work for less to build recognition?

[yogiintraining]

Hi! I'm a 200hr. RYT, and have been teaching for about 7 months now. I have been working through a local university's continuing ed. program and am making around $25/hr. teaching yoga classes once/wk.

I am looking to get more name recognition and more clientelle, but I am not sure I want to rent a studio space just yet. The only other options for teaching yoga in my area are at a local gym and maybe the YMCA.

I believe that the gym will offer me a free membership and pay $10/hr. to teach yoga at their facility. It is an offshoot of a Physical Therapy business. This particular gym lets the public in to take yoga classes for $5.00/class if they don't have a gym membership.

I also believe that the YMCA will pay in the same range. I am saying I believe this because I have talked to other teachers that work at "Y"s and that is what they make/hr.

My dilemma is do I go to work at these places for so little money just to build up a client base, or will I be shooting myself in the foot by doing this? I am really thinking that it is the latter.

I've spent a good deal of money and time to get my certification and really feel that I can help people by teaching them yoga. But, that being said, I live in a small community that has a lot of retired seniors. They don't seem to want to spend their money on anything around here unless it's Walmart. Yoga isn't real big here, but my students at the University are always asking me if I'm teaching anywhere else because once/week isn't enough for them.

I don't have anyplace in my house that I can hold a class, and the rents for a decent sized space here are between $400-$700+/month, and I don't see how I can make money that way. Or even break even.

I've tried to teach at the local recreational center, but it isn't conducive to a yoga class...too many interruptions, no way to control the lighting or heating, etc. The university is pretty good, but since it's a continuing ed. class, we are on the bottom of the totem pole as to getting a room. So, it's hard to get a decent space there.

I've considered building an outbuilding on my property, but I don't really have that much room here.

I know that I sound negative, and I am really trying to find a positive solution. Just when I think I may have a good one, something lets me know that it isn't the right solution yet.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Sincerely,
Karen

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by yogiintraining

I am looking to get more name recognition and more clientelle, but I am not sure I want to rent a studio space just yet. The only other options for teaching yoga in my area are at a local gym and maybe the YMCA.

What is more name recognition going to do for you?

You want more clients. Period.

Want to make money teaching yoga? It's not in classes. It's in privates.

Originally Posted by yogiintraining

I believe that the gym will offer me a free membership and pay $10/hr. to teach yoga at their facility. It is an offshoot of a Physical Therapy business. This particular gym lets the public in to take yoga classes for $5.00/class if they don't have a gym membership.

What are your goals here? Seriously, how much does McDonalds pay? Don't you deserve more?

Originally Posted by yogiintraining

My dilemma is do I go to work at these places for so little money just to build up a client base, or will I be shooting myself in the foot by doing this? I am really thinking that it is the latter.

They aren't your clients. They are clients of the Y or the gym. They don't automatically follow you wherever you go. Remember this.

Originally Posted by yogiintraining

I've spent a good deal of money and time to get my certification and really feel that I can help people by teaching them yoga. But, that being said, I live in a small community that has a lot of retired seniors. They don't seem to want to spend their money on anything around here unless it's Walmart. Yoga isn't real big here, but my students at the University are always asking me if I'm teaching anywhere else because once/week isn't enough for them.

Uh oh. Big limiting belief here. Ask Sara how much she makes a year from her retired seniors.

Seniors and baby boomers are ideal for Restoraflow. They love it and you have them hooked for life.

Originally Posted by yogiintraining

I don't have anyplace in my house that I can hold a class, and the rents for a decent sized space here are between $400-$700+/month, and I don't see how I can make money that way. Or even break even.

I've tried to teach at the local recreational center, but it isn't conducive to a yoga class...too many interruptions, no way to control the lighting or heating, etc. The university is pretty good, but since it's a continuing ed. class, we are on the bottom of the totem pole as to getting a room. So, it's hard to get a decent space there.

I've considered building an outbuilding on my property, but I don't really have that much room here.

I know that I sound negative, and I am really trying to find a positive solution. Just when I think I may have a good one, something lets me know that it isn't the right solution yet.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions you have for me.

Sincerely,
Karen

OK here are my suggestions: classes are for fun and meaning. Privates are for money.

That's your new mantra.

Read through the suggestions on the board and start heading in the direction of privates.

Even your ad posted elsewhere doesn't make the pitch clear for privates.

That's where the money is...

Peace.