Why Workshops?

Community Workshop Series #1

Workshops can be a fantastic way to expand your reach, build relationships, and bring fresh energy to your well-being business. I know that many kids' yoga teachers, adult yoga instructors, and wellness professionals consider running workshops but feel uncertain about where to start. 
If that sounds like you, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Workshops may seem overwhelming at first, but they offer so many opportunities for growth, connection, and creativity.
Having run many workshops myself, some great and some where I was definitely ‘learning!’. I want to share my experiences and insights to help you decide if workshops are a good fit for your business. 
There’s no single “right way” to do things, and I am not saying that my way is the best way! I hope that my reflections will offer some valuable things to think about to help you navigate community workshops, if that is what you choose to do.

What is a Workshop?
Workshops differ from regular classes in that they tend to be longer (ranging from a couple of hours to a full day) and focus on a specific theme or topic. They offer an opportunity to dive deeper into particular areas of interest.
For example, many of my workshops have been seasonal because I live and work seasonally, but yours might focus on other themes, such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or storytelling through movement. You can also align workshops with the time of year, community needs, or personal passions.

Five Reasons Why Workshops Are Great for Your Business

1. Increased Visibility and Growth
A key benefit of running workshops is that they attract different people from your usual classes. Not everyone can commit to a weekly session—some may have unpredictable schedules, financial constraints, or simply prefer one-off events. By offering workshops, you open your business up to a wider audience and create additional opportunities for people to discover your work.
Promoting a workshop also increases your visibility, even for those who don’t attend. You’ll reach new people in your community, positioning yourself as a go-to expert in well-being, mindfulness, and yoga.

2. Stronger Relationships and Community Building
Workshops provide more time and space for interaction than regular classes, allowing participants to connect with one another and with you on a deeper level. The atmosphere is often more relaxed, and attendees are more likely to engage in conversations and form a sense of community.
From a business perspective, workshops can also lead to long-term working relationships. Many people who attend my adult workshops are educators, and this has led to ongoing collaborations with schools. Running a workshop can be the first step in building trust and forming meaningful professional connections.

3. Creativity and Fun
One of my favourite things about workshops is that they are fun! Planning and delivering them allows you to be creative and experiment with new ideas. If, like me, you enjoy trying out fresh approaches, workshops provide the perfect space to do that. They give you the flexibility to introduce new themes, techniques, or activities in a way that a regular class might not.

4. Financial Benefits
Workshops can be a great way to supplement your income. People often perceive workshops as special events and are willing to pay more for them than they would for a weekly class. While I personally don’t believe that finances should be the only reason to run a workshop, they can be a valuable income stream if planned carefully.

This video has some tips for keeping costs down, or if you prefer to read - here’s the blog

5. Skill Development and Experimentation
Workshops offer a fantastic space to refine your teaching skills and test out new ideas. In a weekly class, there’s often a set structure that people expect, but workshops allow for more flexibility. If you want to try a new approach or introduce a different element to your teaching, a workshop can be the perfect place to test it before making it part of your regular offerings.

Things to Consider Before Running a Workshop
While workshops have many benefits, they also come with challenges. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Planning and Logistics
Workshops can take more effort to organise than regular classes. There may be additional costs, such as venue hire, props, and materials. If you’re including food, there are extra considerations like allergies and food hygiene. It’s essential to budget carefully to ensure your workshop is financially viable.

Legal and Safety Considerations
Make sure you’re insured to run the type of workshop you’re planning, especially if you’re working with children, vulnerable groups, or different physical activities to those that you usually teach. Conduct risk assessments and consider factors like accessibility, venue safety, and any additional requirements for your participants.

Marketing and Attendance
Marketing your workshop is crucial. Without enough attendees, the event might not be financially viable. It’s helpful to set a minimum number of participants and a deadline by which you need sign-ups. 
If you don’t meet your target, be prepared to reschedule or cancel—and don’t be disheartened if this happens! Sometimes timing just isn’t right, and that’s okay.

Final Thoughts
Workshops can be an enriching and valuable addition to your well-being business, but they need to fit with your lifestyle, goals, and interests. They offer incredible opportunities for growth, creativity, and connection, but they also require planning, organisation, and adaptability.

If you’re considering running a workshop, start small, learn as you go, and most importantly—have fun with it! The more you enjoy the process, the more your participants will too.

Don’t forget that you can download the free guide to accompany this video series here.

If you are considering running seasonal workshops for kids or families, you may find my seasonal bundles helpful for April, you can get 20% off the full Season Bundle by using this link.

If you’d like some tailored support to help you plan a workshop or talk through any issues, you can book a slot here.