Practicalities involved in setting up your yoga classes: questions to ask yourself/things to consider
Article by Judith Lynch
Live classes or Zoom classes or both?
Assess local need/practicalities/costs of offering either or both. See actions below.
Live classes, especially private classes
- Research other classes available locally – yoga style, length, price. Maybe consider offering holiday cover to these class teachers or to other CYTA members for experience/peer support.
- Research and visit venues, if private class planned. Consider hire charges and any conditions. Also location, times available, space, flooring, heating, ventilation, lighting, atmosphere, noise, cleanliness, safety/security of environment, music licence cover if you intend to play music and any equipment required eg chairs.
- Do a full risk assessment of the venue.
- Decide frequency and length of your class, allowing plenty of time for your full class, including savasana, and for setting up and packing away. Possibly offer refreshments afterwards?
- Agree venue and arrange start date. Obtain venue contact details in case of emergencies and for payment. Check out key and/or alarm, if applicable, in advance of the first class.
- Decide price of the class. Pay as you go or paying for a block booking in advance (normally cheaper) or both? Do not under-price yourself.
- Promote class – local adverts, CYTA teachers’ list, word of mouth, own website?
Zoom classes
- Research other classes available online generally and from local teachers
- Consider suitability of your home/practise space for Zoom recording and demonstrating/leading class (or maybe for 1-1 classes?)
- Research any equipment costs plus any training and time needed
- Consider if online teaching is within your comfort zone/teaching style
- Decide timing/frequency. Decide price of class, considering lower overheads, ie no venue booking fee. Pay as you go or block booking required? BACs payment?
- Do not under- price yourself.
- Promote class – as for live classes above
Last but by no means least!
Prepare an enrolment form to hand out to new participants to include: Contact details (plus emergency contact number); health questionnaire; opportunity to state what they are hoping for from the class and any current yoga and/or other exercise undertaken. Include data protection and diversity statements. Also include liability disclaimer for online classes.
Annual Insurance cover British Wheel of Yoga or private insurance company eg BGI. Seek quotes and pay for insurance to cover all activities you decide to offer, based on decisions above.
Consider your need for current first aid training
Keep accurate records of attendance, fees paid and received and any other costs, including travel expenses, for tax purposes. This will also enable you to review class(es) after 3 months
Do a cost benefit analysis. Is this class viable? i.e. venue appropriate, numbers attending, costs, acceptable profit? Make any adjustments to your costs and prices accordingly.
For further reading check out the articles below.
British Wheel of Yoga Spectrum magazine
Spring 2023 edition
“Ask the experts: variable ideas to grow your business”
Summer 2023 edition
“Three ways to make your yoga business more profitable”
British Wheel of Yoga teaching resources: