Founded in 2017, Yoga Flame has spent nearly a decade building more than just yoga studios; they’ve built a community.
With locations in Geneva and Lausanne (and Bern launching soon), Yoga Flame is rooted in seven core values: wellbeing, community, inclusiveness, ecological mindfulness, social responsibility, continual evolution, and what they call fair profit.
Their approach is simple but intentional: create a welcoming, values-led space where people can practice yoga, connect with others, and grow—on and off the mat. From Ashtanga and Yin to hot yoga and Pilates, their diverse schedule reflects a belief that yoga should be accessible to everyone.
Since joining ClassPass in 2019, Yoga Flame has used the partnership as a strategic tool to support sustainable growth, without compromising their community-first ethos.
To learn more about their journey, we spoke with Stefan Bodenstab, Co-founder of Yoga Flame, and Varvara Stradina, who leads Marketing, about how they use ClassPass to drive discovery, manage demand, and grow with intention.
Why Yoga Flame joined ClassPass
For Yoga Flame, ClassPass began as a marketing channel.
The goal was to increase brand awareness, drive discovery, and introduce new people to their studios, all while supporting inclusiveness and diversity within their community. With a wide range of class types, demand naturally varies across their timetable. Some classes fill quickly, while others need additional visibility. ClassPass offered a way to balance that demand with smart distribution.
“We decided to partner with ClassPass as a marketing tool first,” the team explains. “Then financial support—and then converting those members into loyal community members.”
Operationally, the partnership also requires clarity and structure. At Yoga Flame, teachers act as studio managers, meaning they’re responsible for both leading class and overseeing the studio.
Yoga Flame encourages members to arrive 10–15 minutes early to get oriented, connect with their teacher, and settle into the space. Clear policies help protect both the class experience and the community atmosphere they’ve intentionally built. Their goal is to ensure first-time visitors understand studio guidelines and feel confident and prepared before stepping onto the mat.
This balanced approach allows them to fill emptier classes while maintaining the right mix between ClassPass visitors and their core community. It’s thoughtful growth that’s supported by smart inventory distribution, clear communication, and strong studio values.
The impact ClassPass has made on Yoga Flame’s business
Today, ClassPass represents a steady portion of Yoga Flame’s total revenue at their Geneva location. While there is potential to grow beyond that, Yoga Flame intentionally maintains this level, prioritizing a reliable revenue stream that supports their commitment to fair profit.
Although ClassPass has historically been less of a focus for the Lausanne location in the beginning, the team sees significant opportunity with the upcoming launch in Bern.
For Yoga Flame, fair profit means earning enough to sustain the business and pay teachers fairly—without chasing aggressive growth. Most of their revenue goes directly to instructors, many of whom rely on teaching as their primary income.
“ClassPass helps us pay our teachers,” says co-founder Stefan Bodenstab.
Operationally, the ClassPass platform also helps optimize attendance across a varied schedule. By filling open spots in lower-attended classes, ClassPass contributes incremental revenue while protecting Yoga Flame’s core community experience.
Community & social responsibility
Community impact is central to Yoga Flame’s mission.
Through “Yoga Flame Cares,” the studio hosts solidarity classes where teachers donate their salary and the studio matches the contribution. Last year alone, they raised 4,300 CHF for local charities.
Most recently, funds supported a Lausanne-based organization supporting people experiencing homelessness, helping cover essentials like hygiene services and clothing care.
ClassPass members play an active role in this initiative. By booking and attending these solidarity classes, they become part of something bigger; channeling their energy into a shared purpose and turning their practice into tangible support for their local community. Each reservation reinforces the collective effort, showing how individual actions can ripple outward into meaningful change.
For Yoga Flame, yoga extends beyond physical practice. It’s about unity, responsibility, and creating meaningful change within their local community.
What’s next for Yoga Flame
As Yoga Flame approaches its 10-year milestone, the brand continues to evolve.
A new studio in Bern is set to open in 2026, expanding their footprint in Switzerland. Lausanne is also poised for continued growth.
Beyond studio classes, Yoga Flame has built a broader ecosystem that supports long-term engagement:
- Yoga Academy: A hybrid, Yoga Alliance-recognized 200-hour teacher training program
- Yoga at Work: Corporate resilience and burnout prevention programs
- Retreats: Experiences in Switzerland and abroad
- Community days and donation-based events
For many, ClassPass is the first step in that journey; from a first yoga class to retreats, advanced trainings, and even becoming a certified teacher.
As they grow, Yoga Flame remains committed to balancing expansion with intention.
And as they prepare to celebrate a decade in business, that balance, between community and sustainability, continues to guide every next step.
