Heart Full

After trading notes on a few classes, going to practices together and quite honestly one or two hints of chardonnay Yadana and I decided to pursue our idea of creating a spontaneous yoga community. The idea would be to offer classes at different public locations around NYC. But the location would change as would the teachers. And as opposed to going on an all out advertising blitz — we’ve decided to go viral, tell our friends and family, but also distribute discrete cards with nothing but our logo, the date and (possibly) the web site. Advertising not unlike the rave parties we use to go to in the oh-so-distant past. But it was fun, and half of the fun was that you never really knew where the next party was, and who would be there. With all of its craziness it was a kind of a sudden community. We’re sort of surprised this isn’t happening already — maybe it is and we just don’t know. Either way, each one is a little different.

To launch we hosted a 2 person T-shirt making party. We thought it would be easy. But after carving our logos, picking out colors to match the tanks, pressing them, filling them in and then ironing them  –  five hours was still not enough. Which just means we’ll have to have another launch party — so if you’re interested in good stories, good music, and joining the movement, let me know.

It’s been 2 years since I’ve graduated from Kristin’s Kaya’s Teacher Training program. I’ve taught a couple sub classes, put together practice classes for my friends and family,  and privates. But I haven’t really explored teaching on a regular basis. Partially because I’m having so much fun being a student, and with my unpredictable schedule it’s hard to make a commitment to a regular class. But I would still like to teach now and again, and it seems like special occasions throughout the year (e.g. solstice, holidays etc,..) would be good occassions for this. Yet for all the opportunities NYC has to offer, it doesn’t seem to have much in the way for the “part-time” / flex teacher.

Yadana and I wondered, “could we possibly be alone?”. Aren’t there other yoga teachers out there who have day jobs, but still want the to teach once in awhile, just to keep the (teaching) engine running?  Are they running up against studios who don’t have a flex work offer / will only offer to their own teacher-training graduates? In an endeavor to reach out to those part – time teachers, and people interested in free yoga, Yadana and I have decided to see if we can find some parks / public spaces to offer free classes for students and starting-out  teachers. We scouted out South Street Seaport as a possible location this weekend, and were pleasantly surprised to see it was empty. We imagine classes will start off with friends and family, but maybe it’ll pick up steam. At the very least it’ll be fun.

As a first foray into the business we decided to try and make some t-shirts. We woke up earlier than any person should on a weekend, and hit up local art supply stores. Yadana a pretty accomplished artist in all things painting, glass work and general creativity, already had great ideas on how to make t-shirts. And I must say I think we got pretty creative about the budget, colors, and designs. More to come later. But what does everyone think — is there a community of part-time teachers out there? Are they open to collaborating? Would people be interested in a kind of partnership — like you get to teach week X but try to come for a couple of weeks for other teachers to practice? Reach out.