i want to serve everyone! do i really need a yoga niche?

recently i spoke at a yoga teacher training, and one of the students asked me a question that i've heard variations of time and again.

it went something like this...

"do i really need a yoga niche? couldn't i feel even more fulfilled teaching various students groups, like college students one day and middle aged women the next?"

and this was my response...

"when you first start teaching, i highly recommend that you do teach various groups to see what style of teaching and what kind of student really lights you up as a teacher. but, as time passes, i'm guessing that you'll start to notice that you enjoy teaching this class more than that one, and working with this kind of student over that kind. and, when you start to notice your preferences as a teacher, you're getting closer to your 'home zone' or 'area of genius', and you'll feel MORE fulfilled and happier if you zero in on what you're being called to teach. that's where you'll really make a difference!"

but i get it, "zeroing" in on just one style and/or kind of student can be scary.

we start to think...

"won't i be limiting my potential income?" or "won't i be cutting myself off from potential students that could benefit from yoga?" or "won't it stifle my creativity as a teacher to just focus on one style/student/etc.?"

and my answer to those questions is a big fat NO!

in this week's video, i'm debunking 2 of the most common niching fears so that you can confidently set out to discover your unique area of genius!

more resources on this topic: 85+ yoga niche ideas to inspire you! Discover Your Niche Workshop (to dive deeper) 

do you have a yoga niche (or niche idea)? i'd love to hear what it is! please share it in the comments below.

i feel too exhausted to work on my business...

if you're trying to build a fun, fulfilling & sustainable yoga business but ALSO have a full- or part-time job, it can feel like you're burning the candle at both ends.

you have a burning desire to craft a career that you love, but after a day's work you're left feeling too mentally and physically exhausted to think about doing anything for your business -- let alone for yourself.

sound familiar?

for many of yoga-entrepreneurs, we have a boatload of responsibilities that extend far beyond class-planning.

not only do we have our yoga businesses to think about, but often there are also full- or part-time jobs, kids, household responsibilities, errands, social commitments, and family priorities to consider.

with our never-ending to-dos lists greeting us every morning, it's no wonder we sometimes feel like staying in bed all day.

so, the question is: how do you make progress with your dream business if life leaves you feeling exhausted?

well, i have a 3 step formula to share with you that will help you overcome the exhaustion and once again find the time (and motivation!) to work on your budding business.

check out today's vid to get the inside scoop!

what step do you struggle with the most?

share your insight in the comments below -- i LOVE hearing from you!

how to monetize your yoga blog

someone from the CALM biz community asked me this question:

"how do i monetize my blog & youtube channel?"

first off, i want to congratulate you on thinking about how to pull in multiple streams of income for your yoga biz and for wanting to take your business online -- that's awesome!

but, you're looking for money in the wrong place if you're hoping for a 1::1 ratio of blog readers/youtube watchers to online yoga students. (does that surprise you?!)

the thing is, having a blog, e-newsletter and youtube channel is super important for yoga-entrepreneurs, but they ARE NOT how the majority of teachers who are successful online make their money.

let me me repeat that just in case you missed it -- they ARE NOT how the majority make their money!

we have to look at our blog, newsletter, social media pages and youtube channel as marketing tools, not products to be sold.

your blog and (the majority of) your youtube vids should give students and potential students super valuable, *FREE* info that they can use to improve their lives. and, doing this will build trust, foster a genuine connection with you and grow your community. all of which is necessary for making money down the road.

they are a means to the end...not the end.

then...when it comes time to sell something, like an online course, meditation guide, primo video series, e-book, workshop or training, you'll have a slew of people who KNOW, LIKE and TRUST you who are ready to purchase whatever it is that you're offering.

that's where the money is, and that's how feel-good marketing results in sales!

so, it's not about monetizing your yoga blog on the front end -- blocking readers until they pay -- it's about cultivating community and offering awesome info so that your blog readers become product buyers at the end of the day!​

check out this week's teachings to hear my take on this topic first-hand :-)

what marketing tools do you have in place for your yoga biz?

post your youtube, facebook & twitter links in the comments below. i wanna check them out!

how to fill your BIG programs

if you're planning on running (or have run) a teacher training, workshop, retreat or online program, chances are you're thinking about ways to get more people to sign-up.

unless you're one of the lucky few who strikes gold with your marketing the first time through, there can be a lot of trial and error when first running a new program. and a lot of concern about not getting enough students to enroll.

well today we're tackling this issue head on. i'm going to sharing with you the strategies i've used and have taught to my yoga teacher clients that helps them pack their workshops, retreats, TTs and other BIG programs.

so, hunker down, grab a notebook and pen and get ready to jot down some new ideas!

have a big program coming up? share a link to it in the comments below. i'd love to check it out!