Hello + welcome, yogi!
This is the YORIGINALITY workbook — a companion guide for the virtual
YORIGINALITY workshop on Saturday, March 2nd, 2013.
This workbook contains a helpful collection of notes, prompts + spaces to write,
all of which sync up with the various lessons we’ll be leading you through on
March 2nd.
You don’t have to use this workbook if you don’t want to (you rebel!) but hey,
it’s here, it’s yours, so why not?
XO + XO
Anna + Alex
Workshop timing + flow
All times = Central Standard Time. But you can join in from anywhere in the
world (here’s a time zone converter).
And YES! All of the lessons will be recorded, for you to download + re-play,
later.
10am – 10:15am: Opening circle + meditation.
10:15am – 11am: Discovering your signature teaching style (so that you can
own it, announce it, and fill your classes like crazy.)
11am – 12pm: Crafting your mini-bio + mat-ifesto (even if you insist you’re “not
a writer.”)
12pm – 1pm: Break-time!
1pm – 2pm: Designing + leading your signature class (including the language
cues you’ll use to welcome Curvy students.)
2pm – 3pm: Announcing + promoting your signature class (you’re going to
craft a sensational newsletter blurb, blog post or flyer. Oh yes. You shall.)
3pm – 3:30pm: Break-time!
3:30pm – 5pm: Q+A, show + tell, closing circle … and farewell!
Workshop dial-in number
The YORIGINALITY workshop will be taught over the phone, in a private
“virtual classroom.” (Ooh! It’s the future.)
Primary dial-in number: (206) 402-0100
Back-up number (just in case): (952) 356-0015
Top-secret pin code: 237429#
You can also go to this page to search for a local dial-in number, anywhere in
the world. (Highly-recommended, especially for our international friends who
want to avoid long-distance charges.)
Workshop community
The official Twitter hashtag for the YORIGINALITY workshop is (what else?)
#YORIGINALITY.
Our Twitter handles are @CurvyYoga and @Alex_Franzen.
The Facebook page for Curvy Yoga is right over here. You’ll find other
YORIGINALITY participants hanging out, there.
Opening circle + meditation
Anna’s mantra for you:
Your teaching shines + grows at the intersection of what your students most
need + what only you can offer.
Alex’s mantra for you:
You are doing such a good job. Let this ‘work’ feel like play. Let it be easy +
simple.
3 questions to set the mood:
1. What’s tugging at your heart, today?
2. What type of “suffering” were you put on the planet to heal, or alleviate?
3. What’s your “reminder” for the world?
Discovering your signature teaching style
(so that you can own it, announce it, and fill
your classes like crazy.)
“Good teaching is always embodied.” —Jon Kabat-Zinn
You’re not everyone’s yoga teacher, and that’s (more than) okay because…
+ you get and retain students when they connect with y-o-u
+ now more than ever, students are hungry for a deeper experience with yoga
+ competition with yoga teachers is out + honing your voice is in
How to spot your youer-than-you teaching:
1. What do your students always thank you for?
2. When your teaching “clicks,” you feel…
3. Your yoga students describe your teaching as…
4. Your teaching is different from your teacher’s and your teacher’s
teacher’s because…
5. You’re known around town (or want to be known around town as) the
teacher who…
Crafting your mini-bio + mat-ifesto
(even if you insist you’re “not a writer.”)
Crafting your mini-bio
Your BIO is more than just a laundry list of your training + credentials.
It’s a chance to show your students ...
+ who you are
+ what you believe in
+ how you got here
+ why you’re uniquely qualified to serve + teach them
5 approaches to crafting a mini-bio (or even a not-somini-bio):
1. The “If you really knew me, you’d know …” bio
2. The “Here’s what happened over the past 1,000 days” bio
3. The “10 things you never knew about me” bio
4. The “I want to live in a world where…” bio
5. The “I refuse to write a bio” bio
Remember: there is no law from the heavens that says your bio must be a
solid block of text. Play with photos, graphics, videos, music, and unexpected
surprises.
Your students want to see “proof” that you are a rockin‘ yoga teacher — but
most of all, they want to feel as though they’ve discovered a kindred spirit.
They want a reason to connect with you + adore you. (And you are very
adorable!)
Crafting your mat-ifesto
“People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it.”
—Simon Sinek
Your mat-ifesto is a declaration of what you believe — and why.
It can be a single sentence, a paragraph, a blog post, a poem ... or a book!
No matter what shape, size or style, your mat-ifesto should demonstrate the
message that you’re here to embody, as a teacher.
5 questions to unveil your beliefs + your message:
1. What do you unequivocally believe to be true? (And why?)
2. What do you no longer believe to be true? (And why?)
3. Why are you called to this work?
4. If a very sweet + precocious 5-year-old asked why you teach yoga, what
would you tell her?
5. What’s going on your (hypothetical) tombstone?
Your beliefs — and the personal stories behind them — are what make you
completely YORIGINAL.
Share ‘em. Shout ‘em. Don’t keep them a secret.
Break-time!
5 things to do on your mid-day break ... if you like!
1. Have lunch + post a photo of your sumptuous feast on Facebook + Twitter.
(hashtag: #YORIGINALITY)
2. Do some yoga (Anna designed a practice for you, here! Password:
BeYoriginal)
3. Blast some music (Alex made a mixtape for you, here!)
4. Tap a nap (just don’t forget to set your alarm clock, so you don’t miss the
next call!)
5. Just chiiiiillllll. Never a bad idea.
Designing + leading your signature class
(including the language cues you’ll use to
welcome Curvy students.)
"I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as
few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of
the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit." —John Steinbeck
We’ve already decided that “everyone” isn’t your student (and that’s a good
thing!). Before we get into the specifics, though, it’s helpful to think about who is,
so…
Let’s meet your students!
1. My class is ideal for people who have ________ experience with yoga…
2. They want ________ from their yoga practice…
3. They are excited by ________ …
4. And freaked out by the idea of ________ …
5. The 411 on them is ________ …
Now that we know who your students are, let’s work
backwards!
1. How do you want your students to feel after they take your signature class
(or participate in your signature offering)?
2. What problem or concern will feel lessened for them afterwards?
3. What do you hope they take away from the class?
Welcome everyone with a we-see-you, we-love-you
framework:
1. Offer support, from the get-go.
2. Normalize difference.
3. Open your language.
4. Set the stage.
5 ways to showcase your sequence:
1. Sequence style.
2. Theme it up.
3. Set the mood.
4. Include little surprises.
5. Give a takeaway.
Announcing + promoting your signature class.
7 elements of a newsletter blurb, blog post, flyer, sales
page — or pretty much any type of announcement, ever.
1. The HOOK
The HOOK is a quote, a statistic, a declaration or a provocative question that
grabs the reader’s attention.
A few examples ...
Tired of yoga as usual? So are we.
Looking for a yoga class where you belong? Welcome home.
Peace of mind takes practice. (And practice is more fun, with friends.)
20 million Americans practice yoga, every week. Wanna make it 20 million + 1?
Yoga + heavy metal = downward-facing ROCK!
2. The STORY
The STORY is the backstory behind your signature class.
It’s not (always) vital to include a detailed story in every kind of announcement
— but it could be something to include on your website, talk about during
interviews, or share during class!
: What inspired you to create your signature class?
: Why are you uniquely qualified to create it?
: Why do you believe in it? (Or: why does it need to exist?)
3. The PROMISE
The PROMISE is the commitment you’re making to your students — and a
glimpse at what’s possible, if they join you.
: What can you promise about your class?
: What is definitely, without a doubt, going to happen?
: What are the expected / likely / highly-probable results?
Remember: it’s often wise to make collaborative promises. Such as:
“I promise to guide you through ____________. If you promise to show up with
an open mind + heart, then ____________ is possible.”
4. The LOGISTICS
The LOGISTICS are the who, what, where, when, why + how — all the basic
building-blocks of your class.
You might touch upon ...
: Who your class is for
: What to expect
: What to bring
: What to wear
: Where to go
: When it starts + ends
: Why it’s happening
: How to prepare
: How to spread the word
5. CONCERNS, FEARS + HESITATIONS
Committing to a yoga practice — or stepping into a new class — can stir up a
lot of emotions + fear.
You can build trust by addressing some of your students’ concerns in advance
— it’s a beautiful way to show that you’re thoughtful, prepared, and ready to
meet your students where they are.
What might your student be worried about?
: Not being “fit” enough?
: Not being “flexible” enough?
: Not being “enlightened” enough?
: Not being “challenged” enough?
: Not having enough time?
: Feeling like an outsider?
: Getting injured?
: Being embarrassed?
: Getting too sweaty to go back to work, afterwards? ;)
6. HIGH-INSPIRATION / THE GRAND FINALE
This is your last opportunity to articulate what’s possible.
Paint a vision of the future. Invite your students to join you, to make a
commitment, and to make that future … real.
7. THE CALL-TO-ACTION
The CALL-TO-ACTION is the very next step that you want your students to
take. Try to avoid having more than one call-to-action — it tends to muddle the
message, and cause people to take NO action!
Your call-to-action might be ...
: Register online
: Call the studio to RSVP
: Contact me for an introductory consult
: Just walk on in!
Considering repeating your call-to-action more than once — it’s surprisingly
easy for it to get buried, in all the excitement!
Remember: think of your announcement as an invitation to a fabulous
experience (like a dinner party, a slumber party, a mini-vacation, or a danceoff!) rather than a “sales pitch.”
And also: remember that students often need less information + persuasion
than we think they do. Aim for brevity ... it’s so refreshing!
Or: instead of writing an official ‘announcement’ …
you can always write a Love Letter.
1. I want to live in a world where …
Describe the kind of world you want to live in.
2. I’m so tired of …
Tell me what you’re bored of, sick of, saddened by, or frustrated with.
3. I want you to have …
Tell me what you want me to learn, understand, possess, be able to do.
4. So, I’ve created …
Tell me about this awwwwesome class or experience you’ve created, to solve the
problems you’re tired of seeing in the world (and help me to have … whatever
you want me to have.)
5. Right now, I want you to …
Tell me what to do next. Click? Share? Buy? Enroll? Sign up?
6. It all begins …
When? Tomorrow? This summer? Tonight? Right now?
7. With all my love …
Your name, here.
10 ways to promote your signature class.
1. Send an email blast to your friends + family …
… but instead of making a Big, Resentment-Inducing Request, just invite them to
a yoga-party. No biggie.
“Amigos! You know I’m completely obsessed with yoga. And you might be
wondering, uh, like, what’s the big deal?
Well … I’d love to show you. Saturday night. 7pm. Bring $10 and a bottle of wine
(for later). No supernatural-stretchiness required.”
2. Post an announcement. But make it a Love Letter.
Writing an announcement about your spring line-up of classes?
Try writing a genuine, straight-from-the-heart Love Letter. (Like we just
practiced!)
3. Celebrate world premieres, anniversaries + milestones!
Teaching a new class for the very first time? Or maybe the 52nd, 100th or 365th
time?
You’ve got a perfect excuse to do something memorable + marvelous.
It’s a special occasion, after all!
Live music? Tea? Snacks? Surprise guests? A poetry jam? Fashion show?
Costume contest? Photo shoot? Tastefully-draped nudity? Sky’s the limit!
4. Pin up posters + flyers at local businesses.
Or … better yet: design a digital poster in just-two-clicks using ReciteThis.com.
You can transform a personal mantra or quote (“I like sweat!” or “The teacher in
me is freakin’ stoked about the teacher in you!”) into an inspiring, Pinterestfriendly design.
5. Do yoga in non-yogi places.
That grassy park next to the lake?
The public square in the center of town?
Inside your local library, between the bookshelves?
In a not-so-crowded nightclub, on the dance floor?
With a little advance planning (and in some cases, written permission) you can
stage a yoga class just about anywhere.
The more people who stop + gawk + snap photos + tweet ‘em, the better.
Keep postcards handy — you’re recruiting new students, guerilla-style!
6. Pitch a story to the local media.
Just remember: look for an angle that makes your class timely + newsworthy.
: Is it a fresh spin on yoga that people haven’t seen before?
: Are you doing a class or event that’s tied into an upcoming holiday?
: Does your class “solve a problem” that’s on everyone’s minds, right now? (Like:
Boosting your immune system for flu season, de-stressing your body + mind
before tax-time, staying positive through the tail-end of winter.)
: Is there a clever way you can use cultural trends to reframe your class? (Like:
“Tantric yoga for couples: better than Fifty Shades of Grey?”)
Remember: the story you pitch to the media might not be strictly about YOU —
it could be about one of your students, your teachers, your studio, a series of
tips + stretches for yogis at work, or even a book or product review.
As long as you manage to wriggle your name + website (and maybe a few
details about where + when you teach) into the story, it’s good exposure that
you can leverage.
7. Create a rewards program for superstar students.
Chocolate works. Always. Or, try somethin’ like …
: Take 10 classes in 10 weeks, and get a free hug! (And a copy of my new ebook!)
: Bring a friend to class, and receive 3 free classes when they sign up for a
month-long package.
: It’s our one-year yoga-versary! Have a chai latte. On me.
8. Partner with a local business to create an irresistible double-offer.
Such as: getting the coffee shop down the street to offer a free cup of coffee to
your early morning students, after class.
Awesome for you, awesome for them, and awesome for the coffee shop, too —
because your students will probably buy treats + snacks to go along with their
free drinks ... and they’ll fall in love with the shop, and come back often!
9. See if there’s an online directory of yoga classes in your city, or a local
yoga blog that features a citywide calendar of classes.
Get your class added to the mix. (And don’t forget: there are national
directories + databases, too.)
10. Talk about your class to everyone you meet.
Your barista, your family doctor, your kids’ school principal, your hairstylist ...
you never know who’s listening, who needs you, or who they’ll pass the news
along to!
Break-time!
5 things to do on your afternoon break ... if you want!
1. Put your feet up against a wall. Ahhhh ... oxygen to the brain.
2. Have a cuppa tea + a cookie. (Anna recommends gingersnaps + ginger
tea. Alex recommends Earl Grey with almond milk + oatmeal-chocolatecranberry.)
3. Breeeeathe + smile.
4. Share one thing you’ve realized, clarified or set into motion today, on
Facebook + Twitter (hashtag: #YORIGINALITY)
5. Put a reminder in your calendar to circle back to your notes in this
workbook, 10 days from today.
Q+A, show + tell, closing circle …
and farewell!
Ready to share your signature class with the group? Aw yeah!
Keep it short + sweet so we can move swiftly around the (virtual) room.
Tell us:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your name + where you live.
The name of your class (or, a “working title”).
The basic concept (who it’s for, why it rocks).
One thing you realized (or remembered) about yourself, today.
One thing you’re crazy-excited about, right now!
What’s next?
Can’t get enough YORIGINALITY? (Sweeet.) You can ...
1. Write a review about the virtual YORIGINALITY workshop ...
... in an email, a blog post, or a sonnet. Either way, you can email it to:
anna@curvyyoga.com.
We’d love to know:
: What you were expecting (and if we delivered).
: What your biggest a-ha-oh-my-gosh-yes! moment was.
: What you’re feeling primed to do + create, now.
2. Send us a recap of the “world premiere” of your signature class. (Ooh!)
: How + where did you promote your class?
: Who showed up?
: How did it go?
3. Join Anna for one of her Curvy Yoga teacher training programs.
You’ll find all the details, here.
4. Join Alex for one of her Write Yourself Into Motion workshops.
You’ll find all the details, here.
5. Keep your eyes peeled for future YORIGINALITY offerings ...
including a do-it-yourself version of this workshop, that you can download +
play with, at home!
Keep on being YORIGINAL self.
The world needs your message, your gifts, and your love.
Thank you for joining us today —
sending a huge double-hug, from our hearts to yours.
XO + XO
Anna + Alex