I have disappointing news. After last week’s impressive, record-breaking class (a whopping three students), this week not a single one of them made it back.

As I sat in the empty studio hoping someone—anyone—would open the door and come in, I couldn’t help but wonder if I’m doing something wrong. I reminded myself that when I miss a class it has nothing to do with my teacher. Sometimes I just don’t feel like it, or I have something else to do. But it’s hard as a new teacher, not to take things personally.

I’m a little hesitant to admit this, but when I left the studio, yoga mat in hand, I walked down the street into a shoe store and bought a new pair of boots to make myself feel better—at least they were on sale and vegan. (That’ better than drowning my sorrows in ice cream, right?)

Then, as I was walking back to my car strategizing about how to best avoid rush-hour traffic, I had an idea. If I want to get teenagers to come to my class, I have to get as many as I possibly can to try it out—just once. Then, at least a few of them will fall in love with it and come back . . . and that should give the class the momentum it needs to be successful. Regardless, I decided if I ever have another empty studio, it won’t be because I didn’t try.

So when I got home, I put my journalism skills to work and found all the email addresses and phone numbers available online for youth organizations in the neighborhood, and I devised several letters to introduce myself and the class.

In my letters to coaches, I emphasized how yoga was great for preventing injuries. In letters to Girl and Boy Scout leaders, I talked about how a yoga workshop is a great way to build community and earn a health and fitness badge in the process. For school counselors and PTA groups, I talked about the stress-reduction benefits.

I don’t know if any of these people will take me up on my offer for a free class or not, but it ended up being a therapeutic exercise for me. It reminded why I wanted to do this in the first place: I really do believe yoga can make young lives a lot calmer, a lot healthier, and a lot happier.