, then let’s talk! I really do want to be your YOGA BIZ BESTI, so I'm going to break down some of the other common mistakes so you can avoid overwhelm and clarify your YOGA BIZ PLAN faster and get what is in your heart out into the world so the people who need you can find YOU!

What to Do Instead

• Identify Your Students’ Pain Points, the problem they need solved: Instead of only showcasing advanced asanas, talk about the everyday challenges your students face—like stress relief, flexibility concerns, or finding balance in a hectic schedule.

• Offer Real Solutions: Share tips, short sequences, or mindful rituals that address their issues and create their desired result. This approach helps potential students see you as the go-to expert who can help them feel better and live the life they want to create.

• Call to Action: Always invite followers to join your email list, sign up for a mini session, or check out your upcoming workshops. Marketing isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about guiding people toward meaningful transformation.

Mistake #2: Pricing Your Offer Too Low (Mastering Your Money Mindset Issues)

Why It’s a Problem

Underpricing or giving away too many free classes is a fast track to burnout.  It is perfectly fine to offer donation based classes in your local setting as you are building your social proof and brand awareness, but for your online business make the SHIFT from  worrying about being “greedy” to  charging fair rates! Money is currency, currency is energy, and how you price your yoga classes is actually tied to the value you feel you provide! If you believe it , they will too! Also, remember the more you make the more people you will be able to help! If you price yourself too low, you’ll constantly be scrambling to make ends meet—and that stress will affect the quality of your teaching, the people you are attracting to your Yoga Business, and your freedom. 

What to Do Instead

• Recognize Your Worth: You’ve invested time and money into your certification, and you bring unique gifts to the mat. Charging appropriately ensures you have the energy and resources to serve your students at the highest level.

• Research Your Local/Online Market: Look at what other successful teachers charge for private lessons, workshops, and online courses. Use that as a baseline, then factor in your experience and any specializations (like prenatal yoga or somatic work). You are already an expert at being YOU!

• Own Your Pricing: Clearly communicate the transformation your students can expect—whether it’s reduced stress, improved posture, or a deeper mind-body connection. This is where designing your "SOUL STATEMENT" comes in, the one liner that is the foundation for all of your marketing efforts and the message that magnetizes your Dream yoga student. When you align your energy in yoga business with confident pricing, you attract clients who appreciate and respect your expertise.

Mistake #3: Only Posting Yoga Poses Instead of Solving a Real Problem

Why It’s a Problem

While  showcasing your alignment in a perfectly executed Warrior II on social media is visually appealing, just know  if all your content revolves around pretty poses, you’re missing an opportunity to build genuine relationships and demonstrate how you can help. Your students need to know the why behind the pose!

What to Do Instead

• Explain the Benefits: When you share a pose, also explain how it helps with specific issues—like releasing tension in the lower back, improving focus, or cultivating calm during a stressful day.

• Tell Your Story: Share personal anecdotes about how yoga changed your life. Potential students resonate with real stories more than polished photos.

• Invite Engagement: Ask your audience questions like, “What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to building a daily yoga practice?” Listening to their answers helps you tailor future content and services.

Ready for a Breakthrough? Let’s Align Your Energy and Your Business

If you’re making any (or all) of these mistakes, don’t panic—it’s part of the learning curve. The key is to acknowledge where you are and take the steps needed to confidently move forward. Whether you need a money mindset boost, a solid marketing strategy, or just more clarity on how to stand out in the crowded yoga space, I’m here to help.

Book a Yoga Business Breakthrough Call

I offer a Yoga Business Breakthrough Call specifically for newly certified yoga teachers who want to:

• Identify their unique teaching niche and target audience

• Refine their pricing and money mindset to ensure a sustainable income

• Develop a strategic marketing plan that genuinely connects with students’ needs

• Align their energy with their higher intention, so every business decision feels true to their mission

In this call, we’ll pinpoint the biggest gaps in your current approach and map out a personalized plan for you to build or expand your soul-aligned business.

Final Thoughts:

Being a new yoga teacher is an incredible journey, but it can also be challenging— creating your marketing, choosing your mindset, and designing content that speaks to real problems will not only help you attract the people you want to serve, but they are  also essential if you want to make money. By avoiding these three common mistakes and taking decisive action, you’ll find yourself on the path to a fulfilling, profitable, and high-vibrational yoga career that truly serves you and your community.

Are Ready to take that leap?

Click here to schedule your Yoga Biz Breakthrough Call I'm READY  and let’s co-create a plan to help you shine—on and off the mat!