As you plan out what you need for your yoga studio, it’s easy to get bogged down by things you may or may not need. What essentials are key to making sure your classes run smoothly? What equipment do you need for your studio overall?
Every yoga studio needs enough non-slip yoga mats for their classes, mat bags or slings to carry those mats, a sound system to teach classes, and yoga blankets, yoga blocks, yoga straps, yoga bolsters, and yoga wheels to help assist students in their yoga poses. A yoga studio should also have a scheduling and point-of-sale system in order to schedule students and take money for classes.
It doesn’t matter if you’re working for an established yoga studio or have finally started your own. Each one has the same needs, and if you want to find success in your own yoga studio, this is the place to start. Read on to find out more about each item that you need to make sure your yoga studio is the best it can be.
Non-slip yoga mats.
While this is the singular most important item that you need for your yoga studio, it’s important to know that brand name doesn’t matter—but being non-slip does. If you’re working with beginners or people who have never tried yoga before, non-slip can help to make their experience that much better and easier. Even experts can benefit from using a non-slip mat, as it makes conducting each yoga pose that much safer.
When it comes to having enough for your students, remember that some of them may bring or purchase their own. Even so, you should always have enough yoga mats for your students per class just in case. This may seem like a high cost, but it will be an investment, especially if you end up renting out your mats to those students—or even allowing for rent to buy. Most retailers sell basic yoga mats for about $20, while those wanting to invest in better mats could be spending up to $100 per mat. When you purchase your mats, you should consider durability, the material, comfort, the size, thickness, and what you need to do in order to clean it.
- Mat bags or slings.
While these aren’t as important if you’re not renting out your bags, you may find yourself needing a way to transport them, regardless of how many you have. That’s where mat bags or slings come in. For personal or business use, if you’re carrying around a mat regularly, you should be using some sort of carrying case. This is another option that you can provide for rent for your students, or you can provide them for free if they’re using and renting out one of your mats. There are so many options on the market for you and your business, whether it’s a simple sling or a bag that allows for additional items to be carried.
- A sound system.
Why does your yoga studio need a sound system? Easy—not only are you going to want to make sure your students can hear you during your classes, but it’s also a great way to add music to your classes. These don’t have to be massive expenditures for your business; you can do something as simple as purchasing a small speaker with a microphone attachment. With the way technology has blossomed over the years, you can find something that will fit your budget but also help you stay on top of your competition.
- Yoga blankets.
Blankets aren’t for what you think they might be in yoga—blankets are used to help assist students with different poses when they’re in a yoga class. In most cases, they’re used to lift the hips and be a better support for students who may need assistance. Sitting poses are made easy with yoga blankets, especially for those positions that need a little bit of that hip elevation. Make sure you have enough for your entire class, if necessary, especially for those classes that are filled with beginners.
- Yoga blocks.
What do yoga blocks do that yoga blankets can’t? Easy—blocks help more with standing poses. While blankets can make you more comfortable and even improve your alignment on certain poses, it’s important to also have that functionality available to your students through yoga blocks. Students and teachers alike use yoga blocks for those who can’t always reach all the way down to the floor on certain poses. If you find your flexibility doesn’t yet allow you to do a proper pose with your hands flat against your yoga mat, yoga blocks can help extend your reach for those poses—meaning the pose still stays beneficial while you don’t have to force yourself into a position you can’t properly do. While these can start to get higher in cost, it’s still incredibly important to have some for your studio, whether they’re foam, wood, or cork. You may also want them in various heights to accommodate all types of yoga students.
- Yoga straps.
While these are different than your mat sling, a yoga strap actually helps students like the yoga blankets or blocks. They’re also called belts, and they act like an arm extender, not unlike the yoga blocks. If you are in a seated position where you must reach your feet to conduct a yoga pose, but do not yet have the flexibility, you can use a yoga strap or belt to extend your reach and therefore not add so much strain on your body. While many people use belts or towels for this at home, you may want to invest in some yoga straps for your yoga studio. You may not need enough for an entire class, but it’s important to plan ahead.
- Yoga bolsters.
Much like the other assistance items, yoga bolsters are used similarly to the yoga blankets. They can help assist in bending and seated poses, along with placing them under the knees for stretching poses. When items like this are needed, most times they are provided by the yoga studio during a class. While students can purchase them on their own, if they are necessary, you may need to provide them. You can purchase a flat bolster or a round bolster; flat bolsters tend to be better on the body, while round bolsters allow for more stretch and are more supportive. Either way, you could spend up to $100 on a yoga bolster.
- Yoga wheels.
While a yoga wheel is yet another option for assisting in completing yoga poses, it can be optional—but for those wanting to provide the entire yoga experience, you may find yourself needing a few. They help your students learn how to further their stretch while also providing some additional support. They’re not used by beginners, though, so remember that as you schedule your classes and plan for your purchases.
- A point-of-sale system and scheduling system.
While both of these items can be included in a computer system, in order to take money for classes and schedule students for later classes, you need to have a way to do so. There are many programs on the market for specifically service or class-based businesses, so make sure you look at all your options before you choose one. It should be budget friendly and user friendly—not just for you and your employees, but your potential customers.
When planning out the items you need for your yoga studio, it’s important to know that you can make investments as you grow. If you don’t have it in the budget for all your yoga assistance items, make sure you have the basics—a point-of-sale system, enough non-slip mats per class, and a sound system to help with classes. As you grow and get more profit—along with more students—you can make better decisions and better purchases that can help bolster your business. While you are a business and you do have to make a profit, remember that to do so, you need to provide the best programming and teaching that you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it can vary depending on number of classes and your location, along with your cost of class, the average yoga studio can make about $75,000 in net profits.
There are many factors to consider when pricing out your yoga classes. First, you need to determine the cost of classes around you. What prices are your competitors setting their classes for? What level of education do they have? How many years of experience do their teachers have? Next, consider your own budget. What do you need to make per class to break even? Lastly, consider your own education. How much do you know, and how much do you have invested in your yoga experience? All three aspects should go into how you price your classes.
To learn more about starting your own Yoga Business check out my startup documents here.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Meet Shawn Chun: Entrepreneur and Yoga Fan
I’m a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online yoga business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a yoga business owner in public at a studio or anywhere else I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.
That’s why I created Yoga Business Boss: I want to help future yoga business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.