Beyond the Bar Job: Why Yoga Teacher Training Is the Best Side Hustle for College Students

Steph Cole
Sep 27
2 min read

Many college students rely on late nights waiting tables, bartending, or juggling gig work to cover living expenses. While these jobs provide quick cash, they often drain energy, disrupt sleep, and offer little long-term value.

What if there was a side hustle that paid you, nourished you, and built your future at the same time?

That’s where Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) comes in. It’s more than a certification—it’s a flexible, mindful, and empowering career path that college students can step into now.

Why Typical College Jobs Burn You Out

Late hours: Bartending and food service mean long nights, cutting into study time and sleep.
Stressful environments: High pressure, demanding customers, and little support.
No future use: Once the job ends, so does its value on your résumé.

These jobs solve today’s financial needs but do little for tomorrow’s opportunities.

The Yoga Teacher Alternative

Becoming a certified yoga teacher while in college opens the door to a side hustle that:

Pays well per hour (often $30–$75 a class).
Fits your schedule (teach a few classes around school).
Builds professional skills (communication, leadership, confidence).
Supports your wellness instead of draining it.

Teaching yoga while studying gives students balance—financially, mentally, and physically.

Health Over Hangovers

Instead of late-night shifts in smoky bars, imagine starting your mornings teaching yoga. You’re surrounded by calm music, mindful breath, and a supportive community. Your “workplace” becomes a studio or a campus recreation center—not a noisy bar at 2 a.m.

This lifestyle shift makes a difference in:

Sleep quality
Mental clarity
Academic performance
Emotional balance

Future-Proofing Your Résumé

Unlike gig jobs, YTT certification doesn’t expire at graduation. Whether you pursue yoga full-time or not, it strengthens your résumé with transferable skills:

Leadership and public speaking
Stress management tools
Cultural and philosophical awareness
The ability to teach and mentor peers

Employers in any field notice candidates who invest in personal growth. YTT says: I am disciplined, self-aware, and able to lead others.

Stories of Student Success

A psychology major who funded study abroad trips by teaching yoga.
A biology student who taught yoga at her campus gym, gaining leadership skills.
A business major who built a side income and eventually opened her own studio after graduation.

Each story proves YTT can be both a financial and personal game-changer.

Enrollment at Lotus River Wellness

LRW’s Yoga Teacher Training is fully virtual, flexible, and accessible—perfect for busy students balancing classes, internships, and social life. Our graduates walk away not only with a certification but with tools for life.