Comprehensive Guide to Your Yoga Service Agreement

When you first start working as a yoga instructor, it can be easy to focus on the joy of teaching.

But every yoga business and yoga studio needs a yoga instructor service agreement.

Essentially, when you start to teach yoga, you want a formal document that will set clear expectations for your students, one that covers their legal rights and yours.

Whether you open your own yoga studio or operate as an independent contractor, you need to create a legally binding agreement where both parties agree to participate in your yoga sessions or yoga class, with clear expectations and professional standards.

Setting this up now is doing your due diligence to ensure your yoga business and services are set up for success with your clients and teachers, if you bring other teachers on board.

You might be thinking: I don’t even know where to begin with something like this. No worries—I’ve got you covered! You’ve probably interacted with other agreements in the past, whether it was signing a non compete clause or studying a sample contract in school.

Let me help you set up this essential agreement for your business, so you can focus on what you love best: teaching yoga!

What Is A Yoga Service Agreement?

Every independent contractor and business needs a service agreement, especially if you’re a yoga instructor or you work with multiple yoga teachers.

A yoga service agreement is a formal, legally binding contract between a yoga instructor and their clients or studio (also known as the other party).

The agreement outlines the terms of the relationship, including payment, scheduling, cancellation policies, liability waivers, and expectations for both parties. Essentially, this is a version of a contract. I like to think of it as a yoga contract. This document protects your business by setting clear boundaries and ensuring mutual understanding between both parties.

I see this agreement as more than just a legal requirement—it’s a foundation for trust and professionalism in your teaching practice. A contract where you can create a good working relationship with your students, employees, yoga teachers, and anyone who signs up for a class with you. Both parties learn what to expect and you can lay out details in writing in one document, like how much you expect to be paid for a certain event, what compensation you get from each class, and any provisions or other payment details.

Each agreement is sealed with a signature and a date, creating a contract to protect your teaching and your students experience in class. Every company has some version of this, and when you’re teaching yoga, it’s an essential document to keep updated, so you’re in alignment with the law, your integrity, and every person you work with.

Whether you’re working with students, collaborating with other yoga teachers, or renting space at a studio as an independent contractor, having a service agreement as a yoga instructor creates clarity and elevates your business.

It allows you to focus on building connections and teaching transformative yoga experiences without unnecessary misunderstandings.

Ultimately, this yoga contract protects you, your company, your employees, and your clients, in writing—and even in court. It’s a deal made on a certain date to both uphold your commitment to each other.

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Why You Need A Yoga Teacher Agreement

Every yoga instructor needs to set up this contract to comply with standards and to put your duties, benefits, and terms into one document for teaching. Your job is different from a corporate teaching job. You can help prevent a material breach and protect your company from the full force of issues that may arise over the years.

Plus, you are clear on money, duties, benefits, provisions, how you handle termination, how you structure your practice, how you set up a deal, and so much more. This contract puts into clear writing how your studio and company function.

A yoga teacher agreement isn’t just about covering legal bases for your company—it’s a contract to enhance your professionalism in teaching yoga and ensure smooth operations in every class. Here’s why it’s essential:

• This contract clarifies payment terms: Whether you’re being paid per class, per student, or on a revenue-sharing model, this agreement eliminates confusion and ensures timely compensation, so people know when to pay, how to pay, and what to pay. This makes financials crystal clear for oth the employer and the studio. Maybe there is a maximum number of students for each class. A teaching contract like this makes the pay for each class clear and smooth.
• This contract defines scheduling and cancellations: When teaching, it’s so important to clearly outline policies for late arrivals or last-minute cancellations to save time and reduce frustration. For example, you might share your cancellation policy on your website, but putting it into a contract with a date, along with an intake form, makes it very clear.
• This contract protects against liability: Including a liability waiver can shield you from legal risks in case of injuries, which is particularly crucial in physically intensive practices like yoga, by holding you and your agents harmless in the event of unforeseen accidents. You want to create this contract in manner consistent with all your other intake forms and it can be helpful to get the advice of a lawyer to ensure all provisions are included, including how you may hire and process termination as an employer. You want advice that meets legal professional standards. And you want to be sure to include a yoga liability waiver.
• This contract promotes professionalism: Students and studio owners take your work more seriously when backed by a formal agreement. Your practice – and you, as an employer – gets more respect when you have professional standards in place.
• This contract builds trust and communication: Having expectations in a contract in writing minimizes misunderstandings, allowing you to foster stronger, more respectful relationships with clients and partners when you’re teaching. Every yoga instructor commits to teaching to be an example of integrity and to act in a way that follows along with yogic philosophy. From how you hire to the termination process, you get to decide how you will act and it’s easier to do so as a yoga instructor when you have a solid contract in place.

Defining the Relationship: Independent Contractor vs. Employee

A yoga service agreement should explicitly define your relationship with the yoga studio or client as either an independent contractor or an employee. As a yoga instructor, you can work in either capacity.

A yoga instructor who works as an independent contractor typically has more flexibility in their schedule, manages their own taxes, and is responsible for their equipment, while a yoga instructor who works as an employee follows the studio’s direction and benefits from additional perks, like health insurance or paid time off.

I recommend identifying this relationship clearly in your agreement. What type of yoga instructor do you want to be? This distinction as a yoga instructor impacts how you’re paid, taxed, and treated legally.

For instance, if you’re a yoga instructor working as an independent contractor, you can likely work with multiple studios, but you’ll also be responsible for maintaining your own insurance and paying self-employment taxes.

Key Components of Your Agreement

A well-crafted yoga service agreement sets the tone for a clear and professional relationship. Here are the critical components to include:

Term of Agreement

Define how long the agreement will last. Is it a three-month contract for a specific program, or is it an ongoing relationship? Including a renewal clause can streamline future negotiations—and ensure you can stick with your studio for the long-term.

Scope of Services

Outline exactly what services you’ll provide. For example, will you teach weekly group Vinyasa sessions, private sessions, or workshops? Be specific about your responsibilities to avoid misunderstandings.

Payment Terms

Specify how and when you’ll be paid. Will it be a flat rate per class, a percentage of attendance fees, or a fixed salary? Include details about payment schedules and methods, such as direct deposit or checks.

Costs and Expenses

Clarify who is responsible for covering costs, like yoga props, travel expenses, or marketing materials. For instance, if the studio expects you to bring your own mats or sound system, this should be explicitly stated.

Obligations of the Yoga Instructor

Your contract should include clear expectations for your role. Some standard obligations might include:

• Professional Standards: Commit to punctuality, appropriate attire, and maintaining a welcoming environment for students.
• Liability Insurance: Carry active liability insurance to protect yourself and the studio from potential claims.
• Confidentiality and Non-Compete Clauses: Agree to protect the studio’s business information and avoid teaching at competing locations within a certain radius or timeframe.

Obligations Of The Yoga Studio

To ensure a mutually beneficial agreement, the contract should outline what the studio provides. This may include:

• Providing Necessary Equipment and Space: The studio should supply a clean, safe environment and any essential needs, like mats or blocks, unless otherwise agreed upon.
• Scheduling and Promotion: Clearly define who is responsible for scheduling and advertising your classes to maximize attendance.

Legal Considerations and Dispute Resolution

This is the part where you may want to get a lawyer involved, if only to review your agreement and ensure it meets legal standards.

Even with a well-crafted agreement, disputes can arise. Common issues include late payments, cancellations, or disagreements over responsibilities. To address this, your contract should include:

• Governing Law: Specify which state’s laws will apply to the contract.
• Mediation or Arbitration: Outline how disputes will be handled. For example, include a clause stating that mediation or arbitration will be used before resorting to court. This saves time and money for both parties.
• Termination Clauses: Define the conditions under which either party can terminate the agreement, such as with 30 days’ written notice or immediately for breach of contract.

For example, if a studio cancels your class without proper notice, your contract could specify that you’re still entitled to partial payment. Conversely, if you need to withdraw from teaching due to illness, the contract might require you to find a qualified substitute or provide a doctor’s note.

Another example is if a dispute arises regarding the ownership of class recordings or online content you’ve created for the studio. Your contract could clarify whether these materials remain your intellectual property or if they belong to the studio.

Additionally, if the studio decides to change the schedule or reduce your class offerings, the contract might require advance notice, giving you time to adjust your commitments or seek alternative opportunities.

Final Thoughts

A solid yoga service agreement not only protects your rights but also sets the stage for a harmonious and professional time together. Taking the time to draft this document ensures you’re prepared for any challenges, so you can focus on sharing your passion for yoga with confidence.

Next Step

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• Master’s-Level Yoga Training
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As a yoga instructor, you’ll receive everything you need to grow and scale your business. You’ll learn how to run your first event, a retreat, how to build your site, and so, so much more. Get started here!

Additional Resources:

• Learn how to ask for a raise at your yoga studio.
• Explore my Yoga Teacher Resource knowledge hub for more tips about how to grow your yoga business.
• Download my sequences for a jumpstart on your upcoming yoga classes!
• For more detailed tips, processes, and worksheets to supercharge your yoga business, download my yoga business launchpad course!