How to let private yoga clients book online (and get your breaks back)

Why private sessions eat your time

Group classes run on a timetable. Private sessions don't. Every one-to-one starts with a short conversation about when, and that conversation usually happens by message, between classes, on your phone. Multiply it by a handful of regular clients and a few new ones each month, and a good part of your week goes on finding times.

Online booking moves that conversation to a page. The client sees the times you are free and picks one. You get a confirmation.

What to set up first

Your sessions. List each private session as its own service with its length and price: an intro chat, a 60-minute private session, prenatal one-to-ones, a session at the client's home if you travel. Add a short description so people choose the right one.

Your hours. Set the hours you take private clients, not your whole week. If mornings before your first class are when you like to teach one-to-ones, offer only those.

Buffer time. Leave a gap after each session to reset the room or travel. Clients never see the gap; they just can't book into it.

Making it easy for the client

Clients book from a page that shows only you, never a list of other teachers nearby. They pick the session, see the times you're free and book as a guest, with no account needed. They get an email confirmation with a calendar file, and a reminder the day before.

If plans change, they can move or cancel the session themselves, outside the cancellation window you set. A freed time can go to someone on your waitlist instead of sitting empty.

For regulars, you can book them into the same time every week in one go, and they get one email with every date. You can also sell session packs they use up over time, and they always see how many sessions are left.

Protecting your time

A missed private session is an hour you can't get back. Two options help:

• A deposit when they book, a percentage or a fixed amount, paid into your own Stripe account.
• A saved card with a no-show fee you charge only if they miss the session.

Be clear about the rule on your booking page so it never comes as a surprise.

What does it cost?

Appoint Me is an online booking system with one flat price: £50 a month for your location and £40 for each extra location, with unlimited staff and no commission on bookings. Your first month is £5, and while the founding places last, your first 6 months are £5 in total.

Frequently asked questions

Do my yoga clients need an account to book?

No. They can book as a guest with their name and email, and get a confirmation straight away. If they like, they can sign in later with a code, a link, Google or Apple to see all their bookings and book again.

Can I take a deposit for a private yoga session?

Yes. You can ask for no deposit, a percentage or a fixed amount when they book, paid by card straight into your own Stripe account. Or you can save their card and charge a no-show fee only if they miss the session.

Can I sell a pack of private sessions?

Yes. Sell a pack of sessions at a price you set, such as five private sessions. Each booking uses one, and your client always sees how many are left.