How to Open a Yoga Studio That Stands Out: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you considering starting your own yoga business, but not sure how to open a successful yoga studio? You are in good company. Given that it's one of the most popular fitness and mental health practices on the planet, yoga studios are big business. More than 36 million Americans are hitting their yoga mats, and yoga's rapid growth shows no signs of slowing. It's tempting to go from yoga teacher to business owner.

Although the yoga market is a very competitive space, with the right planning and the right business tools like good yoga studio software, it can be an amazing chance to build a community you love.

Here's how to build a thriving yoga business from scratch, plus common mistakes to avoid.

What is a Yoga Studio Business?

A yoga studio company offers yoga classes and services to a group of customers. This can be either in a physical location or in an existing gym, studio, coworking space or store. The pandemic has also made virtual yoga practices more popular, with sessions being taught and attended all over the world. A yoga studio business can also generate additional revenue streams, such as branded clothing or merchandise.

How to Open a Yoga Studio

So you will: you will finally make your dream come true and open your very own yoga studio. Just like the practice of yoga itself, you will need a lot of hard work and dedication. But to truly set yourself up for success? You will need to carefully strategize and follow these crucial steps.

Step 1: Get certified by an accredited yoga organization

If you haven't already, start by getting the proper accreditation from a recognized organization like the Yoga Alliance. Your training should teach you the inner workings of running successful yoga classes, as well as demonstrate to your clients that you've reached a high level of ability as an instructor (something you can also market to your advantage).

Step 2: Build a clientele of yogis

Start building loyalty before you go it alone. When people already know who you are, they'll be much more likely to follow you in your new venture. Spend time working at an established yoga center to perfect your art. Consider sparking interest with a free or donation-only class or two at a local gym or retail store. It's a great way to gain experience, expand your clientele, and draw more attention to your teaching style and technique.

Step 3: Develop a clear vision for your yoga business

Once you have the certification and client group you need, write a business plan and vision statement. Carefully review your goals and defining characteristics, in writing. You are much more likely to clearly see your business ideas and implement them if you have a written document to refer to.

This will probably be the most time-consuming part of your planning process, and for good reason. Your plan will serve as the backbone of your yoga business and shape every part of your decision-making process. In your document, be sure to include these elements:

An executive summary

Write your story and what you want your business to be. Think of it as an elevator pitch to explain who you are, what you offer, and what makes you special. This summary will help a potential partner or investor decide whether to continue reading the rest of your plan.‌

Answer the question of who your target customers are and what specific yoga classes and services you offer. (Ashtanga? Vinyasa? Hot? Power? Prenatal?) Are you solely focused on teaching advanced practitioners or do you want to attract clients of all skill levels?

Decide what kind of sports or meditative experience you want to create, specializing in a general style so you don't confuse people. Also consider whether you are selling clothing or products in your yoga studio as an additional source of income.

A marketing plan

Think about how you will market your yoga studio. Will you be running Google ads, hosting events, or marketing your business on social media? If you are planning to open your business in an area where there are many other yoga studios, what will make yours stand out from your competitors? What courses, services or products are missing in your community? How will you address unmet user needs and how will you communicate your unique offerings?

A management plan

Who will manage your studio? If you're going to make it all work...