MAKING A LIVING
Teacher training is just the tip of the iceberg.
With anything, we need experience and to
gain experience we have to dedicate hours.
Your true learning comes from observation
of students on the mat allowing you to see
the environment you wish to create when
you open up a studio.
BUSINESS PLANS
When I lived in Singapore I wrote out a
business plan. I spent weeks planning, hours
upon hours researching and using the
experience and knowledge I gained working
for a large corporate studio. When I returned
back to the UK with my plan it was of no
use in the UK market. The experience I had
gained over the years was the energy that
launched the studio I now have...experience,
adaptability, drive.
SOCIAL MEDIA
This is an amazing tool for any business
owner. It’s fast, effective, on days where you
need a different slant on things the ideas
are at your fingertips. Social media is a great
way to remind people you are there and you
care. I love the way people interact on each
one of our pages. Don’t get distracted, set
yourself a certain amount of time in your
day to post, save pictures to edit and use
at a later date, then go and enjoy your day.
I do see teachers getting fixated on the
amount of likes and followers they have.
Personally I post and hope that I touch at
least one person each day with a positive
feeling.
WHAT’S YOUR NICHE
Heated practice, and the opposite, Yin
Yoga. I have always adored the feeling of
practicing in a warm environment. Yin on the
other hand allows me time to pause and find
stillness. It does make me smile when people
ask me, “Do you teach that Hot Yoga?”
My response has always been the same: “I
teach Hatha Yoga in a warm room if that’s
MyYogaBiz
what you’re asking!” I am naturally a cold
person and the heat allows me to breathe
deeper, to find my centre for that day and
increase my focus. I am very high in Vata
energy; the heat is my aid, my friend that
slows me down. Yin on the other hand gives
me precious time to pause, to align myself
deeper and feel true connection.WHO DO YOU ADMIRE
Ana Forrest. The woman is a force of nature.
She has eyes that can see into bodies. I was
blessed to spend time with her last year on
an intensive course. Her awareness on and
off the mat is something to be observed.
I believe you can learn something new
every day and she reinforced this in a very
powerful yet nurturing way.SELF CARE
By stepping on the mat every day. Just
sitting on my mat my mind finds calm. My
background is therapy so I am a firm believer
in massage and steam rooms. We are
fortunate in Glasgow to have an excellentThis month’s mentor: Colette Ward, 44,
Infinity Yoga, Merchant City, GlasgowThai spa. Living in Asia for eight years you
soon realise this is a must have, between
reflexology and massage this is my go to.ASKING FOR HELP
My mentor/guru is my mother. She is
incredible and my continual source of
inspiration. I am very fortunate that my
friends all have businesses and this is where
breakfast dates and brunches become
brainstorming time. I surround myself with
people who have the same positive energy
and drive. Although I have to say we laugh
more than plan sometimes!FUTURE TRENDS
My goal is to keep it true. Keep it authentic,
keep the traditions and be a yogi on and
off the mat. Think before posting on social
media. The impact it has is huge. Look
inwards not outwards. Be the teacher that
radiates.Written and compiled by Claudia Brown
(yogabyclaudia.com)Tips from the experts to help you grow the yoga business of your dreams.