BUSINESS PLAN
I’d love to know how many people actually approach teacher training
with a business plan — I certainly didn’t! I would say everyone
embarks on a teacher training for the love of yoga and as a gift to
themselves rather than to make money from it. The beauty of yoga
practice and teaching turning into a method of making a living is
that it tends to happen organically; following your heart, you feel
your way into your niche...and when it works it’s magic!
YOUR NICHE
I absolutely love the dance between, on the one side, deep practice,
meditation and silence, and on the other, lighter flows with lots of
laughter. I fully believe that laughter and joy is a crucial aspect of
life and healing. My own classes and workshops, events and retreats
offer this combination with great results.
WHAT’S YOUR SECRET
I don’t think it’s a secret that if you truly love what you do your
passion and energy is infectious and attractive. Someone also
recently told me (in a nice way!) that I was completely transparent. I
realise this turned out to be a total hindrance in the corporate world
but it is a positive trait in the world of wellness. Clients often say my
honesty and ability to share helps them open up to their feelings
too. I have seen evidence that the more you give out, the more you
get back from the universe, so I always try to give out as much as
possible and then enjoy the karmic roundabout of life.
SELF-CARE
This is an interesting
one for me. I’ve had
the journey of being
a corporate lawyer,
full-time mum, yoga
teacher, founder of
a business and more
recently returning
to work full-time
for the amazing 42
ACRES (a conscious
co-working and
events space
in Shoreditch).
Working full-
time and juggling
motherhood and
my own businessMyYogaBiz
with it was a huge challenge. At one point I felt so overwhelmed
and anxious, I had to listen to my own advice and practice what I
preached. I had to slow down. I took my commitments and social
plans down to a minimum and slowly found balance again. Plus, I
had a lot of treatments, from massage, to shiatsu and breath work
which really helped.BUSINESS MENTOR
My savvy sister Natalie and &Sister co-founder is my business
mentor. She has taught me everything I know on the business and
marketing side. She brings the business brains to &Sister and I bring
the yogi. I can’t not mention my best friend and collaborator on
&Sister retreats, Charlie Morgan, who is an incredible teacher and
has this flow in her classes where we all reach out and hold on to
each other in our Warrior three (Virabhadrasana III). It was the best
lesson for all of us! I remember her saying: “We cannot navigate this
life alone; we are stronger together.”FUTURE TRENDS
I think we will have virtual yoga teachers as 3D images moon-
beamed down by satellite into our living rooms!Written and compiled by Claudia Brown (yogabyclaudia.com)This month’s mentor: Alicia Roscoe, 33,
founder of &SisterTips from the experts to help you grow the yoga business of your dreams.
Te acher zone