If you’ve just set up your very own business in an attempt to convert the masses in your local area to the benefits of yoga, you may need to hire fellow yogis as your startup idea turns into a reality. 

So, what should you look for in your staff team? No longer are you looking for the suited and booted corporate type, but a whole new breed of professional. Here are 3 ways to source the ideal team of yogis for your business.

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1.Passion

Any team member that you are thinking of hiring needs to share your passion for yoga. It’s no good interviewing individuals who see yoga as nothing more than a job. You want to find people who eat, breathe and sleep yoga. Their pores should exude enthusiasm and be eager to pass their passion on to your potential clients. You may find that the most experienced yogi passes through your door and knows every pose and posture under the sun yet they lack the spark that you are looking for. Trust your gut and hire those people who you feel will fit in with your business model.

Any yoga teacher needs to have a high level of personal integrity. This is the single most important thing that any student will be looking for. If a yogi turns up late for a class and has a hangover from the night before, they will not fill their class full of students with confidence, and you will find class numbers dwindling. You want to be the yoga business that everyone’s talking about for all the right reasons.

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2. Teaching Ability

Just because you are proficient in yoga doesn’t mean you will be an excellent teacher. Ask any potential candidates about their teaching methodologies and ask them to teach a short class as part of the interview process. You need to find yogis who make people feel at ease on their yoga mats. Teachers shouldn’t be scary or intimidating but supportive and caring. They should want to see their students excel and succeed.

Even though the discipline of yoga is more gentle than contact sports, for example, injuries can still occur. It’s up to a competent teacher to assess these ailments and decide whether a student is fit for class or needs to have some adaptations made for their yoga experience. A confident teacher should be able to address the personal needs of their student.

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3. Your Role

As an employer, you need to ensure that your staff team is cohesive and buys into the vision of your business. You don’t want a splintered workforce. To promote togetherness, set up some away days, meals out or team building exercises. Showing your fellow yogis that you care and that you want them to work in a happy and productive environment will see them more motivated to perform at their best.

You need to manage all aspects of your business, from the rent that you pay on premises to the quarterly electricity bills. Ensure that your finances are in order, payroll is set up and that you have a high-quality employee absence management system to record when your yogis have time off. Ensuring that your logistics are well managed and organised means that all you have to worry about is the essence of yoga rather than reams of paperwork.

Starting any sort of business is tough with 80% of startups not making it through their first eighteen months of trading. Although you need an exceptional business plan, secure funding and sound market research to maximise your chances of success, you should not underestimate the quality of your staff team of yogis. These people are integral to your new business being able to thrive.

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