Top Ten Things To Consider When Opening a Yoga Studio or Starting A Yoga Studio

Would you walk into a restaurant you had never been to before and tell the waiter I just want some hot food, and by the way, it doesnt matter what it costs! Most people think this is ridiculous. But honestly, it is not that different when someone with years of experience as a yoga instructor decides to open a studio, but does not really want to know about the business side of things.

I know you want to share your practice with others so that they also may benefit, but please believe when I tell you that you will be able to impact many more peoples lives if you choose to learn a little about business before starting your own studio.

One of the first things a client planning to open a yoga studio will often tell me is how many years they have been practicing yoga. They go on to elaborate on the school they went to and what other yoga experience they have. I honor and admire this kind of experience and the discipline it takes to acquire it.

At the same time, its my job to point out that if they primarily want to focus on the teaching and practice of yoga, then opening a studio is probably not for them. If youre shocked, thinking What background could be better than years of experience with yoga?!, then this article is for you.

Running a business successfully involves far more than just being good at yoga. In fact, in a recent conversation with the founder/director of one of the largest and most successful yoga studios in Baltimore, she revealed that shes not even an instructor. She emphasized that she is a businesswomen who loves yoga.

Business is a lot more than just giving a service or product to a customer. It has a whole behind-the-scenes part that we dont usually see when we walk in the front door. Business is about financial projections, strategic planning, marketing, sales, budgeting, facility maintenance, hiring, sub-contractors, bookkeeping, and so much more.

If you are someone who is willing to learn about these things (and you dont need to be an expert, but you do need to have a working understanding of them), then maybe opening a studio is for you. It can be a wonderfully rewarding and fulfilling experience. It can truly be the fulfillment of a dream for many.

However, understanding what is really involved before starting out is essential to success. Here are some things to ask yourself before diving into opening a studio.

Consideration #1:

Are you willing to work long hours in the beginning? Every small business owner will tell you about the late nights and weekends spent on building a business from scratch. Its just plain hard work. But, it has great freedom as well. If youre not sure about this, consider buying an established studio, or even a yoga franchise.

Consideration #2:

Are you comfortable learning about finances, budgeting and bookkeeping? For better or worse, money is the lifeblood of every business. Without it, the business fails instantly. To succeed, you need to have a moderate handle on finances. This means knowing how much you earn each month, how much you spend, how much you owe and how much is owed to you.

It also means knowing how much youll need to earn each month to pay operating expenses (rent, electricity, etc.), payroll (paying employees) and to pay yourself (you need to eat too!). It also means projecting this for the next year, and figuring out how the studio is going to earn this much money (how many students youll need, private sessions, etc.) This kind of planning is essential for success.

Consideration #3:

Are you able to accept that business will never be entirely smooth, but rather that it is wrought with some degree bumps and potholes, and that is just part of owning a business? It is estimated that an average U.S. business faces a crisis three to four times per year. This might be a key employee quitting, an IRS audit, a major unexpected expense, etc.

In addition, there are daily hassles. An instructor is late, someones check bounced, the stereo doesnt work and so on. This is just part of business. And, as the owner, much of it will be your problem to deal with (until you grow enough to hire a manager, then someone else will worry for you). See it as a wild and exciting adventure that lets you share an amazing gift with the world, and youll be fine!

Consideration #4:

Do you have at least 50% more money available than it seems like youll need to get started? Most small businesses underestimate their expenses (and overestimate profits) for the first few years. It is rare that running any small business (at least to start with) costs what you expect. It always seems to be more.

This is because there are numerous unexpected and miscellaneous expenses. Everything from having the floor polished to paying business taxes to buying a new phone system. It all adds up. Plan ahead for this one, and you wont be surprised.

Consideration #5:

Are you willing to learn about marketing, or do you have the money to hire a professional marketer who will do this for you? I know, marketing makes you think of tele-marketers and used car salesmen. These are just poor examples of marketing, just as a Big Mac is a poor example of gourmet food, yet it is still food (technically).

Marketing simply means letting people whose lives could benefit from yoga know that you have something that would really help them. If you dont, you not only miss out on business, but you sell them short of having this benefit in their life. Imagine if you had a flat tire and were having a hard time changing it, and a tow truck was driving by, but he didnt stop because he felt it would be too pushy to ask you to pay him to help you change your tire!

People miss out on something they want and need when they dont know about the awesome experience your studio could offer them. Letting them know about this is what true marketing is.

Consideration #6:

Can you accept that while yoga may incorporate energy, spirit and flow, running a business adds a new kind of energy to the mix: money. If you believe your practice is above needing to worry about money, you may be reassured to know that you are not alone. What may be less reassuring is that very few studio owners who hold this perspective stay in business for more than a couple of years.

Perhaps in an ideal world, this would be different, but her, now, today, money is a part of our life. Like other forms of energy, money is simply a way to create change. This may take the form of having a new studio floor put in, donating to charity , or paying your phone bill.

Money is really just another form of energy. And it is the form that every business today requires to exist. We dont need to worship it, just view it as an important resource. Just as a car needs gas to run, a business needs money. I wish my car ran on something other than gas, but for the time being, I accept that this is how it works. Such is the case that a studio is a business and needs money to operate.

Consideration #7:

Are you really passionate, not just about practicing yoga, but about sharing the art of yoga with others? Running a yoga studio is about sharing your practice with others. Many of your students will probably be novices. Some will do things that make you cringe, others will make you proud to have made their mastering the art possible.

In running a studio, you will be quickly frustrated if you are not comfortable serving beginners, people who like yoga but do it poorly and people who dont take it seriously, as well as those that are a pleasure to watch practice.

Consideration #8:

Are you willing to make mistakes and learn from them? Success is about mistakes. Just as Thomas Edison tried over a thousand different materials for the filament of the light bulb before discovering one that worked, such is business.

Success is not about doing it perfectly the first time striving for this leads to mediocrity. Success is made of trying, failing and learning; then taking what you learned and doing it better the next time.

Sometimes this approach is referred to as FireAimFireAim If youre a perfectionist, running a business may be very frustrating to you. Business is very imperfect, and those who are most successful at it, and who find it most fulfilling, are those who truly understand that things just need to be good enough and not perfect.

Consideration #9:

Are you able to do this without destroying your personal life, should it fail? While no one plans for a new business to fail, and its certainly the last thing you want to think about, it does sometimes happen. Plan your divorce while you are still in love.

In other words, you need to design an exit strategy for the business in the beginning. You dont want to lose your house and have to declare bankruptcy if things dont pan out. Do your best to make sure you can personally survive even if the business does not. If you cant, then this may not be the best time to start a studio, or maybe finding a partner or investor to share the burden would help. There are many creative solutions that could work for you.

Consideration #10:

Are you willing to make a thorough business plan? I believe this is the single most important item on the list. The business plan doesnt need to be in the form a bank needs to lend you money, but it should be complete.

It is unfortunately all too true that failing to plan is planning to fail. A real business plan outlines the way your studio will operate. It defines the kind of people who will come to your classes and private sessions, it estimates how many clients and students you need each month in order to pay the bills. It is like having a map with you when you are on a long road trip.

By the way, the reason that banks want to see a business plan before lending money is because they know that most businesses that dont have one will end up failing, and they dont want to lend money if they might not get paid back. Doing a business plan isnt hard (I frequently guide my clients through this process. There are also numerous books available on the subject at your local bookstore). However you do it, make sure you have a plan.

In Conclusion:

These are among the most important things I believe someone should consider when opening a studio. Take your time, plan it out, then, if it still looks and feels right for you, take the leap.

Owning a studio can be one of the most rewarding things there is. My very best wishes for you on this exciting adventure. I encourage you to take a look at other items Ive written on running a studio for more guidance (visit my website at http://www.CenteredBusiness.com for weekly articles and free yoga business downloads).

If you are looking for personal, one-on-one support in starting a new yoga studio, you may find our yoga business coaching program extremely valuable. Contact me at coach@CenteredBusiness.com for further information.

Wherever your journey takes you, may you find peace, fulfillment and success.

Coach Al Lipper

Business Coach for Yoga Studios
Destiny: Success
website: http://www.CenteredBusiness.com
Email: coach@centeredbusiness.com
Telephone: (805) 544-3938

Coach Al Lipper of 'Destiny: Success' helps Yoga studio business owners smoothly run and expand their yoga studio business. He helps stressed and overwhelmed yoga studio business owners who spend most their time wrapped up in daily business tasks, who can't handle any more clients, or who can't make any more money out of the yoga studio. Coach Al helps clients find new yoga business strategies which result in generating more clients, increased profits, and more free time for the business owner. The amount invested was small compared to the results. Contact him today to discuss your yoga studio challenges at (805) 544-3938 or visit http://www.CenteredBusiness.com.

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This type of broadband connection runs off an individual's phone line so there will never be any missed calls or extra wires to deal with. The modem can run off of an Ethernet port, usb and even a wireless connection. Some of the modems come with wireless all ready built into their system. It is simple to set up and they come with a CD and instructions on how to accomplish this. If a person is still confused, 24-hour technical support may be an option. There is nothing simpler than a DSL high speed internet connection. With a dial-up connection, phone lines need to be strung, extra equipment needs to be purchased and missed calls are bound to happen. A DSL high speed internet access can be achieved for as low as 25 dollars. This is all depending on the speed an individual requires and the company they choose. A person has nothing to loose and everything to gain from a fantastic broadband connection.

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Effective Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet

Suffering with Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a fun experience. You have cramping, bloating, pain, constipation or diarrhea. Imagine having to deal with these symptoms on a daily basis.

There is some hope though; you don't have to keep experiencing these IBS symptoms. You can help decrease them through an effective Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet.

through diet you can actually increase the time between IBS flair-ups and can make your life much more peaceful. Here are some Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet tips:

foods You Should Avoid:

- Reduce your sugar intake. Sugar is an infamous trigger for Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. Sugars that are especially bad for your IBS include: cookies, cakes, sodas, candy, donuts, candy bars, sugary fruit drinks, and other things along this line. Try instead eating fruits and nuts to address that sweet tooth.

- Avoid eating too much yeast. Yeast can cause your IBS to flair up. Some foods that contain yeast include: breads, rolls, donuts, and coffee cakes.

- Cut back on dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and cream.

- Cut back on spicy foods. This is a big part of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet. Spicy foods can really trigger symptoms of IBS, and should be avoided. This includes foods like: hot sauce, jalapenos, spicy dips, cayenne pepper, and Cajun foods.

- Corns, grains and rice may trigger IBS symptoms for some people. If you have noticed more symptoms after you have eaten these foods, it's best that you avoid these as well.

Avoiding foods like these can ensure that you don't suffer as much with IBS symptoms. Utilizing a Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet is a great way to keep your symptoms under control, and help you live a better life. Here are some more tips on how to Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet.

foods That Are Good for IBS:

- Drink plenty of water. water is crucial in an Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet. Not only does it help you to keep from overeating, but also it helps with constipation and diarrhea.

-Add more soluble fiber. Fiber keeps the colon distended some, and this helps reduce spasms. Fiber is also great staple in a Irritable Bowel Syndrome diet because it absorbs water, which makes stools easier to pass and helps prevent constipation.

- Chamomile and Catnip tea are wonderful for helping with spasms and pain associated with IBS. This is because they both produce calming effects on the intestinal tract. They are also really great when you add a tablespoon of honey.

In addition to your diet, there are some supplements that can lessen or eliminate your IBS symptoms. You should only consider a supplement that is all natural, as chemical and other additives can cause your symptoms to become worse. Utilizing an all-natural IBS herbal remedy can help you take control of your life, IBS, and make you feel more like your old self again.

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Essentials To Avoid Mountain Climbing Accidents

mountain climbing is considered by some to be an extreme sport because of the risks and hazards associated with it. Imagine climbing up the world's tallest peak, where the summit offers very little oxygen to go along with the biting-cold weather. mountain climbing can be considered a dangerous sport or hobby, yet there are still many people around the world who want to take the challenge and adventure of mountain climbing.

mountain climbing isn't for everyone, particularly in dealing with the highest and most dangerous mountains. A mountain climber, whether amateur or professional, has to have a certain degree of athletic ability and fitness. With low fitness quality, it would be doubly dangerous to go mountain climbing because of more risks involved.

Good fitness is another requirement to avoid mountain climbing accidents, which is always a possibility because of the unpredictability of nature. An example of this would be if a climber suddenly slips and gets stuck somehow. A fat and out-of-shape climber would have a far more difficult time picking himself back up due to his added weight, as opposed to a fit climber.

However, good fitness is only one good way to avoid a mountain climbing accident it certainly isn't the only way. Another essential way to avoid an accident is to scout the territory first before attempting to do the climb. An amateur or beginner mountain climber shouldn't attempt to try to conquer the worlds top peaks without first getting experience by climbing easier mountains. That way, a climber will be prepared in facing more dangers in tougher mountains.

Proper equipment is also another necessity to better ensure safety during the climb. Most mountains, particularly in europe, have snow as the summit nears. As such, it would be important for climbers to have snowshoes for better footing and to prevent slippage. Slipping could potentially start an avalanche, which would be disastrous for the climber and his/her companions.

Another essential way to prevent accidents happens before the actual climb weather forecasts. The old clichי its better safe than sorry applies here. If the forecast of the general area of the mountain is bad, a climber should strongly consider not going as planned and instead postpone the climb for a few days until the weather improves, or cancel it. It will be extremely dangerous going mountain climbing with bad weather.

By following these tips, a climber can have a better chance of avoiding accidents. Be aware that they may still occur, as it is nature that is being dealt with.

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