Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great

Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great

by

You want your yoga studio to stand out from others and from online competition. All elements of your studio should complement each other and develop your brand and its vision. Yoga studios all share common components; they seek to offer clients a place for their practice and health. 

Four things that will make your yoga studio great include a welcoming ambiance, class vibes, community involvement, and ease of paperwork. 

Focusing on these four areas will allow you to distinguish your studio from others. In all your decisions and plans, use your vision and mission statements to guide you. Creating a positive and nurturing space will make your yoga studio great. Continue reading for ideas on your next steps. 

Welcoming Ambiance 

Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great

Yoga as a practice encompasses our whole person. Incorporating our minds, bodies, and spirit, yoga can transform us. It blends together separate elements and creates a cohesive harmony. When a member or potential member enters your studio, they need to step into a harmonious and welcoming environment. 

  • Transitions

We have no idea how someone’s day is or has been going. Coming to a yoga studio can be intimidating for many people, especially trying a new place. In your studio create a transitional space. Make it apparent that the stresses of everyday life will be left at the door. 

If you have the square footage in your studio, physically split your check-in desk from the practice areas. Allowing for greetings and conversations away from classes provides a low-key way for students to begin shifting from their world before the door to your studio to their time to reharmonize themselves.

  • Use Names

Hopefully, you and your staff will have lots of names to learn. Greeting people by using their names is especially important. It makes us feel wanted in the space we just entered. You and your staff should be approachable, which means the students should also know your names. This is a great first step to establish a community. 

  • Create Safe Spaces

Your entire studio should always be clean and organized. You do not want your clients walking into a chaotic physical environment. This will easily detract from the calming purpose of your yoga studio. 

A calming space can be created through a selection of music that complements your studio’s vision. Music can also eliminate awkward silences. Other ways to make the physical environment welcoming are to check your temperature settings, through your lighting, the use of your color palette, and your flooring. For a great yoga studio, ensuring that the first impression and ongoing use of space say welcome and join us, is one way to welcome your students. 

How To Start Your Own Yoga Class As A Teacher

Class Vibes

Now that you have people entering your studio and feeling comfortable, it is time for class. When you hire your teachers and staff, be sure that your vision and expectations are clear. You do not want to be in a studio where new people are not comfortable because they feel like they need to practice before class, so they fit in. 

  • Teachers and their Experience
Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great

Your teachers are the backbone of your studio. Be sure to hire teachers who are certified instructors. On your studio’s website, you want to be able to share the wonderful backgrounds of your instructors. A mix of experiences and years of teaching is beneficial. You want your teachers to complement each other, not be clones of each other. The broader the experiences of your teachers, the greater variety of class offerings your studio can present to your customers. 

Though you want your teachers to have their own teaching styles, you still need to set expectations for the classes. Your teachers should be prepared for and on time to their classes. Situations do arise in everyone’s life, so be sure to have substitute teachers available. Canceling classes is not a great way to operate your studio. 

  • Class Offerings

You want your selection and timing of classes to appeal to a wide range of students. Your students will come in all shapes, sizes, physical abilities, yoga experiences or lack of. It is vital that your classes welcome everyone. Be sure that you have available for your instructors and students any aids that would assist anyone who is working on their mobility. Check your class spaces and the entire facility are accessible. 

  • Support for all Students

Sometimes, without even realizing it, teachers migrate to certain students. All students need to feel included and supported for you to have a great yoga studio. Work with your teachers on how to best approach students who are struggling, and those who might need additional challenges. 

When you offer promotional challenges or events, be inclusive. Do not just recognize your advanced students, provide incentives for beginners and those who are not able to perform some poses, but try their hardest. 

Yoga Studio Grand Opening Ideas

Community Involvement

Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great

Great yoga studios reach beyond their four walls and engage in their community. This is beneficial for you as a business, but it also builds on the spirit of harmony with yoga. If the location of your yoga studio is not within a community with which you are familiar. Take time getting to know your neighbors – business, nonprofits, town resources, and local residents. 

Your members are also a great source of ideas on how you and your studio can become more involved. Then your clients can experience their yoga community in another setting. This will help develop the bonds and friendships that are developing within the studio.

Some ideas of how you can become engaged in your community include –

  • Working with a nearby gym – You and they can offer a swap of classes. Or you can offer a discount for a membership in each facility.
  • Affiliate with your town’s Park and Rec Department – you can offer classes through their continuing education program. 
  • If your town has any festivals, purchase a booth at the event. You can demonstrate yoga poses or offer mini classes. 
  • Fill the shelves of the local food pantry. You can provide incentives for your students to bring in nonperishable items in exchange for a water bottle with your logo.

Walk around your neighborhood, read the local paper, join the neighborhood social media pages, get involved! You provide a wonderful resource for your students and for your community as well. 

Ease of Paperwork

Finances and billing can be uncomfortable. You know your students want to take classes. You also know that your students have diverse financial situations. And, you know that you have bills to pay. So, how do you make sure that you get paid on time without straining relationships? Offering easy-to-understand membership plans, online payments, payment plans, and online scheduling of classes will all make paperwork easier for you and your customers. 

  • Membership Plans

Business is extremely competitive. In many locations there are multiple options for exercise classes, gyms, and yoga studios. Many people like to belong to all three. Consider working with your ‘competitors’ and offer class packages. That would be one pricing option for you to offer. 

For your students not interested in a bundle, your pricing needs to be clearly stated. You do not want your students to get the feel that your price is some type of scheme. You can consider a tiered approach. Unlimited classes, ‘X’ number of classes a week, or once a week regardless of the type of yoga class they attend. 

Four Things That Make A Yoga Studio Great
  • Class Signups

There are software programs available that you can purchase to manage your class signups. If that is not in your budget, you still want students to be able to sign up for classes online. The more accessible you and your studio are, the more apt people will be to join you. 

Why Yoga Studios Are A Good Investment

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you design a yoga studio?

Some key elements to consider in designing the space of your yoga studio include the amount of space, the quality of the air circulation, acoustics, color schemes, and lighting. These elements can be woven together to support the vision of your studio and create a space that supports yoga practices. 

What are some ideas that should be factored into space for a yoga studio?

A space with flexibility and adaptability is ideal for your studio. You want to be able to have various classes and different activities as your studio evolves. Before selecting a space, consider your class sizes, types of classes, and be sure there is sufficient space between members and their mats. 

What is air quality?

Air quality ensures the proper flow of fresh air throughout your studio. Breathing techniques are a crucial part of yoga. Therefore, it is especially important that your ventilation system continuously circulates the inside air with fresh oxygenated air. Within the studio, cross ventilation of air will create a healthy space. 

What are acoustics?

Acoustics is the study and science of sounds. Understanding the acoustics of your yoga studio will help you create sounds that enhance your studio’s yoga sessions. Instructors need to be clearly heard, music should enhance your members’ experiences, and natural sounds should complement your environment. 

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.