Your Trunk Is Your Studio: The Real Cost of Being an Independent Wellness Instructor

By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher...Independent Contractor

Your car is your studio now—get used to packing like a pro.

So, you finally got your EIN, opened a business bank account, and set up that sexy little Squarespace or Wix site to look like a brand. Congrats! You’re officially a small business of one, and that’s a wicked cool thing—until it’s not. (read more about this Here)

Because guess what? That studio that calls you an “independent contractor” isn’t paying for shit. Not your time. Not your props. Not your gas. Not your back problems from lugging 200 pounds of bolsters through icy parking lots in February.

They want your vibe without sharing your load.

Let’s break this down. You teach yoga, Pilates, Somatics, Barre, or maybe Trauma-Informed breath and movement. You want to be ready for anywhere from 10 to 18 students because hey, you’re hoping to grow and make that money. You’re supplying all your own gear, and your car is your storage locker on wheels.

A peek at what it really costs to supply your own gear for up to 18 students.

Here’s what that’s really going to cost you.

The Prop List for Group Classes (per 10–18 people)

Prop                                          Qty (for 18 ppl)            Unit Price (est.)      Total

Yoga Mats                                      18                                 $25                      $450

Blocks (2 per person)              36                                 $10                      $360

Straps                                             18                                 $8                         $144

Bolsters                                          18                               $100                   $1,800

Blankets                                         18                              $25                     $450

Therapy Balls / Massage Balls   36                                 $20                     $360

Eye Pillows                                     18                              $15                     $270

Cleaning Spray + Towels                                                   $50 (monthly)     $50

Rolling Bin / Storage Tote              3                                 $40                     $120

Laundering + Cleaning Costs

Laundry (blankets, eye pillows): $15/week minimum = $60/month

Time lugging to laundromat or washing/drying = priceless (and exhausting)

Storage, Transport, and Back Pain

Car Required: SUV or large hatchback minimum (I would love an Ice Cream Truck!). You’re not fitting this into a Civic unless you’ve got folding seats and mad Tetris skills.

Rolling bins or carts: 3–4 big ones just to keep it organized and your sanity intact.

There’s no elevator, and you’re the setup crew. Every. Single. Time.

Bungee cords + blankets: Yes, you're going to become that person strapping yoga gear down like its camping season year-round.

Stairs or no elevator: Welcome to your new glutes and hernia.

Time Investment (Per Class) 

Task                                                                          Time (est.)

Load car                                                                          30 min

Drive to studio                                                  15–30 min

Unload & set up                                                             30 min

Teach                                                                               60 min

Clean & pack                                                                  45 min

Drive + unload at home                                               30 min

Total Time:                                                                  3–4.5 hrs.

And you're being paid for... what? One hour?

You’re not being paid for an hour. You’re working for four.

TOTAL STARTUP COST: BALLPARK

Low end (with some deals or secondhand): ~$2,500

Mid to High end (new gear, full set): ~$3,300–$5,000

Add monthly laundry + cleaning: ~$100–150/month

Add wear & tear on your car: You don’t want to know.

Storage Hacks (Because Your Car Is Now Your Studio)

Use trunk organizers or stackable bins with lids.

Invest in vacuum storage bags for blankets and towels.

Keep a foldable dolly/cart in your trunk (wheels are your best friend).

Keep a dry bag or bin in case it rains or snows—you will get caught.

Label everything. You don’t want to be digging for straps when you’re late and sweaty.

If you're not organized, your trunk turns into a chaotic prop war zone.

Emotional Labor: Let's Not Sugarcoat It

Let’s just name it: this hustle burns people out.

You’re doing marketing, logistics, manual labor, teaching, cleaning, and emotional holding space for others. All while trying to stay regulated in your own nervous system.

There’s no break room. No PTO. No gear closet to borrow from (I don’t recommend leaving anything). No “someone else” to sweep up after.

• You are the manager.

• You are the janitor.

• You are the teacher.

• You are the setup crew.

• You are the teardown crew.

• You are the business.

And that shit needs to be priced into your rate.

How to Price Yourself Fairly (So You Don't Go Broke or Resentful)

Here’s a general formula:

Hourly Rate You Want = (Class Time + Setup + Cleanup + Travel Time + Admin Time) ÷

# hours worked total

Then add 20–30% for wear and tear on gear and transport.

Example:

1-hour class = 4 hours total work

You want $35/hr (bare minimum)

4 x $35 = $140

Add 25% gear/transport = $35

Minimum rate to make this sustainable: $175/class

And that’s before taxes.

That’s not “bougie.” That’s fair.

You're not ‘just a yoga teacher.’ You're a one-person mobile wellness company.

Final Words

Studios that call you “independent” but don’t treat you like a professional?

They are using you. Period.

You are your own studio, hauling a mobile business everywhere you go.

You are not “just a teacher.” You are a logistics boss, a therapist, a coach, a bodyworker, and a mover. Charge like it. Budget like it. Protect your body like it.

If you’ve ever asked, “Why am I so tired?” this is why.

And if someone tells you it’s “just teaching a yoga class,” go ahead and ask them to carry 250 pounds of props through a blizzard while keeping 18 people emotionally safe in savasana.

Then talk to me.