For Success . . . or Sanity
Today I awoke to find that I'm sore in every single muscle of my body. I know. I checked them all.
Pinkie toe? Check.
I undertook a photo shoot yesterday at a studio in SoHo, where my husband works. He took over 500 images of me in every conceivable pose, so that I can use them to create visual sequences for online sources, magazines, and of course, my loyal readers. After all, you deserve high resolution too!
I did yoga for 3 1/2 hours straight. It was intense, but I wanted to do it for myself, and for my Tribe, those yogis, past, present and future, who might get a spark from something I teach that lights their inner fire.
To continue giving so freely, which means finding more free time, I recently did what some yogis consider to be the unthinkable: I recently signed with a yoga talent agency.
Here are a few more reasons:
* Way more people want me to come teach at their studios, conferences, or events, than I can handle communicating with by myself and still stay sane, much less focused on my classes.
* I want to be free to continue doing what I do best, which is to create and teach my beloved practice, not emailing 20 people a day about booking arrangements.
* My life's purpose is to teach the healing benefits of yoga to as many people as I can, not teach less people because I think being on TV is "unyogic".
*I seem to have the right combination of things that makes me attractive to the national level, and that level requires a skill set of negotiation and organization that is not my strong suit. Don't even ask me to balance a checkbook!
I'm proud of the direction in which my 15 years of study and commitment are taking me. I also love that people pay me to do what I love, so I don't have to do anything else. Most of all, I adore connecting with so many students. In all of this I want to be represented as accurately and with the same level of integrity as the photos I worked so hard to create this weekend.
YAMA, started last year by Ava Taylor, a lifelong yogi, is changing the paradigm of what an agent can be, from greedy to generous, from competitive to conscious. I'm incredibly happy that Ava is there for those of us who want more help, and like their representation to come with a dash of good karma.
Some in the community aren't feeling it, yet this yoga-life-money balance is possible, it's happening . . . and I hope the yoga world will embrace it more and more as a part of the practice--not separate from it.
Sometimes, though, when it comes to making a shift, you can't wait for everyone around you to 'get' it. If you believe in yourself, and you feel called to what is a right action for you, then you will simply have to go first. This is the first step towards leading by example.
Core Questions: What do you think about this direction of yogis in the mainstream? Do you think we can hold our ground while dealing with the entertainment world and money, or are we just seeking fame for its own sake? When have you had to lead by example, and what happened?
A Core Tip: To get more grounded, try my free Slow Hip and Leg Stretch Flow video for a great root energy release using the earth for support! See it here.
yogajournal.com
vegetariantimes.com
backpacker.com
optimumwellness.com
wholefoodsmarket.com
betternutrition.com
Comments
Sadie, thanks for taking so much time and effort with the photos, I look forward to seeing them. Still loving your at home training by the way- learning a lot and passing it onto students
Posted by: Julie Preston | March 6, 2010 12:07 AM
That's a really interesting question, and I sure don't have any definitive answer. But I when reading your blurb, I had some ideas...
I think that quality is always more importand that quantity. So, even though you want to spread the word to as many yoga students as possible - what is the price of that? Must you teach superficial yoga (poses and asana rather than Hatha yoga) to the masses, or is it more rewarding to have fewer students whom you may share greater knowledge with?
When it comes to yoga/life/money balance...obviously there needs to be a balance of sorts in order for you to purchase the necessities in life. But is what you are stepping into fall into the category of Aparagraha (non possessiveness)? You may like to ask yourself "are my goals going to fulfill my ego or my higher self?"
Another question that may arise for you is "has my life become over complicated because of my desires to extend my teaching practices?"
I respect greatly your passion for yoga and how you give to others.
Peace.
Dan
Posted by: Dan | March 6, 2010 6:39 PM
This is a great post...very interesting to consider. I often think the same thing...it's not supposed to be about money, etc...but really - we are all human - and we all have to live and survive...and wouldn't we want to have some comfort and enjoyment in life at the same time? I don't think that's wrong to ask for.
I think yoga can hold its own...at least I hope so. I think it has become so much more relevant and people are turning to it...and I hope it's not just a "phase" - but it can't be!! It has been around for years and years.
Great blog...I have much to learn myself...and wish I could make a living from yoga and writing ;)
Posted by: eatmovelove | March 8, 2010 12:32 PM
Sadie,
You are amazing. These blogs are awesome.
I think the YAMA is a fabulous idea for you--but it's probably selfish of me. I love that you can take the time to blog as you do... to do your videos... you share so much of your information and wisdom freely--double entendre intended!!
Why should you be criticized for going with an agency? For needing help? Because people ADORE you and you are famous in the yoga community? ????? That's ridiculous? So, it's ok for ALLLLLLLLL of the teacher training programs to charge $2-5K per person for training (in some cases making $80-100K a month) but because you hired an agency you're "unyogic"?? EXTRA BIG QUESTION MARK. And here's a few questions to anyone who questions you or YAMA:
If YOU were offered the opportunity to spread yoga and get paid a salary by this company wouldn't YOU take it? If they paid you exactly or more than what you already make to do EXACTLY what you want to be doing--teaching yoga--wouldn't YOU jump at it?
Just because we are on "the path" does not mean that we can not be sensible business people. Part of yoga is bringing balance into the body and mind--if YAMA does that for you Sadie--I think it is extremely positive for the yoga community.
One more thought: The universe or God or whatever it is that you believe in... works in wonderful ways!! You give so much of yourself on a daily basis--you give BACK and you inspire those that you touch to do the same. I have daily emails with my students now as I invite them to email me to discuss "whatever"--yoga/life etc. I volunteer my teaching once a week for "People for Equal Partnership in Mental Health" because of your example and I open to more volunteer opportunities. I am giving freely to the people in my community because of YOU--I get your free youtube videos and your free "cyber satsang" and I give it back... I think this YAMA thing and the "fame"... it's the universe/God paying you back for everything you put out there.
And if you really are famous--than I am a yogaFAN!! Let's just hope that we don't get a yoga version of People Magazine.
Posted by: Joanne | March 24, 2010 12:07 PM