Buying Yoga Classes?

[Childofgod007]

Hello

This is the first time I have every posted on a forum - so I'm not sure of how it all works, but I could do with some advice.

I have been covering a colleague's Yoga classes since September as her partner has been unwell. Originally it was a short term arrangement until October to help her out, but it is now January and I am still teaching all her classes.

She mentioned to me that she might consider selling me the classes but that I needed to make her an offer. I asked her what price she was looking for, but she said that I needed to make an offer, then we could negotiate.

The classes are all in rented rooms, there is no company name, website or stock, and the students pay on a week by week basis. She has taught in this area for 20 years and feels that this needs to be taken into account, but I am confused.

1. I don't quite know what I'm buying - a list of names of those who have attended classes over the past years and the reservation for the room hire I guess.

2. I feel that she is being unhelpful when she won't give me any idea at all of the kind of price she is looking for.

3. Should we, as yoga teachers, be selling classes?

I'd be really interested to hear people's views. For info I'm based in the UK.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[Christine]

Hello Child,
It doesn't sound as if this person has anything to sell you. Perhaps that is why she can't put a price on it herself.
Is she paying the room rental? Does she have a lease? Is there business name that has a special reputation? Is there a client data base? Are there props, supplies, for studio use or retail sale? Those are thing you could purchase. But to simply "buy" her classes sounds fishy. What stops her from going off and simply holding a class elswhere and bringing her students with her? What's stopping you for that matter?
And don't say that you'd be "stealing" her clientele. People gravitate toward teachers that they enjoy and connect with.

[Childofgod007]

[quote=Christine;947]Hello Child,

Is she paying the room rental?

No

Does she have a lease?

No

Is there business name that has a special reputation? No - her business name is her own name and therefore not transferable.

Is there a client data base? Yes

Are there props, supplies, for studio use or retail sale? NO

Those are thing you could purchase. But to simply "buy" her classes sounds fishy. What stops her from going off and simply holding a class elswhere and bringing her students with her?

I forgot to say that she is currently unwell herself and therefore if she sells it's because she'll be unable to take the classes

People gravitate toward teachers that they enjoy and connect with.

thank you for your comments - the final point is probably the most important one for me to take on board. To have confidence in my own ability as a teacher. I connect well with students and love teaching the yoga. I need to have faith that students will come to me anyway....

[Administrator]

How many names does she have that you have not already connected with?

Does she have email addresses? Phone numbers?

How current are the names?

Harlan

[Childofgod007]

Harlan

Thanks for your interest.

She has about 70 names in total. All of them have phone numbers, and about half of them have email addresses.

Anyone who has attended a class since September last year has been taught by me as I have been covering all the classes since then.

Alison

[Administrator]

Alison, what stops you from just collecting the information on your own?

Who would contact the students if you have to cancel the classes?

After this, I can give you an answer.

Peace.

[Childofgod007]

Harlan

The crazy thing is that I have all the information - all the addresses, emails, and history relating to each client - this is so that as I covered the classes I could contact people if necessary and update the lists for my colleague.

It is my sense of honour that prevents me from making use of the lists.

This problem has been going on for a few weeks for me.

I have decided in the end that I will simply start up my own classes. Those who know me and like me will find me ....

[Administrator]

I don't think you need to do anything.

If you want, buy her a nice gift and say thank you.

But don't expect her to be happy.

She must think there's some value to the names.

If you already have them, they are yours.

Good luck.

Peace.

[yvonneyoga]

I have never heard of such a thing. There is nothing to "buy". Just out of curiosity, I'd put the question back to her "What exactly am I buying?" Press her just a bit so you can find out what it is SHE thinks she's selling. That might give us all an insight as to where she's coming from.

I would not under any circumstance give her any money for this class. When you're done subbing it, simply thank her for the opportunity and walk away. More than likely, she'll realize her students still need someone to teach and she'll ask you to take it over. If she does, then it is simply your class. If she doesn't ask you to take it over, start your own class and let this one be.

[Childofgod007]

I would just like to thank you for the comments that you have made.

It has been a real help to get feedback. This is the kind of dilemma that is hard to deal with alone. Those outside Yoga sometimes don't understand fully where I am coming from, so it is reassuring to read that those within Yoga seem to share my perspective on this.

It's wonderful to feel that I can connect with people on the other side of the world.

Many thanks,

Yours in Yoga

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