Mastering the Business of Yoga – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome back to Episode 5 of the Send-Off Series! In this episode, we're talking about all the essentials of running a yoga business.

Starting a yoga business can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. We'll break down the key foundations every yoga teacher needs to know to confidently step into the business side of teaching. From taxes, accounting, and bookkeeping to marketing and branding to money mindset, continuing education and more, you'll learn practical tips to help you build a sustainable and heart-centered yoga career. Everything you'll learn in this episode will also help you grow with confidence, stay organized, and feel empowered as a business owner.

Enjoy! 

Have you ever dreamed of opening your own yoga studio but weren't sure where to start? Opening a studio is exciting, but it's also a big undertaking that goes far beyond just teaching classes. In this episode of the podcast, we walk through everything you need to know before opening your own studio, from clarifying your vision, to budgeting, to creating a welcoming studio environment. Whether your dream is to build a community space, a lifestyle business, or a long-lasting brand, this episode will help you connect with your deeper "why" and start turning your dream into reality. Enjoy!

Download OfferingTree's Studio Success Checklist here. Think of this free guide as your most organized, seasoned business mentor, ready to walk you through every single step. Don't let overwhelm hold back your vision.

This week on the podcast I am joined by Renee Clair. Reneé takes woman-owned businesses from chaos to clarity using her holistic 3-pronged approach: Streamlined Business, Motivational Mindset, and Clear Purpose. With a Masters Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and decades of experience across marketing, sales, operations, and wellness, Reneé brings a diverse skill set to her work. Drawing from expertise in recruiting, project management, marketing strategy, and human resources, Reneé empowers entrepreneurs and their teams to thrive and serves as a consultant for small businesses and a coach for service providers, fostering growth and resilience. In this episode of the podcast, we are talking all about how to empower yourself through self-care. Renee shares 4 non-conventional ways that you can do this is in your life and business, including time management, goal setting, self belief, and networking, plus her top tips for implementing these into your life.

Enjoy!

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

My new yoga book is out now: www.mbomyoga.com/book

In this episode:

• What Reneé has been up to since we last talked in 2022
• Defining self-care and how it can be used in your business
• Using time management as a form of self-care
• Using goal setting to empower yourself
• The importance of belief as a tool for self-care
• Networking as a self-care strategy
• Tips to implement these strategies

Guest links:

Reneé's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneeclair/

Website: https://www.renee-clair.com/

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Dagmar Spremberg. Dagmar is a 500 hr E-RYT and the founder of Montezuma Yoga in Costa Rica. In this episode, Dagmar shares what brought her to Costa Rica 20 years ago, what it was like starting Montezuma Yoga, how she pivoted her business and her studio during the pandemic, and ultimately what has lead to closing down the studio. Dagmar also shares some of the biggest business lessons that she's learned through her career as a yoga teacher and studio owner. 

Enjoy! 

 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

This episode is also brought to you by Magic Mind, the little magical elixir which makes your body humm. Magic Mind is the world's first productivity drink that not only gives you the alertness that coffee and other energy drinks do, but also has ingredients to support memory, increase creativity and boost focus. 

Magic Mind contains minimal caffeine, and the caffeine it does have comes from the matcha tea. It also has all natural ingredients, adaptogens to help decrease stress and nootropics to boost blood flow and cognition. 

Magic Mind has all natural ingredients, including ceremonial grade Matcha and Lion's Mane mushrooms to extend your morning energy. It also contains turmeric, ashwagandha, vitamin C, Echinacea and much more. 

It helps me with procrastination and brain fog, but doesn't give me the jitters and crashes the way that coffee does. 

Since having a baby, my mind has been all over the place. That's why I love starting my day with Magic Mind! 

Magic Mind gave me a 20% off code to share with you guys! It's YOGA. Go to magicmind.co/yoga  and use the code YOGA to get 20% off your first order. With Magic Mind's money-back guarantee, any first purchase will be refunded no questions asked if it doesn't meet your expectations.

In this episode:

• Dagmar's Yoga journey
• Building a life in Costa Rica and bringing yoga to the community
• Starting Montezuma Yoga and running a Yoga studio for 20 years
• What's special about teaching Yoga in Costa Rica?
• Pivoting Montezuma Yoga and learning to take a break
• What's next for Dagmar?
• Running a Yoga studio in Costa Rica during the pandemic
• Lessons from Dagmar's career

Guest Links:

Website: https://dagmarspremberg.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montezumayoga/?hl=en Links: https://linktr.ee/montezumayoga

This week on the podcast I am joined by Michael Toru. Michael is a 500-hour RYT, YouTuber, and videographer based in Victoria, British Colombia. In this episode, Michael shares his journey as a yoga teacher and how he's gone from teaching full-time in yoga studios to stepping back from teaching and working on his online presence, including his YouTube channel and his media business. We discuss how the pandemic has been a time to dig deep and be honest with ourselves about what is bringing us joy and making changes and pivots from there. Michael also shares what life has been like as a new dad, as well as the business lessons he's learned through his yoga business. 

Enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

In this episode:

• Michael's Yoga story: Bodybuilder to yoga teacher
• Finding balance and sustainability in your yoga practice
• Adapting and pivoting during the pandemic
• Starting and growing a media business in the health and wellness space
• How to take a break from something that you love
• Stepping into fatherhood as an entrepreneur
• Lessons from a lifestyle consistent content creation
• The relationship between building a team and organizing your systems

Guest Links:

Website: https://michaeltoru.com

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelToru/playlists?app=desktop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltoru/?hl=en

 

Episode References: 

When & How to Hire Freelancers in Your Yoga Business with Emily Perron

How to Hire Great People for Your Yoga Business with Renee Clair

Matcha Mornings Podcast

This week on the podcast we are talking about boundaries! Setting boundaries and sticking to them can be so challenging as yoga teachers and yoga business owners, but it's also one of the most important things that we need to do to create sustainable yoga businesses. In this episode, we discuss what a boundary is, what types of boundaries show up in our businesses, how to go about setting boundaries and sticking to them, why they are important for us, and much more. 

Enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

This episode is also brought to you by Magic Mind, the little magical elixir which makes your body humm. Magic Mind is the world's first productivity drink that not only gives you the alertness that coffee and other energy drinks do, but also has ingredients to support memory, increase creativity and boost focus. 

Magic Mind contains minimal caffeine, and the caffeine it does have comes from the matcha tea. It also has all natural ingredients, adaptogens to help decrease stress and nootropics to boost blood flow and cognition. 

Magic Mind has all-natural ingredients, including ceremonial grade Matcha and Lion's Mane mushrooms to extend your morning energy. It also contains turmeric, ashwagandha, vitamin C, Echinacea and much more. 

It helps me with procrastination and brain fog, but doesn't give me the jitters and crashes the way that coffee does. 

Since having a baby, my mind has been all over the place. That's why I love starting my day with Magic Mind! 

Magic Mind gave me a 20% off code to share with you guys! It's YOGA. Go to magicmind.co/yoga  and use the code YOGA to get 20% off your first order. With Magic Mind's money-back guarantee, any first purchase will be refunded no questions asked if it doesn't meet your expectations.

In this episode:

• Boundary is defined as: a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line or a limit of a subject or sphere of activity.
• A boundary can be thought of kind of like a door or a fence. It gives us space and privacy and even if we love our roommate or we love our neighbor, we still want to create this. 
• What is a boundary in your business? 
• Setting work days 
• Setting work hours 
• Giving yourself time away from work where you do not answer messages from students or check emails 
• Setting minimum prices that you will work for and honoring that 
• How do you set up a schedule with days off when you don't work a Mon - Friday job? 
• How do you set hours in your business when you don't work 9-5 
• How an email autoresponder can be beneficial to you in your business because it sets clear expectations 
• Knowing your limits and when it's time to say no to something 
• Honoring yourself, your practice, and your self care - setting up non-negotiables in your life 

 

References:

Time Management & Productivity 101 with Renee Clair

This week on the podcast I am joined by Allison Rissell. Allison is a yoga teacher and the founder of the Yoga Teacher Conf. This episode originally aired on MBOm: Behind the Scenes, and we are talking about how to cultivate community online! When the pandemic hit, Allison was forced to transition all of her events online and so she has learned a ton about how to cultivate a thriving online community and she is sharing her top tips with you today! 

Enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

In this episode:

• We have to be good listeners to cultivate community online
• Listen, ask questions, and start a dialogue from audience responses
• A great way to get people to engage is to ask them questions about themselves (like where they went on vacation last or what's their favorite color)

• When you ask a question, wait 6 seconds for a response! Someone will usually respond and kick off the discussion!

• Just because someone isn't engaging back with you in the online space doesn't mean they aren't watching and listening
• You don't need a massive following to have a successful, engaged community or a successful business

Guest Links: 

Website: yogateacherconf.com

Yogatearcherconf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogateacherconf/?hl=en

Allison's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonrissel/

Referenced Links: Join the BTS Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mbomyoga

This week on the podcast I am joined by Pamela Seelig. Pamela is a yoga teacher and the author of Threads of Yoga: Themes, Reflections, and Meditations to Weave into Your Practice. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about how yoga studios and yoga teachers can begin to expand their offerings from just the physical asana and bring in more meditation, breathwork, and yoga philosophy to their classes and offerings, and how to do it in a way that feels accessible and interesting to students. Enjoy!

In this episode:

• Pamela's Yoga journey through Bell's palsy
• Studying Yoga, becoming a teacher, and starting a studio
• Communicating the value of Yoga philosophy beyond physical postures
• Weaving themes from Yoga philosophy into regular Yoga classes
• The benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone as a Yoga teacher
• The inspiration behind Pamela's book Threads of Yoga
• Yoga business tips from Pamela's career

Guest Links:

Website:https://pamelaseelig.com

Threads of Yoga (Book): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1611808790

Pamela's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pamseelig/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pamelaseeligauthor

This week on the podcast I am re-joined by Angela Sealy. Angela is a yoga teacher, web designer and the founder of Good Karma Works. Angela came on the podcast in August 2021 to share tips for creating a DIY website and how to know when to hire someone to help you with your website. In this episode, we build off of that to discuss the steps that come next in your business after you have a website. Once you've put all of the hardwork into creating your website, what comes next? Angela shares her top tips for branding and marketing yourself and your business once you've created your website and how to utilize your website to the best of your ability to help you drive clients, and much more. 

Enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom.

In this episode:

• When do you need a website and what to figure out before you get started
• What's the next step after building your website?
• Spreading the word and collecting client testimonials
• How to plan out your website growth in stages
• Being mindful of momentum and sustainability as you grow your website with content production
• Growing your online presence with collaborations
• Best approach to Search Engine Optimization
• Best approach to web analytics
• Staying organized and working web maintenance into your "CEO time"
• The benefits of a business accountability partner

Guest Links:

Website: https://www.goodkarmaworks.com/about/

GoodKarmaWorks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodkarmaworksagency/?hl=en

Angela's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilayogamassage/?hl=en

 

References:

MBOM Episode - How to Create an Amazing DIY Yoga Website & Brand with Angela Sealy

https://traffic.libsyn.com/mbomyoga/MBOM_-_Angela_Sealy.mp3

This week on the podcast we are talking about values and why they are important in our yoga businesses. We discuss what values are, how they relate to our "why" as yoga teachers, and why it is so important to have clear values. We also work through an exercise where we outline our top 5 core values so at the end of this episode, you will not only be clear on why having values that you stick to is important for your business, but you will also be clear on what yours are.  Enjoy! 

This episode is brought to you by OfferingTree. If you're interested in finding an all-in-one platform for online or in-person teaching, then you should check out OfferingTree. OfferingTree has been supporting M.B.Om for over a year now and I not only love the product but I also love the people. OfferingTree is providing special pricing for M.B.Om listeners, so be sure to visit offeringtree.com/mbom

In this episode:

• Value is defined as: A person's principles or standards of behavior; one's judgment of what is important in life.
• The key to heart-centered business is to have values in your life and business that you stick to no matter what! 
• Determine your core values 
• Before we can do that, we have to understand our "why" as a yoga teacher 
• Why did you start practicing yoga? 
• Why did you decide to take teacher training? 
• What is your reason for teaching yoga? 
• Why do you show up for classes and for your students?
• What gets you up in the morning to do the work that you do?
• When you are clear on your why and you understand why is that you do what you do, you can dive into your core values
• Start by writing down all of the words that come to mind for you when you think about what you value
• Once you've got a long list of values, start to group them together and put like values with like values - create 5 groups of values at the maximum
• Once you've got your groups of values look at the list and decide which word stands out most to you. This will help you identify your top 5 values. These are your core values.
• Core values will help guide you when it comes to deciding how to run your business, big decisions, setting prices, who to work with, whether or not you want to say yes to a new partnership 
• You should pass each business decision through your heart space and also make sure that they align with your values