Profit hungry sports centres

TYA teacher Michelle is experiencing some financial bother with a sports centre. Can anyone give her some good advice?

Michelle said: "I currently teach at a sports centre three nights a week and they have recently put the prices up for students attending classes.

"As I haven't increased my fee for over two years I asked for a rise based on the number of students attending a class. i.e. my normal rate of £25 for up to 7 students and I would charge a new rate of £35 for 8 or more students. I felt this would be fair for them and myself. They have come back and said no which has left me somewhat disappointed.

"I have steadily built up the number of students in all my classes through my own advertising and recommendations and they regularly take £75 per class, giving them £50 profit so I didn't think I was being unreasonable.

"I just wondered if anyone had any suggestions or could give some idea of what other sport centres pay for a Yoga Class?"

To respond to Michelle please add a comment below or email me (benjaminparkes@hotmail.com) and I will post it up here for all to see.

Responses we have received so far:

Julie Currier said: "I read about Michelle’s comment regarding pay.

"I am paid £35 an hour and thought this is pretty standard, therefore, am surprised to read Michelle is paid less. I do know that no matter if I have 4 or 10 I am still paid the same and I am sure this applies to other Yoga teachers – I may be wrong. The centre is not ‘playing fair’ especially as she has built up the class numbers.

"Getting centres to move on pay may be tricky; if she was to hire a hall would her students go with her? Perhaps she could ask the centre the exact number that she would need to attend before her pay rose. Good luck."

TYA teacher Hermione added: "Maybe our teacher is being a little bit greedy. If she has not put her rate up for two years then to put it up by apparently almost 9% is more than the rate of inflation ,even over 2 years.

"I think she needs to see what percentage the fitness centre has increased their rates by and negotiate to do similar. Perhaps if their's has increased by 8-9% she could negotiate something in between, so that it is a win -win situation for everyone.
"I think she has confused the situation by saying her rate will be £35 if she has 8 students or more. Just stick with whatever formula she originally used to set her price and then add a percentage rate to that.

"Given that inflation has only been about 2% for the past 2 years, I think the most they will accept is something like £28 per hour or at a push £30. Remember they have the clout.

"There are plenty more yoga teachers so decide if you really want to work there and where else you could work and whether it is a matter of principal, money, or service that is the deciding factor. But above all she must feel happy working there. With some tactful negotiation and a bit of give and take I am sure a reasonable solution can be found."

Swami Ambikananda has responded to this question:

KNOWING YOUR TRUE WORTH IS NOT GREED!

I have long been concerned that Yogis and Yoginis, all belonging to different schools and speaking from different areas of understanding, might never come to speak with the one voice needed for collective bargaining.

Yoga is no different from any other skill: we spend many years learning and acquiring our skills, we carry on our learning process even while we are teaching, we bring all of that to the market-place and ignore history.

And history tells us that the market-place will pay us as little as it can get away with!

Wanting a share in the increase of money that is being demanded from students is not greed. Rather it is the realisation that the basic pay on offer is so poor that it would take a much greater percentage increase to make it anything like a decent living wage. And for those of us for whom Yoga is our life, it would be great to actually be able to earn a living from it!

Do not let anyone fool you into believing that bringing love and compassion to work means you should give it for free. We are only better able to spread those wonderful qualities, that we take the time as practising Yogis to build, when we know our work is valued. And the way we measure value in the market-place is through money.

I am always saddened when those of us of an age when we are leaving behind our careers, fail to see the needs of younger members of our profession who need our strong voices to encourage them towards a fair deal! Our support would be the Yoga Way.

SUPER Surya Namaskar-athon 2009!

As I am sure you are aware the Surya Namaskar-athon 2009 took place at Whitesheet Primary School in Zeals on the border between Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset on Sunday 15th November.

This was the eighth annual sun salutation day raising more than £6,000 with still more to come, through people’s generous support, sponsorships and other collections.

What a superb result for MUKTI! The event was a real coming together of commitment and energy from all who helped out and took part on the day.

Organised and supported by yoga teachers and friends in the local community, the event was a wonderful gathering of optimistic, warm and compassionate people, two of whom are pictured above, who came together to boost the funds for the MUKTI project.

Swami Ambikananda, the founder of the MUKTI project paid a special visit to lend her support. Swamiji updated everyone on the work of the project before going on to complete a number of sun salutations. She thanked guests and organisers and enjoyed the warmth and energy of the day.

This year a bigger event was on offer starting at 11am and continuing throughout the day past 5pm, allowing both visitors and participants to drop in and spend time with like-minded people.

At the heart of the room yogis and yoginis performed sponsored sun salutations around a beautiful central artistic depiction of the sun, itself lit up with candles.

Tempting sweet and savoury food and drinks made by volunteers was laid out for guests on one side of the room and enjoyed by all.

Opposite stretched a table packed to bursting with beautifully crafted bags, wallets, clothes, mirrors, yoga bags and more items hand-made by the children which MUKTI supports. These wonderful gifts were snapped up by guests shopping for early Christmas presents as well as treating themselves.

There was also the chance for visitors to try mini-pampering sessions submitting themselves to the healing hands of Reiki, Indian head massage and reflexology practitioners. These sessions were extremely popular and helped to raise a substantial amount of money for MUKTI on the day.

New to the event this year was the Yoga Relaxation Room, a welcoming womb of a room with soft floors, drapes, blankets and cushions and a yoga teacher on hand to sooth away stress with gentle and relaxing yoga nidras.

Why not book out next year’s Surya Namaskar-athon date in your diary and get involved in whichever way you choose. Without the support and love of all the yoginis and yogis from near and far, volunteers, guests and visitors, we would not be able to keep bringing smiles to the faces of the MUKTI children.

It is the healing and optimistic atmosphere, defined by its warmth and compassion which surely helps make the Surya Namaskar-athon such a happy, enjoyable and welcome event to be a part of year on year.

We look forward to seeing you next year at Surya Namaskar-athon 2010!

If you want to be part of next year's event there are many different ways you can help - give Arjuna a call or email Ben at benjaminparkes@hotmail.com to share in the experience.

Yell.com advert performance - September 2009

How's the advert doing? Here are the figures.

September 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 286
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 157
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 37

August 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 259
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 118
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 47

JULY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 357
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 113
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 61

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Dee Johnson had one phone call which came from the TYA website.

JUNE 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 341
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 107
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 50

MAY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 324
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 150
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 40

FEBRUARY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 574
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 297
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 36

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Diane Hargraves had one phone call.
Alex Carter had two enquiries.
Dee Johnson had two phone calls.

JANUARY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 875
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 421
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 39

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Luci Beales had a call from a man in Newbury.

DECEMBER 2008
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 344
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 239
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 10

Swami Ambikananda and her spiritual journey

This November Swami Ambikananda is one of a number of compelling speakers giving talks to an audience.

The subject of Swami's talk is her spiritual journey. She grew up as a Catholic of mixed race in South Africa and is now a Hindu monastic.

The lectures take place at the Friends Meeting House in Reading. Swami Ambikananda is speaking on Wednesday 4th November at 7.30pm.

More details can be found below:

TALKS AT READING FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE OCT/NOV:

The Forgiveness Project- talk by Jo Berry
Wednesday 21st October 09, 7:30pm
Jo’s father Sir Anthony Berry was amongst the people killed 25 years ago by the IRA bomb in Brighton. Since then, Jo has visited Ireland many times and worked with victims and former combatants.

Multi-national tax dodging and its impact on the poor and the planet
Wednesday 28th October 09, 7:30
John Christiansen, Director, Tax Justice Network, and John Madeley, author: how multi-national tax dodging shifts money from the poor to the rich and impacts development.

My Spiritual Journey- Swami Ambikananda
Wednesday 4th November 09, 7:30
Swami Ambikananda Saraswati grew up as a Catholic of mixed race in South Africa. She is now a Hindu monastic and author with books published on Yoga, health, and philosophy.

My spiritual journey- Harvey Gilman
Wednesday 11th November 09, 7:30
Harvey Gilman grew up as a Jew in Manchester, and became a Quaker. He has written several books about Quakerism and spirituality, and in 2002 was awarded a Rowntree fellowship to investigate how we explore and express our spiritual journeys.

My spiritual journey- Dawud Bone
Wednesday 25th November 09, 7:30
Dawud grew up as a Quaker in Reading, and as a young man became a Moslem but retained his membership of Reading Meeting. He is now Director of the Centre for the Study of Muslim-Jewish Relations at the Woolf Institute of Abrahamic Faiths in Cambridge..

All events take place at Reading Friends Meeting House, Church Street, Reading RG1
2SB (off London Street).
Call 0118 950 7736
www.midthamesquakers.org.uk

The ups and downs of breathing

TYA yoga teacher Dee emailed with this experience of breathwork off the mat and up in the air. Enjoy her story:

From the very first time I tried using my breath to help me in paschimottanasana I knew the power of the exhalation in yoga.

I first took that idea off the yoga mat when giving birth to my second child – a wonderfully, earthy, natural experience. But only yesterday, I was surprised and delighted at how far into my psyche this breathing lark has buried itself, ready to be drawn upon in times of need.

I am practically allergic to adrenalin and my now teenage children and husband love teasing me about it! Whatever possessed me to offer to take them to the steam fair in Reading I do not know.

I have not been on a fairground ride since I nearly threw up aged 16. I suppose I got carried away laughing at the glee on my children’s faces as they rose and dipped on the mechanical bomber planes, giggling their heads off, just like when I used to tickle them as toddlers.

They said I should go on the next ride with them and seeing what harmless fun they were having I ... agreed.

We climbed aboard the huge swinging boat and took our seats. It wasn’t until the girl taking the money suggested we hold on tightly that the first frisson of fear crept into my body.

I tightened my hold and shortened my breath. I thought hollering at the zenith of each swing would make things better. It really didn’t. It just made me more tense and fearful. Suddenly without giving it too much thought, a very loud urge to ‘just breathe’ surfaced.

I fixed my gaze on a particular tree to try to stop the sea-sickness developing, and watched my breath come in and go out, trying each time to extend the outbreath and even to co-ordinate the outbreath with the zenith of the swing each time, as that was the scariest part.

Although I was still scared, I managed to get off the ride after far too long, smiling smugly at my secret weapon against adrenalin! And my family was giggling at how I became very quiet after those initial 3 screams – they knew exactly what I was up to with the breathing, which means I have educated them too!!

So thanks to yoga and breathwork I got to enjoy the fun of the fair again after umpteen years.

Yell.com advert performance - August 2009

Latest figures...

August 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 259
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 118
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 47

JULY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 357
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 113
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 61

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Dee Johnson had one phone call which came from the TYA website.

JUNE 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 341
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 107
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 50

MAY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 324
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 150
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 40

FEBRUARY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 574
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 297
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 36

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Diane Hargraves had one phone call.
Alex Carter had two enquiries.
Dee Johnson had two phone calls.

JANUARY 2009
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 875
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 421
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 39

Subsequent calls to teachers via the Yell.com advert this month:
Luci Beales had a call from a man in Newbury.

DECEMBER 2008
Number of people who viewed the advert in the local area: 344
Number of people who viewed the advert nationally: 239
Number of people who clicked on the advert to find out more: 10

Responses on Peter Blackaby

After one TYA teacher asked for feedback about a Peter Blackaby yoga workshop (see article below) Swami Ambikananda, Jan Guiver and TYA teacher Diane Hargraves got in touch with The Ashram to offer some words of advice.

First Swami Ambikanada's advice...

Dear Yoginis and Yogins,

Regarding Peter Blackaby Course: All of us in the TYA should be looking constantly for inspiration - the spiritual journey is a difficult one and it requires the energy and vitality we get from inspiration. ANYONE that provides that is recognised by all of us in the TYA.

But it has to be YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE. Yoga is an experienced based system. Don't accept anyone else's word for it. I've never been to a Peter Blackaby workshop - simply because the times they have been on have not been convenient for me. The ONLY way you will know whether it is good is if you experience it yourself.

Then what you pass onto the rest of us will be filtered through our own experience. Some will take inspiration from it and others not. No-one is right or wrong - we are simply making the journey.

In peace, Swami Ambikananda

And now the response from Diane...

Namaste

I just logged on to the Ashram to check out the latest news and see that Dee is questioning the work of Pete Blackaby.

I have worked with him many times in the past and he has so much knowledge on Anatomy & Psysiology that even in the four sessions we have booked him for next year, there will still be more to learn.

He has a very relaxed and intuitive style of teaching and manages to get his point across with light hearted humour. He is great fun to work with and uses real life scenarios to demonstrate his point.

In terms of his recognition by the TYA, I am sure that Swamiji will agree that he is a fantastic teacher, and I believe they have met. For confirmation of this I am sure that she would be happy to endorse my recommedation.

Love & Light

Diane Hargraves

Here's the response from Jan...

Namaste,

I have worked with Peter Blackaby on several occasions. His knowledge of anatomy and physiology is excellent and his sessions are always most enjoyable. I really appreciated how he offered us all alternative ways in which we could approach our yoga practice. If you have never been to one of his sessions before then it is certainly worth going along and experiencing it for yourself.

Love and light
Jan Guiver

If you would like to continue the discussion get in touch with me (benjaminparkes@hotmail.com)