From Seed to Harvest

The Foundation: Before Sol Soul Soul

Every journey starts with a single step, and my path in yoga has been no different. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how this journey began, inspired by questions I’ve encountered: How do you build a following? How did you get people to start coming to your classes? How do you secure venues? These questions prompted me to revisit the early days of my teaching career and share how persistence, faith, and a lot of groundwork led to where I am with Sol Soul Sole today.

The Humble Beginnings

When I began teaching yoga in 2018, I was fresh out of teacher training and full of excitement. I had spent four semesters immersed in yoga philosophy, teaching workshops, learning meditations, and building sequences. You can read more about what led me to yoga in my blog post, Why Yoga. I was ready to teach a class on my own, and my first opportunity came from a women’s workout facility where my boyfriend’s mom was working as a massage therapist. This facility focused primarily on circuit training, but there was a spare room used for church services, vendor events, and massages—a space that was calling my name.

The interest in something new was there, and I had the drive to start it. I proposed teaching a class once a week for $8 per person, splitting the fee with the facility—$5 for me and $3 for the use of the space. I went to Five Below, purchased 20 yoga mats, and was off and running. The class was a hit! It seemed like a modest start, but looking back, it was the foundation of everything I’ve built since.

Learning the Ropes: Gaining Experience

About four months after starting the program, I decided to move out of state to explore other opportunities. The program at the facility was such a success that they found another instructor to take over, and I sold her my yoga mats at a fraction of the cost. Moving opened new doors for me. I secured a teaching position with the Western North Carolina YMCA network, maintaining multiple classes a week and finding a following.

Over the following years,as I taught in various studios, I gained insight into the business aspects of yoga—managing programs, navigating CRMs and booking platforms, overseeing class logistics, and handling studio operations such as membership services, pricing structures, and the day-to-day upkeep. Many studios have work-trade programs, allowing you to exchange your time and effort for the opportunity to practice, learn from other instructors, and gain valuable hands-on experience in the inner workings of a yoga studio.

I also took the initiative to start yoga classes in places where it wasn’t typically offered but where I saw a need—jiu-jitsu gyms, boxing clubs, etc. Starting out on your own isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. It takes time, effort, and a willingness to put yourself out there, even when the results aren’t immediate.

Building Momentum: Getting Venues and Growing Attendance

Securing venues and growing class attendance has been a gradual process. Initially, I was more comfortable with negotiating a revenue split because it required less upfront investment. But as I gained confidence in my marketing efforts, I began renting venues. As my work gained visibility, opportunities started coming my way. Organizations and groups began to approach me, offering venues and handling logistics in exchange for my presence and expertise at events like summer basketball camps and community gatherings.

It’s taken a willingness to craft my practice, a desire to learn from others, and a belief in myself. The key has been showing up consistently and staying true to my mission.

The Reality of the Grind: Behind the Scenes Efforts

It’s easy to see the visible successes and forget about the countless hours of behind-the-scenes work. I remember starting a program in North Carolina and going around Whole Foods parking lots, placing flyers on car windshields, and even going door-to-door to get the word out. Sometimes only three or four people would show up, but I learned to see it as making a difference in those few lives rather than focusing on the numbers. It’s about planting seeds and trusting that the harvest will come, even if it’s not immediate. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m happy to share yoga, regardless of how many people show up, and I continue to stay the course.

For Aspiring Teachers: Start Small, Think Big

If you’re just starting out as a yoga teacher, my advice is to get into a studio first. Tap into an already established community and get comfortable with teaching. That’s how I began, and it helped me build the confidence and connections needed to branch out on my own.

I’ve lived in three cities over the last six years, and in each one, my first priority has been to connect with the local yoga community. Building relationships and finding where you can add value is crucial. If you’re not yet confident in teaching, ask the studio manager or owner about work trades. Offer your time in exchange for the opportunity to practice, learn from instructors, and understand the back-end operations of the business. If you envision establishing your own community in the future, this experience is invaluable.

But first and foremost, put your practice first. Focus on developing your craft as both a student and a teacher because what you learn about yourself and others is where your mission will lie. Your “why” is what will carry you through. Everything else falls into place when you’re aligned with God’s vision for your life.

Closing Thoughts: Reaping the Harvest

This journey has taught me the importance of patience, dedication, and not getting attached to immediate outcomes. The seeds I planted years ago are beginning to bear fruit now, and it’s a rewarding feeling. But the work never stops—there’s always another season, another harvest. I’m excited to continue sharing this journey with you, and in my next post, I’ll dive deeper into the conception of Sol Soul Sole, the meaning behind the name, and the vision that drives everything I do. Stay tuned—there’s so much more to come.

Inspo: If you’re on your own journey, whether it’s in yoga or another passion, remember that every step counts. Keep showing up, stay true to your mission, and trust that where God guides, He provides.