Imagine that you’re running your own yoga business and your students are realizing the benefits of poses like downward dog. Your business is a success and you’ve built up a dedicated following.
The yoga industry is booming each year with new instructors entering the field. Starting your own yoga studio is a great way to earn money on the side while doing what you love. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re serious about becoming a yoga instructor.
#1: Get Certification
Sure, you may have a love of yoga but you need a certification to become a yoga instructor. You can receive instruction, training, and a certification from an institution that’s affiliated with Yoga Alliance. A certification proves that you have the skills and knowledge to become a yoga instructor. You can also start your brand and find a studio where you’ll hold classes.
#2: Craft a Business Plan
The next step is to come up with a business plan. Determine how much capital you need to start a yoga studio. You want to make enough money for both business and personal expenses since you’ll be spending most of your time teaching students. That means you should disclose the rates for your classes.
Your business plan should also include how much you’ll charge for private lessons, online courses, and any other training you plan to offer. Yoga instructor fees vary upon the area you reside in. In large cities, the fees are high due to competition and an increased interest in yoga classes. However, private instructors and yoga studios have been popping up in small towns.
#3: Get Liability Insurance
Liability insurance is an important component of your business plan. This protects your business from lawsuits and damages. No yoga instructor is exempt from potential risks. Other businesses take advantage of the protection that liability yoga insurance offers and your yoga studio should be no different.
#4: Find Customers
One of the most important aspects of starting a yoga studio is to have a dedicated customer base. That means you’ll need to target your ideal customer. You should focus on the students who are struggling or falling behind on certain yoga poses. This is the key to building a relationship and providing support to your students.
You should interact with them individually rather than talk to them as a group. Your students want to get to know you. When they know who you are and what you’re about, they’re more willing to return to your classes. Another way to find customers is to offer free or donation classes every so often.
#5: Focus on a Certain Type of Yoga
There are so many different types of yoga due to its different forms and objectives. Some flows are more popular than others. For example, some yoga instructors offer Kundalini Yoga while others offer Hot Yoga. Your specialization depends on your skills and what you’re interested in.
Other popular yoga flows include Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Vinyasa. Some yoga flows are more relaxing in nature while others are great for weight loss. Bikram yoga is one example that’s popular with most students. It’s best to specialize in one form of yoga to avoid confusion.
One of the best reasons to get your certification from Yoga Alliance is that you’ll receive discounts for liability insurance. This school provides discounts from partners that they work with.
#6: Find the Right Studio Space
The right location is key to having a successful yoga studio. In cities, it can be hard to find a location when there are already so many yoga classes around. Focus on finding a location that’s in a highly trafficked area and provides space for parking. But if you can’t afford having a yoga studio in a large city, then you can consider a smaller location.
Start with a small studio that has one reception desk. Then you can expand and grow your business as you build your customer base. But you should find a location that’s easily accessible and not out of reach from people.
