Poornima Vijayashanker launched BizeeBee, a software tool to help yoga studios run their businesses.

While similar software tools such as MindBody Online and Prana Software exist, BizeeBee is tailored to the specific needs of young and small businesses with a single location, modest enrollment and annual revenue of $100,000-200,000. Vijayashanker designed BizeeBee to be flexible and low cost: No contracts are required and monthly subscription rates are less than $70. With yoga on the rise -- the number of yoga practitioners grew 29 percent to 20.4 million Americans from 2008 to 2012, according to Yoga Journals Yoga in America study -- Vijayashanker anticipates an increase in instructors wholl potentially need management help when starting out.

In the two and a half years since its launch, Palo Alto, Calif.-based BizeeBee has built a client roster that includes personal trainers, instructors, and owners of yoga, dance and martial arts studios, whose 36,000 clients are currently tracked by the tool.

Feedback from its subscribers inspired Vijayashanker to add new features to the software in 2011, including an online storefront to sell supplies and class packages. BizeeBee Billing, designed to streamline payment collection at a cost of 4 percent per transaction, is currently being beta-tested.

Straightforward management software is especially important to growing small, community-driven businesses, according to Rob Schware, co-founder of the Give Back Yoga Foundation, a group that brings yoga to underserved communities and trains instructors who do the same. He explains, [Management] tools that are simple to install and easy to implement help the beginning yoga studio owner or instructor to reach their communities more effectively.

Vijayashanker says revenue is growing at a rate of 1-2 percent per month and reached break even at the end of 2012. The company is now run by Vijayashanker and her technical co-founder Alex Notov, with the help of two interns involved in marketing and development.

BizeeBees next step is to increase its online presence through Internet marketing via social media, email campaigns and search engine optimization. It will also expand its YouTube-hosted Sustainable Studio Series: short episodes that aim to give business owners tips and enhance BizeeBees credibility.

Inspired by her experiences in tech, Vijayashanker has also created Femgineer, an ed-tech startup created to educate, encourage and empower women building tech products and businesses. The courses cover topics like product development and interview strategies and students are (naturally) scheduled and managed through the tool. Using BizeeBee as a case study in her curriculum, Vijayashanker encourages aspiring women in tech to be self-motivated, self-reliant and to take risks. She tell them: Recognize youre resourceful enough.

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How Software Is Helping Yoga Studios Keep Their Balance

BACKGROUND: Yoga has been practiced for more than 5,000 years, and currently, close to 11 million Americans are enjoying its health benefits. It is a mind-body practice that combines stretching exercises, controlled breathing and relaxation. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping one relax and manage stress and anxiety. (Source: http://www.webmd.com; http://www.mayoclinic.com)

BENEFITS OF YOGA: For many patients, dealing with depression, anxiety, or stress, yoga may be a very appealing way to better manage symptoms.A number of studies have shown that yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can also enhance a person's mood and overall sense of well-being. Practicing yoga has also been proven to lead to improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. Yoga has also been used as an adjunct treatment for specific medical conditions, including heart disease. It benefits other chronic medical conditions, relieving symptoms of asthma, back pain, and arthritis. (Source: http://www.health.harvard.edu; http://www.mayoclinic.com; http://www.webmd.com)

YOGA PRECAUTIONS: Yoga is generally considered safe for most healthy people when practiced under the guidance of a trained instructor. However, there are some situations in which yoga might pose a risk. These include:

(Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com)

YOGA FOR KIDS: The beauty of yoga is that its benefits are available to students of all ages, including children. Studies show that kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who practiced yoga improved on-task time and attention as well as reduced symptoms. In addition, yoga has been used to help at-risk youth around the U.S. and is seen as an important outlet for students who have behavioral problems, spent time in the juvenile justice system, or failed at traditional school settings. The practice has also been shown to be an effective teaching tool when working with students with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, sensory integration disorder, and learning difficulties. (Source: http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu)

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Yoga for kids