More Than Hello Goodbye: How to Create a Community, Not a Class

Sat-Sangha. Good company. Community. Yoga teachers talk about the value of community a lot—because it’s important. It’s written into the foundational texts of our practice, but more than that; it’s written into our genes. 

A number of studies by health researchers, such as Professor Steve Cole (UCLA) and sociologist Miller McPherson, show that social connection is vital for human health. One US study suggests that a lack of connection is more harmful to overall wellness than smoking, obesity or high blood pressure. 

Having strong intimate connections with the people around us is known to strengthen our immune systems; prevent or ease anxiety and depression; and foster a more confident, empathetic and secure way of living in the world. 

The practice of yoga offers a brilliant opportunity for building and sustaining supportive communities. And as a teacher, encouraging the development of social connection in relation to your classes, workshops, and other offerings is good for you on a personal level and on a business level. If your students feel that they’re a part of something and experience a sense of fulfillment and community support as a result of your work, their loyalty will allow you to keep on teaching.

In other words—giving genuine, human value to people, rather than pulling them in with unsustainable marketing tricks, will support your business. And you’ll feel good too. 

How can you create communities rather than classes? 

Talk to People

It’s common to arrive at a yoga class, sit down on a mat, and not communicate with anyone else in the room. This doesn’t always happen, but it often does. 

Some people really don’t want to speak to anyone else, and that’s fine. They’re busy, stressed out, and they want to come to class and do their practice and leave. Regular yoga classes aren’t the best places for big chats and you don’t want to alienate students by interrupting their zen time with endless conversation.

Teachers who don’t interact at all with the people who arrive at their classes miss an opportunity to open the space for connection. 

But say hello to every person who walks through the door. Personally, with eye contact. If they’re responsive, ask them how they are. 

And make yourself approachable after class. If you noticed someone struggling during the practice or spotted a development in their practice, walk up to them and mention it to them. Offer practical support or positive feedback.

Teachers who don’t interact at all with the people who arrive at their classes miss an opportunity to open the space for connection. By making everyone feel warmly welcomed you give them the confidence and motivation to embrace the next step: 

Create Opportunities for People to Talk to Each Other

With an engaged group of people who attend your regular classes; who are warmly welcomed and who come back week after week; you are perfectly placed to give them opportunities to connect with each other as well as with you. 

Workshops are a nice way to do this. A workshop setting allows you to focus on a specific element of yoga practice and help students find more depth—whether that’s a deeper physical practice or a more profound meditative experience. And they’re also a way for people to begin speaking to each other without it feeling awkward or forced. 

You can include discussion or Q&A periods during any workshop which means that everyone in the room can learn a little bit more about each other, and feel the connection that comes with expressing themselves too. Depending on the workshop content, you might pair attendees up to help each other with certain postures or exercises. 

By creating opportunities for people to talk and learn about one another you will level up the community around your teaching. And you might just become the facilitator for friendships between people who have yoga in common.

It’s also great for a sense of collaboration and cooperation to find ways for students to talk with each in their own time. Try creating an online group—Facebook Groups work well!—to update your regulars on class news and share relevant articles or practice tips for them to try at home. And encourage them to ask questions and discuss the challenges and insights they discover within their practice. Make a commitment to reply personally to every single post in your group. 

Retreats are an even more immersive way to create a sense of connection and community. Taking a group of people who attend a weekly class away together for an intensive weekend or week of practice, meditation and socializing will provide the setting for real friendships to form. 

But if you’re not ready to run your first retreat, start thinking about ways to create a more communal atmosphere surrounding your classes. For example, run a monthly ‘bring a dish’ social after class—everyone brings something to eat, you bring a playlist and speakers, and students can stay and chat for an hour or two after their practice. Or during warm weather, you could try laid back outdoor events, like a yoga picnic in a local park. 

By creating opportunities for people to talk and learn about one another you will level up the community around your teaching. And you might just become the facilitator for friendships between people who have yoga in common.