What Clients are Saying

Stories and Raves From The Front Lines

Note from Alón:

I realize that this What Clients Are Saying section is a bit long, currently at about 60 pages. However, this is by far the most important part of my website. I have been graced by being of service to so many wonderful clients around the globe who share with me a common mission – to change the world for the better, one yogi at a time. To me, embracing this mission means helping to bring more yoga to the world by guiding yoga business owners to their highest expression of success, using methods that resonate with yogic sensibilities.

The success stories you’ll read sound impressive from a business standpoint, but are really only a by-product of aligning the client’s business with their yoga, rather than trying to fit their yoga into a business model. Every week, I get calls from clients saying “we just broke another record!” Whether it’s about increased attendance, doubling or tripling revenue, or any other success marker, it makes me smile that goofy smile of mine, grateful to be a part of the process.

Most enjoyable to me is when we’re deep enough into the work that the client realizes that they are now not just more prosperous, but that they actually have a life and the free time to live it!

I’m honored that so many clients took the time, energy and care to write thoughtfully and extensively about their experience of working with me. To all of you, Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

For your convenience, I’ve selected a few stories (which wasn’t easy… they’re all so good) so you don’t have to slog through all 60 pages… unless you really want to. In case you’re interested, the last testimonial, way, way down at the very bottom is still my all-time favorite. Enjoy.

Case Study #5: A Ten Month Transformation – Brian Monnier, California Yoga Co.

Part One: The Leap of Faith

My career in yoga started 11 years ago. I made the commitment to open my studio nearly 7 years ago. Over those years, I have tried everything to make my business successful. I managed to build up a moderate student base, but was still struggling. Although I knew this studio could be great and that it has the potential to be able to support my growing family, it wasn’t happening and it was beyond frustrating.

Somehow I found Alón’s website and thought, “What am I doing looking at this ‘yoga business coach’ website? I am pretty business savvy and I know that I have put my heart and soul into this venture to make it successful.” I simply wanted to elevate my business to another level. But I had to acknowledge that something was still missing. I realized I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

I was skeptical, so I went through his testimonials. On his client list are studio owners who I actually know to have successful businesses. So I took a leap of faith. I scrounged up the money and committed to the recommended 3 month period. I can safely tell you this, it was worth the money! Alón has helped me identify the missing pieces and has given me tools to fill in the gaps. Admittedly, I remained skeptical early in the process. I had to put my ego aside, do what he was asking of me and have faith that it would make the difference that I was looking for.

Now, 6 months later, things are transforming. Slow summers or dismal winters are no longer a worry (I’m actually looking forward to seasons I used to dread!). Revenue is consistently up every month, and year over year revenue is shockingly higher. There is also a greater sense of community growing among the students and everyone is noticing the difference. My staff is amazed at the change and motivated to help the studio grow. Even my landlord is wondering why there is a line-up outside the door!
If you follow his advice and do the work, your studio and life will transform.

If you are on the fence about working with Alón, take the leap of faith. Give him 6 months and see what happens. You will not be sorry. What he does IS real and DOES work!

Part Two: Ten Months In

10 months ago I started working with Alón. This update is a progress report on how my business has transformed.

Last summer, my wife and I were struggling just to make our regular bills. I was truly considering closing my business and just teaching for another yoga studio. Both of us had a lot of doubts about making the commitment to work with Alón. However, we both had a belief that my business is going to be huge, we just needed some help to get us on the right path.

I am here to tell you that in 10 short months, my business has made 180 degree turn. It was not immediate; it took some time and a lot of hard work. But I kept doing the homework Alón would give me and about 6 months in, everything started to change, and the systems that Alón and I worked to create really started to take effect.

As result, now I have a line that goes out the studio when I open the doors for classes. The buzz in the community at the studio is really amazing. My students are making bonds with each other that get them to yoga more regularly and they bring friends.

One of the neatest and enjoyable parts of this transformation is the increased number (double!) of wonderful testimonials I have received both for my monthly newsletter and on Yelp.com. I am really getting amazing stories of how my studio is changing my students’ lives.

To celebrate the students’ efforts and achievements, the hot new website that we created under Alón’s guidance was a big part of the change and it definitely helped in tripling attendance.

With so many new students, my monthly auto-pay revenue has quadrupled. QUADRUPLED! Each month the membership and auto-pay revenue keeps growing and growing. It is almost unbelievable.

For the first time in the 8 years I have owned my business and 11 years of teaching yoga, summers don’t suck. Alón helped me break the pervasive thought that yoga studios suffer in certain seasons. I know now that it is not true and I am actually looking forward to this summer (and winter).

I am now “struggling” with having enough space to hold my quickly expanding yoga community. The studio is getting so busy that I am considering both expanding my existing location and possibly opening a second location!

Personally, I have gone from teaching all the classes, to adding new teachers. While I plan to continue teaching, I no longer have to teach 25-30 classes a week, 7 days a week. My staff is beginning to take over the day to day teaching, while I am moving towards mentoring them and developing my teacher training. Having time to explore other aspects of teaching is something I have been trying to do for years.

Apparently, after 10 months working with Alón, I finally have a life! I am taking much more time away from my business to enjoy life with my wife. Both she and I have had our doubts removed.

For me, the most significant and satisfying change of all, is that I will be able to put my wife through grad school. She is finishing up her degree and the studio can now support the two of us in one of the most expensive cities in the nation.
I am so glad that I took the leap of faith and contacted Alón. Money and time very well spent! Thanks Alón!

Brian Monnier
Owner/Director
California Yoga Company
San Francisco, California
www.calyogacompany.com

Coming Home to Herself

Alón won me over with the power of five words.

“I don’t waste anyone’s time.”

And boy, was he right.

By the time I called Alón, our studio had been open about a year and a half. We were doing well for a new business that opened in a struggling economy, but not well enough. We opened big, building our studio from the ground up with two practice rooms, massage, a boutique, sauna, showers, 25 teachers and 40+ front desk people and cleaners. I was working 80 hours a week managing it all and teaching, and was past exhausted in body, mind, and heart. I had no personal life and was living in a town where I didn’t feel at home. My own yoga practice was suffering, and I wasn’t able to devote any time at all to my other calling, writing. Basically, I was pretty miserable.

Like every business owner in the world, I had a list five pages long of all the things I knew we had to do…but I just didn’t have the time. My experience with people I hired as “experts” was that they would tell me to do things that were already on my list, which wasn’t helpful. I had a decent amount of previous business experience, had run other yoga programs, and done tons of research before we opened, so I was pretty together on that end. What I didn’t have was time. What I needed was someone to tell me how to make that time, so I could do the things I knew we had to do. And—although I didn’t realize this until I started working with Alón—I also needed someone to kindly point out that the way I was working just wasn’t sustainable.

Alón and I immediately clicked, in the way I suspect he does with everyone. He has a remarkable and rare ability to see who you truly are, and to tailor your work together accordingly. He somehow manages to be fluent in everyone’s language. It’s astonishing what you can pack into 45 minutes with someone as brilliant, witty, fun, and compassionate as Alón. He led me through a series of opening exercises that clarified who I was and who we were as a studio, and began to show me how to use that to make my life and my business shine. I not only looked forward to our sessions every week; they pretty much held me together when things were crazy. His insight, sense of humor, experience with business, and deep understanding of yoga as a practice and a business are nothing short of extraordinary.

Working with Alón, our classes began to grow. We increased our prices with little to no unhappiness from our students, and our community grew even stronger. And then…Alón somehow managed to make it seem possible for me to take my first vacation since before we had opened. A real vacation, one where I didn’t work. At all.

Shortly after my vacation, some unexpected and, shall we say, shocking events with my business partners transpired, and for the first time ever I thought about selling the studio and moving home to Los Angeles. Another piece of the puzzle was that I was incredibly homesick, and had been for years, missing my home of Venice Beach with every ounce of my being. While I knew that going home was what was best for me, I had never thought I could. I agonized over how to make that work with my commitment to the studio and the community I had built over nine years.

Alón’s clear understanding of who I am made it possible for me to make the right decision for me. He saw me through every painful moment—and it was a terribly difficult time, because of the nature of what was transpiring between my partners and myself—with great intelligence and compassion. He became a much-needed cheering section as well, able to convince me that selling the business, moving home, and finding a teaching and writing life in LA would all happen easily and smoothly, because it was where I was supposed to be. He helped immensely in making the transition exciting rather than terrifying. Not only that, he helped me find the best possible way to frame it to my community, which resulted in them being overwhelmingly supportive of—and even inspired by!—my decision to move on.

Best of all, he agreed to keep working with me to develop my personal businesses once I sold the studio, something I was so grateful for. I already had an informal side business where I edited yoga-related writing such as books, teacher training manuals, and websites. Working together, Alón and I turned this into a full-fledged business by creating a brand with a logo I adore, a website with copy that truly reflects who I am and what I do, and a newsletter that melds my two loves: yoga and writing. What could be better? We also needed to reposition me as a solo teacher, as opposed to a studio owner, in the fabulously crowded yoga market that is Los Angeles. I developed my new yoga “brand” with Alón as well. My yoga website, which includes another perfect logo and all of my playlists linked to iTunes (yay!), just went live.

In every sense of the word, I’m now at home. Once the difficult decision to sell the studio and move was made, everything else seemed to fall into place. I found my dream apartment in the Venice canals, was offered teaching jobs at Santa Monica Yoga and Bam Bu Lah (a new studio that opened literally around the corner from my new apartment a week after I moved in), launched Yoga:edit and Lori Snyder Yoga, and am finally finishing (well, almost) my novel that’s about two years late to my agent. (As a side note, no, I haven’t met the love of my life yet. Know anyone in LA?)

Most importantly, I feel as though I’m back to joy in my life, back to feeling like there’s something exciting around every corner. I’m not sure I would have been able to see my right path with such clarity had it not been for Alón’s continual guidance and kindness. He is an incredible human being. If you get the chance to work with him, grab it. It will transform your world.

Lori Snyder
Venice, California
www.YogaEdit.com
www.LoriSnyderYoga.com

Clearing The Path

After completing two yoga bootcamps with Baron Baptiste in the fall of 2009, I decided to end my work as a psychologist and embark on my calling to be a yoga teacher and a yoga studio owner. I have always believed that I am meant to serve humanity in some way. I started to do this through my work as a psychologist, but it did not seem to serve me and I oftentimes felt burned-out. I have come to see yoga as a much more accessible way to personal transformation.

Once I decided to begin moving into the yoga business world, I contacted Alón and began my work with him. Together, we explored the idea of opening a yoga studio after my partner and I relocate to Florida in 2011 (I’ve always wanted to live in warmth).

Alón and I are currently working on removing the emotional and mental blocks that could disempower me and keep me from shining in an authentic way. Now I feel confident that when I do open my studio, I will be clear and authentic in what I want in my studio, and in my life.

My work with Alón is helping me as a yoga teacher as well. It is great to have Alón to talk with weekly because he speaks the “yogic language” and is on the same journey in his own life. He can relate to experiences on and off the mat. I have always felt that people who are open and speak their own truth are the most inspiring to me. I have found that in Alón, and I have started to find it unfolding in my own teaching and life.

I have begun to see how my authenticity is affecting my relationships with my partner, family, friends, students, and even strangers. My work with Alón has removed so many blocks that I am much more open to being connected to people in a truly present manner. I have lived in the DC area for over ten years and it is only within the last eight months that I can say that I have real friends whom I love. It’s a huge change in my life.

In conjunction with yoga, this work has opened my eyes to possibilities I never imagined. By dropping the lies about myself and believing in my wholeness, I have begun to shine brighter and brighter, which has affected every aspect of my life. I have fallen deeper in love with my life partner whom I plan to open the studio with. I also have attracted more yoga career opportunities than ever before. It seems that with Alón as a guide, once I believed in myself, my brightness and sparkle increased dramatically, and suddenly, doors began to open all around me. Life really is good.

I am grateful for what yoga has offered me and I feel as though I must “Pay It Forward” and give it to everyone I can. I believe that everyone deserves to shine, and that is what I offer as a yoga teacher and a future yoga studio owner. Thank you, Alón, for believing in me, showing me my true potential and being a light on my path.

Christen Iannone
Gaitherburg MD

You Don’t Know what you Don’t Know

I have always had a good mind for business; a levelheaded rule-follower, and very discerning in my decision-making and relationships. For years I made a living as a CPA, and my last “corporate” job was as the controller of an oil and gas company, where I did quite a bit of planning, forecasting and budgeting, always keeping an eye on the big picture. In the midst of my corporate life, I discovered yoga, and it quickly became an integral part of my life.

I had the opportunity to purchase the studio where I had been practicing and teaching, and thought that this was an amazing opportunity to combine my love of yoga with my business knowledge. What could be better?

But the studio struggled quite a bit for the first few years – the attendance and revenues were not at all what I had anticipated. I managed to turn things around a bit, but every month ended with a huge sigh of relief the moment I knew I could pay the rent.

I had been getting Alón’s newsletter for months, an each month I would wonder, could he help me? And then I would think, 1) if I had the money to pay him then I wouldn’t need him, and 2) I already have a handle on running the “business” (bookkeeping, budgets, marketing, etc), so what could he really help me with?

By then I got really tired of running at mediocre and I was ready to go for broke, including moving the studio to a newer, much more demographically appealing location. My husband and I were having a meeting with our financial advisor, and interestingly, he asked if either of us had ever considered using a business coach. I told him about Alón and how I had been getting his e-mails, and I expressed my concerns that I did not know how he could help me. His response, was, “yes, Kristin, but you don’t know what you don’t know.” Good point. I sent him the information that I had on Alón and he responded, “He looks like the real deal. Give it a go.” I figured it was now or never, as right at the point of this move was the perfect chance to explore new marketing, branding, and community building ideas.

I made the call to Alón, and from our first 15-minute “getting to know you” call, I was hooked. In the first few weeks, Alón’s thought provoking questions and analysis of my responses began to draw attention to the areas where I was holding back, and thus limiting my potential or success.

Every call is a huge eye opener, and I end our 45 minute chats each week so inspired to implement his suggestions right away. None of them are very hard – some just take a few minutes, some are longer, community building projects, but with an eye toward building a strong, successful, vibrant yoga studio that I can be proud of, and ultimately achieve much more success.

Many of Alón’s ideas seem so obvious once implemented, but without his guidance to help clear away the haze of frustration and discontent in my head, I couldn’t see them. My way of thinking has completely changed. You know how after a really great yoga class or a top notch massage, you have that sense of openness in your mind – and suddenly all of the issues and clutter seem to either have a solution, or at the very least a place to go? Working with Alón is like that. It is like yoga for your thoughts!

I still have the same eye for detail, and still plan and budget, probably entirely too much, but I am learning not to use that as a crutch whenever I am feeling stuck. I am so much more comfortable exploring new ideas and trying new things. And like I said, none of them are very hard. One thing at a time, and I am watching my studio transform from the mediocre, barely pay the rent studio in a bad part of town to the vibrant blossoming community it is quickly becoming.

One of my instructors has nicknamed Alón “Magic Man,” as each week after our call there is a flurry of excitement from me over what magic we are going to do next. But here’s the thing. It is not magic, right? It’s not tricks, and Alón doesn’t do the work, I do. But that is the key – the relationship with Alón has given me the insight, confidence and the gentle push to break out of my comfort zone and get it done. It is like a once a week accountability partner to help me stay on track!

I have only been working with Alón since about October of 2010 – before the big move, when scraping up that first fee to pay him was a huge struggle. I have been in the new space just about 2 months – so it is still a baby, really. I am so looking forward to continuing the journey with Alón by my side, though miles away, and watching this baby grow. It is true; sometimes you really don’t know what you don’t know. Thank you, Alón, for showing me the way!

Kristin Abel
Yoga West
Katy, Texas
www.yogawest.net

Crossroads: Can I do this for another five years?

Five months ago, I was in a pivotal place with my studio… should I sign another 5-year lease, or forgo being a studio owner and teach independently? I needed some help sorting out my options, so I sought Alón out based on a referral from one of his clients.

Many of my supporters spoke so confidently about what I was doing at the studio, and even some suggested that I should consider expanding. I knew that if I closed, it would be a great loss to the community of students, the neighborhood that is in transition, and for me… I started the studio to build a community of yogis and friends, but I was doing some deep soul searching about how and if to continue. The studio was doing okay and had good momentum but we still needed to grow, and I was losing juice.

Could I do this for another five years? There is so much that is unpredictable and the last five years had been a true roller coaster ride with great dips, only to make the climb back up for another exhilarating ride. But my outlook needed more stability, cohesiveness, a larger support system and definitely more FUN! If I were to continue with the responsibility of owning a studio that now had 11 teachers, 2 desk/administrative staff and 30 classes on the schedule, I knew that there would have to be a whole new energy to come in to sustain, grow, and even entertain us.

After my first few sessions with Alón, I was captivated. I found that we were so in alignment about what yoga does for us, ie. that it is life changing and healing, and that aligning with a conscious intent will support me in my venture with the studio. Alón coaching style grabbed me because I could see that there was fun to be had. I had given my heart to the studio, there was much to celebrate, but the joy had gone out.

Our work has taken on many forms, but the wave of change came early this year. With Alón’s guidance, I revamped my newsletter… totally. I had been writing the newsletter for five years and I was nervous about all the changes. But after the first new one went out in January, I received responses that showed people were feeling the new vibe. I find I have a new joy in creating Bhava’s monthly newsletters because I’m being asked to be creative in a way that celebrates the gifts of yoga and our community.

The next big venture was having our first Yoga Challenge. I had heard of other studios that had done them, but they just seemed like a lot of work, and who would sign up? (This is the old me with no juice.) Well, music to my ears… Alón is not into creating administrative work and really wants us to get out of the minutia of it all, so trusting, I jumped on board.

Shocking to me, we had 60 students sign up for our first Yoga Challenge. We started on Valentines Day and 35 students completed it a month later. Alón and I had been talking about celebrating the Challenge finishers and we both got chills when we realized that the Challenge ended on Bhava’s 5th birthday.

Alón helped me in planning a 5-yr. Anniversary Open House to celebrate it all, and the party literally took on a life of its own. We had a really good turnout and there was so much joy in the room, so much laughter and cheering. The community grew stronger as a result of the event, and I can immediately experience the love of it all when I reflect back on that afternoon. This is juice!

There’s still so much to do to keep growing Bhava but I feel supported with new energy. The anniversary party was a huge expression of what Bhava means to the community of students. I feel empowered again, but this time it’s different. There is joy in the mystery, meaning beyond my imagination, and a level of trust in the support of something much greater than me to carry the studio forward.

Thank you Alón for your practical, joyful, open and insightful coaching.

Bea Doyle
Founder
Bhava Yoga
Albuquerque, New Mexico USA
www.bhavayogastudio.com

Rising Star

Before working with Alón, I fundamentally misunderstood the business of yoga. I was doing so many things wrong that I can’t even begin to list them here.

I had worked with other business coaches, but they didn’t understand the yoga industry and I wasn’t getting anywhere. The tactics of the typical business professional are just too harsh for the average yoga practitioner and it reflected in my lackluster bottom line.

My business model was doomed to fail and I didn’t know why.

Alón did. Through our work together we re-branded my studio and developed a business strategy that was in agreement with the principles of a yogic lifestyle. Now my students feel a sense of membership in a community of like-minded yogis, and I feel passionate and in control of the most rewarding career I can imagine.

Alón didn’t just teach me the business side of yoga, he also taught me a way of doing business that is in itself, yogic. Alón embodies the principles he teaches and his natural way of offering suggestions and encouraging growth comes with such a grace and ease that it often feels like I’m talking to an old friend.

With Alón’s help, I’ve recently created the Iowa City Yoga Festival, a weekend filled with yoga, music and fun that will bring together yoga practitioners and friends throughout the Midwest.

We’re starting to work on my personal brand, and the possibilities for evolving my career in yoga have never felt so limitless.

Thank you Alón, for everything you’ve done.
James Miller
Iowa City, Iowa
www.JamesMillerYoga.com
www.IowaCityYogaFestival.com

Entrepreneur to Leader

First, I’d like to say thank you to all of the previous studio owners who have shared their testimonials of working with Alón. It was your words that inspired me to take action in first contacting him. It took me 10 years of going it alone to take the plunge and I’m so glad I did.

I opened Bikram Yoga in Grapevine, Texas February 2nd, 2002 with a business partner. We parted ways about a year and a half later and I’ve been on my own ever since…until now that is. Now I have Alón, actually I just refer to him as “Coach”. I’ve always been the “I can do it myself” type. And I can, but at what cost? How much better could my life and my business be if I invited in some help? I was about to begin the process of opening a second location when I made the decision to hire “Coach.” I had not signed a lease yet and had plenty of work in front of me to prepare for what it would mean to take on a second studio.

I called “Coach” in October 2010 and we hit it off right away. As we carried on our conversation that first day, I remember feeding off of his excitement about the journey I was about to take. One phone call and I already felt better. Along the way, as we continued to work together, I would have moments of super human strength and confidence and moments of complete and utter despair and doubt. Coach was there for all of it and he never waivered in his belief in me and never judged my doubt in myself. He provided the therapy I needed to unload some of the drama in my life. He helped me pluck out what was priority and what was not. Really, he lifted the fog that could have easily kept me from clearly defining and attaining my goals.

In order to open my second location, we worked together to blow up and rebuild almost everything about the way I ran my business. I changed over my staff from contract labor to employees, grew my staff from 10 to now 19 employees, created a new website, developed an employee handbook which meant documenting every process, policy and procedure (this was by far the toughest and most rewarding piece of the puzzle), promoted a team member to studio manager, created a brand message… the list goes on. I remember one particular day where I was struggling with website and brochure messaging. I knew I wanted it to be different than what I’d done in the past but I felt directionless and passionless. It felt like REALLY hard work and I was low on creativity and high on stress. I presented my problem to Coach that day and we began a conversation about my target market and the message I wanted to send. By the end of that conversation we had developed a pivotal marketing piece that I now refer to as “The Invitation.” That process, which I previously dreaded, turned into one of the most fun and exhilarating calls I’ve had with Coach and we laughed until we cried.

Once again, Coach helped me find my mojo. I remember people telling me “Are you sure you want to open another location?” “How are you going to do it all?” “Most multiple studio owners have a business partner or are a husband/wife team. How can you possibly do this on your own?” Coach NEVER said anything remotely like that to me. He only encouraged me, believed in me, supported me, trusted me, and fed me (energetically that is. Hey, you could have at least sent me a cookie bouquet, Coach…I was hungry!).

My second location opened April 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. People came, they gave me money, the heat worked, the computers were up, my employees showed up, and we were able to focus on yoga. A drama-less first day… can you believe it? Since opening, the new studio has continued to steadily grow and the original studio is busier than ever. At the new location, we’re already adding a 5:30am class at the end of this month and we’re now offering yoga-centered, plant based cooking classes and massage therapy. I’m still working long hours but I’m working so much more ON my business than IN my business and I can see the light of day.

Coach is focused on helping me become a leader, as opposed to a solo entrepreneur/manager responsible for, well, everything. Perhaps this terminally strong “I can do it myself” girl could have done this alone, but I’m SO glad I didn’t have to. Coach has been the business partner I didn’t have (without giving up equity), the sanity in my often insaneness, the accountability provider I needed, the cheerleader when I doubted myself. I know for sure that I wouldn’t have the same outcome I have today without him. There is still much work to do and this will be a journey that does not end AND, just like my yoga practice, it is worth it.

I appreciate and am so grateful to have such an incredible Coach to motivate, inspire and guide me along the way. Thanks for everything Coach, now seriously, send that cookie bouquet, I’m dying over here.

Stacey Stier
Bikram Yoga North Texas
http://www.bikramyoganorthtexas.com

Falling In Love Again

Eight years ago, I opened a yoga studio, fulfilling a vision I had since I began practicing yoga. I got the business going and growing, and eventually hired additional teachers so that I could spend more time running the studio. My love for yoga was my motivation, my fire. I so enjoy sharing this positive and beautiful practice with my community.

At one point, about six years into running the yoga studio, I found myself sort of “stuck.” I was just barely making it each month, and not able to adequately pay myself after paying my teachers. As the months rolled by this way, I kept thinking to myself, “there is more here to expand into, to tap into within myself; the studio has more potential.”

Being stuck like this felt like “hitting the wall” in yoga class. Though I have stepped through many walls over the years, this one was particularly mysterious, even daunting. I didn’t know how to approach it. I started to doubt my ability to lead my yoga community. The bigger part of me knew that I was plenty capable, I just needed to access more of my potential. I had heard of this “yoga business coach” before, but I had this idea that I could not afford him.One day I realized that that kind of thinking was not serving me.

I finally decided to reach out and call Alón. Even though I did not meet Alón in person, I felt comfortable with him right away. I knew from our first conversation that I was about to transform in exactly the way that I needed.

Hiring Alón was the best decision I could have made. We have been working together for almost two years now, and so many positive shifts have taken place. Alón has helped me move through that big, mysterious wall with a new confidence. Alón is this beautiful, gentle, honest person whom I can talk to about anything and everything. I know he will tell me the truth. He gets it, that yoga is everything, yoga is life!

Through this work with Alón, my deep mental and emotional layers of false ideas are falling away. I feel that I am more and more authentically me. As I allow my true self to shine, my yoga community shines brighter. As we shine brighter together, new students want to stick around and soak it up. My business has grown leaps since I began working with Alón, and I am in love with this incredible yoga space all over again.

Also, recently, I met the love of my life… and by no accident. I attribute this to the work I have done with Alón. I am now acknowledging my true worth, and can invite this beautiful love into my life and being without sabotaging it. For that, especially, I am eternally grateful for Alón’s guiding presence and support.

Life is beautiful. Thank you bunches, Alón.

Amy Hopkins
Bikram Yoga
Eugene, Oregon.

Right back at square 10

When I met Alón, I was in the midst of a huge transition in my life. My husband started a new business, and moved our family to San Francisco from Washington DC, my home since 1985.

My friends in DC were overjoyed to see me relocate to the yoga Mecca of the free world. I, however, was attached (to say the least) to living in DC. My perceived “leave-behinds” included an enormous satsang that I had built entirely from the ground up; a growing tribe of teachers I had trained and mentored; and my home yoga studio, Flow Yoga Center; as well as dear friends and colleagues I’d known for decades.

With Alón, I set forth to re-invent myself on the west coast. We both acknowledged that I w

as a different type of client (an individual teacher rather than studio owner), from a different and unique lineage (Jivamukti/Vinyasa), moving into a crowded and gifted yoga market place (San Francisco). From the first 5-minute conversation, I knew he was the right guide for my needs.

I’ve been teaching for 11 years, Hatha, Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Jivamukti Yoga. For the first time, guided by Alón, I was able to clearly identify my strengths, assets, and uniqueness as a teacher, which is a hallmark of his coaching. This was an intimate, yet for me an unexpectedly fast process (he calls me his turbo client). From there, we moved on to tackle what I needed to succeed out West: we developed business strategies and tactics; we refined my workshop offering; he helped me develop and launch my popular yoga newsletter (a huge source of pride and joy), which goes out to yogis around the world. With Alón, I launched a website, where I can finally share my accomplishments and testimonials. All possible in a very brief time – which I attribute to his uncanny ability to support me at whatever stage I’m in. His impeccable sense of timing, pacing, and patience, and a gift of eloquence allows our work together to flow effortlessly and easily.

Last, but really first, we also rooted out the places where I was getting stuck emotionally or psychologically. These are the famous kleshas,or obstacles, in the Yoga Sutras. It was through his steady guidance that my attachments and worries started to lift, and whatever I felt was left behind was in fact a continuous bridge to what comes next.

I’ve noticed that even when I’m not speaking with him, in the back of my mind, I hear his voice, patiently guiding me to making the best decisions for my life and business. I’m truly grateful for that compass.

Little did I know that my business coach would become, well, my guru. It’s funny that I might never have found him had we not moved here. Why did I end up in California? To find Alón – and that has changed everything.

Jill Abelson
Yoga of Liberation
San Francisco, CA
www.yogaofliberation.com

Yoga & Pole Dancing – A Focused Niche Comes to Life

“When the right time came to expand our business, we wanted to do it “right,” professional, organized, and classy. We decided to work with Alón and it was like taking a huge gulp… here we go.

I knew from reading his testimonials that it was going to be work; and it sure is! Yet Alón makes the work exciting and fulfilling. Admittedly, there are times when I get a little nervous for our weekly meeting… I just finished last week’s “homework” and I know more is coming. However, having Alón there as not just a coach, but a guide and a supporter makes it all possible and fun. He holds us accountable to our goals, rather than “I’ll get to that later”, which means that we have made a great amount of progress in a short amount of time.

From the very first meeting he demonstrated his care and insight. I hung up the phone and said, “That was totally worth it!”

Having Alón on our team has helped us create a seamless image for our business that is a direct reflection of who and how we are in the world. We have an awesome new logo and tag line that I LOVE (Hooray for pink!), an updated website and newsletter that is captivating, and a shared language that our students can relate to. I’m proud of my business, how it affects women’s lives and the community that has flourished from it.

One of the traits I appreciate most about Alón is that he is a yogi and he speaks my language. He “gets” it and me, which I know is a little challenging, given the uniqueness of my business. We offer the only type of yoga he can’t try or even look at beyond a few photos and demonstration videos, which only show a small piece of the experience. And yet he understands and offers wonderfully insightful advice.

Alón is amazing, creative, enthusiastic, helpful, caring, compassionate (especially when I get emotional!), friendly, focused, and completely present for us. I cannot think of enough words to describe what a valuable help he has been for us. I am grateful for all that he has to offer and am eager to continue our work toward bringing Yoga Flirt into the world in a meaningful way.”

Cathy & Michael Weiss
Yoga FlirtSan Luis Obispo, CA
www.YogaFlirt.com

New Studio, Happy Problems

Alón’s help has been invaluable to me throughout the journey of opening my yoga studio. We have worked on everything from the broad picture of what I want my studio to be and how it is presented and positioned, to the technical nuts and bolts of everyday operation.

Having Alón in my corner has given me the confidence to proceed through many of the inevitable challenges of opening and running a studio. At every step of the way, he constantly reminded me that this project is bigger than me, that it’s really about creating a community of people dedicated to bettering themselves and encouraging others to discover the beauty of yoga.

The work I did with Alón on clarifying the vision, and then branding and marketing my new business (including the website and promotional materials), has definitely helped me attract a wonderful customer base. After three months, I have had more students coming through my doors than I ever imagined possible — we’ve already had to turn students away because the room only holds 62 people! These are “happy problems,” as Alón calls them. Seeing such an overwhelming positive response is very rewarding.

I look forward to continuing to work on my studio with Alón and making it run more efficiently — as well as building a deep and wide yoga community that calls it home. I am thankful to Alón for who he is — resourceful, open, practical, inspiring, encouraging, and real. He truly walks his talk of being the Yoga Business Coach.

Patrick Hanratty
Hot Yoga Massapequa
Long Island, NY
www.HotYogaMassapequa.com

Case Study #4: Long-term Client Michele Vennard, Bikram Yoga San Jose

“My experience with Alón continues to give me and my studio immeasurable success. We started working together about a year ago and through his process of defining who I am and what I want, I’ve become more clear and focused on my business and personal needs.

When working together, Alón has a unique way of pulling out a perspective I may not have seen and diving into the action necessary. He is a hands-on mentor and friend.

I own Bikram Yoga San Jose, a thriving yoga community in our fourth year of operation that needed to evolve in the right way. With Alón’s guidance, we designed a perfect website that captures so well who we are at BYSJ right now, and lays a clear path for our future. Alón and I are continuing to capture and sculpt the growth the studio is experiencing and I am so thankful to have his wisdom, focus, creativity and enthusiasm as me and my business change and grow.

The success of my studio is very much attributed to the decisions he has helped me make. I proceed with lots of confidence, thanks to Alón!”

Part 2

“I will never forget one of my first conversations with Alón. We were working on the discovery process to clarify what I really wanted in my life. I recall this one conversation in particular because I was sitting in my new home talking on the phone with Alón as I was looking at my entire family room torn apart to pieces. I had some water damage and they had to tear up the hardwood floors. I had to move out until it was refurbished about three months later. Thanks to Alón, I recognized it as a process to recreate my inner and outer surroundings both in my personal life and my business. For whatever reason, I was denying myself the chance to move into a higher level of being. Alón would have none of that and reminded me of what was possible, not impossible.

Together, we recreated the website for Bikram Yoga San Jose into one that exemplified the community we’ve built over the years, but more importantly, the feeling we convey to our students everyday: “welcome.” The website is so interactive thanks to Alón coming up with ideas that involve the students; blog, photo gallery, community resources, testimonials, events – all things that change monthly that our students look forward to reading and responding to.

Through this creation, it allowed me to look at all aspects of the studio and heighten my attention on what worked and what was lacking in order to make each department successful. I brought on a manager for the studio and with Alón, we came up with a manual and review process that empowers and motivates new and strong ideas.

From the very beginning, Alón knew that I loved Bikram Yoga and my intent was always to stay authentic and pure to this method. Through our work, we have developed a strong reputation for this consistency in our pure delivery of Bikram Yoga. In addition, Alón never lets you forget what YOU really want out of running a business.

I am blessed to have a dream job and feeling so rewarded in developing the BYSJ brand. I so enjoy that part of creativity. Yet, it is not the only creative expression I wished to have. I let Alón know years ago that I also liked to dance, ballroom dance. That was an interest of mine and while I dabbled a bit in it, there was never the time or the active interest.

Alón encouraged me to dance again. With his help, I learned how to run my business efficiently, allowing me the time and freedom to meet a dance instructor and start to take lessons. It has been about 1 ½ years now and with two performances under my belt, it has become another big part of my life. In fact, I am on two dance teams performing ballroom and Latin dances.

Since we have continued to grow the business year over year, I am now in the midst of negotiations for expansion and design into a much bigger studio. Our community is now so large that our anniversary party each January is packed with dishes from students from every ethnicity. Each year we host two 60 day challenges and each of them attracts from 80 to 100 students. We average over 180-200 new students a month and continually take top spot in local magazine readers poll. We are a big part of the fabric of this community in giving to local school charities. It is a meaningful gathering of people with like minded tendencies all working to improve the self!

Alón makes dreams happen. He encourages you to constantly look from a soul level at the real intention you desire for the life you have. He does so graciously, with such humor and wit and all with amazing knowledge and intelligence.

Thanks Alón. I love you dearly. My life proves it.”

Michele Vennard
Bikram Yoga San Jose
San Jose, California
www.bikramyogasajose.com

Artists. Rock Stars. Studio Owners.

What a blessing that we happened to wander into a Yoga of Business seminar that Alón was leading at a yoga conference in New York. We knew right away that we wanted to work with him as his presence radiated both intelligence and joy.

When we started working with Alón we were at a crossroads in our lives. My husband, Nicholas (aka MC Yogi), had recently released his first album of yoga hip-hop music and I had just published my first children’s book. After seven years of just teaching and running our yoga studio, our lives were beginning to branch out and expand in new, exciting directions.

This was all good except that I was beginning to feel totally overwhelmed by it all. Teaching full time, managing the studio, illustrating books, and touring with MC Yogi, my energy was spreading out too thin and for the first time in seven years, our studio profits had started to wane. I knew it was time to ask for some assistance. However, I had this strong story in my mind that I had to do everything myself. I was good at hard work and I wasn’t so good at asking for or receiving support.

I remember our first meeting with Alón. I was excited and also tense. I came into it with a huge itemized list of things I thought I needed to do. Soon Alón had me laughing and having a good time on the phone. You see, Alón’s technique as a coach is pure magic. He reminded me that the success of my business flows from my own happiness and joy in sharing yoga. Our “meetings” felt more like conversations with a good friend who is a great listener. I don’t know how it happened, but all the things on my to-do list were getting done — and they got done without my normal nose-to-the-grindstone mentality. Profits went up and my stress level went down! Amazing!

Now our studio is as vibrant, healthy and strong as ever. I feel peace and joy when I think of moving into the future. Working with Alón was one of the most important steps we have made as business owners.

Thank you Alón, you are a Yoga Angel for sure!

With love and gratitude,

Amanda Giacomini and Nicholas Giacomini (aka MC Yogi)
Yoga Toes Studio
Point Reyes Station, CA
www.YogaToesStudio.com
www.AmandaGiacomini.com
www.MCYogi.com

Family Business

Fun, inspiring, creative, reflective, authentic, laughter, sometimes tears and always an “ah-ha” moment – this begins to describe my sessions with Alón.

It’s hard to articulate what I enjoy most about working with Alón, he has helped me in so many different ways and I really believe we have just scratched the surface.

In just a few short months Alón has helped me to clearly define what Bikram Yoga Avondale is and has taught me how to best communicate this to my community. With his guidance, we redesigned the look and message of BYA with a new, updated website, newsletter and marketing materials that I am so proud of – it makes me feel like I have a million dollar operation.

My husband and I have two little girls and another family business – our lives are very busy to say the least. One of the reason’s I chose to work with Alón is that after reading many of the testimonials on his website I realized he was much more than a business advisor that specialized in working with yoga studios – he was a life coach. And after opening and operating Bikram Yoga Avondale for a year and a half, I was feeling like I was no longer in control of my time or my life. My “life” was controlling me and it was starting to take its toll – I wasn’t feeling the joy.

I wasn’t sure what to expect for our first phone call. I was actually a little nervous. One of the first things he said to me was, “If we’re not having fun, we’re not doing it right!” It didn’t take me long to understand what he was talking about. The work has actually been fun; everything from crafting my newsletter (which used to feel like the dread of finishing a college paper) to teaching me his “Priority Management System” so I can better manage my schedule and be in control of my time (I’m no longer the mom that forgot it’s “show and tell” day – I’m on top of it!). The best part of “the fun” is that for the first time I feel creative in my work, which is incredibly fulfilling. I don’t know what I was nervous about. Alón has a HUGE heart and can be a total goof ball – which I love. There is nothing pretentious about him and I feel safe to be myself.

Through our work I am learning how to make decisions that stay in line with BYA’s core message. If I’m unsure about something, I often think to myself, “What would Alón say?”, and I can hear his response. There is a tremendous comfort and sense of security in knowing I have an expert that can answer my questions and bounce ideas off of.

The most intriguing aspect of working with Alón is his method. Unless we’re working on a specific project, he usually does not have an “agenda” to the work. It’s not a cookie cutter system. I always lead the discussion, even when I don’t want to. Something productive always comes out of our session and I always get what I need that day. Sometimes “what I needed” wasn’t even on my radar screen but clearly I needed to talk about whatever it was we discussed. It’s almost like he gives you what you need when you’re ready to receive it – first we need to work on “this” before we can get to “that”. It’s an amazing process!

Thank you Alón, with all my heart! I am so grateful to have you in my life and look forward to many more years of “fun and joy”!!

Much Love,
Shelby Rayner
Bikram Yoga Avondale
www,BikramYogaAvondale.com

Expansion Success: Now Three Locations

We opened our first Yoga studio six years ago in San Antonio, TX. We taught most of the classes, cleaned the studio, did our own accounting and marketing and pretty much worked our tail off. Within a year, we acquired another existing studio in town and our workload doubled. The two of us have been best friends for 12 years and somehow we managed to maintain our friendship during some really stressful times, working 90 to 100 hours a week and just trying to keep our heads above water. As the studios and our staff grew, we knew it was time to think bigger — and that we needed the help of an expert. A close friend, Michael Harris of Bikram Yoga in Bend, Oregon, suggested we call Alón. He and several colleagues had been working with Alón on their businesses with superb results.

We hit it off instantly! Since working with Alón we have been able to really focus on what is most important to us and set goals that help our entire yoga community in San Antonio. It has provided us the space to step away from the day-to-day operations and be able to provide more to our students and staff by focusing our time on the bigger picture and what really matters. Accordingly, we have grown 25% in the 5th year of our business and are having more fun than ever!

Alón guided us in creating a presentation of our businesss that reflected who we really are in our community. Together, we revamped our website, created a powerful newsletter, adjusted our pricing and dramatically increased the focus on our students. Alón is extremely easy to work with and has a huge pool of expertise and clients to draw knowledge from. The time we spend with him allows us to brainstorm and keep our energy focused on the right things and avoid the burnout that so many yoga studio owners experience.

We have learned it takes a lot of hard work and effort to build a strong and successful yoga community. That is why it is so important to have the right people on your team. Alón is a vital component of ours. With his guidance and support, the students and staff have all noticed the tremendous improvements in and out of our studios. Alón’s ability to work with and challenge us while keeping us laughing and enjoying every second is true a gift. Things continue to get better and better and our business continues to run smoother and more profitably. We are so thankful for Alón. Not only is he one of our business gurus, we consider him a good friend as well.

Lisa Ingle & Steve Falk
Bikram Yoga San Antonio
San Antonio, TX
www.BikramYogaSA.com

Case Study #3: Long-term client Amy Pittelkau, Blue Moon Yoga

After nine years and three yoga studios, working seven days a week teaching every class, I was experiencing not only classic burnout, but also resentment and irritability toward my

studio and students. It all happened so slowly I didn’t even realize what was going on — but with attendance down 30% and a 10% new student retention rate, red flags were raised. Then a major family tragedy at Christmas served as a wake up call. Well, the first call I made was to Alón!

My colleagues had been swearing by him for years, and based on their newfound success, I took the plunge. I took funds from my retirement account and opened my heart, mind and business to Alón’s coaching. Two things he told me in the first five minutes: We will uncover the truth of what needs to be addressed in your life and business — and — If we’re not having fun, we’re not doing it right. OK, I can deal with that. We have laughed many times, I’ve cried many times… and my business has taken off! Within the first week of our work together, the energy and sense of community spirit at the studio started shifting, becoming more electric each day! I was suddenly happy, my students were suddenly happy, and even life on the homefront was fun once again.

Students have began to run, not walk, to class. Attendance after 8 weeks of working with Alón was the highest in 12 months, and the following month, we grew again! The new student retention rate went from 10 to 50%! The change at my studio is amazing. It’s raining happy yoga students who are referring their friends like lightning! Words cannot describe the elation I feel.

Through Alón’s uncanny, unbiased perceptions and frank insights — and above all his reassuring compassion and understanding of my business — my attitude has shifted from one of frustration and anger to joy and success. Alón has a knack for tailoring his coaching to fit my needs, my community, and my style. Always prepared, cheerful, in-tune and present during our weekly meetings, working with Alón is the highlight of my week!

Update: “Hi Alón! The studio is GREAT! Still breaking records. In July 2011 we had the most new student sign-ups ever, in August we had the most attendance ever and the Summer Yoga Challenge has over 100 participants, also the most ever!”

Amy Pittelkau
Blue Moon Yoga
Fresno, CA
www.bluemoonyogafresno.com

Award Winning Studio, Passionate Leadership

I founded Yoga And Healing Center about 15 years ago. Even with so much experience running a studio, I found Alón to be a invaluable force in my business and life. Aside from his amazing understanding of the business world, Alón incorporates an unfailing commitment to seeing it from a yogi’s perspective.

As a wonderful, compassionate friend and trusted guide, Alón has helped me clarify my vision and support and celebrate the people in my community in the best way I can. Together, we have co-created great things through our coaching relationship.

The energy at my studio is so great. Recently, Alón and I orchestrated an inspiring and motivating Yoga Challenge and over 100 students signed up! He has helped me create our beautiful community newsletter (he is an amazing editor), and we are now working on my newly launched holistic nutrition company.

Alón is a real force for good in the world. I would highly recommend his coaching to anyone. I am so grateful for all the support he has given me over the years. Alón can really help anyone grow their business in a meaningful way, while making a difference in the world.

Thank you, Alón, for believing in me and really “seeing” me and what I am here to do.

Wendy Pinto
Yoga And Healing Center
Scotch Plains New Jersey
www.yogaandhealingcenter.com

Yogini, Mom, Entrepreneur

I had been receiving Alón’s emails for years before I finally called to inquire about his business coaching services. My yoga studio in Hawaii was already very successful, so, to be honest, I wasn’t sure he would have much to offer me. But his excitement and passion was contagious — so I signed up! The next few months were filled with the most inspiring and rewarding business oriented experiences I have had to date.

Alón introduced a new perspective about making more money and growing my business that didn’t at all conflict with my yogic values and philosophies. In fact, he taught me more about how to integrate my yoga into my business practices than I ever even thought possible.

Now I am in the midst of opening a second studio in California. Those who are working closely with me laugh because in these last few months I have begun hundreds of sentences with the words… “Well, my yoga business coach taught me…” I know that what I learned from Alón was invaluable, and I am reminded frequently when I talk to a graphic designer, photographer, “branding expert”, etc. about something I have learned from Alón, they often say variations of the same thing: “Wow, that’s a good point. I never thought of that- but I should have!”

I realize quite often that with Alón, I got a lot of experience and knowledge about a lot of business topics all in one place. And it is all quite amazing! I couldn’t be happier with my decision to hire him.

Cori Martinez
Yoga Centered
Hilo, Hawaii
www.yogacentered.com
www.ashayoga.com

Unleashing Creative Spirit

“When I started working with Alón almost a year ago, my income was negative and my husband was recently unemployed; I had been in and out of emergency for an unexplained infection, exhausted as I was trying to build my new business teaching yoga and writing. It was a challenging time – but I knew, from the first time I spoke with him, that Alón was the one who could help.

Our work together has made a tremendous difference. We have created a wonderful new business name, company logo, and website; I learned how to gather testimonials, design excellent promotional materials, and shape my business for the future. I now feel absolutely inspired in my own work.

I knew Alón would help with my business. What I didn’t expect was that our work together would change my entire life.

Since I started working with Alón, everything has become somehow easier, filled with a quiet grace – even those daily tasks like answering the phone or doing the laundry. I now find unexplained little miracles happening regularly in my life, from free tickets to talks by spiritual leaders appearing in my hands to an impossible booking that suddenly became easy. My husband found his dream job, for the first time in his life, and I went from teaching one class outside my chosen field to having more teaching offers than I could take on.

Working with Alón has brought such a quiet joy into my life. I am now living my dream. I am able to decide the kind of work I do, whether I’m teaching retreats in Banff or facilitating workshops or doing private coaching. I love what I do, and my work with Alón has helped me to see my own gifts and to bring these gifts to the world.

Alón is much more than a business coach: he is a mentor, a spiritual guide, and a wonderful friend. I am so happy that he is part of my life. I will continue working with Alón, not just because my business has absolutely transformed itself in less than a year, but also because my whole life is better with Alón in it. Thanks, Alón, for the tremendous work that you do. You have deeply enriched my life.”

Michèle Gunderson, Ph.D., C.Y.T.
The Language of Yoga
Calgary, AB Canada
www.languageofyoga.com

A Profound Effect

“Working with Alón has been the best thing we’ve ever done for our business. Not only did we increase our sales over 40% percent in the last financial year, Alón inspired us to share who we are and our purpose more clearly with our yoga community. This has had a profound effect on our students and in our lives. Alón rocks!”

Jill Gutowski & Michael Brantl
Four Winds Yoga
Pennington, New Jersey
www.fourwindsyoga.com

Wisdom. Openheartedness. Change.

“After running a yoga studio for seven years, I thought I knew most everything I needed. How wrong I was. After working with Alón for just a few sessions, my whole approach changed. I soon felt better about what I was doing and started to actually have fun with the business.

With his guidance, I have enhanced our website and made a number of other critical changes and innovations, such as a much improved newsletter. Business has picked up and everyone is saying how much friendlier the atmosphere at the studio has become. Although it may sound corny, I also feel I have become a better person, which does not seem to conflict with running a successful business.

Beyond all that, Alón feels like a supportive friend, and that has been important at times when I am introducing new and scary things!

I thought his fee was a lot at first, but now it seems cheap at the price, given the tangible benefits to my business.”

Rob Walker
Yoga Studio South
Calgary AB Canada
www.yogastudiocalgary.com

A Consummate Leader

“I own a five-year-old fitness and yoga business, and began working with Alón in the spring of 2004. I initially called Alón because I was at a crossroads — experiencing a blur in my overall vision. Within minutes of my first session, I gained clarity and immediately became aware of Alón’s value as a coach. Alón’s wisdom and ability to calmly navigate me through my clutter has inevitably brought me back to an authentic and powerful vision for my business.

Alón is intuitive, knowledgeable and wise when it comes to the development of a yoga business. His ability to cut through the non-essentials and put you on the fast track to building your business is remarkable.

It was Alón’s skillfulness and ability to listen to my deep intentions that has propelled Empowered Yoga into a whole new realm. He helped me re-brand, rename and reposition my business for success, and our weekly meetings have kept me productive and focused.

I know that without Alón’s expertise, I would still be spinning my wheels in a state of confusion and frustration. I can’t place a value on Alón… His help is invaluable to me, and my business!”

Johnny Gillespie
Empowered Yoga & Johnny Fitness, LLC
Wilmington, Delaware
www.empoweredyoga.com

Putting Her Best Out Into The World

“I already had an established yoga studio when I called Alón. I was in business 4 ½ years, things were running very smoothly, but I always thought I could do better. I always thought there was something I might not already know, that could make the business work better, earn more, etc. It wasn’t that I was feeling greedy; I just didn’t want to get complacent. I encourage that in my students — to never stop learning, to continue to evolve — and I felt as a business owner I needed to do the same. Much in the way a yoga student looks to their teacher as a “guru”, I went looking for mine. The first time I spoke with Alón, I knew I didn’t have to look any further.

It’s been less than 6 months since we have been working together, and already I see such a big positive difference in how I run my business and my interactions with my students and staff. Alón also guided the complete re-design of my website, which I am incredibly proud of, as it celebrates our growing yoga community and really shows the world who we are!

Alón has been a real mentor and a real friend. I feel like he is a partner in my business. The best part is that he is a yogi! I feel so lucky to have found someone who really gets the principles of yoga and infuses that knowledge into his guidance.

I love that I have someone who is there to remind me of what I sometimes forget. I love that I have someone who keeps me grounded when I get overwhelmed. I love that I have someone who will continue to be my guide on this path, which can sometimes be a lonely one… but not anymore! Thank you so much Alón, for helping me realize the power of community.

Gail Grossman
Owner/Director, Om Sweet Om Yoga
www.omsweetomyoga.com

Case Study #2: Long-term client – Carrie Bain, Bikram Yoga Elk Grove

“As I scraped up the money for my first session, I have to admit I was skeptical. At that point, it seemed like more than I had paid myself in a while. I paid anyway, with the hope that maybe, just maybe, working with The Yoga Business Coach would be the answer.

I had been in business for 4 years. Yoga was my passion and I knew I was doing what I was supposed to. But I was struggling –– not only with money, but also with time, management, marketing, balance… you name it.

I began working with Alón and instantly received confirmation that this was no mistake. For the first time in years, I had a sounding board, coach, friend, and fellow yogi with whom I could talk about and develop my business. I felt supported, understood and never judged.

There was something about our weekly meetings that made me start paying attention to the ways in which “I” affect my business. When I was positive and balanced, my yoga studio reflected it. When I was scattered or negative, my yoga studio reflected it. This was one of the biggest gifts I received working with Alón –– the ability to connect the two. Through our work together, I developed the ability to reprogram years of negative thinking into a belief that I truly deserve success.

With that said, my business is doing better than ever. Alón helped me discover what was unique about my studio and encouraged me to celebrate it. He gave me the tools to magnify my strengths and gave me permission to ask for help in other areas where I needed it. The result, financially, in the year I’ve been working with Alón, my business has increased 65%! Amazing!

So now, I can’t imagine not spending the money each month! Before working with Alón, if you asked me if I would ever open a yoga studio again, I would have said “no.” If you asked me today, I would say, “yes!” without hesitation!”

Note– The following is an update to the original testimonial above:

“While I always knew there was something special about my little yoga school in Elk Grove California, I was completely blind to the fact I could own an abundant business. Since beginning to work with Alon, my business has tripled and I am reaching goals that, at one time, I never thought possible.

Along with his creative and yogic business guidance, Alón also provided me with tools to get rid of negative ways of thinking and instead visualize success! His ability to listen, gentle ways of holding me accountable and his constant reminders to believe in myself all played a key role in my process. The greatest part of all… through all the growth, my “little yoga school” kept it’s essence and spirit… it’s still special, but not little!

I am so grateful for all of Alon’s wisdom and guidance over the last few years.

Note– The following is the third update: 2010

Owning a studio for 9 years has definitely been a journey…not a destination! Since beginning my work with Alón in August 2005, I have had my share of challenges, but with his guidance, the overall result is consistent growth and success.

Alón provides a safe space for me to see what’s really happening in my life and my business, which has allowed both to evolve and change dramatically. Being able to recognize what’s working and what’s not has lead me to a deeper understanding and the ability to make good choices with confidence. It’s a fascinating formula.

I was pretty surprised when Alón asked if I would write an update in his next newsletter! To me, my year had been full of so much change that I wasn’t even recognizing all the growth. I was focused on the management changes, teachers leaving to “spread their wings,” and of course, “the work!” Alón gently reminded me to look at the AMAZING things that were happening: a sustained overall average growth of 42% for the third year in a row, the addition of a second yoga room, the launch of a children’s program and the fact that our school hosted not only the world famous Mary Jarvis, but also Rajashree Choudhury! I guess it has been fabulous year… leave it to Alón to remind me to take stock of all we’ve accomplished.

On my mat and in my business, one thing is certain… I can always plan on change! That’s why it’s essential for me to have Alón’s support on this journey. He always reminds me to ENJOY the ride… and I have.

Thank you, Alón… you truly enhance my life!
Carrie

Carrie Bain
Bikram Yoga
Elk Grove, California
www.elkgroveyoga.com

Case Study #1: Long-term client Marit Sathrum, Inner Fire Yoga

Year 1

“Last autumn, I was ready to quit. I had quite a difficult year – and having adopted a baby daughter, I found myself just wanting to spend my time with her. As a result, my yoga studio/business faltered, as did my self-esteem. My close friend urged me to speak to Alón before I threw in the towel. I was reluctant because I just didn’t think I could afford it – since I was barely getting by. It was some of the best advice I’ve ever received and acted on.

Within a month, Alón helped me to get my mojo back by guiding me back to the beginning – why I got into the yoga business years earlier, by remembering my values and by re-committing to a daily yoga practice.

In the past year, we have re-branded my business, rewritten the mission and values, examined the vision, evaluated and massaged the business plan, re-designed the website, mapped out the organizational chart, set concrete goals, surveyed the student base, and celebrated with our happy and prosperous community as my business evolved and developed quite enthusiastically.

Sales have grown 100% and attendance has grown 36% in the one year that I’ve worked with him. Now we’re preparing to move to a larger, brand new space, with plans for a second location next year.

Aside from all the good advice Alón has imparted, he also has the uncanny ability to encourage and extract creative ideas from deep within me. Deciding to work with Alón has been a very smart choice for me personally and professionally. I am eternally grateful.”

Year 2

“My second year working with Alón has been like “a cherry on the hot fudge sundae on the brownie”. He continues to guide me towards my authentic self, to flow with spirit, to create my ideal space to work and play in my vocation.
The second year has continued with amazing growth beyond my expectations and goals, especially since the first year working with Alón resulted in doubling of revenues over the previous year.
Also, during year two, Inner Fire Yoga built a brand new, custom designed, environmentally friendly yoga studio where we moved operations in January of 2008. We went from a one room yoga studio with a handful of individual changing rooms, to two-yoga-rooms, men’s and women’s dressing rooms with showers, a 400 square foot retail area, 3 therapy rooms for massage therapy and yoga therapy, a staff office, and a spacious reception and lounge.

“Community” continues to be the buzzword that drives Inner Fire Yoga, and we are having so much fun watching our community “Reach Higher/Burn Brighter!”
The yoga challenges that we are doing quarterly create immense buzz and vitality. I was amazed at how many students committed to the yoga challenge over the summer, as well as how my business continued to thrive thanks to Alón’s encouragement to re-format my thinking to that of abundance rather than the old format – that summer meant reduced attendance levels.

As a result of really getting into my personal-flow-of-spirit, I’ve attracted wonderful free publicity in the form of being on the cover of “Wisconsin Woman Magazine,” as well as being featured on a nationally syndicated, locally produced talk show (The Kathleen Show). I am now basking in the abundance that we’ve worked very hard to create, and I continue to surf the wave of “spirit-flow” under Alón’s guidance.

Alón, I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life. Namaste.”

Year 3

It has been 3 years now since I chose to work with Alón. It is hard to believe that each year has been exponentially better in every way. It is true, Alón’s good advice coupled with his commitment to keeping me in “abundance thinking” really works! Along the way, I occasionally would sit back on the pity-potty. But Alón would have none of it, quickly reminding me of my initial goal: to create freedom in my life to be able to spend more time with my kids and not feel financial stress.

Thank you very much Alón, I am there! Not only has my business continue to grow at a rapid rate (more than 50% in the past year), but personally I am at a place of joy and freedom. Because I am able to employ excellent people to help me with my business, I am now able to cut back my work hours in order to do the things I want to do as a mother, such as volunteer at my kid’s school, and live a prosperous life in my beautiful new, custom-remodeled home.

I am focusing now on my yoga practice, teaching, and teacher training, rather than on the minutia of running a thriving small business. I am having the time of my life. I know I wouldn’t be here without the expert, loving guidance of Alón Sagee. My gratitude for you runs deep, Alón.

With love,
Marit Sathrum
Director, Inner Fire Yoga
Madison, WI
www.InnerFireYogaCenter.com

Enjoying The Ride

“In the last three months of working with Alón I have gained a deeper sense of confidence, purpose and ease that has translated into increased profits, an inspired family of teachers and a community of students who rave about the studio and our offerings. Our classes are full and the studios are buzzing with positive energy.

Unlike other business coaches or marketing gurus who use manipulation, Alón is a true yogi who offers authentic guidance that is truly rooted in the realm of yoga as well as proven techniques that are grounded in practical business wisdom. He has helped me remember my own true essence and release personal resistances that were blocking my success. Also, very importantly, Alón has helped me learn to enjoy the ride. Thank-you Alón!”

Shasta Townsend
Director, Balanced Life Yoga
www.balancedlifeyoga.ca

A Fine Art

I’m an artist, a professional photographer specializing in people and expressive movement; many of my subjects are yogis and dancers. Specifically, my fine art work depicts the connections between people and nature, an undertaking I have titled “The TreeSpirit Project.”

I have long sustained a passion for my work, a sense of purpose, and an ease and enjoyment working with people. My area of challenge–or for potential growth, as Alón would likely reframe it–is making a living doing what I love.

Aside from his insights and guidance in marketing and branding my business, Alón helped me quiet my inner critic and embrace the belief that my talents, my unique gifts, are of value — so much so that people are willing to pay to have my work in their homes and businesses.

This is where Alón sees so clearly. He continues to re-mind me whenever we talk to re-frame pervasive thoughts like: “Business is not something artists are good at,” and, “I have to work very hard, long hours in order just to scrape by.”

Alón would have me ask, “Why not charge enough not just to scrape by, but to flourish– allowing me to offer this service to more people and spread more joy and love in the world?”

Alón works both from the inside-out and the outside-in. It’s an inside job because I’ve learned that the thoughts I’ve repeated silently in my head for decades and spoken from my lips create my reality. It’s an outside job because my actions in the world-start with my thoughts and beliefs and are self-reinforcing. As I joyously make photographs that my clients love for their families, for their homes and for their businesses, I get to see this new, wondrous possibility become my reality, and theirs.

Over the years, it’s gotten to the point with Alón where I start asking a question of him, but before he can answer, I hear his voice in my head…or is this now my voice?…reassuring me, like a brother, that all is well, right now, in this moment, the only one we have. This seems to me the ultimate gift of a teacher, to empower the student to become his own teacher, his own master of the present moment.

Jack Gescheidt
Photographer
San Francisco, CA
www.TreeSpiritProject.com

Love and Business

“After all of my preparations – years of training, months of remodeling, most of small life savings invested – I opened the doors to my small yoga studio. Nobody came. Well, not nobody, but almost. I was frightened and sad and my mind was obsessed with “What should I do? What should I try? I have no idea!” That is a sad mantra.

It was the repeated advice of a friend that made me come to Alón. I was pleased to have the assistance right from the first phone call, but I think it was on the third call that Alón’s gift to me became apparent. He brought me clarity. I no longer have “no idea.” I have a plan in which I am confident, and I have the ability to execute that plan. And when I execute it properly, I am filled with love because I am bearing the gift of yoga to this small island on which I live. That was the surprise part of Alón’s gift; learning that love and business actually go together. Go figure.”

Tim Bruns
Island of Peace Yoga
Gabriola Island, BC Canada
www.islandofpeaceyoga.com

Never Stop Learning

“Alón’s guidance and services have been invaluable to my studio. Alón was initially hired to work through a transition of the studio from co-ownership with my former partner to single ownership. Since that time I have continued to work with Alón focusing on strengthening and building the studio and its sales. As a result, sales have grown nearly 40%.

As a Bikram Yoga teacher I have always believed that it is vital to continue to enhance my teaching skills through ongoing study and feedback. As a studio owner with an extensive background in business, it is just as vital to continue to enhance and strengthen my business skills. Alón’s guidance is a strong component of that. I would highly recommend working with Alón whether you are new or experienced in the yoga business. ”

Michael Harris, Studio Owner
Bikram Yoga, Bend Oregon
www.bikramyogabend.com

Growing A Happy Business

“I definitely had all sorts of reservations around doing this work. Worries about the cost. Worries about whether it would even be possible to find a business mentor who would really “get” who I am and what I do. Wow. If I’d only known that this work would pay for itself and help me to help more people!

I wanted someone who would help me grow my business like crazy, while allowing me to stay in complete integrity. That’s Alón. He has helped me transform my business and feel safe doing it. I love having him on my team. Worth every penny.”

“I thank him every single day for what he has done for me and my happy business!”

Havi Brooks
The Fluent Self
www.fluentself.com
www.ShivaNata.com

Yoga Music Producer, Musician and Father

Running my own business is sometimes challenging, especially since I’m the only employee. In my music production company, I’m the studio owner, the producer, the recording engineer, the accountant, the secretary, the head of marketing, the repair man, and the janitor. That’s a lot to juggle, especially when I really like my family and want to hang out with them now and again.

When I get consumed with the creation of music and the process of making recordings, it is very difficult to maintain the other aspects of my business. The element that suffers the most in my situation is the marketing. At the end of a focused day in the studio there is very little time and energy left for networking and trying to line up my next job.

So this next to complete inertia in my marketing department is where Alón fits into the picture. I could say that Alón’s consultations have helped me get back on track in terms of marketing… but really he helped me get on the track in the first place. In the past I’ve generally just tried to make the best product possible, send it out into the world, and then wait for the phone to ring. I felt inept when it came to promoting myself in any other way. I had some bizarre notion that good marketing meant fooling people. I thought I had to be overly charming and manipulative to get business in the door. Alón showed me that good business is mutually beneficial. Good business is creating win-win situations. Good business leaves all parties involved in a business exchange feeling happy with the results. This is obvious information to most folk, but, hey, I’m a musician… Whaddaya want?

So besides overhauling my misconceptions of marketing, Alón has helped me incorporate into my promotional endeavors all the subtle details that make marketing effective without compromising my sensibilities, or being in any way artificial.

Whether through helping me find more potent language and eye catching visual elements for my newsletter, or by showing me how to connect with potential clients more readily, or by re-framing the focus of promotional language to be less about me and more about how clients would benefit from my services, Alón has helped make my marketing department much more active and inspired. And the results are obvious. Even during a recession, 2009 was my best year ever! Thanks, Alón.

Ben Leinbach
Ben Leinbach Music
production – composition – recording – mixing – performance
San Anselmo, CA
www.BenLeinbach.com

Organic Yoga Clothing, At Its Beginning

“Alón’s business coaching skills are beyond all our expectations. He embodies so much more than just technical expertise — he actually puts the breath of life into the meaning of business. His unique approach makes coaching feel exciting in each moment. His words and thought processes are continuously getting our creative juices flowing with limitless possibilities for our lives. Alón’s focus on the wholeness of our being and how our business is a part of that wholeness is very refreshing.

Alón is not only a devoted business coach, but has become a true friend of heart. If we were to associate one phrase with Alón’s skills, it would be ‘manifest your dreams.’ ”

Malte & Jenn Simmer
Inner Waves, Maui Hawaii
Makers of Organic Yoga Clothing
www.innerwavesmaui.com

Four Month Transformation

“In just four months, my yoga business and my life have been transformed.

While in the midst of opening a second studio, I realized I needed help. The business was doing well, but our brand no longer fit the studio’s identity. I knew we needed a change, but was unsure of how to get there. It was time to find a guide who could help me forge a clear path and bring balance back to the studio and to my life.

From my very first meeting with Alón, I knew I would no longer need to travel alone. With Alón’s guidance, laughter and encouragement we have made positive changes to improve the business. Alón helped me simplify daily operations and develop a new identity and brand that really reflects who we are. With Alón by my side, I was able to embrace a journey that has been challenging, exciting, and fun.

In one of our meetings, Alón said, ‘Kyra, we are not only changing your business, we are changing your life.’

In the short period that we have been working together, the business has evolved into a thriving community of friends and yogis dedicated to changing their lives.

In addition, my life has become more balanced and has changed for the better! Thank you Alón for your support, friendship and inspiration.

I am and will continue to be… Inspired. ”

Kyra Sudofsky
Director, Inspired Yoga
Washington D.C.
www.inspiredyoga.com

Can I Afford Not to Hire Him?

“When I first looked at Alón’s website, I thought I really couldn’t afford to hire him –– but soon found out I couldn’t afford not to!

I started working with Alón at a time when I needed to deal with several not-so-positive aspects of my business. Without Alon’s guidance and support, I would probably have given up the studio; just quit. Now, I am in one of the best locations in my town, students are flowing in, we have brought in more money each month since we moved and I am extremely excited about our future!

Alón knows the mistakes we make as yoga studio owners and how to re-create the business for everyone’s highest good and success. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate his unique style of combining who I am as a person into the process of working on my business –– just like he says on his program page, he looks at my entire life as my yoga and my business as an extension of who I am; I LOVE that!

By aligning myself with someone who knows as much as he does about growing a yoga business, I let the universe know, ‘Okay, I am now ready for success and abundance!’ It really worked –– I’m very grateful!”

Donna Burch
Yoga Center of Sonoma County
Santa Rosa, CA
www.yogacenterofsonomacounty.com

“Sometimes I wish I’d heard of Alón when I first started my business. Then it wouldn’t have been such a struggle. But we meet people when we are meant to and I feel very privileged to have gotten to know him. Throughout our coaching, Alón was totally dedicated to me and my business. With his inspiration and guidance, I have gone from cancelling workshops due to insufficient numbers, to running full ones. The phone keeps ringing now with all sorts of unusual and exciting invitations and proposals, and when one door closes another magically opens. He is my guru, my mentor and my friend.”
Anjali Ewing
Yogakids UK
www.yogakidsuk.com

“Coaching with Alón was and continues to be the best investment I’ve ever made!”

Kathleen Gallegher
Yoga Teacher
Riverside, Connecticut

“Alón has been an invaluable support throughout the process of launching my two businesses. He’s kept me accountable for deadlines and follow-through at times when I would have simply given up; provided industry insights that I would not have otherwise had; and shared innovative ideas for building a business from the ground up.

When I first started working with Alón, I had been successfully teaching yoga and leading yoga retreats in places where I had virtually no competition — Guinea and Benin, in West Africa. I wasn’t sure how to make the transition to leading yoga workshops and retreats in the US, where there were so many other yoga teachers and studios. I was also passionate about aromatherapy and had been making products for friends and students and giving them as gifts at retreats.

Alón told me early on that as I get more clarity on the inner gifts I want to share with the world, the best way to bring my yoga teaching to the US would be revealed to us. It took some time for us to clarify exactly what I want, but in the end, I launched not only my yoga retreat business, but also my aromatherapy skincare and hair care product line.

This has been an amazing process of personal and professional development— we really did work from the inside out– and I’m very pleased to say that both of my businesses are launching successfully. Thank you, Alón!”

Yamilee Bastien
Yoga Teacher & Aromatherapist
Miramar, FL
www.suncatcheryoga.com
www.holyneroliproducts.com

“Everything is just falling into place. My Yoga studio is now paying me more than what I was making doing my occupational therapy practice.

The stress in my life has just been lifted so dramatically and I just feel absolutely awesome! I love my life. I am so happy now!! I feel like I am finally on my path. Thanks Alón for getting me through the rough times and giving me the tools to persevere.”

Sara Torbett
Yoga Life
Jacksonville, Florida
www.yogalifejax.com

“When I finally called Alón, it was out of desperation. I couldn’t really afford to pay a coach. I thought I could swing it for a month, but then after that, I might have to quit.

I was in my fifth year of running my own yoga studio, and I was miserable. I felt exhausted, negative, and knew that the adage “Like attracts like” was in full swing. I had reached the point where I was thinking of simply just closing the doors––permanently. I was working really long hours, pulling my hair out over problems with teachers and staff, and making a pittance for a living.

That was ten months ago, and it is hard to believe the transformation that has occurred––in me, and in the studio! When I first contacted Alón, my studio was in the red, now it’s in the black––during the slowest part of the year, summer!

But even better than that, I am in bliss! My soul has come back to life with the joy that inspired me to open a yoga center in the first place.

What a journey it has been–– Alón has helped me in so many ways!

Alón is a phenomenal listener, and his ability to zero in on what’s really important is quite impressive. For me, having him as a sounding board has probably been the single most powerful tool of all, which is a testimony to what he told me on day one, which was, “In essence, I will be your silent partner.” Indeed, the partnership is silent, but it is not limited to our weekly meetings… I feel his support and guidance 24/7––not just in running my yoga center, but also in living my life.

At first I thought I couldn’t afford to hire Alón, now I know I couldn’t afford not to! I have had such an incredible experience with Alón that those around me are asking, “what are you doing?” My husband is now also working with Alón, and I’m guessing it is only a matter of time before my mother signs up with him. I’m a little worried we’ll run out of enough Alón time to go around!”

Laurel Hodory
It’s Yoga
Columbus, OH
www.itsyogacolumbus.com

“Working with Alón has been an exciting, fun and productive experience. Alón is a warm and supportive person who knows how to work according to the personality of the client. I was really looking for someone to bounce ideas back and forth with and to encourage me in the right direction. Being a yogi, itwas important for me to work with someone who understands who I am and what I do. It didn’t matter that Alón was in the US and I am in the UK – we were still always on the same wavelength, making the process smooth and the results truly creative. At some point I thought there was some telepathy going on there!

Thanks Alón, I can’t wait to dream up my next move so I can call you up again!”

Sejel Khajuria
YogaHarmony
London, England
www.YogaHarmony.net

“Alon, I just wanted to drop to a line to let you know how much I enjoyed and valued your coaching. From your comprehensive information gathering, to your ability to drive the points home via multi-layered reasoning, as well as your causal and humorous delivery. In my opinion, you are a par excellence coach.

Well done, sir. Though I am not a big believer in psychic ability, to my amazement everything you said about what would happen at my studio came true. Alón, you are very talented and worth every penny I spent on your service.”

Steven Earth Metz
Earth’s Power Yoga
Los Angeles, California
www.earthspoweryoga.com

“Alón has been a tremendous help for my yoga business. He knows just the right questions to ask to get me to figure out my intention and then he gently nudges me toward achieving it.

We’ve had fabulous phone conversations and he worked especially well with my website director to achieve a gorgeous new look. I also find his Yoga Business teleclasses very valuable for continuing to grow my business.

Alón is a real find –– a combination yogi/business genius.”

Priscilla Anne Flynn, Director
Yoga Sanctuary
Windham, NH
www.YogaSanctuary.com

“What an eye opening experience it is to work with Alón. I continue to learn how to communicate my values through my business, and gratefully, I now have a better understanding of what my studio is offering the world. Thank you, Alón, for sharing not only business wisdom and a great sense of humor, but also years of yogic insights.”

Robin Duffy
Being Yoga
Burlingame, California
www.beingyoga.net

“I am a psychotherapist and soon to be yoga therapist who had a dream. I dreamt of a place of community where people who wanted to share in wellness and spirit would gather together, connect, and bathe in the healing energies we each bring into this world. In my dream, healers and students danced together flowing toward equanimity.

And then –– in the process of naming, building and opening this center, I came close to having a nervous breakdown. Throughout this process, Alón has been responsible for keeping me from giving up and walking away from my dream. He has loved me, guided me, embraced my vision and cared deeply when I didn’t care anymore. He has extended himself, gotten his hands dirty and continued giving when I had nothing left to give.

Today I am smiling and can once again see the essence of my dream. Terra Sky Center for Wellness is my new baby and I think the postpartum has lifted. I am looking forward to watching her grow.

Thank You Alón for being the best coach and friend any dreamer could ever hope for.”

Ava Schlesinger, LCSW
Terra Sky Center
Summit, NJ
www.terraskycenter.com

“Alón Sagee is part detective, uncovering the buried treasure within you, part savvy go-to guy about every business detail you can imagine, and entirely a friend and ally.

He always sees the big picture and every step needed to get there. He is frank and honest, totally kind and tons of fun. He helps you recover what you love about your business and value most in yourself, and then he teaches you how to effectively communicate that to your customers.

Alón helped make our uniqueness our greatest strength and strongest selling point. When refining our brand to match who we are in our community, Alón came up with the best tag line any New York City yoga studio could ever hope for!

Alón helped me to put myself into my business and to shape it into a unifying vision that will carry me forward for many years to come. ”

Elizabeth Andes-Bell
Namasté Yoga Center
New York City
www.namasteyogacenter.net

“Alon, I can’t tell you how much your help has meant to me. I’m sorry I didn’t meet you earlier. I feel absolutely sure that I would have already been out of business if it wasn’t for your help. Your kindness and compassion coupled with your knowledge and encouragement turned me around and inspired me to move forward. Your spiritual approach to life and your business was an important and reassuring factor for me personally. When I am in California, I hope it’s OK if I come and see you in person so I can give you a huge hug!”

Elizabeth Rondeau
Owner
Bikram Yoga North Dallas
www.bikramyoganorthdallas.com

“Alón’s coaching brought clarity to ideas that have helped me grow my business. As a coach and a yogi, his ethics are impeccable. I truly value Alón as a coach and a friend.”

Maureen Priest
MOYO Yoga Center
Skippack, PA
www.moyo-yoga.com

“While working with Alón, I faced some of the deepest and most fundamental questions in my life. With Alón as a sounding board,I felt safe to honestly explore those questions and even to answer some of them.

Adept at guiding one to their own truth, free of judgement, Alón is both an inspiration and inspirational.”

Alex O’Malley
Yoga Teacher
Berlin, Germany

“The recent article in Yoga Journal gave my Lovers’ Yoga Retreats massive media exposure. With the number of visitors to my web site skyrocketing, I would have been totally screwed if Alón didn’t take me by the hand and guide me.

I am burnt out on people who just give advice—so it felt refreshing to have Alón climb into the trenches with me and quickly design a system that has made capitalizing on all that great publicity fun and easy.

If your business is Yoga, then you automatically need Alón’s guidance to help you get the ball rolling.”

Darrin Zeer
Best Selling Author and Seminar Leader
San Diego, CA
www.loversyoga.com

“My life is devoted to practicing and teaching yoga, caring for my family, and environmental and peace activism. Running a business? What’s that? Alón helps me to understand that as a studio owner, caring for and growing my business is the best way to share my gifts with the world.

With intelligence, patience, and a generous dollop of humor, Alón shares all the tools I need to succeed financially while helping others. I am deeply grateful for all the support I have received from the one and only Yoga Business Coach!”

Joanna Colwell
Otter Creek Yoga
Middlebury, VT
www.ottercreekyoga.com

“I was thumbing through Yoga Journal and saw a picture of a guy in a business suit practicing “tree pose.” This inspirational man turned out to be quite a blessing for me at just the right time in my life. Through a very rough period, it was he who supported me, guided me through the darkest times, celebrated my lessons, and held me up so that I could see over my limits.

When I first started working with Alón, my intention was to start a yoga business. I was focused and driven to delve into marketing techniques, find my niche and get down to business. My expectations, however, were blown out of the water when Alón started exploring my values in our first session. Values? I remembering thinking: ‘this guy is nuts.’ What the heck do my values have to do with running and opening a yoga center? I quickly learned that for me, the exercise had everything to do with my entire life. I still carry the list of clarified values in my wallet, which now inform my daily decisions.

On the six-month adventure with Alón, I went from a lost surfer girl, to a confident, passionate, self caring, self respecting, and centered woman. I did not open my own Yoga center, because in working with Alón, I found my true gift in being a Life Coach for young people—and I couldn’t be happier!

I will cherish my coaching relationship with Alón for the rest of my life! He was truly the catalyst I needed. I am now living more authentically, more passionately and am much more grounded. Having Alón as my coach was truly the best gift I ever gave myself.”

Teressa Blackwell
Yogini & Life Coach
Monument, CO

“Alon is an excellent business coach – not only for those in the wellness industry – but for anyone who believes work/play/family/&business do not occur in a vaccum. His holistic approach gets to the core of a businesses issues. The work and the results are serious. If you’re looking for a consultant who will challenge you to be your best NOW (not someone who will fluff you along) ask Alon to help you.”

Christen Myers
Yoga Teacher

“Alón not only helped to clarify my vision for my business, he led me to the edge of my current business plateau and showed me the way to the pinnacle of success.

Together, we have branded my special yoga niche, and made it ready for the world to see. From creating a logo and tagline, to revamping my website and expanding and updating my videos, Alón’s creative ideas, experience and enthusiasm were there to guide me every step of the way.

His vision and purpose in life are so clear to him that it makes it easy for him to help others find their way. I feel that he has helped me see the person who had been hidden from view within me by preconceived notions of who I was supposed to be.

When I was nervous about an upcoming video shoot, he reminded me that this wasn’t about me, but about my yoga, my gift to the world — I was merely a conduit for that gift. With that thought in mind, I was able to produce wonderful results.

Not only has Alón helped my business grow; he has helped me grow as a person. He has become a special friend in addition to being my trusted business coach.

Alón has made me laugh, and let me cry. He is not a typical businessman; he is one of a kind!”

Liz Franklin
Yoga in Chairs™
Prairie Village, Kansas
www.yogainchairs.com

“What if someone told you that your life would be completely different in six months?

Working with Alón Sagee was one of the best decisions I have made for my life, both professionally and personally.

I have danced professionally and taught fitness, Yoga and Pilates for most of my adult life. I had a dream to open my own Yoga and Pilates studio in Denmark and I needed help, guidance and coaching. I called Alón, and after a series of very direct and funny “getting to know you” questions, we delved into making my dream a reality.

The work that we have done together has had a profound effect on my life. Soon after beginning, Alón helped me realize that my personality, morals, ethics and teaching “gifts” would be the foundation of who I am as a business owner and what my business would stand upon. Through this process I was confronted by my own fears and doubts, but was determined to face them head on. With Alón’s help, I walked over an imaginary line that seemed to have held me back for so many years.

I continue moving forward in my newfound reality, my life is different than it was six months ago. With Alón’s guidance and support, I know in my heart I am on the right path. At times I still feel fear and doubt, but it no longer stops me, and as my personal strength grows, my business blossoms.

Alón openly shared his many years of experience as coach, consultant and yogi with me. I feel fortunate and blessed to have worked with him. I now have a reliable business adviser and a friend for life. I now know what it feels like to walk a warrior’s path.

Alison Strong-Storkholm
GETSTRONG Yoga & Pilates Studios
Arhus, Denmark
www.getstrong.dk

“When I saw Alón’s ad, I knew immediately he provided something I needed. We began work together to clarify my work as a Yoga Therapist in private practice in a small California town. Out of this relationship came a clear, concise, compassionate means for me to reach out to my community and bring Yoga Therapy to people in need.

Alón’s guidance helped me formulate a vision for my work and the means to make that vision a reality. My practice is now thriving, with lots of new clients. His support has been priceless each step of the way.

Alón’s coaching is based on Yoga’s foundation of doing no harm, contentment, honesty and personal integrity. Our work together allows me to freely explore my expression in the world.

Felice Rhiannon
Santa Ynez, CA
www.transformativeyoga .com

“The few months that Alón and I worked together really helped me to understand the power of values. As I continue to live them, great things keep showing up.

Our work together has been great for my business. I’m now in a place where I don’t have to look for business, it just kind of shows up. Since January, I went from 25 sessions a week, to 43 a week!

My business has grown and I have grown personally as well. The timing for our work together was perfect.”

Gerard Mulé
The BodyMind Fitness Coach
Queens, New York

“We began our relationship with Alón with the intention of getting a grasp on the business of yoga as we began the rebirth of our studio. We thought we were in need of facts and figures, contacts and procedures; the “nuts and bolts” of this new business venture. After a single session with Alón, we learned that the work we needed to do was actually within ourselves. Alón managed through insight and guidance and laughter to show us that our yoga business is nothing more nor less than an extension of ourselves, our personalities, impossible to separate one from another.

The work we have done with Alón has helped our business immensely. Despite the fears and challenges we have faced, our studio is thriving, our brand is clear, our students are happy, and we’re creating a deep community.

Alón has helped us to view and understand and expand our personalities into the studio and share them with our students. It’s been an empowering relationship that ripples outward. If we were to give advice to anyone wanting to build their yoga business it would be to come to Alón with questions, concerns, and a very open mind. Be prepared to answer questions you may never have been asked, ponder your most private self, and above all, be prepared to laugh.”

Chris Crumal & Vicki Bernstein
Whitefish Yoga Center
Whitefish, Montana

“Alón has been such a positive asset for my business as well as personal growth. Being new to the business of yoga I was sort of at a loss as to where to begin. With Alón’s’ program I have been able to see through a lot of my “mind clutter,” and allow clarity and growth to come forth.

In our phone conversations he has always been able to get to the heart of any matter and to shed light on what I needed to work on next, while always being a trustful friend at heart, listening or sharing a bit of advice.

It is very heartwarming to have a fellow Yogi by my side to help guide me through my journey of sharing the awesome gift of Yoga with others. I would recommend anyone thinking about utilizing Alón’s gifts to do so.”

Jean Rioux
Jiva Yoga Center
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
www.jivayogacenter.com

“Working with Alón has been a blessing. I started Bliss Yoga with little to no background in owning and running a business. Alón has helped me to define my values which has helped me to build a business consistent with my deepest true feelings. He has always been there to support me, guide me and work with me to bring ideas to fruition.

Alón has been especially helpful in helping me design a marketing campaign that fits my budget and expresses and defines my vision for Bliss. The response has been excellent. I think we really came up with ideas that touched my audience and drew them to my business. Within a short time of working with Alón on Press Releases, articles on Bliss have been published in both local papers, articles which really helped my business.

I will continue to work with Alón as my business grows. I have come to depend on his insight, courage and wisdom, and on knowing he has Bliss’ best interest at heart.”

Khristine Terlinde
BLISS Yoga

“Alón guided me to connect with my truth around believing in my work and developing a business. He helped me to overcome blocks that had held me back from success for a long time.

He truly has an insightful, gentle, yet firmly confident approach in assisting people to work their edges and step into the greater fullness of themselves and their gifts to share. He works from a place of unconditional love, and in so doing supports his clients to come from that place for themselves and the people they serve.”

Sienna Steiner, M.A.
Integral Counseling Psychology
www.FeminineEmergence.com

“A few years following around spiritual teachers and a few more in an ashram, taught us to own our own baggage, which to us is the minimum requirement for teaching Yoga. Recognizing that same journey in our students and loving them through it is a good start… But putting all that together with business — it’s enough to melt your brain.

Alón is masterful at revealing that your personal story, whatever makes you you — is your product, and it’s priceless. But to connect what we’re offering to what people need in a fair, effective, and professional way, most of us need to learn a few new asanas, which Alón teaches well.”

Matthew Remski & Dennison Smith
Baraboo Yoga
Baraboo,Wisconsin
www.barabooyoga.com

“I started my work with Alón roughly one year ago. At the time, I was literally being battered by life. My love relationship was in tatters, my career was seemingly headed for oblivion, and even my dog had health issues! Enter Alón–– and fast forward one year: Now I am living on my own for the first time, having relocated to the city of my dreams; I have started my own successful company employing over a dozen people, and even my pooch is in amazing shape!

I know that this just reflects an inner shift in perspective, to which I owe Alón and God my undying gratitude. Do I have my challenges still? Sure. But, I now have skills and tools with which to access information, guidance, courage, and heart –– and I use them to grow instead of wither.

Alón’s skillful blend of honesty, humor, and support has been invaluable to me. I am truly blessed by his presence in my life”

Mateo Cosgriff
Yogi & Businessman
New York, NY

“I worked with Alón for a few months during a period of management restructuring, basically moving me out of doing a lot of the day-to-day and setting up my first full-time Managing Director of the studio. Having been in business for 5 years, it was time to establish it to run more without me so that I could pursue additional creative outlets. He was able to relay stories of how other studio owners were doing things which helped provide models. He is encouraging and supportive, truly a great resource for yoga business owners.”

Kimberly Wilson
Tranquil Space Yoga
Washington D.C.
www.tranquilspace.com

“There are so few people who actually walk their talk, but I believe wholeheartedly that Alón is one of those people.

Alón is a great coach. In every conversation we have, regardless of whether it’s about my business, my hopes and dreams, or my need to vent, Alón is there for me 100%. He has an uncanny way of knowing what I need even before I do and supporting me in that way. Alóncan be gentle but tough, loving, insightful, positive, spiritual and hysterically funny all in the span of a single phone call.

In my work with Alón, I feel that I have gained much more than being a better marketer or learning how to earn a higher income; I feel I have learned how to be a better human being.

If you are struggling, Alón can help you get your business up and running. If you are wildly successful, Alón will help keep you grounded and humble! I highly recommend Alón as a coach to anyone in business.

Susan Pease LCSW
The Divorce Coach
Director, Transition Institute of Marin
San Rafael, California
www.tiofmarin.com

“Working with Alón is an intuitive, heartfelt process that allows one’s dreams and aspirations to merge with his expertise, and find creative expression through his astute business coaching.

Alón’s way of being creates an open-ended dialogue that promotes expansion and growth in both business and personal realms. He has a dedicated yoga practice and a playfulness of spirit that translates to a fun working relationship which is grounded in integrity.”

Simone Simon
Yoga Teacher
Petaluma, California

“Working with Alón has helped me to see the potential in myself and my mission; and given me the tools to bring that potential to fruition. Alón has given me so much insight and guidance into how to market my business. For example, through subtle shifts in words and images, he has taught me how to design flyers and other printed material that really reach out and grabs a student’s attention. As a result, attendance in our classes and workshops has increased!

Alón’s undying belief in yoga as a means to bring greater peace into the world fuels the fire in all of us committed to that same goal.”

Parri Waldman
Anahatta Yoga Center
Overland Park, Kansas

“Working with Alón is a unique and powerful experience. He possesses the extraordinary gift of digging deep into the heart of the matter with warmth, gentleness, and a contagious sense of humor. His commitment to removing obstacles and encouraging my very best allows for a strong foundation in which my business as a Yoga Instructor and Yoga Coach can stand on. I highly respect Alón’s professional abilities and his personal attributes. His passion for his work and giving back to his community is truly inspiring and sets the standard for all of us who wish to live the true spirit of Yoga in our personal and professional lives.”

Patty Frey
Yoga Coach
Efland, North Carolina
www.pathfinderscoaching.com

“Alón is the best yoga business coach ever!”
Alón’s Dad

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