Yoga bus

[james]

How many units of Yoga do you teach per week?
Thank You-Namaste.

[Sara]

HI James,

Just at home on a quick break and wanted to send you a fast note. I have a busy day with clients and feel so blessed that now I am only doing private's.

I have 2 classes a week that I am still currently teaching and am just about to give those up so I can make room for more privates.

22 classes a week is a lot. I used to teach about 15 classes a week and much of that time was spent driving around from place to place. On top of that I saw a few privates.

I made and average of $30.00 - $65.00 depending on where I was teaching. First I let go off all the lowest paying classes and as I have become busy with privates I continued to X off the classes.

When you are trading hours for dollars and giving out a lot of energy you need to find the balance of making the most you can and making sure you are not wearing yourself out.

I assume by units you are talking about classes. Now I teach between 5 to 6 private clients a day. Depends on the day but yesterday was 5 and today is 4.I am making triple the money I was doing classes and have more time to give myself to recharge.

My advice to you is to start targeting more privates and begin to downsize on the classes that aren't paying very much. In 6 months I have gone form $40.00 a class to $100 and $130 for doing a private with more ME time.

I would like to see you do the same as money is abundant in the universe and what we do is so valuable to people.

Let me know if I can answer any more of you questions.
Have a fantastic day. Blessings be upon you.
Sara

[HipYogaChic]

Hi Sara!
I am starting a new yoga business in the Columbus, Ohio area where I just moved from Los Angeles. Things are a bit different here, and I am not sure where to start with charging for private yoga sessions.

The low-end in LA was $75 and went up to $100 and up. In Columbus, people don't put a value on private yoga instruction the way they do on the West or East coasts, as far as I can see.

I am advertising through Craigslist, and I am currently asking fo $50 per session, however I'd like to get to the point where I am making more and able to have a solid income. Those who call me seem not to flinch at the price I quote, and I wonder if I am underselling myself and should ask for more, and negotiate for less if no one is willing to pay that much. ; )

Any insight here would be wonderful! On a side note, how do you keep your energy high during a day of 5 or so clients, where you put such personalized focus and attention on one person? I'd like to know the secret so I can apply it too!


With much appreciation...

[Sara]

Originally Posted by HipYogaChic

Hi Sara!
The low-end in LA was $75 and went up to $100 and up. In Columbus, people don't put a value on private yoga instruction the way they do on the West or East coasts, as far as I can see.

I am advertising through Craigslist, and I am currently asking fo $50 per session, however I'd like to get to the point where I am making more and able to have a solid income. Those who call me seem not to flinch at the price I quote, and I wonder if I am underselling myself and should ask for more, and negotiate for less if no one is willing to pay that much. ; )

HI Yoga Chick,

Wow. That is a big move. I hope that you will find happiness in Columbus and that Harlan and I can be of help for you to get a solid grounding for your yoga business.

First I want to say to you in a warming tone that you are the one stating that people in Columbus don't put a value on Yoga. I would have to disagree with you. Unless 5 or more people have walked up to you or called you and stated that YOGA has no value then I want you to cancel clear this thought every time you think this.

Yes sometimes depending where you are demographically the popularity or price range may very slightly. However what you do is very needed in Columbus and all over the world. You create the value of yoga and portray that in your ads and how you speak to people about what you do.

When you bring value and benefits to people's lives whatever you charge is not or will ever be an issue.

I remember being fearful about raising my rate thinking that I may loose me clients. Harlan told me to go ahead and do it.

I didn't.

And one day one of my clients was about to pay me and said "isn't is about time that your rates go up. I think you need to raise them." I swallowed and silently said thank-you to the universe, smiled and said " Yes I was going to raise them in 2 weeks. My client insisted that we start the new rate that day. It turned out to be so much easier than I thought. After that I had no problem going to all my clients and raising my prices!!!

If people are not flinching at your prices it means that you can raise them!Go above 50. Try 65.00 and when you start hearing no's then you are too high.

Much success to you in your new surroundings and keep us posted.

peace,
Sara

[HipYogaChic]

Thankyou, Sara...
I actually am not surprised to hear your response! I started to see my thinking process as I was completing the post and it dawned on me that I set the tone and create the value for what I do. I am taking your advice and raising my rates a bit. I will post with new results once I see what happens.

I still would appreciate some advice from you on how you handle up to five clients a day. I imagine you have devised a good system to keep track of their needs without overwhelming yourself and feeling burnt out at the end of the day.

What is the secret to increasing business without increasing your stress level? For example, how do you space out your appointments? How many brand-new yogis do you teach?

I have gotten mostly response on Craigslist from people that have never done yoga before. They are quite a challenge to teach!!!!

thanks for your input...