Dylan didn't call himself a poet because he didn't like the word. What is a poet? What is an artist? What do those words actually mean? Well, it turns out, they mean nothing. One of my favorite teachings of yoga has been the idea of ridding ourselves of labels - because we are all so much more than one thing, or two things, or seventeen things. Labels are restrictive and can also create expectations where there need not be any. Tell yourself you're an artist, a "creative", a man, a mom - and then see all the expectations and anxieties that build up as you try to live up to plethora of stereotypes and definitions of what those are. Eliminating labels allows us to just be and act without trying to adhere to pre-conceived images of what we think we should be. So we still are those things, we just have the freedom to be those things the way we see fit.
I wrote a poem - or actually I wrote a bunch of words on a piece of digital paper that flowed together and expressed my feelings about a situation and a person. I think it's one of the best things I've ever written. I didn't google how to write a poem. I didn't try to write in iambic pentameter (the only thing I really remember about poetry from high school English classes.) I didn't try to mimic Whitman or Poe or Frost. I just wrote it ('tis below).
NOW READ IT AND THEN EMAIL ME BACK HOW MUCH YOU LOVE IT BECAUSE I'M A SENSITIVE ARTIST WHO NEEDS EXTERNAL VALIDATION TO FEEL WORTHY.
JK, I've kinda worked through that, but of course there's some truth in it. We all want to connect with each other and share experience and feel love - that's ultimately what we're really here for. Or at least that's what my ever changing belief of the purpose of life is right now. Maybe that will change again tomorrow, or like Dylan, later today.
OK, this post was supposed to be about BIZNASS and DOLLA BILLS and raising some much needed dough so I can continue this whole yoga, creativity, transformation thing. So here it is.
Thanks to all those who have reached out with their support so far. Below is a summary of what the money will be used for. There are two ways you can support: 1) Buy a class package or 2) Just make a gift. Both options will be available on my website starting on January 1st. Please email me if you want to buy a class package or gift, and we can process it after January 1st. This just makes it easier for tax reasons.
And just to clarify for people - you're not investing in my business so you won't have any ownership and you're not making a tax deductible donation. You're just buying a service from me or gifting me money. So below is just a summary of intended use of funds and it may change depending on how things work out over the next few months.
The most efficient and beneficial way to support would be to buy a 5 or 10 Class package, as that will provide me a nice chunk of change and you will also get yourself on a nice little yoga routine as I teach you the classes. I know those packages are costly, so no pressure at all and I'll be extremely grateful for any support, but just putting it out there in case you're pondering how you would like to support. If you've been thinking about getting into a yoga routine, buying a class pack will be a great way to do so because you'll have already paid for classes and you'll have an incentive to not waste your money!
Thank you all and please pass along this email, my website, my contact information to whoever else you think may be interested in supporting my next few months or starting to practice yoga with me. And please let me know if you have know of anyone that would be interested in subletting my apartment for February and/or March.
Money Talk
1) Yoga Immersion in India ($4,000)
- 2 months of Ashtanga yoga practice with Saraswati Jois, renowned teacher and daughter of the modern day guru of Ashtanga yoga Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who passed away in 2009
- Funds will cover flights, school fees, room & board, and in-country travel to temples / holy sites (and probably a gift for my mom)
2) Continuing Education ($3,000)
- Advanced yoga teacher trainings in specifics aspects of yoga (i.e. pranayama, alignment, philosophy) and/or
- Continuing education workshops in writing / music recording*
- *a longer term vision for Swans Nest Yoga is to use the practice of yoga to enhance creativity and self-expression
3) Operating Expenses ($3,000)
- Funds will help cover portions of studio rent (I teach out of my apartment), marketing costs, healthcare insurance and other business related expenses