Job Discussion Forums

[fuzzarelly]

Hello,

We are a couple who are looking to teach yoga in asia/china. We are both qualified and have been practicing for over 6 years each.

We also have english teaching experience. My partner holds a degree and i hold an advanced diploma. We are both Australian.

Ideally looking to set up a studio or work within one... teaching both foreigners and locals....

if interested in exploring this idea please email me
[email protected]

[Hansen]

The Chinese don't want foreigners in their country making money unless thay can get enough of it to satisfy their own greed; consequently, the idea that you are coming here to open a studio and teach yoga might require a bit of adjustment.

A few people are interested in yoga, relatively few. Some health clubs offer it.

Best case scenario is you get an English teaching job and slowly develop your yoga interest.

[A'Moo]

Agree and Disagree....
Yoga here is HUGE....I would say that maybe 35-45 percent of women I know under 40 are in some phase of training/participation. Its big business here, but there seems to be little in-between-people either are "members" at some gaudy greco-roman styled "spa" for 1000y a month, or they practise at some hole-in-the wall behind a commercial laundry outfit...
And greed runs rampant-unless you speak fluent Chinese, a white face doesnt make as much of a difference in this field, and must assume that it would be like opening any business here-almost impossible..

[Hansen]

Yoga may be HUGE in some places. In other places, it is not huge at all. OP should find out where it is HUGE and go there.

[sui jin]

Yoga regularly comes up when my students talk about what they like to do. This could be because last year an American guy offered free classes on campus. He is now teaching yoga elsewhere in the city (I believe).

But yoga seems to be 'hot' now, at least here in Nanning. So I reckon you could definitely find a living, maybe combining it with teaching. Bear in mind that to work legally in China you need a visa sponsored by a school or business here.

[El Macho]

Yoga is indeed popular in the cities. However, ask yourself why someone would be willing pay a premium (or are you willing to work for Chinese wages?) to receive yoga instruction in a foreign language. What sets your yoga classes apart from those offered by native-speaker?

Anyway, good luck. I'm sure you can find gigs teaching yoga, but you'd probably need a steady, primary job (both for money and a visa) to keep you in-country whilst developing the yoga studio.

You could always try to work up a center catering to foreigners.

[chinatwin88]

[fuzzarelly]

thanks for the feedback. i understand most of what has been said as i have been to and taught english in china before...

i think what would work is if yoga was to happen as some sort of expanded curriculum.
entrepeneur style. most probably a foreign owned school.

anyone?

[YAMARI]

You guys better be good looking because yoga here is about having a nice butt. If you think you will enlighten people give up now. Also my friends gf makes 3000 rmb a month in a major city for teaching yoga. Her gym makes a fortune but shares little with the Chinese staff. I have friends who have came and tried and left poor. But China is cool and come for the expereince but you wont make much with yoga.

[xiaolongbaolaoxi]

Couldn't resist, but...

If you want to feel grossly obese, attend a yoga class in China.

However, I do think you can make money if you appeal/approach an expat market... there are definitely neighborhoods/compounds that seem to be in China only in name... all things and people are from somewhere else [except the aiyis.] ...

This may open up another discussion, but how about making connections with school near major spa destinations ? Those desitnations are clearly trying to make money from laowai, and if hotels are willing to hire native English speakers to help with reservations, there is no reason why a trained bodywork teacher with teaching experience in China would look attractive [as it were] to the right employer, even if it was only parttime.

XLB

[Jayray]

I wonder about the feasibility of a foreigner starting a small business in China. First, you've got the bureaucracy to deal with, then the difficulty of convincing someone among the powers that be that your services are necessary.

To my knowledge, unless one is capable of making a significant contribution to the local economy in the form of investment money and jobs, the chances of a foreigner being allowed to start a new small business are slim. If you're a substantial health/exercise chain like Bally or Gold's Gym you might have a chance. Otherwise, I'd forget it or try to work for a local who is already in the business who can provide you with the papers you will need to work in China.