Whether you are thinking of opening your first yoga studio or have been running one for years, you know only too well how tough it can be to fill the daytime class on weekdays. However, whether your classes are full or not, you are paying for that space, so it only makes sense to try and generate income from it.

Rather than try to compete with all the other studios in your area for the few people who want to take classes during those times, perhaps there is another way to make use of it without compromising your values. I’ve stumbled across one and, based on my almost nine years of working as a yoga teacher, including designing and running various programs for studios, sense it is a real winner.

Some yoga studios are ideal candidates for serving as wellness-based coworking spaces during these times. And, it can be arranged in ways that are compatible with the principles and mission that you likely have as a yoga studio. Curious? Keep reading to explore this concept further!

An Underserved Community Group

Remote Workers

Sometimes, underserved community groups can represent a real business opportunity. One of them is remote workers.

Unless you’re in the creative or tech scenes, you may not be aware that:

1. The number of people working remotely rather than commuting to a traditional office is on the rise. It’s not only freelancers and solopreneurs that work remotely. Companies of all sizes are increasingly offering their staff the option to work outside of the office one or more days per week.
2. Contrary to popular belief, working remotely is not so easy. In fact, many that follow this lifestyle are at risk of burnout.
3. These people not only need yoga, but many can plenty afford it. However, often they can’t quite find the time to make it to a typical studio during popular class times.

Wellness-based Coworking Spaces

Innovators such as Flow Yoga Center in Washington DC are successfully providing a solution to the above issues called WorkFlow spaces. Essentially, they turn their yoga studio into a coworking space during standard business hours. With a focus on wellness and balance, they offer quiet, and natural-light filled workspaces, yoga and meditation breaks, community and other great perks.

Could This Work for Your Studio?

To help you decide if there is a need for such a facility in your local area, let’s first take a look at what conventional remote working and co-working arrangements and facilities look like today. Next, we’ll examine what the innovators as are doing in this field. Finally, we’ll take a look at what you’ll need to consider when planning such a venture.

Remote Working Today

A Growing Trend

Professionals such as programmers, translators, editors, accountants, and designers have increasingly been working remotely over the past couple of decades.

Recent advances in internet infrastructure, computers, software, and online services have made it much easier for a wider range of people to join the trend. In fact, a growing number of companies have no official office and are completely “distributed,” which means all their employees work remotely.

People who work remotely obviously avoid the time and hassle of commuting. Since their every action isn’t being scrutinized by their officemates, they have more freedom to take breaks. Since they are judged primarily on their results, nobody needs to know if they step out for a walk in the park, take a nap, or join a yoga class. When this arrangement is successful, it results in workers who are healthier, happier, and more productive.

Working at Home

Many people love working from home because they can completely control the environment to be exactly as they like it.

If they have children or elderly people to look after, working from home may be their only option to make a living.

For those who have the space, setting up a home office can be one way to physically and mentally separate their work from the rest of their lives.

However, even those who love their home office, enjoy their work and are oblivious to the feeling of social isolation need to get out and rejoin the world once in a while.

Many like to spend one or more days per week working outside their homes when circumstances permit just to change things up and keep their minds stimulated.

Working in Coffee Shops, etc.

Other remote workers prefer to get out of their home. Some prefer to where there are other people, while others need to get out because their home environment is too distracting. Traditionally, these people have gone to local coffee shops (see image below), libraries, art galleries, and even pubs (often quiet during the daytime) to work.

However, these are often less than ideal environments for working productively. For example, coffee shops are often noisy and distracting environments that are not designed for spending extended periods in. Beyond offering a place to sit and check your email while having a coffee, they offer limited facilities.

The limitations of even the best of coffee shops and other such venues eventually lead to remote workers seeking out and investigating coworking spaces.

Coworking Spaces

Innovative companies have been establishing coworking facilities throughout the world offering shared workspace, community, and services for entrepreneurs, freelancers, startups and small businesses. People can rent space to work in isolation or in collaboration with those around them.

Introducing WorkFlow

The Concept

Yoga studios offering WorkFlow spaces using do so during standard business hours, usually within the times of 9 am and 5 pm on weekdays. These are times that are usually hard to fill standard classes.

WorkFlow turns a yoga studio into a wellness-focused coworking space during standard office hours. It provides a sense of community, a serene place to work, and a place to practice your during breaks.

During WorkFlow time, likeminded professionals are usually offered foldable ground level desks which can be put away later when the space is needed for classes. They sit on meditation cushions or bolsters.

Of course, WorkFlow customers can use yoga mats, bolsters, and blankets to get comfortable. They can move around and change their position or configuration as they like. Many work in their yoga wear and so are able to take a break to stretch, meditate, or do some asana practice.

Your Offering

Based on the example of Flow Yoga Center, your studio’s WorkFlow offering could be some variation on the following.

• Wifi: Your customers will expect it to be both reliable and fast!
• Work Stations: Ideally standing, sitting, and reclining versions. You’ll want them to be collapsible so that you can store them out of the way when running a class.
• Environment: Natural light, fresh air, green plants, and quiet. Note that while aromatherapy is nice, not everyone may be agreeable to it. Ideally, you’ll have a separate room so that people can go there to have calls or talk.
• Breaks: Optional guided meditation breaks — ideally in a separate room.
• Classes: If you have a separate studio room, you can offer a spot in any of our yoga classes offered during the WorkFlow times.
• Refreshments: Complimentary water, organic tea, and coffee.
• Access: For additional fees, customers can take a one-on-one session with one of your teachers. You may want to have them book in advance to ensure availability.
• Community: A motivated, diverse, & talented community of mindful people doing meaningful work
• Space: You’ll need to set a cap on the number of people you let in each day so that they have plenty of space to work, move, and breathe. Have people reserve in advance.

Your WorkFlow Pricing

Based on the example of Flow Yoga Center, your pricing system could be structured something along the lines as the following. Note that I’ve left out dollar amounts because this will vary depending on the rental rates you are paying.

1. Two-Week Intro special: Offer new people a low price for the first two weeks.
2. Discounted Additional Two Weeks: Guests who bought the introductory package can get a discount on their next two weeks as long as they purchase it during the first two.
3. Standard Monthly Membership: A flat rate fee for further months after the first is up.
4. For Studio Members: For those who have already paid for your standard studio membership or class passes, you can offer a discount on joining your WorkFlow.
5. Drop-in: Come up with a rate for a full day that is higher than what your standard WorkFlow membership would be on a daily basis. You want people to see that paying for a full month in advance will save them money. You may want also to include a class ticket.

For #1 to #4, your WorkFlow customers can visit as often as they like during your WorkFlow hours. Drop-in customers would obviously need to purchase another pass.

Considerations

Before you jump in a start creating a WorkFlow program for your studio, take the time to review the following. You may even want to consult your accountant to help you run some numbers to see if it’s really worthwhile.

Pros

• Income: If you structure, manage, and market your program effectively, it should bring in more revenue than standard daytime classes. You can also upsell participants on your other offerings. They may also purchase merchandise from your shop.
• Word-of-Mouth: If your WorkFlow participants are happy, they will gladly spread the word and bring in new members.
• Synergies: Your WorkFlow guests will see your studio noticeboard daily and become aware of your upcoming workshops, teacher training courses, retreats, and other offerings. They may either enroll themselves or recommend them to friends.
• Community: You’ll be doing your part to lower people’s stress during their work hours, fuel their creativity, and boost their productivity.
• Networking: Coworking spaces tend to attract highly motivated, creative, and well-connected people. Who knows what conversations you will have with them and what opportunities these could lead to?

Cons

• Risk: There is the chance that you will invest in and set up this program, but fail to attract enough participants. Be sure to research and make sure there is going to be demand.
• Staff: You can’t do all of this by yourself. If the WorkFlow participants don’t have anyone available to turn to when they need something, they’ll eventually give up and go elsewhere. Can you have at least one staff member there during the hours?
• Service: Your staff needs to understand how to take care of the WorkFlow guests. Their needs will be different from standard students. Make sure they know little details regarding registration, bookings, and the wifi password, etc.
• Marketing: You need to find ways to get the word out. You can’t just slap a notice on the board in your studio and expect money to rain from the skies. Think about your marketing strategy.

Conclusion

A successful WorkFlow program could have numerous benefits for your studio, instructors, and community. However, before you jump into it, be sure to take the time to research and plan just as you would for any other business venture.