In making the shift from Studio classes set up in the traditional Western capitalist paradigm to an entirely donation-based structure I've gotten a surprisingly wide range of responses from people to what seemed to me a fairly innocuous conception. Biggest suprise: "You're devaluing yoga and yourself by not setting a solid price for your work." What do you think?
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Tue, September 20, 2005 - 10:54 PMwhen i sew for people i often will give them the option of naming their budget, and from there we make clothes that fit their needs, while keeping the price also fair for me. I think that donation based yoga offers that same kind of freedom for people to look at a standard class structure/pay rate and then make the equation of what $15 means for THEM. I like it, i think that it allows people some kind of integrity to pay what they choose, be that more or less than the standard rate.
" you're devaluing yogs and yourself by not setting a solid price for your work", well, in a sense that IS true. When i teach at the gyrotonic center, and people are paying $75 for an hour and 15 minute private lesson with me i have far fewer flakes than people who i have offered to teach gyrotonic at a trade rate. When you set a high price tag on something, in this society, people WILL look at it as having a higher value. THen again, so long as you aren't buying in to that way of looking at the world, that concept doesn't hold true. I'd like to think that i have a more complex value system than simply looking at the given price tag of something.
I think that in an ideal world you are filling your class with people who appreciate yoga and the practice as much as you are, and can respect the fact that you give them some personal responsibility in how much they can pay for your class.
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Wed, September 21, 2005 - 8:14 AMMost of my friends are artists in their 20's. They love my class, but the idea of spending $14 (or approximately 2.7 home cooked meals) for a yoga class is just not happening. I would teach them for free but unfortunately fewer people seem to show for a free yoga class than one that costs $14!? I think donation is the perfect middle ground. I know that their are times when I don't go to class because I can't afford it, but I know as a teacher I would rather see my students on a regular basis than fleece them for cash. Hell none of us got into this for the money (that is becoming painfully obvious). I am now inspired to find a place to teach a donation based class. I miss my poor students. -
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Thu, September 22, 2005 - 8:17 PMHello all. I’m Cat (aka Pidge) of Yoga Mob. I’m a starving artist and a yoga enthusiast.
The Birth of Yoga Mob --
When I was in to corporate world, I could afford monthly yoga studio memberships. However, once I made the life decision to become a full time artist and my husband made a similar decision by becoming a nightclub owner, I could no longer afford to go to the studio. I try to practice everyday, so I practice using a DVD or just do the Ashtanga primary series, solo, at home. I really missed studying with a teacher and a community but I just could not afford $15 drop ins or studio memberships once I exhasted all the “$90 for 90 days” offers in town.
The idea for Yoga Mob came to me when I was given a 4000 sq foot live/work warehouse space in the SF Mission District for very, very cheap. Huge, skylights, perfect for practice. I thought I’d share my winfall with the yoga community by offering the space to teachers free of charge so they can, in turn, offer donation based classes in a fun and funky environment. When I posted my offer of free space on tribe, I was overwhelmed with gererosity and encoragement. It seems donation yoga is an idea whose time has come.
Since I started this project about a month ago, I have learned that there is a movement in the Bay Area towards donation based classes. This, I assume, is a reaction to the downturn economy and the resurgence of SF arts based cultures. I do not blame anyone for the high monitary cost of practice in SF. I just saw a need and I had a need and I’ve tried to fill it. Cost should not be prohibative. Yoga is for everyone.
Jamie has been a wonderful encourgament to me and I value his support and this new tribe dedicated to the discussion of low cost alteratives for practice. If you would like to check out the developments at Yoga Mob, please join the tribe: tribes.tribe.net/yogamob Eveyone is welcome – teachers and students of all levels.
Namaste
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Fri, September 23, 2005 - 1:23 AMi don't think you are devaluing yoga and yourself by not setting a solid price for your work. i think you are giving people yoga when they cannot afford at 14 dollars a pop (and considering how much studios take from teachers). you are spreading the gift of yoga. i don't believe yoga should be something only well-to-do people can practice because they have more means. everyone should get quality instructions regardless to their economic status. -
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Fri, September 23, 2005 - 7:13 AMdonation yoga is good stuff. i think yoga is the work of the heart. all people no matter what their income level should have some of that. in studios yoga comes in certain forms, taught by certain kinds of people for certain kinds of people...so much sameness...that doesn't make the world get round and the heart grow big....i don't totally knock it, cause i like yoga studios, and many of the teachers in them...but variety and accessability is key. yoga is a good thing...and shoud be shared.
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Fri, September 30, 2005 - 5:38 PM
Here's one thought: yoga is about gifts: the gift of life, the gift of the spirit, the gift of serenity and strength and inner peace. Taking the term "gift" at face value, then, makes the notion of donation-based yoga classes (i.e. making them accessible) not only admirable, but desirable and necessary.
We shan't despair. The concept of a barter and gifting based economy will take hold. It's just a matter to time.
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Re: whaddya think about donation yoga anyway?
Tue, December 20, 2005 - 12:55 PMThank You!
I am a writer and dirt poor right now. I'm having a difficult time getting work. Instead of waiting for someone to pay me, I've decided to start grant writing for free. This way, I am writing and working and feeling a hell of a lot better. Until I can find a place that will give me cash, I'm giving my skills and time to something that I care about.
I'm sure things will turn around for me, but until they do, thank you for sharing your knowledge, skill and time with me.
My Philosopy:
When everyone shares, everyone seems to have enough. When no one shares, a few have and the rest sit around with their talents and complain about not having enough.
"Peace on Earth through Sharing"
