Community-Driven Marketing

Here’s something I’ve noticed: yoga teachers will spend hours perfecting their sequences, invest in trainings, buy props, create playlists—but when it comes to marketing, they freeze. And I get it. Because most marketing advice sounds like this: “Post 3x daily! Run Facebook ads! Create a funnel! Optimize your SEO!” Exhausting, right? And honestly, kind of soulless. But what if I told you the most powerful marketing tool you have isn’t an algorithm or an ad budget? It’s already sitting on mats in your studio. It’s your students. The Truth About How Yoga Classes Actually Fill I’ve seen this pattern over and over: A teacher spends hundreds on ads and gets a handful of sign-ups. Meanwhile, another teacher with zero ad budget has a waitlist for every class. What’s the difference? The second teacher understands something crucial: people don’t find yoga teachers through ads. They find them through trust. And trust doesn’t come from seeing a sponsored post—it comes from hearing their friend rave about your class. Think about your own journey. How did you find your favorite teachers? Probably someone told you, “You have to take Sarah’s class” or “This teacher changed my life.” That’s the kind of marketing money can’t buy. The good news? You can intentionally create more of these moments. Not by being manipulative or transactional, but by building genuine community and making it easy for people to share their experience. Let’s talk about how. Tip #1: Ask for One Story Each Week After class, when everyone’s in that post-savasana glow, approach one student (rotate who you ask) and say something like: “I’d love to hear what brought you to class today. And if you’re willing to share, how did you feel afterward?” Most people will light up. They want to share. They’re feeling good and connected. With their permission, share that story. It could be: A social media post (with their name if they’re comfortable, or anonymously) A line in your weekly email A testimonial on your website Here’s why this works: When potential students read, “I came to yoga because I was anxious and couldn’t sleep. After just one class with Maria, I felt calm for the first time in months” — that’s not you bragging. That’s one human helping another human find what they need. It’s authentic. It’s specific. It’s relatable. And it answers the question every potential student has: “Will this actually help me?” Make it even easier: Keep a small notebook or use your phone to jot down these stories right after class. Set a reminder every Monday to post one story from the previous week. That’s 52 powerful testimonials a year with minimal effort. You’re not creating content for content’s sake. You’re amplifying the real experiences happening in your space. Tip #2: Create Small Shareable Moments Marketing doesn’t have to be big campaigns or elaborate strategies. Sometimes it’s just creating little moments that people naturally want to share. Here are some simple ideas: Group photos after special classesAfter a workshop, full moon class, or any special session, take a quick group photo. Post it and tag people (if they’re comfortable). When they share it to their stories, their friends see it. Organic reach. “Bring a Friend” passesHand out cards that say: “Give the gift of yoga. Bring a friend to any class this month—free.” Every student becomes a potential ambassador. And when someone comes with a friend? They both have a better experience. Affirmation cards with a purposeCreate small cards with a meaningful quote or affirmation on the front, and your class schedule + booking link on the back. Hand them out after class. Students keep them on their desks, nightstands, or mirrors. Every time they see it, they think of you. And when a friend notices it and asks about it? Built-in conversation starter. Milestone celebrationsDid someone just complete their 10th class? 50th class? First headstand? Celebrate it publicly (with permission). Recognition makes people feel seen, and their friends will see that your studio is a place where people stick around and achieve things. The key insight here: You’re not asking students to “market” for you. You’re creating experiences worth talking about and making them easy to share. When someone has a great class, feels celebrated, or brings a friend, they’re not promoting your business—they’re sharing something meaningful in their life. You just happen to be part of that meaning. Tip #3: Stay in Their Inbox (Without Being Annoying) Here’s a reality check: your students are busy. Between the time they leave your class and the next time they think about booking, life happens. Kids, work, groceries, errands, scrolling Instagram… and suddenly it’s been three weeks since they came to class. This isn’t about them not caring. It’s about you not being top of mind. The solution? A simple, consistent weekly email. Not promotional. Not salesy. Just a short, valuable note that keeps you present in their life. Some formats that work: “Pose of the Week”Break down one pose—how to do it, modifications, benefits, and why it matters. Include a photo or short video if you want. End with: “We’ll practice this in Thursday’s class—book your spot here.” “What I’m Learning This Month”Share something from your own practice or life. Maybe you’re working on patience. Maybe you’re exploring a new breathing technique. Be real, be vulnerable. End with: “I’d love to explore this together in class.” “Student Spotlight”Feature a student’s journey (with permission). Share their story, their growth, their why. Other students love seeing themselves reflected, and it reinforces community. “Monthly Themes”If you teach with monthly themes (like “grounding” in October or “opening” in spring), send a mid-month email expanding on it. Maybe a journal prompt, a mudra, a mantra, or a simple practice they can do at home. The structure is always: Something valuable (not just “come to class”) Personal and authentic Short (under 300 words) One clear call-to-action at the end (usually booking link) Why this matters: Every week you show up in their inbox, you’re reminding

Marketing Basics: To Get Your Flow Started

Let’s talk about the M-word that makes so many yoga teachers uncomfortable: Marketing. I’ve watched countless talented teachers shrink at the mention of it. They’ll master a challenging arm balance, hold space for deep emotional releases, and guide students through profound transformations—but ask them to market themselves? Suddenly, it feels like they’re being asked to compromise everything they believe in. Here’s what I’ve learned from working with yoga teachers and understanding this world from the inside: Marketing isn’t about being pushy, salesy, or inauthentic. At its core, marketing is simply about connection. It’s about making it easy for the people who need you to find you. Think of marketing like creating a flow sequence—it needs structure, intention, and natural progression. And just like teaching yoga, once you understand the basics, you can build from there. Why Marketing Feels Hard (And Why It Doesn’t Have To) The resistance many teachers feel toward marketing usually comes from a few common misconceptions: “If I’m good enough, students will just find me” (Spoiler: even the best teachers need visibility) “Marketing is manipulative” (Only if you’re being manipulative—authentic marketing is just honest communication) “I’m not good at sales” (You’re not selling; you’re serving) “I don’t have time for marketing” (You don’t have time NOT to market if you want a sustainable practice) The truth is, when you’re not marketing, you’re not just hurting yourself—you’re making it harder for the students who need exactly what you offer to find their way to you. So let’s break it down into a simple, manageable flow. Three steps. That’s it. Step 1: Get Clear on Your Message (Know Your Why) Before you post anything, write any copy, or create any content, you need clarity. Not on what you teach—but on WHO you serve and WHY you teach. This is your foundation. Without it, all your marketing will feel scattered, inauthentic, and exhausting. Ask yourself: Who do I most love teaching? (Be specific: busy parents? athletes? people healing from trauma? beginners who are intimidated? seniors?) What transformation do I facilitate? (Not “I teach vinyasa”—go deeper: “I help anxious professionals find calm” or “I guide people back into their bodies after injury”) Why does this matter to me? (Your personal connection to this work—this is what makes you different from every other teacher) Here’s an example: Instead of: “I’m a certified yoga teacher offering classes for all levels” Try: “I help overwhelmed moms rediscover their strength and calm through yoga that fits into real life—no perfect poses or Instagram-worthy flexibility required” See the difference? The second one speaks directly to someone. It addresses a real struggle. It creates connection. Your action step: Write 2-3 sentences that clearly state who you serve, what you help them with, and why you’re passionate about it. This becomes the core message that threads through everything you do. Don’t overthink this. It can evolve. But you need a starting point. Step 2: Show Up Consistently (Build Your Presence) Here’s where many teachers get stuck: they think they need to be everywhere, doing everything, all the time. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, a blog, a podcast, email newsletters, flyers, events… No. Stop. Consistency beats perfection. Presence beats omnipresence. Pick ONE primary channel where your ideal students actually hang out, and commit to showing up there regularly. That’s it. For most yoga teachers, this might be: Instagram (visual, community-focused, where many yoga students discover teachers) Email (direct connection, higher engagement, you own the relationship) Local community boards (if you’re studio-based and serve a specific geographic area) Facebook groups (if your ideal students are in specific community groups) Here’s what consistent presence looks like: Post 3-4 times per week on your chosen platform (not 10 times one week, then nothing for a month) Share a mix of content: teaching clips, personal insights, helpful tips, class reminders, student wins (with permission) Be human—students connect with teachers, not perfect personas Engage with your community—respond to comments, comment on others’ posts, build relationships The key question: What can you realistically maintain without burning out? If you can genuinely show up on Instagram 4x/week, great. If you can only commit to one thoughtful email every other week, that’s also great. Just commit to it and follow through. Your action step: Choose your one primary channel. Create a simple content plan—what will you share and when? Put it in your calendar like you would a class. If it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen. Tools like SutraSuite can help with this by managing your schedule and automating reminders, so you’re not juggling everything in your head. The less mental energy you spend on logistics, the more you have for meaningful connection. Step 3: Make It Easy to Say Yes (Remove Friction) You’ve clarified your message. You’re showing up consistently. Now here’s where many teachers lose potential students: they make it too hard to actually book a class. Think about your student’s journey: They see your post and think “This sounds great!” Then what? Do they have to DM you? Email you? Text you? Hunt for your schedule? Figure out how to pay? Every extra step is a place where people drop off. Remove the friction: Clear call-to-action: Every post, email, or piece of content should tell people exactly what to do next: “Book your spot here” with a link Simple booking process: Ideally, they can see your schedule and book in 2-3 clicks (this is exactly why online booking systems exist) Transparent pricing: Don’t make people ask how much things cost—it creates an unnecessary barrier Easy payment: Accept multiple payment methods, make it seamless Mobile-friendly everything: Most people will find you and book on their phones The goal: From seeing your post to being booked in your class should be as smooth as possible. Your action step: Test your own booking process. Pretend you’re a new student. How many steps does it take? How many questions do you have? Where do you get stuck? Fix those friction points. If you’re still managing bookings through text messages