A Step-by-Step Guide to Opening a Yoga Studio

Opening a yoga studio is thrilling—but let's be real, it's also humbling. When I opened my first studio, I had a solid marketing background and a deep love for teaching yoga. I launched with full classes and polished branding—and on paper, it looked like a dream start. But I quickly realized something few people talk about: just because you open strong doesn't mean you'll stay full. People come, people go—and suddenly, you're constantly working to 'feed the beast'. It's not just about opening your doors; it's about keeping them open with a steady stream of new students and systems that actually work. 

Over time, I figured it out. My studio weathered two recessions, grew into a profitable business with an amazing teaching team, and eventually became something I could sell. Today, that same studio is still thriving—now in its 22nd year and under its third owner. That's not just a business win for me. That's a legacy. 

There were three pivotal moments that changed my entire trajectory. The first was attending my very first Mindbody conference, where I realized my passion didn't just have to pay the bills—it could be the foundation of a real, thriving business. The second was hiring a business consultant who helped me rethink my pricing overnight, saving my studio when it was at a breaking point. And the third was when another consultant helped me recognize that what I'd built had lasting value, something I could pass on. 

Now, as a Certified Mindbody Business Consultant, I help yoga studio owners build smarter studios that reflect their values, support their lifestyle, and grow with them. I also host the Yoga Biz Champ Podcast, where we talk honestly about the business of yoga and what it really takes to succeed.  

If you've been dreaming of turning your passion for yoga into a business but aren't sure where to start, now is the perfect time to take the leap. In this guide, I'll walk you through the real-world strategies, systems, and insights I use every day with studios around the world—so you can launch yours with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap built to last. 

Is it hard to start a yoga studio?

Launching a yoga studio can be a challenging task, much like starting any business. It requires careful planning and execution to ensure success. You need to start by outlining your goals, financial projections, legal obligations, and marketing strategies. These aspects need to be thoroughly planned from start to finish. However, with dedication and persistence, your vision will gradually come to life. 

Is owning a yoga studio profitable?

The short answer is yes; owning a yoga studio can be profitable. The yoga market is booming and is expected to reach $250.70 billion by 2032. While there isn't an exact salary that yoga studio owners bring in, the average profit margin can range from 15% to 30%. You can build a thriving yoga studio over time by selecting the right location and pricing, building a loyal customer base, and providing quality services in a welcoming and peaceful environment. 

How to open a yoga studio

As you consider opening your own yoga studio, it is important to understand the steps involved in making it happen. Here's where to start: 

• Define your vision
• Conduct your research
• Price your services
• Create a business plan
• Get funding
• Secure a location
• Build your team
• Market your yoga studio
• Open your doors

Define your vision

A clearly defined vision shapes everything—from your classes to your culture. Your style of yoga and the energy of your space should reflect your personal philosophy and goals. For example, I once helped open an Ashtanga Yoga studio in New York—highly specialized, but deeply authentic to the owner's journey. I've also helped launch two faith-based studios that wove spiritual connection into every detail, from the branding to the community events. 

To articulate your vision effectively, create concise mission, vision, and values statements: 

• Mission: Your studio's core purpose and reason for existing
• Vision: Your long-term aspirations and the impact you hope to have
• Values: The guiding principles that shape your studio culture and help you build a team that aligns with your purpose 

Aligning your yoga philosophy with these core elements builds authenticity and cohesion. Even if your studio offers a general yoga experience rather than a niche style, these values can still be infused into your branding, class structure, and community interactions to create a strong and meaningful identity.  

Conduct your research

Now that you have your mission, vision and values in mind, the research begins. Take the time to collect information about startup costs, financial projections, staffing requirements, build-out costs, equipment and prop costs, legal and licensing obligations, and estimated monthly operating expenses. These insights will influence how you price your services and determine funding needs and options.   

In addition to gathering information on what's necessary to operate your business, the research process also allows you to make informed decisions regarding the location, ideal client, target audience, and the types of classes you offer. To do this, you should delve into your local community's demographics, interests, and competition to gain insights into what your potential clients prefer, such as their preferred class times, class styles, desired amenities, and willingness and ability to commit to memberships or packages. 

Thorough market research can be the difference between launching with confidence and learning costly lessons the hard way. For example, skipping competitive research might lead to opening in an oversaturated area or offering class times that don't match your community's schedule. One studio I consulted had to rework its pricing and schedule within the first month because they hadn't gauged their audience's needs upfront. You can avoid this by going beyond online data—talk directly to your potential clients. 

Host informal focus groups, create short community surveys, speak to neighboring businesses, and coffee shops. You can even chat with people at local wellness events to understand what they're really looking for in a studio. I opened a studio in California that did such a thorough job with research that they identified their ideal audience, optimized their class schedule—and opened with 220 pre-sold Founders Memberships covering costs on opening day. 

Price your services

When it comes to pricing, the real question your future students are asking is: Does this offer fit into my life and feel worth it? Pricing is ultimately about perceived value—are there class times that fit their schedule and is there a package that feels like the right investment? 

It's also important to remember that while competitor research is helpful, it doesn't tell the whole story. You don't know another studio's rent, payroll, or debt structure. So, use pricing comparisons as a reference point—not a reason to underprice yourself. 

Your pricing should also reflect your studio's capacity, structure, and unique value. A boutique yoga studio with smaller classes and a curated experience may reasonably charge more than a high-volume space. Think about the balance between how many clients you can serve and what level of service or atmosphere you're offering; your pricing should reflect both. 

A smart pricing strategy keeps things clear and sustainable. Too many options can create decision fatigue. Focus on offering just a few well-thought-out choices—like a drop-in, an intro offer, a class pack, and a membership—designed around how your community wants to engage with your studio. 

Clients are more likely to commit when they understand what they're getting and how it fits into their life. When the value is clear and the experience matches their needs, pricing becomes less of a barrier. 

Create a business plan

Once you've completed your research, it's time to develop a business plan. This is a fundamental step towards opening a yoga studio and entails outlining your goals, services, pricing, and financial expectations. A well-thought-out business plan will include:   

Executive summary: A snapshot of your business by summarizing who you are, what you offer, and your strategy to achieve your goals.  

Mission, vision, and values: These keep your strategy aligned and help you hire a team that shares your goals.

Company description and market analysis: Summarize what you've learned from researching your community, competitors, and industry. Provide a comprehensive overview of your business's purpose, model, products, services, and target market research, along with an industry analysis that examines the local market, current trends, and potential growth opportunities. 

Competitive advantage: Define what sets your studio apart—whether it's your unique teaching style, boutique class experience, deep community connection, or specialized wellness offerings.

Services: Describe your studio's types of classes, member packages, experiences, and any retail and inventory information.

Organization and management: Outline your staffing needs and detail the qualifications and expertise of any team members who will contribute to your business's operations and success. Also include what resources and expenses, such as insurance, security systems, and yoga studio management software, are necessary to maintain your operations.     

Marketing and sales: How will you attract and retain students? Detail your marketing plan, including strategies, costs, and responsible parties. Consider social media marketing, advertising, grassroots marketing, email campaigns, referrals, sponsorships, partnerships.  

Financial projections and funding: Develop a financial plan incorporating startup costs, projected revenue, and break-even analysis. supported by research and detailed breakdowns of monthly and annual earnings over five years.  

Your plan should answer the question: "What am I building and how will I make it work?" 

Get funding

Money can often be the most stressful factor in opening a business, but with a solid plan, it becomes manageable. Start by mapping out all of your expenses including space buildout, deposits, equipment, technology, marketing, and a few months of operating costs. 

If your future studio is in a good location and serves a community need, it will grow and thrive and be worth the investment. Take time to do the math and be honest about how much money you need for your studio.  

Consider all your funding options, including:   

• Loans: Mindbody Capital was designed for fitness and wellness businesses to obtain funding that will help them grow 

• Grants and local funding: Research city or state-level economic development programs, wellness initiatives, or women/minority entrepreneur funds that may offer startup grants 

• Crowdfunding: Use platforms like GoFundMe or IndieGoGo to generate buzz and raise funds from your future students and supporters 

• Friends and family investments: A common early-stage option but be sure to put everything in writing and treat it like a formal agreement 

• Bootstrapping: Using your own savings or part-time income to fund your opening gives you full control, though it may take longer. 

Secure a location

Commercial real estate prices vary greatly from city to city. Take a look at commercial real estate in your area or look online at places like Zillow.com. This will help you get an idea of what your monthly rent will be. Most commercial leases require a 3 to 5-year commitment, with a deposit of the first and last month's rent. Make sure you get good legal advice and look at having options to renew in your lease. You should also consider the legal fees you will incur to review lease documents, which can be anywhere from $500 to $1000. One of the best strategies is to connect with a local licensed business broker to help you find your dream space and help with the negotiations 

Once you have secured a space, get bids from contractors to estimate the cost of construction. This can start at $15,000 and can likely be more, depending on the work needed, your design aesthetic, and how much the landlord is willing to contribute to getting your space ready. When I opened my own studio, we kept costs low by installing our own flooring and handling some of the finishing touches ourselves. On the other end of the spectrum, I've supported hot yoga studios that required over $350,000 in buildout due to the complexity of HVAC systems, insulation, and heat control. 

Many of my clients successfully negotiate with landlords to either cover part of the construction or offer a few months of free rent to help them get their (bare) feet on the ground. However you approach it, remember your buildout investment will need to be recovered over time, so make sure your pricing, class capacity, and business model can support that return. 

How much space is needed for a yoga studio? 

When setting up a yoga studio, you need to determine the space size based on the number of students you plan to teach. Think of yoga mats as your real estate. More mats, more income. Less mats, maybe charging more? The studio should have enough space to accommodate each student and their yoga mats. A good rule of thumb is to allocate 25 square feet per yoga student. For instance, a 450-square-foot studio can comfortably accommodate 15-18 people.   

Besides the size of the studio, other factors to consider when choosing a studio space are whether you need a reception area, an office, retail space, locker, showers or storage space. For reference, a simple boutique studio with about 25 students and a small retail and lounge area would be about 1400 square feet.  

Build your team

Once you have determined the number of people you need to hire for your studio, it's time to create job descriptions for each role and outline the qualifications required for each position. Outline not only qualifications and responsibilities, but also the personality and values you're looking for in a team member. Consider the best pay structure for your employees, whether hourly, per class, or per head and be transparent about expectations from the start. 

One of the best tools you can create is a structured onboarding process. I believe in documenting exactly how you do things—everything from the tone of communication with students to how the space is maintained—so new hires can be evaluated for alignment early. Your mission, vision, and values should be a filter not just for external messaging but for hiring decisions too. 

Early in my studio career, I made a few rushed hires out of urgency and paid for it later. When I finally put an intentional system in place, it became a guiding framework for both hiring and keeping my team aligned long-term. Remember you're only as strong as the team around you, so hire with care, not just convenience. Also, hire to your class schedule and not your teachers' availability. 

Market your yoga studio

Marketing your new yoga studio is necessary to attract clients and build a thriving community. Use online and offline marketing tactics such as social media promotion, email campaigns, and local advertising to build your brand and craft compelling messages. Offering special promotions or introductory offers can incentivize potential clients to try out your studio.

Start with a strong presale strategy 

Build anticipation before your doors open by launching a Founders Membership or early bird pricing. This not only provides upfront revenue but creates a sense of exclusivity that encourages early commitment. One of my studio clients pre-sold 220 memberships before opening day, covering their costs. 

Layer grassroots with digital 

Don't rely solely on social media—think multi-channel. Use strategic window signage, flyers at coffee shops and health food stores, and community boards to get attention from passersby. Partner with massage therapists or acupuncturists to display promo cards. These offline tactics support your online efforts and keep your brand visible in everyday places. 

Invest in local digital ads 

Location-based ads on Google or Meta can be extremely effective—especially when targeted in the 2–4 weeks before your grand opening. Promote your intro offer, Founders deal, or a downloadable class calendar. This helps you show up in searches right when locals are looking for wellness options.  

Collaborate creatively 

Get inventive. One studio I worked with partnered with a neighborhood coffee shop to have their intro offer with QR code on all the coffee sleeves. The shop gained new foot traffic, and the studio filled their trial offer funnel with ease. Win-win collaborations are cost-effective and make your brand memorable. 

Get personal and show up 

There's no substitute for human connection. Join local wellness Facebook groups, attend farmer's markets, talk to the neighboring massage, chiropractors, health food stores and engage with community organizations. Share your story and why you're opening the studio. People remember studios that feel personal and intentional—not just transactional.

Open your doors

Opening day is a milestone worth celebrating—but it's also the start of a new chapter that demands consistency, resilience, and adaptability. Your class schedule should be finalized well before launch based on solid research and your anticipated student base. If you're teaching classes yourself in the beginning, it can help you get immediate feedback and build connections with new members. 

In the early months, it's smart to manage key areas of the business yourself—especially front desk, student communication, and community-building—but it's also smart to ask for help. A new studio requires a lot: cleaning, social media, admin, bookkeeping, and maintaining the energy of the space. Overwhelm happens fast when you try to do it all solo. I am a big believer in tripling down on our superpowers and hiring for your weak areas or areas that hold you back. 

Here are a few practical ways to stay grounded and avoid burnout in your first few weeks: 

• Plan everything at least 8 weeks ahead
• Create a weekly checklist for operational must-dos and delegate where possible
• Set aside dedicated time for admin (yes, even the bookkeeping!)
• Use simple tools like your calendar or Trello to organize your to-dos
• Give yourself grace—your studio doesn't have to be "perfect" to be powerful 

You've built something from the ground up—now stay steady and focused while the energy of your community builds around you.