Open Door Yoga Studio

Click here to find out more or pick up a brochure and application at the studio front desk!

A couple of months ago we stated in our newsletter:

“Starting on July 1st, ALL of the classes at Open Door will be offered on a donation basis. Teachers and the studio expenses will be soley supported thru the generosity and support of you, the students.

As of April 1st, we have ceased offering 3 Month, 6 Month or Yearly Unlimiteds. We will continue to offer Monthly Unlimiteds until June 1st. Prepaid class cards will be available in small increments up until July 1st.

Let’s just let go of all the fear, the doom and gloom of the current economy, and take a leap of faith. Putting the emphasis on the YOGA and deconstructing the typical business environment can only enhance the the teacher/student relationship.

Here’s how it’s going to work. The money you give goes directly to the teacher who in turn pays rent for that time slot. That rent covers the studio expenses. Simply, you pay the teacher directly and overhead is covered.

Donation does not mean free. It means you are free to choose. Free to be generous if you have a little more. Free to continue your practice if you have a little less.

Smile, this is going to be amazing!”

Since we have introduced our plans to switch our business model to donation offerings, we have had numerous and varied responses from folks. I have been thinking and planning for this since before I even signed the lease at 745 W. Johnson St. As an idea, theory and philosophy towards business it is one thing to talk about. But, to actually plan and watch it take place in before me eyes, makes me smile and my heart speed up a little bit. I know that for many folks this is a completely radical and off beat way to run a business, truly relying on the support of our students to: pay rent, our phone bill and help all of us teachers eat and support ourselves.

We teach because we love the yoga and want to share, but teaching yoga within the typical business model tends to shift the focus to the transactions around money. I have no problem asking for money in exchange for the effort and time it took to create the studio and the hours and hours of effort, sweat and time we all put into teaching. But, I find it hard to focus on the yoga when most of my time is spent behind the desk keeping track of passes and money exchange. Plus the hours spent keeping up with the book keeping and record keeping of keeping track of those transactions and accounts.

As time moved on, I kept going back to that idea of just letting go the need to “keep track” of everything. To let it go and trust that if I focus on what I love and do it well, all else will be taken care of. Definitely a non-traditional way to look at business (outside of a church, I was recently reminded). But, I know it can work and only help to make the studio better at what it is already known for: feeling like a home and community.

I also think about the idea of who we are really contributing to: if we come to class to make our lives better, to feel healthy, happy and free, aren’t we really contributing to our own well being when we put our money in to the box?

I will be back to this blog often to continue the discussion and make observations about our transition.

Thanks for all of your support and willingness to try something new!

Monica

I know that there is a lot going on with you guys these days. It can be so overwhelming as we immerse ourselves in what ever the Holidays mean to us. Everything gets disrupted and moved around and until things settle back to normal in the New Year, it’s hard to keep a grip on the things and patterns that help keep us grounded. Maybe you are like me and your yoga practice is one of the few times when you can shift the focus to yourself…taking care of your health and keeping your energy up during all the events pull your energy in all sorts of ways.

This newsletter should help you keep up with all the things going on at the studio…and all the new exciting things coming up in the New Year.
Stay warm and breath slow…if it can get you through class, it can get you through anything!

Monica

Holiday Schedule and Studio Savasana
What to expect through it all

You can see the class schedule for the Holidays on the website. For the week of New Years, you will notice that the studio will be closed on the 29th and 30th. This will be the first annual savasna for the studio. The studio and the hard working heater will rest while a bunch of us work hard to complete long awaited projects and give the practice room a nice cleaning. We will be purging the Lost and Found, so make sure you check for anything you may be missing. If you are interested in volunteering during those days, let me know.
Also, on the schedule page, scroll down to see what our class schedule will look like beginning the week after New Years.

Sweat in the New Year
bring in 2009 with savasana!

If you are still looking for something to do on New Years Eve, but not really excited about partying or joing the crowds? Come practice with us. I, Monica, will be teaching a nice candle lit class that will end in 2009. Class will start at 10:30 pm. Expect some nice sequencing in the standing series to ease you onto the floor. Space will be limited. Either sign up for a space at the studio or email me to reserve a space.
There will be sparkling cider and snacks afterwards!
Hope to see you there!

A Note from Vanette
the new studio mom?
If you are interested in contributing to a Holiday Bonus (a tip tree?) for the fabulous yoga instructors at Open Door Yoga, there will be a gift box in both men’s and women’s locker rooms from 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, December 17 until noon, Tuesday, December 23. If you have questions, please contact me at:
 vanette@mindspring.com

Happy Holidays to all
Namaste
 Vanette

The Challenge is Back Feel the true potential of you on yoga!

Most of us enjoy great benefits coming to class just two or three times a week. Have you ever imagined what a daily practice could do for you? Ever wanted to experience how this yoga can work through all of your layers? As teachers, we have all experienced (and still do ) the benefits of dedicating the time and effort to have a daily pracitce. We would love for you to feel it yourself. Begining the week after New Years, we will begin our second annual Yoga Challenge.
And to make it even more fun, I will join you!
Who’s in?
check out the scheduling page for more information.

Art Raffle still open…

we are still selling raffle tickets for the beautiful paintings hanging on our walls. Be sure to buy a few and dream about the new painting you could have! You could also bring in non-persihable food in exchange for a raffle ticket.
Don’t wait too long…tckets will be drawn this Saturday!

One ticket: $5.00
Two tickets: $8.00
Three tickets: $10.00
Five cans of food: one ticket

Thank you! Thank you for all of your hard work, willingness to learn and show up. I look forward to lots of fun and progress in 2009!

May you smile as you sweat!

Monica Bradfield
Open Door Yoga, LLC

Hi all.

Please note that for this coming Labor Day, Sunday classes are cancelled and the only class on Monday is the 4:30 pm – all other classes are cancelled for that day.

Thanks, and have a great Labor Day!

Hi everyone!

I have some announcements about the fall schedule and life in general here in hot yoga land. Get ready, I think they are pretty exciting.

1. I am going on VACATION!!! Those of you who frequent the studio regularly will understand why this in caps. I am going to the beach from August 21st to August 31st. I will probably not come back tan, but I will be relaxed and ready for the upcoming fall!
2. Beginning August 25th, the class schedule will be temporarily changed while I am on vacation. Roland will be traveling for the month of September, so these schedule changes will stay in place through September. I will send out notices once the schedule goes back to normal.
3. Some of you may have already met Open Door’s newest teacher, Renee’ Whitley. Or even had to the chance to take her class. She will be teaching three to four classes a week in the next couple months. Renee trained with Sunstone Yoga (www.sunstoneyoga.com) , founded by Bikram certified teachers. She is having a great time and shows great potential for keeping you growing and sweaty!

That’s it for now. Be sure to check out the fall schedule and keep it bookmarked so you can stay up to date through the next couple months.