I Need Your Help/You Get Free Yoga & Guided Meditation

Dearest Interweb,

You have treated me well.  My team and I use you as a vehicle to spread the word on the artists we love.  Often this is in the form of giving us your email address, or other times it's a financial contribution for live or recorded music to support the continuation of the artists' creative output for everyone's benefit.

However, this time I need your help.

I started doing yoga sporadically in high school when my dad (who was our swim coach) brought in a yoga teacher for our "dryland" training.  This was in lieu of weight lifting, which was a more contenvential approach.  However, my hippie dad also knew it would benefit our focus, goal-setting, and state of mind when approaching a big race or meet.  My college swimming coach continued that approach, though much to the dismay of my teammates (semi understandable as we trained 20-30 hours a week as is).  However, in hindsight, if I was as flexible and mentally focused as I am now due to studying yoga, it would have improved my swimming (in a sport where every bit counts, it particularly would have taken me to the next level with regard to my core, technique, turns, and starts).  C'est la vie.

After my senior year of swimming, I was free to attend yoga classes semi-regularly.  It appealed to me as a non-competitive alternative to sports, since I had been swimming competitively since literally the age of 3 (there is video proof).

As my career progressed and I began tour managing in college, yoga became a saviour on the road, physically and mentally.  Amanda Palmer got me into the Baron Baptiste CD's.  We would do classes in venue parking lots, grassy knolls in the UK on off days, dressing rooms, in the stands of Red Rocks during soundcheck, on beaches, and even in the narrow confines of tour busses.  

When I retired from tour managing in 2006, I couldn't wait to be fully back in Williamsburg and go to yoga ALL OF THE TIME.  Like every day.  Here's an except from my journal 9 days before my last show as a tour manager/production manager in London:

Go to a home.
Make real human connections for more than a day.  Or make more than 3 of them total.
Have a consistant shower.
Sleep in a bed that's not moving.
Spread out my body.
Be alone.
Be alone.
Work out.
Swim.
Run.
Do yoga.
Ride my bike.
Go to shows.
Have off time in the day.

Ah, the life of a tour manager.  Upon my return to Williamsburg, I tried a few studios, but settled on Greenhouse Holistic, which received bonus points for its location right off the Bedford L.  I went to yoga at least a few times a week throughout 2007.  The teachers at Greenhouse were incredibly educated but also tailored the classes to our lives as young folks in NYC and everything we deal with (@EmilynBrosky sums this up well in her song "Swear To God".  Fun fact: Emilyn practices at Jivamukti). 

It is now 2009 and I continue to go to Greenhouse no fewer than 5 times a week and ideally everyday when I'm in town.  The teachers @ Greenhouse Holistic inspire me to be better at my job and an overall EmWizzle.  In addition, I have seen their influence on my local community and friends, reminding us to be mindful and compassionate to all even in a crazy world.  Anyone who knows me is frequently encouraged to come to class and I've had some wonderful experiences practicing with friends, musicians, and co-workers.  

I come from a family of teachers and coaches, but always wanted to work in music. That has been the primary focus of my life for the past 7 years and will continue to dominate my life as I'd have it no other way. But as our company continues to grow, I continue to take pride in our team and its values. I love bringing the people I work with to class and am stoked for my worlds to to collide at Wanderlust next month (some of the Greenhouse teachers are coming out as well  Yay!).

So, what's the point?  Recently, Greenhouse announced it first ever teacher training program.  As soon as I saw the flier, I knew I had to do it, no matter how busy I am. However, I am also a first year entrepreneur. Every dime I make goes back into our team's projects right now, as it should.  With my income going to building a vision I have set forth with a partner, there isn't necessarily extra funds around to foot the bill for a 200 hour yoga teacher training program.  I was on the fence and considered waiting until another point in my life.  I attended the info meeting with Summer and realized that there were many reasons I should become certified.  Whether it's yoga on our deck, on the road, or encouraging yoga breaks for the folks in our work environment, practitioners are all around me and that is something I want to continue to nurture.  Am I quitting it all to move to India?  Not yet :). Just kidding, but I'm not looking to become a professional yoga teacher.  I am seeking a deeper understanding, experience, and acquisition of knowledge to share with all of the wonderful people who come in and out of my life who are drawn to this practice.

Thus, I am seeking donations to complete this program.  Why should you donate?  To be honest, I hesitated on an doing an open donation. I'm used to thinking of creative ways to raise funds for artists, but not for myself. However, I have been overwhelmed with encouragement by friends and family to do so. Many reminded me that meditation and yoga really do make the world a better place for all. Thanks guys!

The cost is $2800 and I would be honored to offer free guided meditation and yoga to anyone who is willing to donate. I think getting groups of my friends together for yoga sounds like a blast anyway, especially in random places this summer and fall.

I am forever grateful for those of you that donate, no matter what the amount. Think of it this way:  I have 1500 Facebook friends.  If everyone is willing to throw down $2, we all get free yoga.  Who's in?

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Namaste 

In to the light we go.

Much Love,

Emily xo