the Autistic Yogi Reflects on Credit & Citation

Sometimes when ideas are shared it is easy to assume that the subject or object of your sharing was sourced from you yourself. But not knowing the experience and insights that another has from past experience cannot be known.  

This can especially be an issue in group learning and when writing about group learning. I was struck with this when a fellow yogi commented on a post about the finances in yoga that I had done. They encouraged me to put credit on there from the teachers that had taught us at a training because the subject had come up and we had a thorough discussion about finances in the training. But for me the information was not knew, having trained in 9 different yoga teacher trainings the issue of wages and such had come up at every one of them, so there were no new concepts offered to me at this training, save some different ways to word/explain some of the areas.

This made me wonder how often I too had been caught in the trap of assuming that someone else knowledge started with me or some teaching that I am close to.

The whole capacity to give credit where credit is due can be arduous and taxing, especially if your the type of person who does not journal often or learned methods of citation.

And some topics are far easier to cite the source than other topics. I can recall often in techniques of asana whom actually taught me that, but I know very little about the sources they acquired their information from.

I do believe citation and credit to be rather important, especially seeing that many dubious ideas have infiltrated the world of yoga, and many say that 'the Rishis and Sadus of old taught this and that', yet they have no source references about where that practice or thought process comes from. I have definitely learned that a good portion of communication is spontaneous and filled with assumption. Not because we want to spread false information or misattributed information but because we are passionate and love sharing.

The Autistic Yogi Reflects on Spirituality

What does spirituality mean?
What a difficult question to answer.
So often it seams to come down to what people identify themselves as from the people group they have a vested interest in; Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist, Yogi, etc, etc.  I have no problem with all the labels but definitely I believe that does not define spirituality. I think each system of logical belief patterns are seeded with the perspectives of what true spirituality is, and I firmly believe that these concepts can only be shared but it is up to each individual to act upon them.
I am reminded of a saying that goes something like this; Today I say I am Christian. Tomorrow I say I am a Jew, the next I say I am Muslim, etc. What is the thing that changes? The ideology changes. What is that which does not change? the I am never changes.
And I am reminded of this saying, You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make them drink.

Spirituality is a complex issue that only the individual can act upon. There is no magical mantra that suddenly initiates you into the depths of spirituality. No magical handshake or gesture that makes the blessings of god or gods rain down on you.  To me the truest of spiritualities is true compassion, taking care of the poor, the widows and those in distress. Everything seams to be something that is created to satiate our ego.

Thoughts?

The Autistic Yogi Reflects on Fair Market Value of a Yoga Teacher

How much should I be making as a yoga teacher and how much should I charge if I am independent?

This question is very complex and there are many factors to look at when considering your value. I am basing this from what I have seen to be the norm in my area (Calgary, Alberta) and what I have heard for other locations in Canada.

Where will you be teaching? 

1. In a gym - expect a lower wage here.  $20-$30 is the average per class wage. This is a decent venue to get experience teaching in those first couple of years of teaching.
2. In a Yoga Studio - 
1. $40 at a starting rate, the average is $50 per class (this is for both an hour or longer classes).
2. % of wages coming in. This system I am not a supporter of at all, unless its for workshops. When working on % systems per class it really sets up an atmosphere of competition within the studio and starts to reflect on favorites. My experience tells me that there are more likely to be favorite class time periods rather than an overall favorite teacher. Those teachers just look like they are favorites because they have a more favorable time slot for the local demographics. This is usually a good way for a starting studio to guarantee some income but I do believe rooted studios should move away from the % system. Support your teacher's studio owners with a fair wage!
3. Community Centre - You most likely will have to find the means to pay the rent for this location and have to bring all of your own props. 
4. School - Average on this basis has had mixed perspectives. My opinion is that a decent teacher should take no less than an $80 wage for school projects. If your taking a studio wage of $50, that might be decent but if you know your good at dealing with children than even at $80 schools that get to experience you will probably favor your teachings over those who charge much less and will attempt to find the funds to higher you.
5. Private Lessons - $50-$110 - 
1.  Anything that is 3 people and under that privately contact you for lessons should be considered private.  
2. Are they coming to you? Or do you have to go to them?
3. Will you need to provide the props for the session?
4. What is your insurance costs per session?
5. Do you have specialized training that makes your time more valuable in the private setting?
6. Corporate Contracts - $110 just to show up. Bringing props should be extra. Get at least 50% of the money up front just to book your time. Corporate Contracts have been known to cancel sessions and rumor says that the larger the corporation the harder it is to get your money.

Considerations in establishing prices

1. Renting facilities - Divide the rental amount by the number of classes to get a per class value.
2. Music Licensing fees - in Canada you can get SOCAN license allowing you to play music in a class.
3. Props - 
1. Figure out the average lifespan of the props that you are bringing with you and divide that lifespan to figure out the number of classes of life expectancy of those props, add that value to each class. 
2. How long does it take you to organize those props and to move them? 
3. Do you have the gas covered to transport them?
4. Are the props insurable?
5. Remember to include your own mat cost.
6. Mat spray
7. Towels and cleaning costs
4. Insurance -
1. Roughly expect to pay $200 - $300 in insurance costs per year in Canada
2. That translates to $10 if you plan on teaching 20 or 30 classes in a year. If you not getting at least $10 a week from yoga, you might not be able to afford your insurance, or at the least you will be working for pennies on the $.
5. Those who came before and who come after me
1. This is a huge one. If you charge such an absurdly low class price this reflects negatively on those who are trying to make a living. If you charge $5 per class because of its your hobby job rather than your career, you effectively make it harder for a fair market value class cost to take route and make it more difficult for individuals to make a career. Consider why you have low costs and make sure that you at least are covering the above-mentioned considerations.
6. Transportation costs - 
1. do you ride a bike? Have your own vehicle? 
2. How often do you need maintenance on your transportation?
3. How much does it cost in fuel? (even if you ride a bike you have to fuel yourself to ride)
4. Do you take a taxi or a bus? What is that value?
7. Your training and continuing education cost
1. It cost the majority of us a pretty penny to get certified in the first place. How do you recuperate your cost?
2. What about workshops you take throughout time. Are your teachings paying for it?
3. Are you attending other peoples classes? If you're not then you definitely should be so that your continuing to be exposed as a student and not just teaching repeatedly.
4. Are you purchasing and actually reading those books or magazines that keep you in the greater discussion of yoga? How are you paying for these items?
8. Preparation time
1. When considering preparation time as time invested to plan a particular class the longer you are in a career of yoga the more likely you will be able to reduce the preparation time needed per class.
2. Taking other teachers classes should be considered part of preparing yourself.
3. Your personal practice is a must and that has a real-world value. If you move your body or even just think, your burning calories, how are you obtaining your nourishment, this is fuel and its value. You're valuable.
4. Do you write your classes, ideas, experiences, thoughts, etc pertaining to yoga down? Does it cost ink, paper, or other mediums? How do you pay for your internet or smartphone?
5. Hygiene - how do you recoup the expenditure of the stuff you use for your hygiene? Even if your an organic type there is a value in cleanliness and keeping noxious smells in control.

This list is nowhere close to exhaustive but at least it gives some thoughts for consideration.

It is often an inclination to the individual to give deals to others, we who practice yoga have first hand experienced the benefits that it gives and sure want to pass on those benefits to others. We must not forget though that there is real-world cost in society to acquire the teachings, and not just in monetary value, but in time commitment, need to rebuild energy (food, beverages, relaxation, shelter, etc).
I am a firm believer in bartering and energy exchanges.

Metta!
Namaste & Namaskara!