The more genuine and true you remain to yourself, purpose and goals, the more your unique offerings and teaching style will resound with students.

As a yoga teacher, you’re responsible for your success. Sure, your studio may help you promote your classes or an upcoming workshop, but often those things fall on your shoulders. If you’re looking to expand your reach and grow your “yoga business,” it’s essential to adopt a mindset that will set you up to achieve your ultimate goals as a teacher; or should I say, “small business owner?”

Get comfortable with failure.

In order to truly succeed and live the life of your dreams, you can’t let failure deter you. I can personally attest to this: 

Before founding CALM biz, I started a party prep/catering company, had an interior design firm and did freelance writing. Without my willingness to acknowledge a dead end, turn around and try something else, those life experiences and lessons learned would have been for nothing. Without those “setbacks,” I wouldn’t have been able to clearly define and hone in on my true passion (biz + yoga). Plus, people only remember your successes at the end of the day (and it makes for a better story if you have a few “detours” along your path to true and lasting success!).

Make it a party!

Both Barbara Corcoran, Real Estate Mogul and Laura Roeder, Social Media Guru share this perspective on business (and life for that matter):

If you don’t love what you do, and don’t have fun with it, what’s the point?!  

Chances are, as a yoga teacher, you’re not in it for the money; you teach because you’re passionate about it. But even when we are passionate about our work, we can still get burned out, tired and frustrated. If you’re goal is to have fun as you serve your students, you’re setting yourself up for greater fulfillment in the long run.

Perception is reality.

For my eighth grade yearbook, we were all asked to submit a quote that would appear next to our picture; mine was: Whether you think you can, or think you can’t—you’re right. ~ Henry Ford.

This quote sums up the notion that perception is reality to a “T.” If you believe with every ounce of your being in what you’re doing, offering and teaching, you will draw people to you. If you truly believe that you’re destined to be a prolific and profound teacher, you will be—it’s as simple as that. Play with this idea, start living “as if,” start speaking “as if” and see what shifts for you.

Don’t put off until tomorrow that which can be done today.

We all have never-ending-to-do lists, so it’s easy to keep putting off that ‘arm balance workshop’ that you want to plan, or that ‘advanced training’ that you’ve had your eye on. But honestly, what are you waiting for? We’ve got just one life—live it fully! Do anything and everything you can today to bring you closer to your dream life—even if it’s just sending an email to someone you know who is interested in private lessons, or setting up a Facebook page so that you can further engage with your students. Remember, consistent small steps have big results!

Be Genuine.

When it comes down to it, the true key to success is to be yourself. The more genuine and true you remain to yourself, purpose and goals, the more your unique offerings and teaching style will resound with students. Don’t be afraid to be dorky, quirky, funny, contemplative, sarcastic, outgoing—whatever makes you you!

 

Cailen Ascher is a yoga entrepreneur and lifestyle blogger. She shares her entrepreneurial advice at http://calmbiz.com, where you can find social media and biz tips for savvy yogis and budding entrepeneurs looking to pursue their passion, expand their reach and grow their business. Get a copy of her FREE Yoga Biz Resume Guidebook here. Enjoy what you read? Like Cailen’s Facebook Page.

 

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Editor: Jennifer Townsend

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