Lorraine Jay, Owner of YogaLorraine

What first drew your current role?

I began practicing Yoga around the year 2000 and discovered it was something I loved. In 2007 I was asked by my Yoga teacher at the time if I would like to do a teacher training course that she was organising for Windfire School of Yoga who were based in Tuscany but would run courses locally. The rest is history and I have found the vocation that I truly believe in.

After working within the fitness industry, I realised that the only way forward was to begin my own journey and build up my clientele I have a small rural Yoga and Pilates studio where I run small group classes combined with Zoom (thank you Covid) and 1-1 sessions

What is the best thing about your current role?

 

Being my own boss .. I can choose my own path.. my holiday times..etc I would say to anybody embarking on a career like mine.. be Yourself.. follow your path.. Find your niche within your industry. Don't chase the money.. it will come. You may need to ease in gradually before you give up your original source of income. I added Pilates to my skills to enable me to teach more widely in health clubs but actually I now value it as much as Yoga and they definitely compliment each other.

What's your advice to other women entering your career?

You will need to introduce yourself locally on social networks.. offering introductory free sessions here and there.

When lockdown happened, I had to get to grips with technology and find a way of working virtually. I began giving free sessions on social media along with some fundraising and progressed to Zoom. I found myself setting up online monthly membership or drop-in sessions and a price list. I found out what forms of advertising were not serving me and disposed of them. I also found a lot of clients from around the world which would never have happened without social media exposure.

What is your top tip for success?

It is important to give yourself at least one complete day off to completely unwind and enjoy friends and family

Tell us something about yourself we might not expect?

You may be surprised to know that I was physically very lazy in my childhood and youth with any excuse not to do PE or games