Summer break

Does anyone have any plans for interesting yoga retreats, workshops or classes over the summer?

How to undermine your confidence in one easy motion

For a month now, I have been filling in for a yoga teacher called Ann who is the resident teacher at a local gym.

Waiting with the students before the class tonight a new one turned up and came up to me.

Female student: "Where's Ann?"
Me: "Hi, I'm filling in for Ann for a few weeks but she'll be back soon."
Female student: "I was really worried when they told me at the desk that a man was filling in."
Me: "Yes. Well. I'm the man. My name's Ben. Pleased to meet you."
Female student: "Hi. When is Ann back?"
Me: "Very soon. I'm filling in for the next two weeks so I'm afraid you've got me for a while. I'm sure we'll be fine!"
Female student: "Mmm."

Good confidence boost huh? What would you have done?

Click on comments and offer your advice...

Thanks,
Ben

Getting the word out

Hi. I get a few email newsletters from Yoga Journal magazine and this one is quite interesting as it gives a few tips on promotion and getting yourself out there. Ben In today's competitive yoga market, you can find a stand-out, experienced yoga teacher at nearly every corner studio. It seems unfair, though, that only a small percentage of them benefit from teaching full classes, while the rest struggle valiantly to maintain a regular base. Why do some thrive while other, equally great teachers can't seem to get a break? The difference often lies in their approach to marketing their classes and themselves. In this issue of MYM, acquire basic marketing skills and explore finding a balance between marketing and your yogic values. Then, learn to promote your yoga studio. Finally, mentor teacher Ana Forrest answers your teaching questions. Namaste, Erica Rodefer

IN THIS ISSUE

Marketing 101

Learn how simple, inexpensive marketing techniques can boost your class numbers and elevate your career. By Sage Rountree

http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2616

Marketing Yoga the Yogic Way

You don't have to compromise your values to fill your studio with eager students. Learn to infuse yoga philosophy into your marketing campaign, and make room for abundance. By Dan Charnas

http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2615

Promoting Your New Studio

Not all promotion has to be expensive—in fact, some of the best ways to spread the word cost little to nothing. Read on for a variety of budget-conscious methods to bring students to your new studio. By Constance Loizos

http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/1155

Comments

Hi,

I've added a comments feature to the site.

You can now click on the comments link underneath each entry and add comments to that specific post.

Ben

Registering with the Tax Office

Hello

I have just phone my tax office to find out about registering as self employeed.

They advised that I should call 0845 9154515 to register.

Apparently you must register within 3 months of being self employeed.

As I pay national insurance through my main employer I have to call this number and ask for a National Insurance exempt form.

The very helpful lady I spoke to said to keep all the recepits and details of earnings just as we discussed at the last training weekend. I would be sent a Self Assessment Tax Form in April and to enter the details onto this. She did say that training was not claimable though.

I have also spoken to the Self Assessment help line 0845 9000444. They said that we cannot claim for training that has been undertaken to become a Yoga Teacher but we can claim for training to assist with maintaining our knowledge whilst doing the work.

Also, the very helpful man said that you only pay tax on the profit made, so if for example in the first year you make a loss of £1,000 then you can either off set this against any tax you are paying if you are also earning in an employed job or carry this loss over to the next year. So if in the second year you made a proft of £1,000 you would not pay any tax.

We should also be able to claim for clothing.

Hope this helps.

Best wishes

Michelle Mead

Well done Ben!

Brilliant idea Ben! Thank you for being the one to do something about it!!
Love Dee

Great Idea Ben

Ben, great idea to set up this site. I look forward to using it to commuicate with everyone.

I was really please with the class which I taught last night, I felt much more confident having formally qualified as a Yoga Teacher on Sunday (!)

Really enjoyed Sunday, it was a beautiful day and wonderful way to finish the 2 years training.

Well done and thanks to everyone.

Best wishes
Michelle Mead

Welcome to the yoga support group

Hello,

This is a web site for Traditional Yoga Association teachers and trainees.

It's designed to keep us in touch so that we can support each other through our shared experience of becoming or being yoga teachers.

Use it to pose questions, recommend books, ask for advice, offer guidance, share good and bad class experiences, identify music, advertise your classes, publicise workshops, post a message to an individual or a group of people and anything else that might help you or others.

This is a public website so it goes without saying that we must all try to use it with respect and integrity. Do not refer to class students by name.

You'll see links to useful websites on the right hand side and all the posts are recorded in an archive so you can access them at any time.

It's easy to post a message so give it a go.

Peace,
Ben