Increase Your Class Size: Part 2

7. Connect with students – in class

Some examples include: learning their names, asking about their pets, trips, children (listen and remember and maybe even write it down notes,) getting their props for them before or during class, encouragement during class (as long as you don’t centre them out in a way that may make them uncomfortable.)

ACTION ITEM: Place yourself near the entrance/exit and greet the students as they enter/say goodbye as they leave.

8.Connect with students – outside of class Emails

affords you the opportunity to keep in touch outside of class. It also gives you the chance to express part of your unique personality that already attracts your students to your class.

Facebook Live videos are another wonderful way to further share your passion and area of expertise in yoga. Both of these forms of communication allow you to create themes (covered in episode 1 of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Live Video Choosing a Theme.)

Facebook groups a great place to communicate as you offer bonuses such as additional articles, special outings, and information on your upcoming classes or workshops, or even foster discussion.

Texting your student is another option. There is program called Remind which is geared toward teachers and it allows you to send group messages. You can use it remind students of an upcoming class, that a class needs to be canceled due to weather concerns or as a way to keep an open dialogue if your clients have questions or concerns, while protecting the identity of the other students on the list

Phone calls may be something that is more in your comfort zone. Checking in with students who haven’t been in quite some time may indicate that something is going on in the student’s life.

ACTION ITEM: Gather your students’ email addresses and get them ready to put them on a list in an email program- discussed further in episode 9 of The Connected Yoga Teacher Facebook Live Video: Create and Grow Your Yoga Student Email List. 9. Posters and Business Cards Keep them with you and ready to pass out or put up. It’s handy to have a poster travel kit with you that includes a variety of ways to hang your posters (tape, tacks, etc.) Consider getting business cards made if you don’t have any and keep them on you so you can hand them out if you’re asked.

9. Posters and Business Cards

Keep them with you and ready to pass out or put up. It’s handy to have a poster travel kit with you that includes a variety of ways to hang your posters (tape, tacks, etc.) Consider getting business cards

ACTION ITEM: Create a poster or business card to have ready to pass out or hang up. 10. Get to know students’ preferences/check in When you have a smaller class it’s a great opportunity to take the time to check in asking them what poses they enjoy and what parts of their bodies need some extra attention. You can incorporate the poses into your future classes each week.

10. Get to know students’ preferences/check in

When you have a smaller class it’s a great opportunity to take the time to check in asking them what poses they enjoy and what parts of their bodies need some extra attention. You can incorporate the poses into your future classes each week.

ACTION ITEM: Ask students to rub hands together and place hands over the body that needs some love and take those cues to build your class.

11. Offer the same thing every week. Offer something different every week.

It sounds contradictory but including the same poses while introducing new poses things can help students feel comfortable and internalize the poses and learn about these poses in relation to their bodies. Adding a new thing will keep the students feeling challenged and increase their knowledge base.

The opposite of a great truth is also true” –Gretchen Rubin

ACTION ITEM: If you generally do the same thing add something new or tweak and commonly used pose, if you often vary your classes quite a bit try the same flow each week in a session.

12. Offer Treats

Some examples: quote on a paper, a yummy treat (could be healthy or semi-healthy like organic chocolate or ginger chews, maybe even something homemade,) pose cards, candles, something that works with the holidays such as an ornament a Christmas, chocolate on Valentine’s Day

ACTION ITEM: Bring a treat to your next class, may work with your theme

13. Assists

While some people love touch while others feel uncomfortable. If you or your students aren’t comfortable with touch, there are other ways to assist. One area you may begin offering touch-based assists is during savasna. A couple of ways to ensure your student is comfortable with touch is by using consent cards or by classes that include assists as a focus so the student knows what to expect. The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 004: Assisting Yoga Students Without Touch

ACTION ITEM: Learn one assist and practice on your friend, partner, another yoga teacher, etc.

14. Strengthen Your Own Practice

At home or get out to a class can strengthen your practice and skills as a yoga teacher. Online yoga classes are an option on sites such as Yoga Anywhere and Yogaglo. The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast 001: How to Reconnect with Your Yoga Practice

ACTION ITEM: Set a time and place to practice yoga.