Teaching in / for Hospitals (August 2004)

ORIGINAL QUESTION:

Does anyone teach yoga in hospitals or to their outpatients? I am interested in this type of teaching and want to know how to begin such a practice. Any info you have on the topic is welcome (resume tips, what to charge, how/whom to approach at hospital for work, etc.)

I am a recent graduate of AY YTT (summer 2004). I have been doing meditation, mantra practice and yoga for 12 years. I have not begun teaching yet but I am planning to teach a general yoga class one day a week in a home studio and I am approaching local martial art/dance/workout studios for teaching opp's.

Thanks, Trupti

ANSWER:

From Valerie Wint (AYTT Fall 2001)

I once taught in a hospital, for about 8 weeks, to staff. However, the response was very poor, so we cancelled it.

As to teaching in a martial arts studio -- I've done that too, and you really need to develop a good core of students, as there will be times when very few people show up for class, and you still need to pay rent for the studio. You will have to do a great marketing job, and will have to market continuously in order to attract and retain students. I did a pretty good initial marketing job, but then once the classes were underway, I fell into the trap of letting the marketing fall behind, so I wasn't replenishing when students fell away for whatever reason. I had the same problem teaching at home -- I guess I'm not that strong at marketing. If this isn't your strong suit either, you may want to think of getting someone else to market for you, a friend perhaps. You could always give them classes in exchange. Just a thought.

Best of luck!

Valerie Wint, BA (Hon), RYT, FOYT-C 416-490-8662 <valyoga@rogers.com>