How to Teach Yoga in the Corporate Marketplace, Part 1

Many Yoga instructors, and Yoga teacher interns, are seeking methods for reaching into the corporate sector. After all, the corporate sector is almost as alluring as a government contract. Yet, there is a mystery surrounding how Yoga teachers should enter the corporate world. Below are some of the most effective ways to establish a strong business as a Corporate Yoga Teacher.

Yoga offers many health solutions to the masses, but for the corporate world, Yoga offers solutions for accident prevention, injury prevention, employee job performance, and cutting down on "sick time." Some "forward thinking" companies have corporate fitness centers, group fitness classes, and Yoga classes.

However, Yoga teachers still have to explain what exactly they teach. For any Yoga teacher, this is a great chance to redefine the purpose of Yoga. This is an opportunity for Yoga instructors to explain how learning Yoga will fulfill the needs of responsible companies. By taking preventative action for their own employee's sake, these companies will save money in worker's compensation claims and improve their overall production.

It is unfortunate that greed and fear are the prime motivators involved in buying most products and services. Another prime motivator is the actual need for your product or service. As Yoga teachers, we offer the service of education for the purpose of prevention and complete health maintenance.

Corporate Yoga teachers are addressing something more powerful than fear and need - combined. That is the reality, and experience, of paying more, every year, for worker's compensation claims. Real experience is more powerful than perceived fear. Yoga programs, for the corporate sector, offer very real solutions.

This is where the strength in a Corporate Yoga program shows. All companies, and especially the larger ones, know the harsh reality of paying for accidents or repetitive motion injuries. Most companies have also experienced a dip in production due to increased absenteeism. So, the "bottom line" is that Yoga training offers many solutions for companies, which want to take action.

What should Yoga teacher's mention in their brochures, letters, post cards, faxes, Email, and flyers? If you are sending anything electronically, please make sure you have permission. With that said, Yoga training offers businesses solutions such as: Improved physical balance, flexibility, coordination, awareness, self-discipline, goal setting skills, and how to effectively use your body for leverage without causing injury. As a Yoga teacher, you could offer a short-term "Yoga workshop for injury prevention," as an introductory program to "get your foot in the door."

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html