| If you are teaching Yoga sessions on a regular basis, | | | | Research Hospital fundraiser. It is a combination of an |
| or plan to, social skills are an absolute must. Running a | | | | open house, Yoga marathon, and a fund raiser. What |
| Yoga studio, and teaching classes, has much in | | | | does St. Jude Children's Research Hospital do? St. |
| common with being a coordinator of social gatherings | | | | Jude's is the second largest health care research |
| or an activities director. | | | | charity in the United States. Their mission is to cure |
| Recently, this was the topic of discussion between a | | | | cancer in children and they also research other |
| colleague and I, who said she was too busy to be a | | | | catastrophic diseases. |
| "social butterfly." She felt that teaching Yoga lessons | | | | Now, you might say, "I would rather have a fund |
| is enough and her students should be grateful for the | | | | raiser for my own studio than a charity. My studio |
| experience. | | | | needs students. How will this help me?" You are right |
| While I can appreciate her honest opinion, and I know | | | | - this will not help you get new students in the |
| she is a competent Yoga teacher, there is a void, | | | | short-term. What it will do is raise the awareness |
| within her studio, of a social atmosphere. She has a | | | | level in your community about what you do and |
| receptionist, faculty, and staff members, who could | | | | what you are about. |
| fill in the public relations gaps at her studio. | | | | You might get some new Yoga students over the |
| When I suggested the idea, she felt it was | | | | long-term, as a result of your charitable efforts. |
| unprofessional to turn a studio or ashram into a social | | | | Karma is such a powerful law that only good things |
| center. She said, "I want real Yoga students who are | | | | can come from your selfless service; and parents |
| completely committed to practice and I don't want a | | | | should not have to suffer the loss of a child. |
| meeting place for fly-by-night introductions." | | | | If you are considering a grand opening, open house, |
| However, with the recent summer slow down and | | | | partner Yoga night, charitable event, or a combination |
| the "new economy," she called me to ask for a few | | | | of these ideas, to get some public exposure, it is a |
| ideas for social gatherings. We talk for almost an | | | | win-win event. Your community, your favorite |
| hour, but I can give you a summary of ideas that | | | | charity, and your studio will all benefit from your |
| can bring new students into your Yoga studio. | | | | efforts. |
| In the fall, we have our annual St. Jude Children's | | | | |