As educators, we pour so much into our students—our time, energy, and often our own money to make our classrooms a better place. With the changing landscape of education, many teachers are starting to explore ways to bring in extra income, especially through opportunities that align with their passion for wellness and personal growth. Whether you’re looking to cover classroom expenses, save for a future goal, or just pursue something you enjoy outside of school, side hustles can be a great way to achieve both financial stability and personal fulfillment.
At Breathe For Change, our curriculum empowers educators through a purposeful transformative journey. We guide you through a progression that starts with self-awareness and focusing on your well-being, moves to relationship-building by fostering a positive school environment, and ultimately empowers you to create community change. Our Mindfulness, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), and Yoga Teacher Training equips you to make a meaningful impact, in any environment.
This holistic approach doesn’t just help you grow personally but also enhances the way you connect with your students and the wider community. As you explore these opportunities, you’ll find rewarding side gigs that align with your love for teaching and wellness.
Check out these seven fantastic side hustles and their potential earnings to inspire you on your journey!
1. Teach Yoga Classes at a Local Studio
Once you’ve completed your training, you can start teaching yoga classes at a local studio. While it varies by location, on average new instructors earn about $35 per class. If you teach two classes per week, that can add up to approximately $5,460 annually. This means you can make back more than 5x your initial investment for the teacher training program within the first year. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with your community and share the benefits of yoga.
2. Offer Classes at Community Centers
Local community centers, such as the YMCA, often seek qualified instructors for yoga and mindfulness classes. Teaching one or two classes per week can yield similar earnings to studio teaching, plus you’ll reach a diverse audience eager for wellness programs.
3. Volunteer Your Skills
While not directly an income-earning opportunity, volunteering at local non-profits or schools can enhance your resume and lead to paid opportunities. Offering mindfulness sessions for youth who have experienced trauma or working with community health organizations can be incredibly fulfilling, potentially opening doors for future jobs.
4. Host Mindfulness Workshops
Consider contracting with local organizations to facilitate mindfulness workshops for educators, parents, or community groups outside your professional role. These workshops typically range from $25 to $100 per participant. If you host a workshop with 10 participants, that’s an easy $250 to $1,000 for just a few hours of your time!
5. Support for Educators in SEL Practices
With your training, you can provide support for educators looking to integrate SEL practices into their classrooms. While the professional development certification you receive does not confer formal coaching credentials, you can still offer valuable guidance to your peers outside of their school or district settings if you have significant experience. Charging $75 per hour for these sessions can lead to significant income if you work with several educators regularly. If you have 5 clients that meet once per month, you’re looking at an additional $4,500 per year.
6. Private Yoga Sessions
Offering one-on-one yoga sessions can be a lucrative opportunity that you can build up to over time. Before starting this endeavor, it’s essential to gain sufficient experience teaching yoga in various settings, secure the necessary insurance, and establish a suitable and insured space. If you are aiming to teach private yoga sessions in a yoga studio, studios will likely prefer instructors with significant experience, often requiring an E-RYT designation.
Your Mindfulness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training serves as a crucial foundation for this journey. Accumulating additional teaching hours will bring you closer to the goal of offering private sessions, allowing you to share the transformative benefits of yoga in a personalized setting. Many instructors charge between $60 and $100 for an hour-long private session. If you see just three clients a week, that’s $9,360 to $15,600 annually.
7. Summer Programs for Youth
Here’s a great option for those summer months! Many households can receive resources from state-funded waiver programs or services like respite and day programs, which can be allocated to summer camps for youth. You could partner with these providers to set up your summer programs and have costs billed for summer camp. For example, the Department of Health and Human Services offers respite dollars that help parents cover childcare during the summer. This could mean earning up to $300 per student per day.
Embrace Your Potential
These side hustles not only offer financial benefits but also allow you to share mindfulness, yoga, and SEL with your community. They’re about more than just the money—they’re about fostering well-being, connection, and inspiration among children, teens, and adults alike.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re excited to explore these opportunities, consider enrolling in our Mindfulness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training program to equip yourself with the tools you need to make a difference in your life and the lives of others. Sign up today and start your journey toward personal and professional growth! Learn more about our training here.
