Fair Trade Studios

Fair Trade Studio Program

As The Yoga Teachers’ Associate of Massachusetts grows, member teachers will fill out a survey evaluating studios where they currently teach and have taught in the past. This survey aims to be as objective as possible and ranks studios on five criteria.

The results of the survey will be used to create a “Partner Studio” program which will allow both teachers and students to make informed choices about where they teach and practice based on how the studio is run and how it supports its teachers.

Organization

How the studio is run + supports its teachers: Who checks in the classes? Who cleans the space before and after each class? How does the studio/teacher arrange for substitutes? Is payroll reliably organized?

Compensation

Are teachers paid equitably for the size of the studio and what the studio charges its students? Is pay a per head model or based on experience? Are teachers offered any benefits (health insurance, retirement, paid time off)? Are teachers considered employees or independent contractors? Are teachers and staff offered free or discounted access to classes, workshops, trainings, etc?

Opportunities

Are there opportunities for advancement within the studio? Is the hiring/audition process transparent? Are teachers offered raises? Does the studio do a good job of marketing and promoting all of its teachers or just a select few?

Legal

Are teachers made to sign a contract to teach at this studio? Does it include a non-compete or a non-solicitation clause? If a teacher teaches in a teacher training or is paid to create recorded classes, do the teachers maintain intellectual property rights or does the studio own it?

Environment

Do teachers consider this to be a positive working environment? Have there been instances of harassment (sexual, verbal, etc.)? Would a teacher recommend that their friend teach there? Does this studio have a high turn over of teachers and managers?