In this how-to guide, we’ll look at yoga teachers who built six-figure businesses, learn how they did it, and draw out step-by-step strategies you can apply to grow and monetize your own yoga teaching business.

In 2025, the yoga market reached an estimated $115 billion globally, yet many instructors still hustle for $30-a-class studio gigs. Traditionally, the average U.S. yoga teacher earns about $31 per hour – basically a poverty-level salary.

But a growing wave of entrepreneurial yoga teachers have broken this mold and built lucrative businesses by going digital and thinking beyond the studio. From YouTube phenoms like Adriene Mishler to Instagram icons like Kino MacGregor, these teachers turned their passion into thriving careers.

Absolutely. While the average yoga instructor income is low, top-earning teachers show that six figures (or more) is achievable. The key is to treat teaching yoga as an entrepreneurial venture, not just a studio job.

Yoga business coach Brett Larkin notes that many famous instructors (like Kino MacGregor and others) are actually multimillionaires. Brett herself overcame her fear of “being a poor yoga teacher” and now earns 15 times her old corporate salary, calling herself a “millionaire yoga teacher.”

The difference? She and other successful teachers scaled beyond the hourly-class model. By leveraging online platforms, creating their own products, and reaching students globally, they broke the income ceiling.

Kino MacGregor is a shining example of a yoga teacher turned digital entrepreneur. Kino started as a traditional Ashtanga yoga instructor, but she expanded her reach worldwide through social media and online programs. She amassed over 1 million Instagram followers and about 500,000+ YouTube subscribers, giving her a massive online audience.

Rather than rely on studio classes alone, Kino co-founded Omstars, one of the first subscription-based yoga streaming platforms. Through Omstars, students around the world pay a monthly fee for on-demand classes – a scalable income stream far beyond what local classes could provide.

Kino also diversified her business with multiple revenue streams: she’s an author of four yoga books, producer of six yoga DVDs, an international workshop leader, and co-owner of a Miami yoga studio. Together, these ventures generate significant income.

The takeaway from Kino’s success is that building a personal brand and an online platform can turn a yoga career into a six-figure enterprise. She reached more people (and income) by scaling online – something any modern yoga teacher can emulate on a smaller scale.

Adriene Mishler, of Yoga With Adriene , turned free YouTube classes into a yoga empire. She started posting videos in 2012, focusing on making yoga accessible and friendly with her motto “Find What Feels Good.”

By 2018 she had over 4 million YouTube subscribers (soaring to over 13 million by 2025). How did that translate into money? Through a smart mix of ad revenue, subscriptions, and partnerships. According to The Guardian, Adriene’s well-watched YouTube channel earned up to $350,000 per year in ad revenue alone. On top of that, she launched a $9.99/month subscription app (Find What Feels Good), where loyal fans pay for premium content. She also landed sponsorship deals (including a collaboration with Adidas).

Crucially, Adriene built trust by offering tons of free value – millions follow her free videos, and only a fraction need to convert to paying customers for her to earn six figures. She also tapped into live events and merchandise.

Adriene’s journey shows the power of community-building: she treats viewers like friends, stays authentic, and consistently engages her audience. By nurturing that community, she created a sustainable business where “yoga for all” leads to revenue from some.

When we look at Kino, Adriene, and others who broke the six-figure barrier, a clear pattern emerges:

• They leverage online platforms to reach a global audience. Teaching online removes the ceiling of trading time for money.
• They diversify income streams. Courses, memberships, retreats, sponsorships, books – multiple sources of revenue keep their business stable.
• They build a personal brand and loyal community. A strong connection makes students eager to support paid offerings.
• They provide free value authentically. Generosity builds trust, which leads to sustainable growth.
• They treat yoga teaching like a business. They invest in marketing, branding, and systems – balancing heart with entrepreneurship.

Here’s a step-by-step roadmap you can apply today:

1. Define Your Niche and Brand. Know what makes your teaching unique and who you serve.
   Action: Write down three questions: Who do I serve? What problem do I solve? What makes my teaching style unique? Answer them in plain language.
   Example: “I help busy moms reduce stress with 15-minute yoga practices.”
   Next Step: Create a simple tagline or sentence you can use everywhere (social bio, website, email).
2. Build an Online Presence. Choose one or two platforms (YouTube, Instagram, podcast, or blog) and show up consistently.
   Action: Pick one main platform to start with. If you like long-form teaching, go with YouTube. If you love short tips, choose Instagram or TikTok.
   Starter Task: Commit to posting once a week for the next 3 months. Keep it simple: tutorials, mini-classes, or quick tips.
   Next Step: Secure your domain name (e.g., yournameyoga.com) and start a simple website with your bio, free resource, and contact info.
3. Engage Your Community. Interact with students and foster connection – loyalty drives revenue.
   Action: Start an email list today. Use a free lead magnet (like a short PDF or a “7-Day Mini Yoga Challenge”).
   Quick Win: After each class (in person or online), invite students to join your list for ongoing tips.
   Next Step: Reply personally to comments, DMs, and emails. Treat every interaction like building a friendship.
4. Diversify Income Streams. Start small with online classes or workshops, then layer in courses, retreats, or digital products.
   Action: Offer a live Zoom workshop ($25–$50 per person). Record and resell it as an on-demand class afterward.
   Next Step: Once you’ve done 2–3 workshops, package them as a course or launch a simple membership site ($10–$30/month).
   Scaling Idea: Plan one retreat or in-person event within the next 12 months to add a premium offering.
5. Keep Learning. Study marketing, online platforms, and evolving business models.
   Action: Dedicate 1–2 hours each week to learning business skills. Rotate between marketing, content creation, and tech tools.
   Practical Tip: Listen to one podcast or read one blog post weekly on yoga business strategies.
   Next Step: Join a community of yoga entrepreneurs (Facebook groups, masterminds, or a mentor’s program) so you’re not doing it alone.
6. Adopt the Right Mindset. Release guilt about money. Thriving financially allows you to share yoga more widely.
   Action: Write down one limiting belief you have about money (e.g., “Yoga shouldn’t be about money”). Replace it with a new one: “When I thrive financially, I can serve more people.”
   Daily Practice: Each morning, remind yourself of your mission and your right to earn from it.
   Next Step: Celebrate small wins (your first $50 online, your first 100 email subscribers). This rewires your brain to expect success.

By following these steps in order – niche → presence → community → income streams → ongoing learning → mindset – you’re not just thinking about a six-figure yoga business, you’re actually building one.

Q: How long does it take to build a six-figure yoga business?
Usually 2–5 years of consistent effort.

Q: Do I need a huge following?
No – 1,000 engaged “true fans” can be enough with the right offerings.

Q: What are the best ways to monetize?
Online courses, memberships, private sessions, workshops, retreats, and sponsorships.

Q: I’m not tech-savvy – can I still do this?
Yes. Start simple with Zoom or YouTube and learn as you go.

Q: Is it okay to want six figures as a yoga teacher?
Yes. With integrity, earning well allows you to serve more people.

The stories of Kino MacGregor, Adriene Mishler, and Brett Larkin prove that building a six-figure yoga business is possible. With focus, consistency, and authenticity, you can grow your teaching into a thriving digital business.

Start small, stay authentic, and think long-term. You don’t need millions of followers, you need the courage to treat your teaching like the powerful business it can be.