I am new to teaching Yoga and want to do it privately. Is it better to go to the clients home or have them come to mine. i have a room set up for yoga but not sure if i should do it that way. Please advise
thank you
Traci
Yoga Teacher Training Forum » Yoga Teacher Training Forum (issues, concerns and questions for teachers) » New Teacher Questions
Where to teach
(10 posts) (10 voices)-
Posted 7 years ago #
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Hi Traci,
I am in in the exact same position as you are at this time. I am considering placing a small yoga studio in my home and also considering going to people's homes as well. For me, as a woman, I look at safety as a primary concern. When you choose to teach out of a studio setting and in a private environment, you raise the question of your personal safety. Either way, your home or your client's would be fine, if they were referred to you by someone you know. I am choosing to build my business through referrals from my current yoga instructor. This is obviously a slower way to build your yoga business, but it is a way I am more comfortable with. I hope this ds not sound too paranoid, but I believe you can create a thriving yoga business client by client and without risk to yourself. Hope this helps!
Namaste,
JeannPosted 7 years ago # -
From a practical standpoint, it would also be more convenient to teach from your home as the teaching environment is consistent and you would have ready access to yoga props. Although I teach at a large health club, I also have space in my house where I do my personal practice and could offer private lessons as needed. I agree that this would also be safer.Posted 7 years ago #
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Over the years, I have sat in on, and organized, many self defense workshops for women. Sometimes we would have guest speakers from the local police forces. The average person, has no idea how much criminal activity is going on in their community.
They are too busy working and paying bills, to be aware of predators. This is what criminals count on, to make a living.
My suggestion, would be to only invite female clientele into your home. Why invite a potentially hazardous situation? Most of the regular Yoga clientele are women anyway. Make life simple and safe.
Also, there are a number of Yoga teaching opportunities away from home that are not advertised. For example: If I remember right, Jeanne' lives close to Palm Beach or near the Florida coastline. A lot of hotels and condominium complexes have private gyms.
This looks like an unadvertised Yoga teaching "Bonanza." With a list of those places and a stack of post cards, you may find more work for a Yoga teacher, than you have time for, and you could expand your Yoga business, by finding local Yoga job opportunities for other Yoga instructors.
If anyone wants any other marketing ideas, please visit me in the Yoga marketing forum.Posted 7 years ago # -
I primarily teach in a studio; however, I have opened my home to private instruction as well. The private students have come from my studio class. One example: the woman had taken class with me for a year; then schedules changed and she wanted to continue with me.
You never fully know someone, but I had worked with her long enough to feel comfortable inviting her into my home.
I have also had males in my home (whom I've known); however, I still feel more comfortable scheduling them when my husband is home. There have been other males and females I have said that it wouldn't work into my schedule. I just didn't feel comfortable with them.
Traci, my suggestion is to meditate on this matter and you will learn what will work best for you.
Namaste
KimPosted 7 years ago # -
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for feedback and any related experiences. For years, i taught yoga classes at a local gym. The writing has been on the wall and the ownership has changed. The new owner wants 60% of all personal training and private sessions.
I know this is the new economy and the new owner has a right to make ends meet but i feel like this is outrageous. my rates are $50 per hour for privates so now i will get $20. My feeling is male clients can have sessions in the studio while female clients can have sessions in my yoga loft at home. I rarely get male yoga students at all.
Has anyone got any tips. I have a nice space at home but never invited anyone except close friends. Are there any insurances I should have?
Namaste,
AmyPosted 4 years ago # -
Hi Amy,
Your situation is typical for this current economy. The new owner has probably absorbed the old owners debt. This put you in the position of having to adjust to a new relationship and you may have no loyalty to the new owner at all. This is probably a make or break situation for the gym owner who may have bought an anchor.
About your Yoga loft - you should make use of it with close clients, friends, and family. You have taken the time to make it a nice place. But if you take money for your services you should have yoga liability and extra home owners liability for running a business at home. On top of that your town may fine you if they find you are running a business that isn't zoned properly. The zoning and inspecting process will make your head spin if your town has much bureaucracy. To do everything legally may require you to meet all of your town's building codes.
Here's another idea - talk to the new gym owner to find out if there is any room for compromise. Make it a point to end with a positive note. This is only to find out if there is room and no need for any confrontation. If your conversation ends on a good note - excellent! If not visit a yoga studio, dance school, or martial arts school in your town. Nobody will turn away a yoga teacher with a student following in this economy. And you may find the opportunity of a lifetime.
Best of luck and Happy holidays.
Namaste,
TomakoPosted 4 years ago # -
Namaskar Tomako and Amy,
You have both made many valuable points. Insurance is important if you teach yoga out of your home. Home-based business activities can void your home insurance. Using the home for purposes other than your insurer is aware of, may invalidate your policy.
Many home business owners rely on their home insurance to cover damage, loss and theft of property. But home businesses should have contents insurance in addition to the contents and or property insurance provided by the owner's home insurance.
Also home-based businesses should have additional liability insurance. If a student gets hurt general liability insurance covers injuries to clients and employees on your home business premises.
About zoning: It depends on where you live. Some towns and cities are heavily regulated. But others may care very little about you teaching a few yoga classes at home.
Peace,
Dilip JiPosted 4 years ago # -
Greetings and Salutations,
There is a need to be creative in teaching during this economy. This is a time for lower overhead entry into teaching yoga. When you think of how much money it costs to open a yoga studio in a good economy and now you have a dynamic that will make it so that we teach at home. This is why the pricey Yoga retreats are suffering.
It is an economic adjustment for everyone and all yoga instructors. It is a good thing some networks such as this were set up as a safe haven and learning center for yoga teachers worldwide. Anyone who reads, listens, or watches videos can see the benefits of education for yoga teachers. And it gives us a chance to share our best dreams and worst fears.
This "where to teach" yoga thread can help any teacher to know what to do at this time and in the future. Here is my suggestion: Talk to chiropractors. They may have an open office or small space for teaching one or a few students. Yes, you may have to give them a portion, but they have a steady base of patients. Also, learn about yoga for the spine. Go to the blog - http://yoga-teacher-training.org/blog/ and learn more about the spine. Take less expensive courses like are presented here. This is how we can stay ahead while this economy boils over. We have no choice.
OM,
PatelPosted 4 years ago # -
Namaskar Everyone,
Much good information for yoga teachers here. There is still much demand for yoga classes everywhere because of too much stress. But when many people lose their jobs there is more than a small problem coming. When people suddenly lose everything they become mentally ill. Depression, suicide, and homeless families become reality.
Time to help those people who are intelligent enough to attend yoga for their mental and emotional health. If a student with money problem arrives, yoga instructors should help them. Many people will drink and take drugs to compensate for internal pain. This make the problem of poverty worse.
About where to teach yoga: Network with social workers and hospitals. Social workers have offices, but your services may not get premium wages. Hospitals have spaces and there is need of more yoga and less stress in every hospital. Every doctor knows yoga is good for their patients. Some will send you students and some won't, but all physicians know yoga will help their patients. This is why you must network with the hospitals.
Sincerely,
RakuPosted 4 years ago #
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