YOUR PATH TO PRIVATE CLIENTS: A NEW YOGA TEACHER'S ROADMAP
Stepping into the world of teaching yoga is a life changing and beautiful journey, but as many new teachers quickly realise, building a thriving practice and business — especially one centred around private clients — requires more than just a passion for yoga. The good news? With the right strategies, you can build a rewarding and sustainable practice teaching private students.
Building up your private client base can offer a lot of benefits that go beyond financial stability. Here are just a few reasons why focusing on private sessions can elevate your teaching career:
Personalised Impact: In private sessions, you can cater to individual needs and goals, allowing for a more personalised approach. This leads to faster progress for clients and deeper transformations—whether it’s addressing specific injuries, building flexibility, or managing stress.
Flexibility in Scheduling: Unlike studio classes, private sessions allow you to set your own schedule. You can work around your personal life, creating more balance while still maintaining a thriving practice.
Deeper Connections and Bigger Impact with Clients: Private sessions give you the opportunity to build long-term, meaningful relationships. These connections often lead to clients seeing better and faster results, client retention, referrals, and also a sense of personal fulfillment as you guide people on their wellness journey.
Increased Earning Potential: One-on-one sessions typically command higher rates than group classes, allowing you to earn more while teaching fewer hours. This means you can increase your income without burning out.
Tailored Growth Opportunities: Working privately enables you to refine your skills and grow as a teacher. With the flexibility to try new techniques, deepen your knowledge in specific areas, or incorporate hands-on adjustments, you can become a more versatile and confident instructor.
Client Loyalty: Private clients are more likely to commit to long-term programs, meaning you can cultivate loyal relationships and a steady, predictable income.
Having taught yoga for over a decade, with the last seven years dedicated to private clients in London, I've learned a thing or two about what works and what doesn't. Whether you’re fresh out of teacher training or looking to shift your focus to private clients, these tips will help you lay a solid foundation.
How to Get Private Clients: Top Tips
Leverage Your Network: Start by reaching out to friends, family, and acquaintances. Let them know you’re offering private sessions and encourage them to spread the word. Often, your first few clients come from people you already know.
Create an Engaging Online Presence: Your website and social media profiles are your digital storefronts. Make sure they reflect your unique teaching style, philosophy, and personality. Share testimonials, tips, the what and why of private yoga and what you are teaching and snippets of your teaching to showcase what clients can expect and of course have a page dedicated to private client offerings and the benefits of this work with you.
Offer Introductory Packages: Attract potential clients with a discounted first session or a package deal. This reduces the barrier to entry and allows them to experience the value of a private session.
Partner with Local Businesses: Collaborate with wellness centers, spas, or even cafes that align with your brand. Offering in-house yoga sessions or exchanging referrals can introduce you to a broader clientele.
Word of Mouth is Gold: Encourage your existing clients to refer friends and colleagues. You could offer a small discount or a free session as a thank-you for successful referrals.
Local Flyers: who ever said old school methods are dead were wrong!! This can be one of the most effective ways of picking up your first local clients. Drop your flyers in local cafes and pop on notice boards locally.
Setting Up Your Private Sessions for Success
Clear Communication
From the start, make sure your client knows what to expect. Get them to fill in a form to get clear on what they want and need. You can then set up a 15 minute call of add an extra 15 minutes on their first session to discuss their goals, preferences, and any concerns they might have. Setting clear boundaries around scheduling, cancellations, and payment terms is essential for a professional relationship. These should all be in the T&C’s that should be with the form and disclaimer they fill in and sign.
Create a Personalized Experience
Tailor each session to your client's needs. This might mean focusing on stress relief, flexibility, or strength-building, depending on their goals. Keep their preferences and feedback in mind to ensure every session feels unique and valuable.
Professionalism Matters
Always arrive on time, dress appropriately, and bring any necessary equipment. Your client is investing in you, so treat each session with the respect it deserves.
Building Long-Term Relationships with Your Clients
Consistency is Key
Regularly check in with your clients about their progress and any changes in their needs or goals. This shows that you’re invested in their journey, not just in completing sessions. I like to check in with them every couple of months with an email asking different questions that will help me get a clear picture on what they are loving and what they perhaps want to change.
Celebrate Milestones
Whether it’s mastering a challenging pose or reaching a new level of mindfulness or stress management, acknowledging your client’s achievements can boost their confidence and strengthen your relationship.
Flexible Offerings
Life happens—be willing to adjust your sessions or offer virtual options if your client’s schedule or circumstances change. Flexibility shows that you’re committed to supporting them in the long term.
Running a Private Yoga Session: Top Tips
Hands-On Assists
When done with care, hands-on assists can help your clients deepen their practice. Always ask for consent before using physical adjustments - this should also be an ongoing conversation and ensure your touch is mindful and supportive. If you’re interested in learning more about hands on assists check out my 20HR training that I run in London a couple of times a year HERE.
Incorporate Aromatherapy
Scents like lavender for relaxation or peppermint for focus can enhance the experience. Essential oils have the power to take your client from a low frequency energy to balance in a matter of seconds. Make sure you don’t over do it though and that you are using pure essential oils that do what they are supposed to do. I personally work with doTERRA oils only as I know and trust this brand. Unfortunatly the essential oil industry is very unregulated and a lot of essential oils are made with synthetic fragrances and have other adulterated substances in them that could do more harm than good. It gives me so much confidence when I know what I am using on my clients and also on my self is therapeutic grade and is able to add a powerful layer with holistic benefit. A top tip with the essential oils is to use them intentionally and sparingly (don’t over do it) and lead with consent, checking for any allergies or preferences your client may have.
If you would like to learn more about how you can integrate the oils into your classes head over HERE to find out more. And if you are ready to get some of these oils into your hands and want to get 25% off get in contact HERE and I can guide you towards which oils will best suit your wants and needs.
End with Intention
Close each session with a moment of reflection or meditation. This leaves your client feeling centered and ensures they carry the benefits of the practice with them throughout their day.
Building a private yoga practice takes time, dedication, and a personal touch.
By focusing on attracting the right clients, setting up each session for success, and nurturing long-term relationships, you can create a practice full of clients that you love teaching, you can create long term impact and they will keep coming back time and time again, enabling you to build a sustainable and fulfilling career.