Am I scaring them off?

[mypov]

Hello and thank you for your information. I took your advice and placed an ad on Craig's list and had 4 responses. That was great! But they always go straight to the money part (which for me is $35 per session). At first, I gave them the info - and never heard from the first three. The last person that contacted me said they were "Stressed" so instead of giving a price, I gave a breathing exercise and told them I have a Sat morning opening.

I heard nothing. I then contacted 2 students and invited them to a group class @ $10 still nothing. Am I doing something wrong?

Info: I have a 300 sf studio in my house in the country (3 miles from town)
New teacher in area where there are very few teachers. There is an interest here but how can get people to commit?

Thank you!

Namaste'

Lisa

[Administrator]

Well, congrats on getting 4 responses. And yes, you are scaring them
off.

We are preparing a special newletter on what to do on the phone. It should be ready shortly.

Sara is amazing on the phone.

And she never answers that question right away.

Namaste!

Harlan

[Wispering Wisdom]

I wonder who would commit to reaching you other than a thrusting yogi like myself...Some people are scared of being 3 miles out in the countryside!Do you do community service to spread your yogic gifts? Volunteer at a church for free yoga to try for a week? Posted at a local bookstore or a trusting place of gathering.Get to know your town/area let them know that your gift comes from a well of love and you yourself believe in that ..and then you can ask for $75-100.When you start believing in yourself others will believe in you!
Blessings to you and your journey!

[melhahn]

I have a yoga instructor who fails to complete her agreed upon tasks, makes off color comments and will not convene or address vision differences. What to do?

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by melhahn

I have a yoga instructor who fails to complete her agreed upon tasks, makes off color comments and will not convene or address vision differences. What to do?

Sit with her with a list of infraction in front of you.

Give it to her in writing.

Tell her this is a formal warning and the next infraction will result in immediate termination.

Do not allow a source of negative energy in your studio.

It reflects on the studio.

And than follow through. If she repeats the behavior, you MUST terminate her.

But frankly, a yoga teacher who does these things seems to be lacking balance in their lives.

Or, as I would say...

They may be doing the poses, but they aren't doing yoga.

Thanks for asking.

Firing someone is the most uncomfortable thing in the world for me.

But sometimes, you have to do it.

Namaste.

Harlan

[luckyvic]

I takes time & perserverence to get it going. If you can get one yoga class going or one private word of mouth will help. My best response has still been walking around all the local neighborhoods & putting flyers in mailboxes, just to give things a "jump start". Once my classes were established the Criag's List has been good for that one or two new students a month.

I also believe in emails & asking friends to pass on the word. I initially composed a letter & gave time for two day & one evening class. I asked everyone on my email list to mail it to everyone on their list & got several responses.
Vicky

[mypov]

Hi, I never thought they may be scared to come to my house, thank you for that insight. I think the country is a plus. I do teach at a few schools for the faculty. And offered to teach at my church (free)

[melhahn]

Thanks Harlan,

Great advice. I will take it to heart. I really don't know what the problem is. In recruiting instructors, we differed on how that should be done. I knew of one interested instructor and she was so enthusiastic. After I mentioned her name to my problemmatic yoga instructor, she (the new or prospective teacher) did a 180 degree turn around in a day. Am I being subverted from inside? Yikes!

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by melhahn

I knew of one interested instructor and she was so enthusiastic. After I mentioned her name to my problemmatic yoga instructor, she (the new or prospective teacher) did a 180 degree turn around in a day. Am I being subverted from inside? Yikes!

I think you answered your own question.

When you have a problematic instructor, you should not divulge any future plans to them.

They should have no say or input on a new instructor.

Now, that being said - I'm a believer in a team approach. And if you have a winning team, I believe in soliciting every team member's input.

But - not if someone is engaging in the behaviors you indicated.

Yoga teachers are taught to appreciate harmony. But a teacher telling
off-color jokes etc is bringing disharmony to you studio.

You are not so much as firing her as restoring harmony to your studio, your students, and your life.

Peace and harmony.

Harlan

[Wispering Wisdom]

There's a wisdom book by Donna Farhi(Teaching Yoga)that I'm reading ,it comes w/cd that sheds light on those type of non-yogic like behaviors in teachers.Also covers the student-teacher relationship...a good read.
I had a teacher that chided me in front of the class for folding my mat the wrong way, before placing it back on the shelf.Needless to say I looked for another studio and decided it was my cue to become a yoga teacher(the little nudge that I needed..)She was not mentor material(sadly she stills behaves the same way I hear and runs a sparse studio...)I try to send her blessings of change at the big workshops we both attend.
Forgiveness of others is included in most of my Savasanas.
Blessings and Namaste