| What will happen if you are a competent, talented, | | | | for customer service and public relations. Yoga |
| and compassionate Yoga teacher, without enough | | | | teachers should know all of their students' names "by |
| dedicated students? Here is a simple answer: Don't | | | | heart." If you ignore your Yoga students, there is no |
| quit your "day job" and don't open a Yoga studio of | | | | reason for them to stay. They will feel unwelcome |
| your own. Sorry to be so blunt, but you need time | | | | and unworthy. One of the worst ways to handle a |
| to grow your following. | | | | student / teacher relationship is to ignore a Yoga |
| When, or if, you develop a following as an | | | | student. |
| independent contractor, then and only then, think | | | | Be careful of perceptions that make you feel like you |
| about opening a Yoga center. This is not meant to | | | | are better than your Yoga students. Remember that |
| be harsh, but there are enough Yoga centers with | | | | your students pay you to teach Yoga. You should |
| poor business skills to go around, and you don't need | | | | treat them like your best friends. How many of your |
| to lose every penny you saved without developing | | | | friends are paying for your meals, car, mortgage, or |
| sound business plans. | | | | your vacations? Your Yoga students are "number |
| Therefore, please take time to develop a Yoga | | | | one." |
| business plan with goals and estimated time frames. | | | | Doing the "little extras," keeps Yoga students. When |
| Unfortunately, I have seen too many Yoga studios | | | | a student has a question, it is your job to give an |
| open with a "one month plan." Can you imagine | | | | informed answer; and if you do not have one, |
| opening an ashram without a telephone, getting | | | | consult with a senior or master Yoga teacher. If you |
| caught up in zoning board complications, or just | | | | are not a "people person," do not become a Yoga |
| hoping for the best? One poorly organized Yoga | | | | teacher. |
| studio makes all Yoga teachers look bad, and leaves | | | | Make sure that the person who answers your phone |
| the public thinking every Yoga studio is like that. | | | | loves people. You can't keep a Yoga studio open |
| How do you feel when you go to a deli for the 20th | | | | with a grumpy receptionist. The receptionist is the |
| time and the counter help tries to avoid you? Do you | | | | initial "gate keeper" of a Yoga studio, and for Yoga |
| feel like going back again, when, half the time, they | | | | students, that gate should be held open with a wide |
| get your order wrong? Where am I going with this? | | | | smile. |
| Every Yoga studio should have an appointed person | | | | |