With our next 200 hour Namaslay® Yoga Teacher Training coming up this August in Tennessee and another in Santorini next April, and a Business and Marketing Intensive this weekend at Namaslay® Studios, we wanted to check in with Namaslay® YTT graduates and those who attended the Business and Marketing Retreat in Scottsdale last year to see how they’ve used what they learned. Self reflection is important as a teacher, and checking in helps us refine our craft. Plus, it’s always exciting to watch our little tribe grow and spread their gifts to others! Follow their journeys on Instagram and watch them fly; they hit the ground running!
Lily P. - Namaslay® YTT Santorini
1) What was it like to return to your "normal" life after leaving the yoga bubble of training? Any tips for future people making their way back into the real world after a training?
At times I got really bummed because not everyone was into yoga or as excited about it. I just keep doing my thing. I ask my friends if they want to do yoga with me. I find yoga events to meet others who do like yoga. Just keep up with your yoga practice and remember why you did the training, re-reading the notes/ journal entries from training helped a lot.
2) What successes have you experienced since returning home from training? Explain any challenges and triumphs you encountered. Why do you think you were successful?
I did start my own YouTube channel and got over my fear of being in front of camera and actually posting it publicly. The most difficult part was accepting the videos aren’t going to be perfect, it’s a learning process, and to just have fun with it and with life. I’m slowly asking friends if I can teach them yoga to get more confidence.
3) What tip would you have for someone considering taking the Namaslay® intensive 200hr training?
Enjoy it, don’t focus on what people will think. At the end of the day, that won’t matter. The opportunity to learn and what you make of that experience is what matters.
Follow Lily on Instagram @liloirene
Stephanie F. - Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat
1. What has proven to be your best takeaway from the Business and Marketing Retreat?
Candace's Business and Marketing Retreat was so beneficial to me for several reasons, mainly that I learned so much since I have no business and marketing background. The knowledge gained at the retreat also instilled quite a bit of confidence in me that continues to grow each day. Seriously.
2. What skills or tools have you implemented into your own business plans?
Since the retreat in December, I have done almost too many things to list -- so I'll try to keep it short. I got my permit to work from home, my business license, and my business banking account. I also have several irons in the fire, so to speak, such as overhauling my website, developing online courses (I am a teacher by profession, so that is right up my alley), and considering selling homemade eye pillows infused with lavender and spearmint as an additional business. In fact, I've already shipped two dozen eye pillows off to use as part of a swag bag for one of my friend's retreats. Having discovered Fiverr recently, I have gotten an official logo for my brand, an intro/outro for YouTube videos (yep, just started my channel), and an intro/outro music for my podcast when I get that up and running. You guessed it - I am gearing up for GREAT things when I retire from teaching in October!
I also have been much more active on my FB and IG yoga accounts, not only with regular posts, but also in stories and video production. As a result, I've been steadily growing an authentic audience. I was already planning and doing events, but now I know how to market them much better. In the future, I'll be adding workshops and maybe retreats. And, probably the thing I'm most proud of to date is that I am teaching a workshop at the Dirty South Yoga Festival in Atlanta, Georgia. That is such a big feather in my yoga cap!
3. What would you say to someone considering attending a Namaslay® Business and Marketing event?
My biggest takeaway - aside from building such a GREAT network with the wonderful women who attended the retreat (We even formed our own private FB group!) - has changed a bit from when I've talked my takeaway in the past. Now, my biggest takeaway almost seven months later is that I know my worth. Yeah, that's it. I. Know. My. Worth. And, as a matter of fact, I am applying this takeaway in a situation right now with a studio owner who wants me to sign a non-compete clause. I won't sign it, was very straightforward with the studio owner, and I've already lined up demo classes at two other studios.
Know your worth, follow your instincts, and be authentic.
Candace delivers. It's that simple, and I highly recommend her retreat to anybody wanting to take their yoga business to the next level.
Follow Stephanie on Instagram @stepfowleryoga
Caitlin K. - Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat
1. How has your business grown since the retreat in Scottsdale?
Since leaving the Business and Marketing Retreat, I have started to really grow my brand: Lavender Yoga. I have been growing my weekly teaching schedule in the Bay Area at a number of gyms and teaching corporate yoga classes at larger businesses. I have also started a monthly Beer Yoga class with Kelly Brewing Company the first Monday of the month.
2. What takeaway from the business and marketing classes has been the most helpful?
One of things that I have taken away from the retreat is how to brand yourself and how to bring your vision to life. I learned that partnering with other small businesses can help you market your business to a new demographic.
I am also continuing to grow my education by enrolling for stand-up paddle boarding yoga certification, which rounds out my teaching specialties to Chair, Kids, Flow, Vinyasa, Restorative and Standup Paddle boarding Yoga.
Follow Caitlin on Instagram @lavenderyogaig and Facebook at LavenderYoga
Shawna R. - Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat
1. How has your focus changed since attending the retreat in Scottsdale?
For the past 6 months since attending YBC®'s Business and Marketing Retreat in Scottsdale, I've been focusing on growing my personal clients along with private group classes. I have successfully hosted a workshop, lead a handful of private group yoga classes, and been the fitness coach for two 8-week challenges with great results. I am currently working on another workshop to be held in September, a 7-day mobility series, and getting my name out there for yoga for athletes.
2. What takeaway from the business and marketing classes has been the most helpful?
The information shared by Candace on how to utilize every aspect of Instagram has been a game changer. My engaged audience grows daily both for my yoga business and my other non-yoga related job. The two most important takeaways for me have been the tribe of women that I am now apart of and the confidence to know that I am worthy and capable of anything I'm willing to work for. I have a passion to share yoga with all who are willing to participate and realize now that it is good to have a price on that.
Follow Shawna on Instagram @abreathofyoga_
Paige E. - Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat
1. How has your business grown since the retreat in Scottsdale?
Since completing the Business and Marketing retreat with Candace in December, I’ve been so inspired and motivated to continue building my business.
After launching my website immediately following the retreat, I announced my first yoga retreat in the Spring which was a wild success, every bed filled which lead to the announcement of my fall retreat, coming up in September. We are glamping in Mendocino with a plan of four full practices, two advanced asana workshops, and plenty of free time for everyone to adventure and explore. More details available here.
I’ve also launched my YouTube channel, producing weekly videos which landed me a corporate teaching job. After the company saw my online classes, they hired me the same day!
And the cream on top, I found the confidence to leave my office job. I’ve began teaching yoga full-time at the beginning of May.
2. What takeaway from the business and marketing classes has been the most helpful?
Now more than ever, the simplest lessons from Candace’s retreat ring true. Everything I do, I try to provide value to my people. By combining consistent content with value, my following grows daily.
I’m so excited to already think about what 2020 may hold!
Follow Paige on Instagram @yogabypaige
Christina G. - Namaslay® YTT Thailand
1. How have you found ways to teach yoga since our training?
I am loving teaching a weekly class at my area community center to benefit an after school program. (Born Again Disciples) I also got my first workshop gig doing an Easter Advent workshop at a local church.*
2. What advice might you offer someone who has self-doubts about attending a yoga teacher training?
I’m DEFINITELY still myself, speech pathologist by day, but phew, when I get to class, I still consistently misname body parts, flip right from left, and form the most incoherent sentences possible. I guess it leaves all of us in the class laughing, or crying, or something in between. So all types are still welcome in the yoga teaching world, last I checked!
Follow Christina on Instagram @christinagibson
*Christina’s after school program lost its funding after she shared this update. She said, “This program made such a difference for SO many kids… so many kids were actually doing their homework which meant they were passing their classes…which meant they were getting good grades, which meant they had the potential to break the cycle, and then anything would be possible. The program was around for 7 years, but sadly it was primarily funded by one man, and his business had 2 years of bad breaks. They tried to raise the funds, but in the end it wasn’t enough in time.”
Many teachers, parents and community leaders face the same problem as Christina’s after school program. That’s why we’ve asked Ashley Spradlin, YBC®’s Editorial Director and Namaslay® YTT Graduate, to host a workshop on the Business of Yoga, Grant Writing at Namaslay® Studios next month, to teach people how to find funding for yoga programs. Be sure to follow the Instagram account for educational content, class schedules and workshop offerings, and sign up for our newsletter, where we’ll announce new teacher trainings and YBC® events.