I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people. -Jack Handy
Yoga is the perfect opportunity to be curious about who you are. -Jason Crandell
Wisdom tells me I am nothing. Love tells me I am everything. And between the two my life flows. -Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
Yoga is a generic name for any discipline by which one attempts to pass out of the limits of one's ordinary mental consciousness into a greater spiritual consciousness. -Sri Aurobindo
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. -Goethe
...human merely being... -ee cummings
Life is short, live it wide. -India Supera
Thursday, September 9, 2010 I'm at the Magazine of Yoga today. Talking about the ups and downs of teaching yoga and building a business. But, mainly talking about giving myself permission to BE a yoga teacher and soaking up all that goes with it.
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 Last night was my first FREE class to celebrate National Yoga Month. It was super successful! I had 21 students and the studio was packed! I really couldn't believe that many people showed up. My heart was absolutely swelling out of my chest.
Of those people only three were brand new to yoga. Although quite a few were new to a flow style of yoga. So, I taught a really slow flowy class. I even got them to chuckle a couple of times!
After class, and even when I asked permission from the studio, I got a lot of comments about how "generous" this was of me.
Hmmm.
I suppose it is generous, but in an entirely self serving way. I am all about spreading the yoga love and getting as many people as possible to try it. Healing one back at a time! Giving someone one hour of peace in their hectic day! But, honestly, this is me advertising for my class.
I had been doing an evening class and a $5 Saturday morning class at the studio for a few months. And, I wasn't really getting a lot of students. I would get two or three in the evenings and about six on Saturdays. I looked at placing ads in the newspaper (which I would be totally pissed to give the paper here any money. barf.) but it is expensive. I started a little Facebook fan page in the hopes of finding some students with an ad for it. Most of my Facebook "fans" are not even from around here. I have a website that is ready to go, but not yet online. And, I did all the yoga teacher marketing 101 staples: cards with a free class, posters, and emails to the DLC list.
I just know people would love me if they gave me a chance! he he he!
I read about National Yoga Month and thought, "hey, I'll create the chance for them."
So, see, it is completely self serving. I'm flat out fishing for students. Hopefully it is working.
And, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like all the comments at the end of class. That is totally the frosting for a yoga teacher. If you ever take a class, be sure to tell the teacher THANK YOU and if there was something about him/her or the class that you really liked, be sure to mention that too. I know as yogis we are trying to overcome that silly ego. But, comments like this FEEL so damn good.
I will be interested to see who returns and if the class grows or shrinks during the month.
What about you? Any clever ways to find students? Any clever ways that teachers have found you?
Tuesday, September 7, 2010 One of my favorite things about starting school in the fall was the new schedules. I have no idea why new schedules make me so excited. I like looking at them on the calendar and finding those spaces to carve out my own time. Not that my own time always happens. But, just knowing that it could makes me happy.
It is extremely difficult to schedule yoga classes. I teach at four different places, so that is always challenging. And, then when I finally get myself worked into a desired time slot, other teachers put on the pressure because they want that spot too.
Things worked out pretty good this fall. I have a huge gap on Tuesday nights, but that is a small price to pay. And, I'm not fond of teaching classes during the day. Those noontime classes will definitely be a challenge for me. It is just difficult to change gears during the day...and clothes. But, I love to teach so I try to be that person who is always up for taking on more classes. Here is my fall schedule:
Mondays:
12:00-1:00 PM @ IMX Pilates
7:30-8:30 PM @ Fuel Fitness
Tuesdays:
5:30-6:30 PM @ IMX Pilates
8:00-9:00 PM @ Dancing Lotus Center
Wednesdays:
12:00-1:00 PM @ IMX Pilates
5:15-6:15 PM @ Helena YMCA
7:30-8:30 PM @ Fuel Fitness
Thursdays:
5:30-6:30 PM @ IMX Pilates
Saturdays: September 11th & 18th
9:00-10:15 AM @ Dancing Lotus Center
Monday, August 30, 2010 I teach two classes today and then I have an entire week off of teaching! Is it sad that I can't wait? I've just gotten so run down.
And, it is getting cold here. I can't believe it. It rained all day yesterday and I spent the day curled up on the couch with a blanket, hot tea, the hound, and the girl who kicked the hornet's nest.
Anyway, babsbabble will be taking a little break too. Hope you all have a very lovely week!
Friday, August 27, 2010 I had no idea. I read about it in Real Simple. You can find more information at their website or their Facebook page.
In honor of National Yoga Month, I'm offering ALL of my September yoga flow classes at Dancing Lotus Center for FREE! Yup! Six free classes in September.
I thought it would be a great opportunity to promote my classes and the studio.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010 What I'm up to:
The end of summer is so bitter sweet. But, there is the beautiful fall to look forward to.
Monday, August 23, 2010 Wow. It is turning into Music Monday! Today I'm listening to i am by mantra mom. It is a collection "authentic Sanskrit mantras entwined with present-day affirmations arranged beautifully to modern-day music to help empower, calm and heal today's on the go woman."
I think this is a beautiful album, although kinda short. Only 25 minutes. I think it would be perfect for a nice restorative sequence. It starts softly, but the last couple of songs are a bit more upbeat.
Mantra Mom, Nina Patel, fondly remembers going to kirtans with her grandmother during her summers spent in India. What a neat experience to share with your grandmother! I really like the healing approach of Nina's music. You can tell that she put a lot of love into this collection. And, it is almost like she put it together just for you. She also donates 10% of her proceeds to Vibha, an organization that helps children in India get healthcare and education.
I'm giving away one copy of Mantra Mom's i am... All you have to do is leave a comment below and I will use Random.org to pick the winner on Sunday! And, of course I will ship anywhere and hope like hell it actually makes it to you!
Babs
The lucky winner is Jamie!