WELCOME
LET'S GET STARTED 
ABOUT US 
YOUR SUCCESS
CUSTOMER SERVICE
​COMMUNICATION
CONTACT INFO + HOUR
PROCEDURES 
PROGRAMMING 



"Hurrah for Bett’s
first class…she
does several
things very well,
such as her pacing,
her integration
of breath work,
and she is
especially gifted
in her awareness
of me as a student observing her
on a screen! I'll
​be back!"
​~ KM
OPERATIONS MANUAL
YOUR CLASS
tips for getting your new class off to a good start
​
SYNERGY IS KEY TO BUILDING YOUR STUDENT BASE
When studio and teacher work together the results are exponential.   
If only one side is participating  it's a bit like the sound of one hand clapping.  We each have our work to do — let's do it together!

Mountain Yoga does the following to promote your teaching to our community.
  • promote you on our website
  • feature you in our eNews
  • post about you on social media
  • make studio announcements about you joining our staff
  • feature you on our podcast
​
Things you can do to build your student base include:
  • most importantly, teaching a class that makes students want to come back
  • provide us with great, high-quality yoga photos of yourself and a lot of them
  • maintain a professional website that includes your Mountain Yoga activities
  • have a social media account and post about your teaching (review our posting guidelines.)
  • Follow Mountain Yoga on Instagram and Facebook and interact with our posts
  • issue a monthly newsletter
  • make studio class announcements  

When communicating about your classes remember to:
Friends 4 Free Promotion. 
Once or twice a year we have a promotion where you can invite students in your community unfamiliar to MYoga to attend your class FREE. This is a great time to remind them of your class by sending them a free coupon for class (which we provide you!) 
HELP US HELP YOU.
Please send us the following materials within 3 days of being hired so we can get started promoting you from our end.  The quality of your photos, videos and copy will determine just how effective our efforts are at promoting you.  — the sooner we get it, the sooner we can start introducing you to potential students.  Please send us:  
 
1) A short bio Up to 90 words, written in the first person, and including the following. Please look at our faculty page for examples.
  1. What you aim to accomplish in your classes
  2. Your key credentials (e.g., 500RHYT, taught for 12 years, etc)
  3. A distinguishing characteristic (e.g., teach Veterans, study philosophy, sing in class, bilingual, etc.) 
  4. Your website address, email or phone (optional)

2) Two photos: a "head shot" and a "yoga shot"
Photos that capture your essence as a teacher AND a person! Something dynamic where YOU shine. Looking directly into the camera, while not essential, can be a strong choice. Some samples below
  1. Large file (min 1200x1800 pixels)
  2. Color
  3. Dynamic and/or expressive
  4. Express your personality
3) Your promo info
  • Website address
  • Instagram page
  • Facebook Page
  • And add Mountain Yoga up for your email list!
​
TEACHER CONDUCT FOR SUCCESS
Building a student base has more to do with your behavior than what we think of as "promotion." Students respond as much to HOW their teacher interacts with them as to what they teach.  

1 : GETTING STUDENTS TO TRY YOUR CLASS
The most powerful thing you can do to build your following is to get in front of as many students as possible during your first month.  Here are a few ways:
 
Avoid absences  
It takes a lot to get a student to try something new. If a new student makes the effort to try your class only to discover you are not there, you may have missed your chance with that person. 

Sub classes.  This is the #1 way to introduce yourself to lots of new students at Mountain Yoga. A chance for them to connect the eNews article they saw with a real person, for you to share who you are, for them to sample your teaching.  
 
Take classes.  You are entitled to unlimited free classes your first month at the studio. (As part of the onboarding process our studio manager will load your Mindbody Account with once month unlimited classes to use as you like.) Please use these classes to familiarize yourself with our community, meet fellow teachers, and show your face. Our teachers will introduce you as a new teacher and may even invite you to teach a small segment.
 
Tell your community about your new class. We encourage you to share your new class with your community by including it on your website, emailing an announcement to your community, and posting on your social media. If you do, be sure to let them know — THE NEW STUDENT SPECIAL!

2: INSPIRING FIRST-TIMERS TO RETURN TO YOUR CLASS
You have one chance to connect with someone who visits your class for the first time.  Here are some tips for sparking a relationship with your first time students that will inspire them to return.   

Learn your students’ names and use them.  
The first step of any relationships is to learn each other’s name.  Use your students' names throughout the course of class.
 
Share a bit about who you are how you came to yoga, what teaching means to you now. People connect through stories.

Ask them to share a bit about who they are. What brought them to yoga? What do they enjoy? What is challenging? How are they doing today?
 
A mat, a strap, a blanket and a block are the only props our students will be arriving to zoom class with. Plan your classes accordingly.
 
Teach students, not poses. You may come in with a lesson plan that does not suit students who actually show up for your class. Let go of your agenda and teach the people in front of you.
 
Be flexible. Students may have a certain way of doing things that is different than the way you teach.  It may be the way their previous teacher did it, or out of modesty, or any number of reasons. Be flexible and give options, while gently encouraging them to try something new. 
 
Ensure everyone succeeds. Ever been to a class where the only one in the who can do the pose is the teacher? We have!  What could be more demoralizing. Teach so everyone can enjoy a little sense of a challenge but not leave feeling like a failure!
 
Give feedback and encouragement. This is especially important when Zooming. Make a point of looking at the screen periodically and let your students know they are seen by giving encouragement and constructive feedback.

3: GIVE EXTRA ATTENTION  TO FIRST-TIMERS TO  MOUNTAIN YOGA

Identify new students in Mindbody by the green star next to their name.   

Initiate a conversation before class starts. Ask about THEM: “How did you get into yoga? “What are you looking for in your practice?"   

Listen and confirm you're hearing them. “I’m sorry to hear you’ve been in pain!", “I know what it’s like to be the stiffest in one in class!"

Reassure them "you’ve come to the right place…” And tell them why. 

Ask if you can touch base after class, then do!

Check in at class end. Ask how they feel.  How was the level?  Is whatever was ailing them feeling any better? Be prepared to answer questions about signing up for their next class. Should they get a membership? A class pack? Is your class the right level for them? How often should they come (answer: twice a week!)
​
Offer suggestions for their next classes.  Most new students attend their first class as part of the New Student Special — which means they have some more classes on their plan.  Ask if they are looking for anything in particular — strengthening, calming...— and help point them in the right direction. Create connection by being helpful.

Say good-bye! Sounds obvious, but sometimes new students wander out the door feeling self-conscious. Make sure you acknowledge them by saying "Great to meet you. Look forward to seeing you in class again one day soon!" Short and sweet!

EMAIL SARA about your new student Sara personally reaches out by phone to say welcome to every new student.  If you have a little info about a new student, you can pass along prior to her call, that can be very helpful!   

ATTEND STUDIO EVENTS
 We have a very popular Community Picnic once a year that is a fantastic way to introduce yourself to students. You can also sign up to teach the open-air class at the picnic (you will be paid) as another way to introduce our community to what you can do. Occasionally we have other studio events that offer you an opportunity to meet new students — we'll keep you posted!