Yoga is a beautiful practice and people love the rejuvenating benefits of this ancient art. With increasing popularity of the fitness and wellness industry, opening a yoga studio is an amazing idea.
If you have what it takes to run a yoga studio successfully, then what are you waiting for? Keep the following things in mind and start your yoga studio:
- Why Do You Want To Start Your Own Yoga Studio?
There can be a number of answers to this question. Maybe you want to share your yoga experience with others, educate the world, make money, or just teach yoga as a hobby.
If you want your venture to be successful, you need to have or create a strong purpose. You cannot expect good results unless you have the passion or some sort of inspiration for your work.
Even if you want to open a yoga studio for extra income or just as some side-work, tell yourself the truth. If your purpose is strong and you know what exactly you want, your efforts won’t disappoint you.
- Make A Proper Plan
Now, that you’ve figured your passion and made up your mind, its time that you formally prepare a plan for the yoga studio. Begin with a small business plan, your brand’s vision, financial schemes, and a plan of action. The initial stage of planning is crucial, as it allows you to view a structured setup of the yoga studio and you can share the same with your investors, friends, or consultants for further suggestions.
Consider preparing a floor layout for the studio, determine the capacity of your classes, the kind of classes you will host, the props you will require, and every little thing that comes across your mind. Keep a note pad with you at all times and note down any idea, suggestion or aspect regarding your studio.
- Are You Yoga Alliance Certified?
Yoga studios with reliable and certified yoga instructors are more popular and admired by serious students. Be it your trainers or you, Yoga Alliance certification is important, if you wish to successfully run a yoga studio. Most people won’t even consider joining your yoga studio if you don’t seem professional or hold a valid certification.
Being a certified instructor, also adds to your training sessions, as students will be amazed to see your fine knowledge, and return for more classes. They might even recommend you to others if they feel your training helped them in some or the other way.
- Take Care Of The Finances
Are you planning to take a loan to set up the yoga studio or will you be using your savings? Either way, you need to be careful and spend your hard-earned money, wisely. Setting up a yoga studio is a lot more than just building four walls with a ceiling. It requires heavy investment for a variety of things. This is the step, where your planning will come handy and help you get close to a figure that you’ll be investing in.
Another aspect of the finance is the studio rent that usually is a big pain in case you’re studio isn’t running well. Apart from the rent, there are various legal fees, salaries, and other maintenance charges that also require a good chunk of the investment.
- Think Of A Feasible Location For Your Studio
Nobody wants to commute to a location that is far away from the city and disconnect from the mainstream areas. There are various points that you need to keep in mind while selecting a location for your yoga studio. It’s pretty difficult to find a scenic and natural setting for your studio in the urban cities, and even if you manage to find one, the high rents are just another worry.
Consider renting a small place in a good location for the beginning. Make sure the location has ample parking space, good markets, proper connectivity to the rest of the city, and a lively atmosphere. If the business goes well, you may expand your studio and put in your profits for the same.
- Who Will Be Your Clients?
What kind of people are you aiming to target? Depending upon the type of classes you’ll be offering, find the right kind of clients that suit the profile and target them through intensive marketing. Even the location of your studio depends upon the target audience.
Your yoga brand won’t be a success if you’re targeting the 50+ audiences and your studio is on the 4th floor with no elevator facility. You will have to determine your target audience and set up your yoga studio side by side, so that every factor aligns properly.
- Associate With People And Brands
Affiliate marketing is an efficient and inexpensive way of marketing that creates a win-win situation for both parties. There are various online bloggers, social media influencers, online fitness enthusiast, and online brands, who love to share the latest trends, information, and news about the wellness industry. Collaborate with them and ask them to publicize your yoga studio, in return for a free yoga class.
You will notice that the majority of their followers will fall in your target audience group and once they’ve given your brand a shout-out, people will come running to your studio.
- Be Natural And Reflect True Yoga Principles
No matter how modern and top-notch yoga studio you’re planning to set up, don’t drift away from the simplicity and other values that yoga has taught you. Make sure your trainers and classes offer proper yogic principles and not just a vague workout experience.
Make your classes interactive and share theoretical knowledge of asana during the practical sessions. Tell your students about the Sanskrit names of asana, their benefits, and modifications, along with some lifestyle tips. This way, people will look upon your yoga studio as a genuine and authentic place.
- Trainers And Staff
To make the most of your yoga studio, you will need to hire experienced yoga instructors, who share the same passion for yoga as you.
Talk to your friends, colleagues, or former students and see if anyone is wiling to join your studio as an instructor or trainer. It’s really tough to handle one class, especially when everyone has different physical abilities. You cannot attend to every student, personally and this where your instructors and trainers will benefit. Even your students will love the fact that your studio has dedicated yoga instructors for proper training.
Make sure that the trainers you hire are genuine, have proper knowledge of yoga, and treats the students with respect.
- Set Short And Achievable Goals
You cannot set up a yoga studio in one day. It is similar to practicing yoga and requires a lot of patience, dedication, and hard work in the right direction. Don’t stress yourself by making huge plans and failing at them. Instead, make small goals that are within your capacity and slowly increase its intensity. The happiness that you will achieve by completing small goals will eventually motivate you to do better and fulfill your dream.
Make a small checklist every night, regarding the work that has to be done. Try to complete as much work you can and see how much you’ve accomplished by the end of the day. Repeat the same every day.
- Marketing
Before you launch your yoga studio, it is recommended that you at least begin with the groundwork of digital and online marketing to create hype about your yoga studio. Don’t wait till the last moment, start with online marketing as soon as you can. Develop a website, social media profile, and link your URL with Google to slowly improve your online ranking. By the time you inaugurate your yoga studio, make sure you have commendable online presence and traffic online. This way you’ll experience tremendous response even on the first day.
You can also use the online platforms for pre-bookings and get an instant return from your marketing investment. We recommend hiring a digital marketing agency such as Digital Media Soul, to easily manage your online marketing needs such as SEO, SMO, Web Development, Content Marketing, Graphic Design, Brand Optimization, etc.
Stay calm, focused, and keep the above-mentioned things in mind before starting your yoga studio.