Let’s Talk About Money -Embracing Flow

Long time students of Atha Yoga may remember the very first Let's Talk About It series on money. Led by Shea in the Catskills, we took a deep dive into our relationship with money (Shea is planning some new workshops on money and I HIGHLY recommend working with her on this topic! Pop over to her website and join her newsletter to receive notifications.).

That series was so provocative and has been percolating in my system ever since. We talked about money as energetic flow. We explored scarcity mindsets that have been not just taught to us but we have been indoctrinated to believe. The resulting fear of scarcity can show up like hoarding or total abandonment - two sides of one coin. Either way - too tight or too loose - our attitude towards money and clarity (or lack of clarity) about what it can and can’t do can either inhibit or scatter the flow.

What if our actions with money were not enveloped in a cloud of fear about ending up destitute? What if, instead, we trust that money coming in will be used with good intention and shared outward generously? What becomes possible then? Who taught us to fear like that anyway? It is always so helpful to ask the question, who benefits when I am tight with fear about money? About anything, really? Can we trust that our appropriately compensated work will reach the people who need it? And that we, in turn, will offer our money with an open heart and open hand? Shea gave us all these amazing questions and more. It was an incredible series. Go work with her!

So! With all that in mind, I am raising my 1:1 yoga therapy and mentoring rates. The truth of the matter is that I have been struggling to meet my financial needs and that is just not correct. Both of my loves - Yoga and art - have lots of stories around them that suggest that asking to be appropriately compensated for the work is somehow suspect. I will stick to Yoga here and leave art for another day, another website. In my first Yoga teacher training, we heard a lot of stories about the man who is most prominent in our lineage - Sri Krishnamacharya. The stories were about how he never touched money. He left a bowl on a table and students put money in it as payment but how much was not discussed. The implication being that focusing on rates and working on making a living from teaching Yoga sullied the whole endeavour.

We also were told - this isn’t your teaching, you don’t own it. I strongly agree with that. AND, I have spent almost 20 years deeply studying, practicing and digesting these teachings - in India and in North America (paying all my teachers a reasonable rate). Everything I teach is based in the foundational texts of Yoga - I am not just making shit up! At this point, I have something of value to share. Looking around the Yoga landscape in North America, I see that this something is needed and authentic. (NOTE: I am not South Asian. This is not my family tradition. If that is important to you, then I would love to direct you to some fantastic South Asian teachers and yoga therapists - send me a note!)

Part of all this reflection also comes as I am about to launch my new program - Putting It All In Context. I am so excited about it and I know that it is important and valuable to anyone who wants to learn about the historical, philosophical and spiritual roots of Yoga. When I thought about pricing, I watched myself start with ideas about how to make it the most “affordable” to the most people. But here’s the thing: this series isn’t for everyone. Well, it totally is for everyone but one has to have a sincere interest and desire to learn about the roots of Yoga and wish to transform their life. It is challenging and goes deep. Does that excite you? Then, I can’t wait for you to take it up! Not your cup of tea? Perfectly fine. It will be here if or when you might ever wish to engage Yoga like this. Slight digression - An important lesson in all these years of experience is that I can not and should not ever try to convince anyone that these teachings have value. I believe that they do with all my heart but I am not in the business of convincing anyone of anything. Wow, that has been a hard lesson to learn!

I also realised that this series is the culmination of my entire life’s study and practice (add to that almost 20 years of Zen practice and training, including close to 60 week-long silent meditation intensives or sesshin). Very few people have this level of experience and knowledge, especially in North America. This isn’t boasting or self-aggrandising. It is just how it is. Ultimately, the important thing is to charge a fair amount for this series, and by “fair,” I mean an amount that makes me feel good about the whole thing.

How much would you charge for your work - your life’s energy and time - so that you feel good about it? How much so that you don’t have a residue of resentment or regret? Please - I beg of you! - charge that amount.

I also realise that not everyone has the freedom to ask and then act on these questions. Although I am feeling the financial pinch, my life is set up to allow this kind of inquiry. Your’s may not be. I will never turn anyone away who can not pay the stated amount. Let’s talk about it and see what we come up with.