If you have decided to read this article it is likely that you are either already a yoga therapist, are perhaps considering going through training to become one, or are at least familiar with what yoga therapy is (if not, check out this article).
By combining the ancient wisdom of yoga with modern therapeutic techniques, yoga therapy is a profoundly transformative approach to wellness, and creating a robust program is the key to unlocking its potential. In this article, you will learn how to build a program that not only thrives but also fosters genuine transformation.
Get Proper Training and Certification
Yoga therapy demands a comprehensive understanding of yoga principle, anatomy and physiology, and various therapeutic methodologies.
Before you build your program you will need to become certified through an organization that is accredited by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT). This not only augments your expertise but also solidifies your reputation and credibility among potential clients and peer healthcare practitioners.
Define Your Goals and Target Audience
Before embarking on your yoga therapy journey, it’s crucial to have a crystal-clear vision of your objectives and the individuals you aim to empower. Brainstorm the following:
What specific health issues or challenges will your program tackle?
Be it stress management, chronic pain relief, or enhancing flexibility, clarify your mission.
Who is your intended audience?
This is critical and often overlooked. Yes, yoga therapy is for everyone, but if you intend to successfully sell your program year after year, you will need to know your niche. No, this will not limit who you are able to work with, but rather will help you become an authority in your space.
Are you focusing on seniors, those on the path to recovery, or individuals grappling with mental health issues? How will yoga therapy and your program help them?
What are your long-term aspirations for the program?
How much money do you need to make each time you launch it? Will you want to collaborate with specific healthcare practitioners? Will it be online, in-person, or both?
Conduct Market Research & Build Your Presence Online
Once you know who your target audience is, it is important to do some market research to gauge interest before you spend all the time to build your program. This could be a few targeted polls on social media, asking current clients to do a quick informational
interview, and maybe joining some existing groups for your target audience online. Market research is something you will need to do regularly to make sure that you are staying up to date on current trends in your area and to gauge demand for your program.
Once you have completed some initial research and feel confident this is the direction you want to go, then it is time to build a presence for yourself online. Even if you intend to only offer in-person services, having a presence online will powerfully help build your
client base and authority with your target audience. Of course social media is one of the best places to start, but you could also start a blog, write regular newsletters, or even start a podcast. All of these will help you build authority and reach for your program.
Develop a Comprehensive Curriculum & Get Feedback
Craft a structured curriculum that aligns seamlessly with your objectives and resonates with your target audience. Keep the following points in mind as you create:
- Consider putting your curriculum into an online format. While we all know that in-person yoga is often more meaningful, having at least a part of your program online will help you scale your business to be able to sell this program to more people.
- Make it chronological so that your clients are taken on a journey. This will help to keep them curious and engaged, and it will help you better understand where they are with all of your content.
- Teach what you know.
- Create a private community space online for those who sign up for your program. This will give your clients a place to interact with one another for support and guidance, and will be a priceless resource to you for gathering feedback, making announcements, and potentially selling future courses you may create. Facebook, Kajabi, or Mighty Networks are all great ways to do this.
Once you have created your curriculum, gather some initial feedback from current clients, family, and friends. Perhaps you take a small cohort through your program, or you could also do informational interviews.
Create a Sales Funnel and Embrace Marketing
As Yogis, sales and marketing are often the last things we want to think about, much less do. Yet, if you intend for your yoga therapy program to last the test of time and help
provide the income you need to live a healthy and meaningful life, then you will need to pay attention here and take action.
Crafting a meaningful yoga therapy program is truly only the tip of the iceberg. You now have to sell this program, because unfortunately it will not sell itself. One of the best ways to do this is to create a mini-version of your course that you offer for free to new prospective clients.
This can either be a downloadable PDF, a short video series, or even a live class. This mini-version of your program should provide specific results to your clients without giving away everything that is in the full program. In exchange for your free mini-course, clients will sign up for your email list – the money is in the list folks.
Not only will your mini-course help to build your credibility, but it will show your prospective clients what it is like to work with you. You then have their email to be able to send a few targeted emails based on their interest in the mini-course. This is where you get to share all that is possible for potential clients if they join the full program.
If the thought of sales and marketing makes you cringe, fear not, there are multiple different marketing programs for yoga teachers (such as the Digital Yoga Academy) available to help coach you through the basics. So take a deep breath and remember, your mission depends on you making sales.
Evaluate, Adapt, Share
Regularly assess your program’s impact and seek input from clients. Harness this feedback to make necessary refinements, fine-tune your curriculum, and ensure your program remains dynamic and beneficial. As you continue moving more people through your program, illuminate their success stories and testimonials to captivate new potential clients.
Crafting a thriving yoga therapy program is a journey that demands dedication, expertise, and empathy. By following these steps, you can construct a program that not only enriches the lives of your clients but also establishes you as a revered and effective yoga therapist in your community. Remember, the path to success involves continual learning, adaptation, and intentional marketing practices.
