EIGHT BUSINESS LESSONS FROM EIGHT YEARS OF NIN YOGA
This September, Nin Yoga turns 8
That’s eight years of savasanas, spreadsheets, sweaty hugs, and showing up — even when it would get tricky. From our humble beginnings withing Colyton Neighbourhood Centre (pictured below) to now having two studios, a full-blown teacher training academy, and a growing family of incredible teachers and students… we’re feeling all them feels.
Inspired by a beautiful newsletter from one of our favourite ethical clothing brands, SUK Workwear, we thought we’d share some honest lessons we ourselves learned in eight wild, wonderful years of business (disclaimer: its not yoga clothes, its workwear, but I promise you will live in these pants every moment you ain't got the yoga ones on!)
1. Mind your own mat.
Seriously. Focus on your work. Don’t get distracted by what other studios or businesses are doing (I spent many of my early years stalking so many other companies, thinking I needed to be just like them to be worthy). Tune into your own community. That’s where the magic happens.
(Instagram is not your boss. It's pretend. A gentle reminder)
2. Know your superpower.
Whatever lights you up — teaching, planning, marketing, playlist-making — own THAT. Be meticulous about the details that matter to you. And for the rest? Let others shine in their lane. Trust me, there is someone out there in the world who loves the job you don't love.
(See point 4.)
3. The vibes don’t lie.
People can feel energy. It's not even that woo woo to talk about. We all know it. When something’s off, it shows. Protect the vibe — in your space, in your team, in your inbox, everywhere. If something doesn't vibe, don't give it any more of your energy. Let it go and move on. You are not for everyone. The same goes for Nin Yoga, too.
4. Your team is everything.
Hire slowly, hire kindly, and hire people who genuinely care. A strong team can weather anything — leaking ceilings, quiet months, landlords conducting a surprise liquidation, netball games taking up all the parking, and broken aircons. Love them hard.
5. Let it evolve.
What Nin Yoga offered in its first year is very different from what we offer now. And that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to shift, adapt, pivot, or rebrand if your heart says it’s time. Like the breath, change is the only constant in this thing called dlife.
6. It’s not always cute.
There are days when the admin is a never-ending slippery slope, the bookings are on the lower side, and you question how you will pay rent for the 3rd month in a row. It’s part of it. Keep going. Take breaks. Pray to the sky that money to pay the bills will fall down from it. Refill your own cup.
7. Boundaries > burnout.
You can’t pour from an empty cup — and you don’t have to reply to every DM at 10 pm, as much as you reallllllly really want to because that's the type of business owner you promised yourself you would be eight years ago. Clear policies, clear hours, and clear expectations are a gift to everyone (including you).
8. Come back to your ‘why.’
You started this for a reason — for movement, for healing, for community, for connection. Don’t forget that when you’re knee-deep in the to-do list and you have so many whatsapp messages that the ones you actually need to action fall long down the list never to be seen again. Reconnect to why you love it in the first place.
YOU’RE INVITED TO OUR BIRTHDAY!
We’re celebrating 8 years with an Open Day at our St Marys studio on Friday, 20th September — and you’re absolutely invited (and we are giving you a solid amount of notice also so save that date wonderful human!)
Expect:
Free Aerial + Yoga classes
Good vibes
Community hangs
Birthday energy
Save the date, and RSVP on our schedule by finding the free class you are after here.
Thank you for being part of this beautiful community — whether you’ve been with us since year one or this is your first newsletter
We’re here because of you boo.
Annika xx
P.S Presale for these fancy works of wearable art close THURSDAY!
