What is the true value of yoga?
A few newsletters ago I asked subscribers to share their hopes and fears with me. (If you want to get in on the action, sign up for the newsletter on my website.) Readers could enlighten me via email or fill out a quick survey if they wanted to stay anonymous. I received an email from a person whose feedback was "My dreams were to take some of your yoga classes but unfortunately they are way too expensive for me..". No name was given, no specifics were given about which class they were talking about. I wrote them back asking for more details and how else I could help. I never heard back, that was over two weeks ago. Fastforward to this week. I went to my analytics page after sending out my most recent newsletter. Like a good yoga nerd I always do this to see if there have been any opts-outs and to see if the person gave a reason for jumping ship. I'll give you one guess who's email address I saw in the unsubscribe column. You guessed it, our mystery emailer. Usually when people opt-out they do it without fanfare and without leaving feedback. Not this person. Here's what they wrote:
"Reason: I would love to join your classes but cannot afford at all. Too bad as I have fibromyalgia and 2 knee replacements. (Blank) who used to work at the Arthritis Society told me about you but ..... I guess your knowledge base is too expensive for us norma"
The length of the form didn't let them finish their thought. I'll assume the rest of that sentence was meant to read ".....for us normal people." Many things about this comment sent me into a tailspin. First, the person opted out after receiving a FREE newsletter on tips on how to start a home yoga practice, part 1 of a 3-part series. All the tips mentioned were also free and wouldn't have required any investment on their part. Oh, and I offer free YouTube videos too for people with arthritis and chronic pain. (Note to self: record more of these!) I also offer a Pay-What-You-Want yoga for arthritis workshop so that the money is less of a barrier. I did this specifically because I'd received the affordability feedback in the past and was trying to make yoga more accessible to people. Second, by saying she was normal implied that my current students are not so lucky. What are they then, spikey-eared aliens from Vulcan? No wait they're right, my students aren't normal, they're GLORIOUS. Third, they called out a person from the Arthritis Society for whom I have deep respect. That kind soul brought us together because they thought yoga could help. I felt it was disrespectful of them not to see the nice gesture they were given. Fourth, are you trying to imply I don't have expertise? I'm no neurosurgeon but I don't know of another teacher in all of Canada that cares enough to cater their teaching specifically to those living with arthritis like I do. Fifth, they never wrote me back when I asked how I could help. I really do want to help! Sixth, expensive is subjective. It's all about how you assign value to things. Some people value $5 lattes. Every. Single. Day. I see my teaching as a fair, positive exchange of yoga goodness where both parties win, I take that responsibility seriously. If I didn't do a good enough job of showing the value of what yoga can offer that's my fault. Seventh, they're playing the victim. I've been that person, some days I still am. I loath that personality quirk in myself and cringe when I see it in others. It serves nothing to be the victim. Be accountable for your own life, stand in your own truth, and empower yourself to live and feel better. I'll help you as much as I can! I won't say it's easy but it's a heck of a lot better than blaming someone else.
- Builds your muscle strength
- Helps your flexibility
- Improves your balance
- Protects your spine
- Reduces your low back pain
- Helps your depression
- Lowers your blood sugar
- Improves your heart health
- Relieves your pain
- Encourages self-care
- Promotes better sex
- Helps your insomnia
- Gives you peace of mind
- Connects you with guidance
- Helps you stay drug free
- Builds self-awareness and body awareness
- Increases your happiness
- Gives you inner strength and resiliency
- Increases your confidence and self-esteem
- Soothes your sinuses
- Keeps allergies and viruses at bay
- Helps you help others
- Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
- Improves your bone health, prevents osteoporosis
- Improves your posture
- Gives your lungs room to work and you room to breathe
- Relaxes and maintains your nervous system
- Increases and improves blood flow
- Improves your immunity
- Regulates your adrenal glands
- Helps you focus and concentrate
- Prevents IBS and digestive problems
- Supports connective tissue, pun intended!
- Lays the foundation for a healthy lifestyle
- Helps your body heal
- Uses the placebo effect for good
- Improves physical functioning
- Improves your mood
- Helps you stay mentally sharp
- Maitanance plan for your health
- Lowers your blood pressure
- Helps your relationships
- Releases tension in your limbs
- Reduces inflammation
- Gives you younger looking DNA
- Controls your blood pressure
- Manages your diabetes
- Helps symptoms of menopause
I feel a commercial coming on: Yoga mat: $50. Yoga session: $200. Yoga health benefits: Priceless. For everything else, there's Mastercard. I ask you: what do you value? What are your core values? What helps you see the value in what is offered to you? What does fair trade mean to you?
Share your values on myFacebook Page, Instagram, or via email: info@kimmcneilyoga.ca. If you think this post could help someone you know, please share it using the nifty social media buttons above.