Mastering The Business Of Yoga

If you've been listening to the podcast for a while now, you know that FavYogis has been sponsoring the podcast! After 6 months of using the app and working with them, I had the chance to interview the founder and CEO, Temitope Sonuyi.  Temitope is a yogi, yoga teacher, and a programmer! After experiencing challenges in his own yoga business he decided to design an app to solve those problems. As he started talking to more and more yoga teachers, he realized that he wasn't alone in his need for an app that allowed people to see your schedule at all yoga studios.  FavYogis launched just over a year ago and since then, the app has changed a lot. They've add functions including students being able can pay right from the app, allowing push notifications to your followers, a personal page that your students can look at without the app, the ability to add the app to your website, and so much more.  Of course, Temitope also shares some of the biggest lessons he's learned through his career!  Enjoy! Connect with Temi

This week on the podcast I am joined by Mark Walsh, the founder of Embodied Yoga Principles, The Embodied Facilitator and Integration. Mark joined me all the way from Brighton, UK to talk about his journey as a yoga teacher and yoga business owner.  On this episode of the podcast we talk about how to market yourself and your business, how to find your target market, niche and tribe, the importance of getting paid for your work and how to deal with challenges around money, and much more.  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is also brought to by YogaBossBabe. YBB is a monthly lifestyle subscription box for passionate and motivated female yoga entrepreneurs who want to build and grow their business. Each month you receive a box of goodies to keep you on track and feeling inspired with your business. For more information, please visit www.yogabossbabe.com and use promo code MBOM15 to get 15% off your first box.

This week on the podcast we're doing something a little bit different! I am joined by DJ Taz Rashid who works in the yoga and wellness space creating music and playlists for yoga classes and yoga events.  Not only does DJ Taz share how he has successfully created his business, and some of his top business lessons, he also shares how using music can elevate your yoga business. Of course, not everyone likes to play music in their yoga classes and that is fine, but if you do, you can do it in a way that makes the experience for the student even better. DJ Taz shares how to create an intention and experience for the class using music, as well as how to allow music to be a solid part of your yoga brand. Taz also shares tips for creating a great playlist, how to choose great music, and more.  Enjoy! Text PLAYLIST to 44222 to get a FREE webinar training on yoga music and playlists, as well as a free download and a 75-minute playlist. This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Yogabossbabe! Yogabossbabe is a m

A couple weeks ago, I had someone email in asking about how to build great relationships with studio owners, and how to leave situations that are negative or are not serving us anymore. This person continued to tell me that they are at a studio where they don't feel that they are being treated kindly, and personally, I am tired of hearing this. It is not okay for yoga teachers to just sit back and allow ourselves to be treated badly!  On this episode of the podcast, I talk about:  What to look for in a studio  How to build great relationships with studio owners  Why we need to respect ourselves as yoga teachers  How to find a great mentor  The importance of finding a space to teach that is a good fit for us and the studio owner  How to leave situations that are difficult How to deal with negative feedback The importance of being a great yoga teacher and respecting the studio owner This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Yogabossbabe! Yogabossbabe is a monthly lifestyle subscription box for pass

This week on the podcast I am joined by Diane Bruni. Diane was the first female ashtanga teacher in Canada, a studio owner, a body worker, and now a teacher of functional movement.  On this episode, Diane shares how she first got into yoga, what the yoga landscape was like 20-30 years ago, owning a yoga studio, what it's been like shifting more towards functional movement, and what she's learned throughout her career.  Enjoy!  This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Yogabossbabe! Yogabossbabe is a monthly lifestyle subscription box for passionate and motivated yoga instructors who want to build and grow their yoga business. Every month you get a box of goodies delivered to your doorstep filled with things that will help you build and grow your yoga business.   Each month you also have access to an online workshop, group coaching and the private Facebook community. If you're looking to take your business to the next level, this box is for you!   To learn more, please visit www.yogabossbabe.com and us

This week on the podcast I am joined by Trina Altman. Trina received her training through STOTT PILATES® and is an E-RYT 500. She’s the creator of Yoga Deconstructed® and Pilates Deconstructed®, which take an interdisciplinary approach to foster an embodied understanding of yoga and Pilates and their relationship to modern movement science. On this episode of the podcast, we talk about Trina's journey as a yoga and pilates teacher, her approach to movement, anatomy and yoga, how she took her business online, and much more!  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is also brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers. The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone! No more updating your schedule in multiple places and paying a ton of money each month for a software platform where students MIGHT stumble across your classes. Students sim

This week on the podcast I am joined by the co-founder of Yoga Trade, Erica Hartnick. Erica discovered yoga after spending years as an athlete, and after slowly falling in love with the practice, Erica decided to teach. Soon after she become a yoga teacher, she started pitching companies, and hotels around the world to see if she could do a trade. In return for accommodation, she would teach yoga! Erica did this for a number of years before the idea for Yoga Trade was a born! Why not create a platform where people can find traveling and teaching opportunities around the world? Fast forward 5 years, and Yoga Trade is the most popular online platform to find traveling yoga teaching opportunities. On this episode, Erica shares how the idea for Yoga Trade was born and how she actually got it started with her co-founders. She talks about the struggles of creating an online platform and membership site, tips for other people who want to travel and teach or create an online business, as well as what she's learned th

Jason Crandell is an internationally recognized yoga teacher, who teaches workshops and trainings around the world. He is a San Francisco based yoga teacher, and also writes for Yoga Journal, and teaches on Yoga Glo.  In this episode of the podcast, Jason shares his yoga story with myself and listeners. Jason shares how he went from not enjoying his first yoga class to really enjoying the practice, and then becoming a teacher. He shares what it was like to be a yoga teacher 20 years ago, how the yoga world has changed, and how he's navigated the changing yoga landscape.  Jason also share tips for new yoga teachers to stand out in a competitive industry, the importance of word-of-mouth and honing your skills, and so much more.  Enjoy! Teaching demos are something that you will need to do before getting studio jobs! They can scary and intimidating, especially when you're first starting out. That's why I've created a FREE teaching demo checklist to help you prepare. Download your copy here!  This episode of the

This week on the podcast I am re-joined by Lauren Rudick! Lauren and I first connected about a year ago to talk about her journey in becoming an international yoga teacher. Now, on this episode, we dive into creating and growing an international yoga teacher training program.  Lauren shares tips for how she's made Yoga Academy International successful so far, some of the struggles with filling programs, including the changing Facebook and Instagram algorithms, as well as what sets her training apart.  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers. The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone! No more updating your schedule in multiple places and paying a ton of money each month for a software platform where students MIGHT stumble across your classes. Students simply open FavYogis and your

This week on the podcast I am joined by Jessica Murphy, who is a yoga teacher, podcast host, and the founder of the Dirty South Yoga Fest based out of Atlanta, GA. On this episode, Jessica shares her yoga story, what inspired her to create the festival, and what it takes to create and grow a successful yoga event or festival. We talked about everything from finding a venue, getting teachers, promoting a big event, selling tickets, self-care when you're coordinating a big event, as well as what Jessica's learned through running the Dirty Yoga Fest! Enjoy! Don't forget to check out the Dirty Yoga Fest this July!!  This episode of the podcast is also brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers. The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone! No more updating your schedule in multiple places and paying a ton of money each month fo

This week on the podcast I am joined by Kathryn Bruni-Young who is the founder of Mindful Strength, the host of the Mindful Strength Podcast, an international teacher and a creative thinker in the field of yoga and movement. Kathryn grew up practicing yoga, and started teaching when she was in her late teens. After years of practicing more traditional Ashtanga, Kathryn realized that she was having chronic pain in her body, and started to learn more about movement. On this episode, Kathryn dives into her passion for movement and how her teaching style has changed significantly since learning more about movement and how it can be integrated with yoga. We also discuss taking your yoga business online and what it takes to a successful entrepreneur, how to build a successful online course and tips for teaching workshops around the world.  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by Yogabossbabe! Yogabossbabe is a monthly lifestyle subscription box for passionate and motivated yoga instructors who want

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Nathalie Croix who is the founder of the Shanti Yoga Shala, Shanti Yoga Teacher Training and the host of the Life on Earth podcast. On this episode of the podcast, Nathalie shares her journey as a yogi and yoga teacher, and how much of her learnings came from working as a studio manager for a number of years, before she decided to dive into owning her own studio. Nathalie shares what it takes to run a successful yoga studio and yoga teacher training program, and how to fill workshops, trainings, and retreats while still maintaining your values, mission, and authenticity. Nathalie also shares some of the biggest business lessons that she's learned through her yoga career, and the important of always learning, always taking care of yourself, and always coming from a place of love.  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freed

This week on the podcast I am joined by Anastasia Shevchenko who is the founder of the Berlin Yoga Conference. Anastasia was born in Ukraine, grew up in Canada, and is now living in Berlin. Anastasia has been practicing yoga since she was a teenager and after years of practicing and teaching, she wanted to expand her offerings and bring the yoga community together with the first ever Berlin Yoga Conference, which will be happening in 2019. On this episode, Anastasia shares where the idea for the Berlin Yoga Conference came from, what it's been like creating it - finding a space, finding teachers, setting the schedule, marketing the conference and selling tickets, etc. - and what she's learned through her yoga business and through the Berlin Yoga Conference. Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OW

This week on the podcast we're doing something a little bit different! In this solo episode of the show, I am read through chapter 24 of You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero. I read this book in April and absolutely loved it, but the chapter on money was easily the most influential chapter for me.  On this episode, I read through the money chapter to you (chapter 24), while adding in my thoughts and giving some additional commentary on how we can break through our money stories, the importance of recognizing what our relationship with money is and how it is impacting our business, as well as how this chapter really helped me move past some of my biggest struggles with money.  Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone!   No more updating your

This week on the podcast I am talking with Chris Cannon. Chris is the founder of Studio Prosperity and the host of The Studio Prosperity podcast. Chris and I had the pleasure of meeting in Mexico City and recording this in person! On this episode, we talk about all things yoga studios and yoga business, including why it's okay to make money and still be spiritual, why software and systems are important in your yoga studio, the relationship between the studio owner and the teacher, and why being competitive can actually harm your business instead of make it thrive. Enjoy! Connect with Chris: Studio ProsperityStudio Prosperity Facebook Group This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone!   No more updating your schedule in multiple places and paying

I am joined on the podcast once again by Brea Johnson from Heart & Bones Yoga! Brea and I chatted about yoga + yoga business way back in Episode 8 of the podcast, and this time around, we are focusing our conversation how to take your yoga business online. Brea shares the process for building her tribe online, including the importance of determining what you're going to offer and having good sound quality. As well, we talk about why you don't need to a big following to be successful online, and why it's more important to find your tribe and determine your "why" than just focus on having a big Instagram following. Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your class schedule, offer YOUR OWN classes ANYWHERE, ANYTIME; and GET PAID all from your phone!   No more updating your schedule in multiple places and paying a ton of money ea

This special BONUS episode M.B.Om features one of the episodes of my newest podcast: Yoga Business Bootcamp.    The Yoga Business Bootcamp podcast will take you through how to create your dream job, build an amazing resume, get a teaching job at a yoga studio, and how to expand your offerings to make more money and become more sustainable as a yoga teacher. On this episode, we’re talking about online and offline marketing! There are so many different aspects that make up marketing, which is why we talk about the online aspects and the offline aspects. Online marketing includes social media, and email newsletters; while offline marketing includes talking to your students and community in person, and designing posters for your programs. In this episode, we also cover how to find your authentic voice online and offline, and how to create marketing materials that are on brand. In the full marketing module of the course, we break down each of the aspects of online and offline marketing in detail and I help you to

Paloma has been practicing yoga for a number of years, and after working for lululemon and managing a yoga studio, she decided that she wanted to create her own business. Paloma decided to blend her love of yoga and travel to create her first business, which was a retreat creation business. Since then, her business has changed into Rock Your Yoga Retreat, which teaches yoga teachers how to create a successful yoga retreat. On this episode of the podcast, we talk about the importance of investing in yourself, being comfortable making money, why it's okay to mix yoga and business, and of course, how to create a successful retreat. Paloma walks us through the 5 elements of creating a successful yoga retreat, and hopefully leaves you feeling excited and expired to run successful retreats. Enjoy! This episode of the podcast is brought to you by FavYogis! Here’s a business tool that’s really going to change the lives of yoga teachers.   The FavYogis app puts control and freedom in your hands. You can update your c

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Nate Guadagni. Nate is the founder of Bo Yoga®, an accessible blend of gentle yoga, qi gong (Chee Gong) and meditation. He is the inventor of the new Balance Bar prop; a flexible, padded lightweight staff which helps with balance, alignment and mobility making yoga safer and more approachable. Nate Guadagni has taught yoga, qi gong and meditation full time for over thirteen years and has managed six successful wellness centers in three major US cities. On top of that, Nate is a business badass, and on this episode we talk about the importance of having an email list and how to grow your email subscribers to 1,000 or more engaged people!  On this episode, we talk about how to identify your target market, how to determine your irresistible gift for your audience, how to get people to sign up for your email list, creating great automated emails, how to choose an email software, and how to nurture your email list once people are on it. Nate shares how to decide how often t

This week on the podcast I am joined by Sytera Field from Episode 34! When Sytera and I first chatted back in the fall of 2016 she was teaching private yoga full-time and was not interested in studio ownership. Since then, she shifted into the role of studio owner, and opened up SyteraYoga at the beginning of January 2018. On this episode, we talk about what shifted for Sytera over the last 1.5 years, what it took to open a successful studio, including hiring teachers, creating an inclusive community, a schedule that works, and more. Sytera shares what she's learned as a studio owner, the challenges of running a yoga studio, and how she finds the balance of being both a teacher, leader, and business owner. Enjoy! Hear Sytera's yoga story on Episode 34 of the podcast! Connect with Sytera Yoga through their website and on Facebook & Instagram! This episode of the podcast is also brought to you by Fitbizzle! Fitbizzle is a simple and affordable booking and payments system for independent yoga teachers and