How To Grow Your Yoga Business As A Multi-Passionate Yoga Teacher
Conversation with D’Ana Joi
“All of your passions have a seat at the table, but they don’t all need to speak up at once.”
- D’Ana Joi
Do you consider yourself a multi-passionate person?
As a coach for yoga teachers, I’ve realized that 90% of my audience considers themselves multi-passionate. For the record, I think this is awesome, but I know it comes with challenges when it comes to growing a business.
Today I’m talking to D’Ana Joi (who goes by her middle name “Joi”) who is a multi-passionate, educator, community builder, and content creator. She believes having many passions is a gift, not a burden, and she’s on a mission to rewrite the narrative around “choosing one thing” being the only path to success.
In today’s conversation, I bring the structure and Joi brings the empowerment for being multi-passionate! It was truly inspiring for me to hear how Joi explains how multi-passionate people feel when they are told to “choose one thing”.
I asked her all the questions because as your coach, I want to help you navigate growing a business in a way that feels GREAT for you!
This conversation will not only have you beaming with pride for being multi-passionate, but it will also have you walking away with tools for growing your business!
Get ready to be inspired and take action, too!
It’s easier to market your yoga business with a focus
I love structure. As a marketing coach for yoga teachers, I talk a lot about niching down and picking just one thing to focus on.
In my experience, yoga teachers tend to be multi-passionate and usually resist niching down. I have heard the phrase “Amanda, don’t put me in a box” much more than one time!
However, it’s so much easier to market something when it has this structure and focus, because it’s easier to tell people about your offerings.
“It is easier. But that is why multi-passionates feel a lot of shame and a lot of pressure to conform to something that they did not come into this lifetime to be. We feel a sense of ‘Why is my path so messy, and why can’t I just choose one thing and take the easy route?’ But it’s not a choice. To choose to do just one thing is heartbreaking for the multi-passionate. It’s so unnatural for us.” — D’Ana Joi
Bottom line: It’s easier to market with a focus, but you don’t have to. Instead of asking “how can I do this faster,” ask “how can I do this in a way that works for me?”
Seasons of focus in your yoga business
“All of your passions have a seat at the table, but they don’t all need to speak up at once.” — D’Ana Joi
You can do everything, but you can’t do everything at one time. That’s a recipe for overwhelm.
“If every single project feels like it’s urgent all at the same time, that creates a lot of disturbance in the body and mind.” — D’Ana Joi
But try looking at everything as “season of focus.” Seasons change and you can, too. There’s less pressure with this in mind! Ask yourself: What season of focus am I in right now? Go all in on that and know that it’s not permanent.
Get that one “season” down. Create momentum on that idea and then automate it, simplify it, and systemize it. Throughout this season, use an idea book or an Asana board where you keep all of your other ideas.
This will all free up so much time and energy — and then you can move on to your next idea or “season.”
Ask yourself: Are you willing to temporarily be in a season of focus so that you can gain momentum, eventually get to a place of automation, get your energy back, and then perhaps move on to your next idea?
What is a multi-passionate entrepreneur?
“A multi-passionate is a person who has a lot of interests matched with raw talent, and they have an innate desire to share that with the world.” — D’Ana Joi
Multi-Passionate vs. Shiny-Object Syndrome:
Shiny-object syndrome is when we are pulled completely off course. If you see something that’s fascinating to you and get distracted where you feel like you’re not in control, you might be experiencing shiny-object syndrome.
Multi-passionate on the other hand is having lots of interests combined with raw talent (you learn quickly) and a desire to share!
You can think of shiny-object syndrome as a sign. It’s a sign that you might be bored with what you’re doing and your project could use an infusion of energy. Maybe you’re hiding parts of yourself and not allowing all of your talent to come through.
If you’re distracted by a new idea, you don’t have to go full force into it, but notice if there’s something in that idea that you can take and apply to what you’re already working on. Then it can actually work in your favor.
Sometimes if something isn’t working the way we want it to or as fast as we want it to, then we will change. But consistency and momentum are what matter the most in marketing, so keep going!
Take a step back and ask yourself why you’re getting distracted with shiny-object syndrome. What about your current project is creating this opening to be so enticed by something else?
“At the base of it, it’s about not criticizing yourself, but instead being curious. That opens up so much more in the human experience. We can stop saying ‘I’m not supposed to feel this way’ and instead start saying ‘Oh, interesting, I wonder why I feel this way?’ — D’Ana Joi
When things aren’t going like you want them to in your yoga business, think of it like your yoga practice: In a challenging posture, we tune in and sit with sensation, we don’t just leave the pose when it gets uncomfortable.
“Hold the pose!” — D’Ana Joi
Being consistent in your yoga marketing as a multi-passionate
“I think it’s normal to try things and then think ‘no thanks; I don’t want to do this’ but making sure that it’s an embodied decision and not just out of fear or frustration.” — D’Ana Joi
Use the marketing channels that work best for YOU. If your target audience is on TikTok and you don’t want to be on TikTok…then don’t be on TikTok! Find a different way.
In fact, you don’t even have to be on social media at all if you don’t want to. Social media isn’t the only way to market.
“Sometimes it’s not just about the marketing, but also about mental health. Where do you feel most authentic to be consistent? Once there’s that safety, it’s really easy to keep going and keep going.” — D’Ana Joi
Also, look into hiring someone if you know the best channel for you but are feeling resistance for whatever reason. Creative people feel like they need to do everything themselves because they are good at everything. But remember that it’s okay to be supported.
Overall, do what you need and give yourself grace throughout this process.
3-Part Focus Framework
“Often, a lack of focus is really a lack of priorities and a lack of clarity.” — D’Ana Joi
Intensive Focus
You can also think of this as intuitive focus or a creative check-in. It’s like going to a conference of one. It’s just you and your ideas.
This is an uninterrupted time to think expansively. Block off at least 3 hours (a morning, afternoon, or evening) where you can have quiet time to yourself.
Look at your commitments and your priorities. Do they match up? Slow down and ask yourself:
Is there anything I need to move around?
Are there any commitments that are disrupting my priorities right now?
Am I clear about what I’m doing?
Then dig into your why:
Why are you doing this?
Why does this matter?
“You’re choosing a lifestyle. You’re opting into a certain life and you’re creating an impact on the world. We can forget that so quickly.” — D’Ana Joi
Intensive focus is this really sacred, beautiful time where you have an opportunity to drop in and check in on yourself.
Do you need to make any changes?
Is there anything that has gone uncelebrated that deserves some celebration?
Active Focus
This is the focus that we’re used to. This is the “get it done” energy where we sit down and make it happen.
“Active focus is rolling up your sleeves, writing down your task list, using the Pommodoro method, short spurts followed by a short break, your phone is not near you, and we’re celebrating at the end and straight up rewarding ourselves!” — D’Ana Joi
This is how we gain momentum.
Passive Focus
Passive focus is guilt-free breaks. This is so simple, but we don’t do it.
This is not to be confused with over-consumption, like scrolling on Instagram. If you want to consume, that’s fine, but it’s about being intentional.
You could have a podcast on in the background, passively listening but still feeling like you’re keeping the momentum and keeping your goals top of mind. This is the energy of passive focus.
You need to know for yourself what taking a break looks like and what is most nourishing to you.
If you want to dive deeper into these three focus steps, then you might want to read D’Ana Joi’s new e-book.
Creatives can sometimes resist structure, but you can be highly creative, multi-passionate, and still invite in a bit of structure to help you have more freedom in your business and planning.
“Structure creates freedom. It is so much easier to shift your plan when you have a plan with in which to shift.” — D’Ana Joi
Your next step
Your next step is to use Joi’s three-step framework in whatever way feels right for you.
Go into intense focus for the next three hours. Or plan three hours later this week. Or plan one hour tomorrow. Whatever works best for you and your schedule, get some intense focus time on your calendar so that when it’s time for active and passive focus you know what to do.
Please resist the temptation to skip this and toss this concept to the side, especially if you’re a multi-passionate person. Take time to make this a priority so that you can build the business of your dreams.
Until next time, give yourself permission to be multi-passionate and grace along the way.
About D’Ana Joi
D’Ana Joi, who goes by her middle name “Joi,” is a multi-passionate, educator, community builder, and content creator. She believes having many passions is a gift, not a burden, and she’s on a mission to rewrite the narrative around “choosing one thing” being the only path to success. Through her content, live workshops, and online community, Joi teaches creatives how to make friends with focus, overcome overwhelm, and step into their Multi-Passionate Mastery.
D’Ana Joi’s Links
For more stories like this, listen to the Marketing Yoga with Confidence Podcast.
About Amanda McKinney (Marketing Coach for Yoga Teachers)
Amanda McKinney is a Marketing Coach with a passion for helping yoga teachers find the tools and the confidence within themselves to build the yoga business of their dreams. She does this through her podcast: Marketing Yoga With Confidence and online offerings. All of which focuses on building confidence and community with an extra dose of encouragement every step of the way.
