5 ways to find new local yoga students and build community

Summary

In this video, a yoga teacher shares five essential tips for building a local community and attracting students to in-person classes, particularly after relocating to a new area. The speaker emphasizes the importance of attending local events, engaging with yoga studios and gyms, frequenting coffee shops or breweries, and networking with small business owners. Each tip focuses on putting yourself out there and building relationships within the community, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. The speaker also highlights how these efforts can lead to teaching opportunities, workshops, and stronger connections with potential students.

Takeaways

• 😀 Look for local events in your community to meet new people and start building connections. Use tools like Facebook, Meetup, or Nextdoor to find events that interest you.
• 😀 Attend events even if you go alone. Embrace the discomfort as this is the best way to meet new people, and you might end up building valuable relationships over time.
• 😀 If you're a yoga teacher, attending yoga classes is a great way to get involved in your community and network with other yoga practitioners and instructors.
• 😀 Arriving a bit early and staying a little late at yoga classes helps you interact with others before and after class, which can lead to new connections or teaching opportunities.
• 😀 Visit multiple yoga studios to get a better feel for the community. Don't judge a studio based on one class – give it at least three or four visits to form a more comprehensive opinion.
• 😀 Join general gyms or large facilities like the YMCA to network. You might not get paid a lot, but you gain valuable exposure and the chance to meet people who could later attend your classes or workshops.
• 😀 Frequent local spots like coffee shops or breweries. These places often provide a more relaxed environment where you can strike up conversations with new people and potential students.
• 😀 Get to know the staff at local cafes and breweries. Baristas, servers, and owners interact with a lot of people and can help refer you to potential students or collaborators.
• 😀 Small business owners in your community are key contacts. As a yoga teacher and entrepreneur, learning from them and networking with them can open up many opportunities for referrals and collaborations.
• 😀 Consistency is key to building a local community. Frequent the same places and events at regular times to become a familiar face, which helps people remember you and your services.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker in this video?

The speaker focuses on how yoga teachers, particularly those new to a community, can build a local community around them to attract new students for in-person classes.

How did the speaker transition from Fargo to a new community?

The speaker moved across the country to a small town on the Washington Peninsula in 2018, leaving behind friends and family. The speaker had to build a new network and community from scratch.

What was the first step the speaker took to build their new community?

The first step the speaker took was to look for local events on platforms like Facebook, Meetup, or Nextdoor. The speaker attended a communications game gathering and participated regularly, making new friends and connections.

What types of events should new community members look for to build connections?

Newcomers should look for various local events such as arts and crafts gatherings, knitting clubs, or even wine tasting events. These events can be great for meeting like-minded individuals and starting new connections.

What is the importance of attending yoga classes when trying to build a local community?

Attending yoga classes helps the speaker become part of the yoga community in their new town. It also provides opportunities to meet other students, yoga teachers, and even studio owners, which could lead to teaching or networking opportunities.

What is one key tip for making connections in yoga classes?

The speaker recommends arriving 10-15 minutes early and staying a little late after class. This allows for conversations with students, teachers, or studio owners, which could lead to new opportunities like subbing classes or collaborating on future events.

How did the speaker manage to land subbing jobs at yoga studios?

By engaging in casual conversations before and after class, the speaker was able to inform studio owners or managers about their teaching experience. This led to being asked to sub for yoga classes when needed.

Why does the speaker suggest joining a gym or larger facility?

Joining a gym or a large facility like the YMCA allows you to meet a broader group of people who may not be exclusively focused on yoga but are interested in fitness, providing further networking opportunities and potential students.

What role do coffee shops and breweries play in building a community?

Coffee shops and breweries serve as excellent spaces for meeting new people. The speaker emphasizes the importance of getting to know the baristas or servers, as they interact with many people and could refer others to your yoga classes.

How does getting to know small business owners contribute to building a community?

Getting to know local small business owners, such as those in bookshops or other retail spaces, helps you network with key members of the community. They can offer referrals or collaborate with you, creating additional opportunities to promote your yoga classes.

What is the overall takeaway about building an in-person community?

The key takeaway is that building an in-person community requires getting out of your comfort zone. Whether attending local events, joining a gym, or frequenting coffee shops, the process involves engaging with others, initiating conversations, and being consistent to build meaningful connections.