Starting an Email Newsletter: A Guide for Yoga and Pilates Teachers

You’ve likely heard that email is a great way to connect with your students, share your offerings, and build a loyal community around your yoga or pilates business. If you’re a new teacher, (or maybe just one who’s been putting it off) the idea of setting up a newsletter might feel a bit overwhelming, but hopefully this blog will help you to feel more comfortable. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Why Start an Email Newsletter?

Unlike social media, where algorithms decide who sees your posts, emails go directly to your students’ inboxes. It’s a very direct way of sharing what’s going on and encouraging an immediate action. This makes it a handy way to share:

• Class schedules and availability

• Workshops, retreats or special events

• Tips and inspiration to keep your students motivated

• Business updates, like holiday closures or new classes

It’s also an opportunity to build trust and stay top of mind for students who may not attend regularly, perhaps those who have drifted away..

Step 1: Set Up a Business Email Address

This comes up a lot in Yoga Teacher Groups, can you use a gmail address eg santoshamarketing@gmail.com . The answer is…. long term you will struggle with this. Many of the email softwares do not want these to be used and your email is likely to hit a spam filter and not your students’ inboxes. I would strongly recommend that instead of using a free Gmail or Yahoo account, invest in a professional business email address, like hello@santoshamarketing.co.uk

Why it’s important:

• Less likely to hit spam filters and be delivered

• It looks professional and builds trust.

• Students are more likely to open emails from a professional address.

• You can match it to your website domain, which strengthens your brand.

If you want to understand more about this topic, this is a good help article

Many website hosting providers, such as Squarespace or Wix, offer email address setup. Alternatively, services like Google Workspace allow you to create a professional address linked to Gmail. It’s quite low cost, usually around £55 a year.

Step 2: Collect Email Addresses

Next up, to send a newsletter, you’ll need a list of email addresses from your students or potential students. Some ways to do this include:

• Adding a sign-up form to your website.

• Including a sign-up sheet at your classes.

• Promoting your newsletter on social media with a link to your form.

Pro Tip: Offer a freebie, like a short yoga sequence, guided meditation, or Pilates tips PDF, as an incentive for people to join your list.

Step 3: Use Email Marketing Software

In order to actually send a newsletter you’ll need to use an email marketing platform like MailerLite, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit simplifies the process of sending newsletters. Also website providers like Wix / Squarespace offer this too.

These tools allow you to:

• Manage your subscriber list.

• Design visually appealing emails.

• Automate emails (e.g., a welcome email when someone signs up on your website).

MailerLite is particularly user-friendly and budget-friendly, making it a great choice for new teachers. Often the price is based on number of subscribers and a lot have free options for under 1000 subscribers.

Step 4: Understand Basic GDPR Requirements

As a UK-based yoga or Pilates teacher, it’s essential to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means:

• Obtain consent: Ensure students actively agree to receive emails. Avoid pre-ticked boxes.

• Be transparent: Clearly explain what kind of content they’ll receive and include how they have gotten on the list eg because you signed up on website or attended a class with me.

• Provide an opt-out option: Include an “unsubscribe” link in every email.

Your email marketing software will help with GDPR compliance, but it’s your responsibility to make sure you follow the rules. It’s also a good time to check you’re registered with the ICO as you’re processing personal data.

Step 5: Design Your Newsletter

Keep your design simple and reflective of your brand. A clean layout with calming colours and plenty of white space works well for yoga and pilates teachers.

Tips for designing your newsletter:

• Use a consistent header with your logo (you can make this in canva).

• Include clear calls-to-action (e.g., “Book your spot in class”).

• Stick to 1–3 fonts and limit colours to those in your brand palette. Coloured text is harder to read so keep that dark.

• Use high-quality images, such as class photos or stock images that align with your brand.

Step 6: Create a Template

Save time by creating a reusable email template. Your template should include:

• A header with your logo and contact information.

• A space for your introduction or main message.

• Sections for class updates, upcoming events, or a wellness tip.

• A footer with links to your website, social media, and an unsubscribe option.

Most email marketing platforms have drag-and-drop editors, so you don’t need to be a tech whiz to design something beautiful.

Final Thoughts

Starting an email newsletter is one of the most effective ways to grow your yoga or pilates business. By investing in a professional email address, using email software, and designing thoughtful templates, you’ll create a valuable resource for your students while strengthening your brand.

If you’d like more tips or help setting up your first newsletter, feel free to reach out! I often create templates and help teachers get set up.

Prices start from £150.