For many years, Leisure Sports Inc. has been known for its family atmosphere, superior standards of customer service and large talent pool of credible instructors. At least, that’s what attracted Tanya Merryman to the company.
“I’ve been fortunate in this business to have worked with many of the best brands in fitness,” said Merryman. “It wasn’t until working with Leisure Sport Properties that I was surrounded by such a large talent pool. And this is a talent pool [full] of the best coaches in the area, in the business. And, on our large resort properties, we already offer the best training.”
Merryman is now the wellness director for Leisure Sports Inc., which is opening a new Yoga Teacher Training program at its ClubSport Fremont location.
While Leisure Sports had been mulling over the idea for Yoga Teacher Training for more than a year, Merryman said yoga has been around for years and it is here to stay.
But the quality of the program comes down to the talent of instructors, which Leisure Sports accepts no less than high-quality.
“I noticed the potential to do the same in our yoga studios. And not only did I want to do more, but we needed to [do more in order to] move this program forward. We really needed to bring it to the standard that we’re offering our entire company. Of course, it starts with talent and finding and hiring talent,” said Merryman.
The instructors Leisure Sports Inc. currently has are traveling the world, offering retreats and giving workshops on the sport. But with the Yoga Teacher Training program, Merryman said it not only elevates the own members’ practices, but also builds the club’s in-house yoga community.
Leisure Sports worked with Yoga Alliance, a national yoga accreditation nonprofit association that license instructors. It then put together a business plan, manuals, materials and pricing to get the program together.
“It really retains these people that want to move, that really just love yoga,” said Merryman. “Maybe they’ll never teach, but it really helps them take their practice to another level. And, in the world of group fitness, retention is key.”
When it was time to announce the program to ClubSport Fremont members, Merryman said the buzz was very exciting, even from members who haven’t done yoga yet.
“Students who take yoga, people who take yoga, they fall in love with it. It changes their life. People have stories of its life-changing [effects] after their first class … It has a lot to do with the instructors, the program, maybe where that person is in their life,” said Merryman.
Although the program at ClubSport Fremont just launched, Leisure Sports is looking to extend it to other locations, when the talent is there, of course. Merryman said their expectation for any program is high and timing is everything, and now was the right time for ClubSport Fremont.
“All in all, we just have one goal: To be the best and continue what we do, which is creating that high standard and our commitment to others who want to learn from us and be a part of the community that we have,” said Merryman. “Who knows what’s next? We’re excited to launch this endeavor and then grow from there as well.”
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Subscribe NowEmily Harbourne is the former assistant editor of Club Solutions Magazine.
