Before you start

• •Liability waiver (digital or paper)
• •Studio map or quick verbal tour
• •Today's class schedule
• •First-class promo (free or steep discount) ready to mention

The procedure

Step-by-step, in order. Each step has the action and the reason it matters.

1. 1

   Greet at the door, not the desk

   Front-desk person stands when a new student walks in. Asks if they're new. Walks toward them, not waits for them to come to the counter.

2. 2

   Liability waiver — required, no exceptions

   Hand them a waiver before any other conversation. 'Real quick — every studio needs this. Takes 90 seconds.' Get it signed before they enter the studio space.

3. 3

   Ask if they've practiced before

   'Have you done yoga before? Just so I can tell the teacher.' Use the answer to flag the teacher about modifications they might need.

4. 4

   Quick tour: bathroom, mat storage, water, studio entrance

   30-second walking tour. Point at each spot. Don't lecture — just point and name.

5. 5

   Explain prop conventions

   'Grab a mat from there if you don't have one. Blocks and straps are by the wall. The teacher will tell you what you need at the start of class.'

6. 6

   Brief the teacher about the new student

   Walk over to the teacher before class starts. 'Sarah is new — first time doing yoga. Heads up.' Teachers who know about new students adjust their cueing without being preachy about it.

   Why: Teachers who don't know there's a new student in the room cue at the experience level of the regulars and lose the new student.

7. 7

   After class — check in

   Catch them on their way out. 'How was that for your first time?' Listen. Don't pitch immediately. Just listen.

8. 8

   Mention the new student promo

   Once they've shared, mention the new student deal: 'Most people who come to a first class come back for the unlimited month — it's $40 instead of $25 per class. Want me to set you up?' Get the answer.

Verify when done

• ☐Waiver signed before entering studio
• ☐Teacher briefed about the new student
• ☐Post-class check-in completed
• ☐New student promo offered

Common mistakes

• ✕Letting a new student enter the studio without a waiver
• ✕Not briefing the teacher
• ✕Skipping the post-class check-in because the teacher 'didn't have time'
• ✕Pitching the membership before listening

Trainer notes

The post-class check-in is the highest-leverage 30 seconds in the entire student journey. It's also the most-skipped because everyone's busy or tired. Make it non-negotiable.

Common questions