Building a Successful Yoga Therapy Business:
Honouring the Ethical Foundations of Yoga Philosophy
Introduction:
Whether you recently graduated as a Yoga Therapist or have been practising as a Yoga Therapist for a while and relying on word-of-mouth referrals until now, now is the perfect time to take a more strategic approach to building your yoga therapy business.
This blog offers you some tips on getting started while honouring the ethics and principles of yoga, and leveraging your extensive knowledge in yoga therapy. Let's dive in!
Reflect on Your Purpose:
Take some time to reflect on why you became a Yoga Therapist. Was it a natural progression from your yoga teaching? Do you enjoy working one-on-one or in smaller groups? Are you passionate about helping people with specific health conditions or challenges? Understanding your motivations and areas of interest will help shape your business and guide your decision-making process.
Embrace the Ethical Foundations of Yoga Philosophy:
Reflecting on the core principles of the Yamas and Niyamas can provide you with a solid ethical foundation for your business practice. For instance:
Consider how you can honour the Yama of non-possessiveness (Asteya) by creating balanced therapeutic relationships with your clients, without the need to 'own' them.
Embrace the Yama of Aparigraha (non-greed) to value your time and expertise while sharing knowledge and supporting collaboration within your field.
Contemplate Satya (truth) to guide you in managing your business with integrity and maintaining authentic relationships with your clients.
Identify Your Target Client Base:
Determine your target market based on your specialisation and interests. This may include working with individuals with specific health conditions and concerns or targeting small groups of people with similar needs.
Perhaps you are interested in supporting people suffering the effects of chronic pain, cancer or long-Covid, or maybe you are drawn to offering support for individuals dealing with anxiety or depression. You may wish to focus on working with seniors, perinatal women, menopausal women, or cancer patients in recovery.
Understanding your target market will help tailor your services and allow you to create targeted marketing strategies.
Conclusion:
Starting and building a yoga therapy business requires careful consideration of your purpose, target market, and ethical principles. By reflecting on your motivations, embracing the ethical foundations of yoga and identifying your target client groups, you will have a solid foundation on which to develop your services, and build a successful and fulfilling yoga therapy practice.
Remember to stay true to the principles of yoga, prioritise the well-being of your clients, and continuously expand your knowledge and skills. With dedication, passion, and a strategic approach, you can make a meaningful impact through your yoga therapy business.
This blog post is based on an article by Jane Macpherson, Director, Treasurer and Founder Member of the Yoga Therapy Association. She has been a practising Yoga Therapist since 2012 and yoga teacher since 2004.
The full article is available in your Yoga Therapy Association Member area here
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