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| Angie, Dhanurasana |
Replenish: the Spa Co-Op, which is the home to Yoga Enlarged, is Columbus’ only donation-based yoga studio. This unique
model of support is a new-ish idea in the yoga community that hopes to destroy financial barriers that stop people from practicing yoga.
In a traditional model, the studio tells you what to pay when you come to class. This may vary depending on a number of things,
but the price of the class is decided upon by the business end of the studio. Usually, a teacher in this environment is paid a fixed amount. This model provides a level of predictability and stability for the studio and
its teachers, but can create difficulty for students.
In a donation-based model, the students decide what to pay when they come to class. Some students pay a lot, some students
pay a little. In this environment, the teacher is usually compensated based on the total donations received for her class. You can see how this turns the above equation on its head a bit. This model creates a level of financial
ease for students and unpredictability for the studio and its teachers.
Let’s look at how this works at Replenish, where the suggested donation is $15 per class. Because we believe in the importance
of transparency, students are asked to write down the amount of their donation when they sign in. All donations are honored, regardless of the size. The value of the donation is split between the studio and the teachers.
In our case, that means that Replenish receives 50% for providing the space, administrative support, and supplies, and Joyce and I receive 25% each for teaching the class.
Being a teacher at a donation-based studio means that I don’t know what I’ll be paid for the classes I teach. Yoga teaching
is my full-time job, and this is my primary source of income. Can you imagine clocking in to work with no idea of what you might be paid for a day’s work? It can be a little scary. So why do it?
Teaching donation-based classes allows me to walk my talk in a lot of ways. It’s vitally important to me that the practice
of yoga be cracked open for everyone that needs it - all bodies, all ability levels, all financial situations. I don’t want yoga to be limited to wealthy bodies any more than I want yoga to be limited to skinny bodies.
I don’t want you to have to choose between school supplies for your kid and yoga, or getting an oil change and yoga, or paying rent and yoga. I want you to be able to do all of that.
It also requires me to trust (and to practice trusting) that the universe is actually a benevolent place with my best interest
at heart. I have to trust that my students want to give what they’re able, and that gift will be enough. I have to trust that some students will give a little more when they’re feeling fortunate to cover those who are
struggling. I have to trust that I have something valuable to offer, and that the people who need it will happily show up.
Donation-supported yoga classes have become an important part of the conversation about accessibility and financial disparity
in yoga practice and are a much needed resource in our community. I want to thank those of you who have voted with your wallets to support this class, and I hope you know how valuable that support has been to its ongoing
creation. If you would like to participate, join us at Replenish in Columbus, OH, or look up donation-based yoga in your area.
