Changing The World One Wobble At A Time

Did you know that we all change the world?  Since we are all unique, the world would not be the same without each of us standing around at our respective bus stops.   The chance smile, a bit of eye contact, the loose change you give to the dude with the sign on the freeway exit, it all makes a difference.

I started to get a little discouraged about my difference-making ability the other day when I heard about this pizza place in Philadelphia—maybe you saw the video making the rounds?  Basically, the owner sells pizza slices for $1.00 a piece—pretty ho-hum run-of-the-mill business plan and I’m sure he pays his bills okay if he’s in a good location.  At that price, the pizza really doesn’t even have to taste great, although I’m sure he cares about the yumminess of the product.

The cool thing about this place is that he offers his customers the chance to pay it forward by paying more for a slice (customer’s choice) and then whatever amount over the initial dollar gets written up on a Post-It(™) and stuck to the windows and walls of the joint as a coupon.  Anyone can use a coupon if they need it.

So, here’s this guy, with his little pizza shop, making a huge difference to a lot of people in a way they can immediately feel—as in, they don’t feel hungry any more when they use a coupon for a slice.

After reading this amazing story, I was lamenting that my little studio should be doing more, being more, helping more people, and trying to be everything to everyone.  (My ultimate goal is to save the world with yoga—-as any good yoga teacher would wish.)

I often wonder how to bring yoga to more people in my very diverse community, and I know that money is one barrier to coming to class.  Transportation might be another. And, even though our community is diverse, our yoga classes are not—-we are mostly white, mostly women.  I’m not sure how to broaden our base and reach out to more people from different walks of life.  So, I’m sitting there stewing in the juice of all this stuff, and then…..

The very next day in my inbox was a message from one of my students.  She was saying that she feels more confident in her skin and able to proudly wear clothes that show her shape a little more, even if she feels her shape is not “perfect.”  She says she can do more with her body because of our classes.  She says she is in for the long haul, and the vibe she enjoys with us is one of acceptance, humor, and encouragement–All the things I set out to make true about the business and the service we provide.

Maybe it’s not so much about the difference we make in the lives of the masses.  Maybe it’s about making a difference one person at a time.  

So that doesn’t mean I’m resting on my laurels over here and patting myself on the back and calling it a day.  (Okay, maybe I gave myself a tiny back-pat……but still……)  I’m still committed to diversifying our student base and breaking down that barriers that might keep someone from experiencing the trans-formative power of yoga.  My method can be one of attraction above promotion, and it’s okay if the process moves slowly.

Thanks to all of you who are making a difference in MY life by reading this blog and coming to class and having fun and making friends in our community and all the rest.   My hope is that you take whatever good vibes you get from Wobbling and make a Wobbly difference in the life of just ONE other person.  If we all did that with intention, imagine the mountains we could move!

Take care, Tribe.  Love to all!

Wobbling Toward a Cause

This week, I have a personal challenge to share. And a confession to make.

I struggle with structure giving.

Frankly, the whole “giving back” thing feels really foreign to me. I mean, not that I am an un-generous a-hole (at least I don’t THINK I am). On the contrary, I really love to answer questions about health and wellness, and I love to do free yoga demos in and around my community. I love selecting certain classes to offer free of charge in the studio, as well as donating class passes to charitable events. Sometimes after hearing someone’s story I have given out a membership at a free or reduced price because it was clear they really needed and wanted yoga in their lives.

I have handed over the odd five-dollar-bill to the guy holding a sign on the freeway exit. I once tipped a teenager $20 on my dinner takeout order—-she told me a little about herself and how she was working to support her whole family when she wasn’t at school. That one made me feel pretty good—-she was SO excited and I think it made her night. I wished at the time I had more in my pocket to hand over.

So, I think at heart I am a giving sort of person. I don’t, however, have a cause. I want one. I want a giving place to call my home. A place I can spend time during the week in the morning or afternoon making a difference a couple of hours. I’d like to find an organization to support with benefit events at the studio from time to time, as an outgrowth of my gratitude for being able to do the work I love with amazing students.

I have some charitable PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) from working in a non-profit for 22 years, where a personal annual campaign donation was pretty much understood, if not required, for everyone on the leadership team. Even though I supported the mission of that place, I felt like it was more by default than through the passion of my choice. I only have a few tastes of what it feels like to give spontaneously…extravagantly…from my heart. I want more of that feeling, yet I’m not a millionaire and truthfully, I don’t feel like I can give money AND responsibly support my business expenses–yet. Honestly, I’m pretty scared to commit.

However, the times that I have experienced that taste of what true giving feels like, it’s always been when I didn’t really have all that much to give—yet everything seemed to work out anyway. I’m beginning to realize that giving comes first…..that when the student asks, the teacher shall appear. I’m ready to be schooled in the true art of giving.

So, as I walk through this “seeking” process, I’m wondering what causes make any of YOU passionate givers—of any of your resources? Tell me what you support and why—do you do it because it’s expected? As a memorial for a loved one? Because it gives you a good feeling? Because it makes you look benevolent and you get points for it? (C’mon. I have an ego. We all have egos. Sometimes they are in check, sometimes not so much…)

I look forward to sharing more of this process with you. I will be trying on a few things in the next weeks and months. I really hope I find the right fit. I have a feeling that if I DO find it, the emotional payback will be incredible and lead to all kinds of happy things of which I have yet to even conceive!

Thanks for listening, and give well, Wobblers!