i'm right with you. I'm .5/10 ( i drink kombucha......). I also wear lulu shorts but not sure how much it helps...

Nice one Bob...Making your teachers going to Bali as well?....
Hey, congrats on the new post at EJ! Sounds like a perfect fit. I'm very excited for you and for what it means for EJ. Best of luck! -sean

Amen to this! just drove by a closing Borders. the collapsing of the book industry is sad to say the least. wish we had some independents here in Pittsburgh. the bricks and mortars will be officially gone in a few weeks in the Burgh. here's hoping one springs forth soon to fill the void for us bookies

Hi Tanya,

thank you. I just checked it out. i loved your last line: when is enough enough? that is the big question. i think every studio must ask that of themselves. you want to pay all your bills, your teachers, and yourself for your family. only the owners themselves can answer that question. if they are making enough hopefully they are not raising prices due to growing demand and finding ways to open it up.

Hi Yoga 2,

The hope of the article was to show that there is a "middle ground". feel free to look at my response to your other comment below. the work exchange program enables everyone to get yoga affordable or free. the work is just approximately 30 minutes (15 mins before and 15 mins after). that is the same amount of time that most students are in the studio already. if that does not work just ask the managers for other "trade" options. i.e data entry, laundry, etc. these jobs can be done at a a more leisurely pace and you are not restricted to class times.

as for as the groupon goes we did this out of request from a number of long time unlimited students. we had consulted with other studios who had participated in groupons. if we had offered a groupon similar to the one you mention it would have made the studio chaotic and would have made for some bad experiences for everyone. the groupon was one time deal for us. it is not a long term solution for making yoga affordable. in the future we will use our own methods and system to offer discounts and such.

you may notice that we do specials every few months. for example, in december we had a Toys For Tots program where you could receive a discount on a class card if you brought in a toy. we will have something in the spring and summer as well. if you and your friends have any cost concerns just talk to us. thanks!!

Hi Yoga 2,

Please know that we did not make our decision based on one conversation. it was just to make the point that some value the yoga more than others. it is a personal decision. we dont expect everyone to budget their money for yoga. we are very aware that some would like to come and are not spending money on alcohol instead. the work exchange program allows everyone the opportunity to come to the studio. even people who are busy like yourself. some people do data entry on their own time in exchange for free classes. there are other misc. jobs that have lots of freedom as well. please talk to one of our managers they would be more than happy to work out an exchange for you. our work exchange program is very flexible, im pretty confident we could do something.

Carol, an absolutely great read! A topic that is certainly gaining steam today out there. I was just going to comment a lot more but if I do I think I would just be paraphrasing Hilary's excellent notes.

I think for teachers it all comes back to intention. is there true intention to share yoga or to say "become popular" to satisfy their egos or insecurities. Many teachers have the ease and place to seduce students(and Im not referring to sexual seduction) but seduction in a sense of dependency or spiritual knowledge above their students, where the students need them.

Only the teachers themselves know what they are doing. some students can probably sniff this out as Hilary says but some may be in a place where they can not . and even then who knows for sure where the teacher is coming from. yoga teachers are not the "gurus".

nice...reminds me of Jesse Cook

Lynn,

Thanks so much for sharing this! It is an excellent cause and glad you are helping spread the word. Beth is incredible! - Sean

Hi Sandy,

So nice to hear from you! Wish we could. My oldest daughter has a field hockey tourney out of town that weekend. I will certainly be there in the Fall for Bryan and hopefully sooner.