I look upon all creatures equally; none are less dear to me and none more dear. But those who worship me with love live in me, and I come to life in them.
– Bhagavad Gita

There is no need to compare ourselves with others or to feel our contribution is less important than someone else’s. Yesterday I read a story that makes this point very well. It was about a Hasidic rabbi named Susya, who said, “When I die, I will not be asked, Why weren’t you more like Moses?’ I will be asked, Why weren’t you more like Susya?’”

Just as many of us experienced changes in the number of students and classes in the months following 9/11, many of us are facing new challenges in these times of economic uncertainty.  At the same time, there's an increased need for the healing path of yoga and increased opportunity for yoga teachers who want to reach into the community for on-site classes.

In particular, yoga for seniors and the elderly.  This can require additional training in chair yoga and adaptive yoga techniques as well as a change it the way we may think about "yoga."  If we use the Yoga Sutras as our guide, there are many tools from the eight fold path that we can offer students, beginning with the yamas and niyamas. 

Stress is linked to all sorts of health problems.  In this changing economy seniors and people on fixed incomes may be even more worried about the future.  The yamas and niyamas offer tools for everyday living that can be used to examine habitual patterns of worry and anxiety.  Asana can be modified so that nearly anyone can do something that's beneficial to move the joints and stretch the body which we know can relieve tension and induce feelings of well-being.  Simple pranayamas such as the 3-part breath or alternate nostril can be energizing, empowering and a focus for concentration and relaxation.  The point here is that when we think beyond traditional yoga classes, we open up to a population of students who can really benefit from yoga.

Where do we find these seniors?  A senior center is a good start.  Also, assisted living communities, nursing homes, senior citizen housing complexes, community centers and retirement communities often have space and an interest in offering recreational activities to members. 

Who to contact?  Most of senior centers have recreation staff who organize activities.  Even if there is already a yoga class happening, centers are often interested in adding more when the demand is high.  Assisted living, nursing homes and senior housing complexes have recreation or therapeutic recreation staff that you can contact.

I teach at 2 senior centers.  Chair class at one and mat classes at the other.  We're adding a chair class in the fall because the other classes are full and there's an increased interest in chair yoga.

Who pays the teacher for these classes?  It varies, but some senior centers get health grants to pay for classes or classes are part of the recreation budget.  Some may offer a combination approach with the center paying part and the students paying part.  In retirement communities, the student usually pays the teacher.  If you currently work with seniors then you've probably noticed that some seniors are actually doing quite well finanically.

If you are interested in adaptive yoga or working with students who have specific needs, another area to look into is organizations like Easter Seals that manage group homes for adults with developmental and physical disabilities.

If you're not drawn to work with people who have disabilities, on-site classes for school teachers is another way to go.  Many yoga teachers also have success with corporate classes.  In my experience, this works best when you have a personal connection with someone who works there.

More and more, hospitals and wellness centers offer yoga.  This can be a great way to gain exposure since the advertising is usually regular and free to the teacher.  One of the down sides to working with for-profit organizations, like wellness centers, is rent.  Over the years, I've been contacted by newly organized wellness centers and gyms that want me to teach my classes there and bring my students with me.  While this can work for some teachers, I would caution you to consider what the cost is to you as well as the benefit.  Sometimes, the organization's motivation is to get someone to help pay the rent which can cost you in the long run.  In deciding the cost versus benefit, I caution you not to underestimate what you bring to the table.

What to charge for your classes?  If you do choose to go with an organization that pays the teacher directly, I suggest setting an hourly rate on the high side of what you want because you may have to live with that rate for several years.  An alternative may be to build in annul increases or an additional nominal per student fee that the student pays.  This can add up when the class size increases. 

The bottom line - consider going where the students are.  With gas prices the way they are, students may choose to limit their extra travel.  And with rising health care costs and out of pocket expenses, yoga can become an important factor in maintaining health and well-being.  And that's a topic for another newsletter!

Blessings for all that you do to make the world a better place through yoga!

I honor the light within you.  Namaste, Karen

p.s.  The student in the left of the photo and I were in the same yoga class in 1970.  I was 14, she was 48.  Next month Georgie will be 86.  Isn't she wonderful!

Workshop for Yoga Teachers
Sunday, August 3, 2008

Adaptive Asana Techniques for Yoga Teachers

Hosted by
Breathe Yoga Studio in Pensacola, Florida

• Topics: 
  Adaptive Asana
  • Modifications for students who attend traditional yoga classes
  • Modifications for chair and mat classes
  • Modifications for chair only classes
  • Class Design for students with limitations
    • Developmental approach to postural alignment and sequencing that safely guides students into their personal experience of the asanas.
  • Private Lessons how to's
• Time:  
  • 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Location:
  • Breathe Yoga Studio, Historic Downtown Seville Square, 503 Adams Street, Pensacola, FL 32502
• Fee:
  • $95 (+ $5 for CEUs if applicable) payable to “Breathe Yoga Studio”
    • Mail to:  503 Adams Street, Pensacola, FL  32502
• Bring:
  • Your lunch, your questions and challenges, your yoga gear (the studio will have some extras as well.)
• CEUs:
  • 6 hours
  • This workshop meets the Yoga Alliance standard for Continuing Education.  Request a certificate of attendance at registration and add $5 to the registration fee.
• Contact:
  • 850.291.5506
  • info@breathpcola.com or yogahealsus.com
• Presenter:
  • Karen O'Donnell Clarke, ERYT500 has been teaching adaptive asana for more than 12 years for students ages 5 - 93 in mainstream and adaptive classes.  Karen has presented "Teaching Adaptive Yoga for Multiple Sclerosis" nationally since 2003.  She received her primary training from Kripalu and Integrative Yoga Therapy.

My first CD, Gentle Yoga for Every Body, is being re-released this summer, updated with Marina Raye's soulful native flute melodies, improved sound quality and artwork.  I have received a number of inquiries from yoga teachers who are interested in selling this CD to their students or have run out of their current supply.  (For which I am very grateful!)  I will be offering a discounted wholesale price of $9 per CD for a minimum order of 12 ($108).  You can mix and match with the Healing Yoga for Every Body CD to reach the minimum.  If you want to order less than 12, the cost is $10 per CD for a minimum of 6 CDs (also mix and match.)

You can pay by check:
Yoga Heals Us LLC
129 Rose Hill Road
Ledyard, CT  06339

or by credit card via PayPal.  I will email a PayPal invoice that you can pay online.

For the month of August only, FREE shipping.  Orders will be shipped out the week of August 15th.

Do what you love and the money will follow, right? So, how do you make a living doing what you love?

• Getting the Work: Is your vision of yourself as a yoga teacher big enough to encompass all the potential students in your geographical area? Are you teaching special needs or underserved populations? Are you waiting for students to come to you or do you actively seek them out?
• Doing the Work: Do you feel confident in offering multi-level classes that include students with health problems and physical limitations? As students progress on the yoga path how do you keep their interest in your classes?
• Compensation for the Work: Do you wonder if you can ever succeed financially as a yoga teacher? Do you struggle to set a fair price for your work? Do you get paid on time and in full?

Yoga Business Coaching

• Addresses:
  • all these questions and provides tools and strategies to build your student base, increase your income and help people access their healing potential through the gift of yoga.
  • ways to keep long term students interested and challenged.
  • contracts and professional services agreements that keep the money side of teaching clear and professional.
• Empowers you to create opportunities within your local area to meet the needs of many populations including on-site and special needs classes.
• Offers concrete ways to establish and nurture relationships that lead to new classes, increased enrollment and regular attendance.
• Encourages the creation of multiple steady income streams to make this work financially viable.

Your Yoga Business will grow! You will change the world one person at a time by increasing the number of students and venues that you teach. Your income will grow, allowing you to focus more on the yoga and less on the money.