The first step was to find a room to have the classes in. We asked a few churches, looked at buildings downtown and also thought of knocking out some rooms in the back of the clinic. Unfortunately we could not formulate a solid plan with those options, so we asked the Fitness Center if they had any rooms. Luckily, they just had gotten finished with constructing two rooms from the racquetball court, so they had a room for us! The room was heated, so it was perfect for hot yoga.
The Second step was the advertising. How do I get people to just try to see if yoga is for them? I was given great advice from my Yoga Instructor to do a 21 day challenge for 21 dollars and the cost of a mat. We started advertising about a month and half before classes started, and made people sign up and pay prior to the class so we could get the mats we needed and a good count on how many people signed up. Forty people signed up! I was extremely excited and ready to get started.
The third step was to actually teach the class. I thought I was ready, and I had a great teacher that taught me but I was still scared #$%^less of teaching in front of that many people. I had only taught in front of my training class, and that was 5 people. On the first day, I got the room heated had my mat ready and people started pouring in. The anxiety not only hit me for being in front of the class, but also the problem that there was not enough room for everyone. I ended up moving the class into the cold basketball court, but we all fit. Even though I was nervous I taught my first class, and it was a success!
The fourth step was to except the fact that yoga is not for everyone. This is hard for all yoga instructors. Yoga has so many benefits that instructors know everyone should be doing it but that is not the world we live in and we have to understand not everyone is a yogi. After the 21 days there were about 20 people that wanted to keep going, and I was very happy with that. For these people we charged an unlimited monthly fee or a 6 class punch card. I determined my charges by a studio an hour away. It seemed to work well.
The fifth step was to balance my full time job with my yoga part time job. This got exhausting, even to the point that I dreaded teaching. I knew I had to cut back on my classes teaching time. Luckily, I had two very devoted yogis that took up the challenge to teach one class a week each. That gave me the ability to participate in class but not have to teach, and if I wasn't able to be there, class would still go on!
The sixth step was to keep it growing. I had a great group of 15 to 20 devoted yogis that I became very comfortable with. I enjoyed seeing their improvements and their stories
After 2 years of practicing yoga in my small town, I am elated to see the number of yogis as well as instructors grow. It is a passion to keep educating my community of the benefits of yoga. We have answered the questions easily. Yes, you can get to the point of doing head and hand stands in yoga, but it takes a lot of practice and time. No, you do not have to be Buddhists to do yoga, yoga is an open hearted practice for all. No, evil spirts will not got into your head during mediation. In fact during mediation we are trying to clear our mind of any negative thoughts. There has been one priest in the Lincoln Diocese, that did have negative comments about the practice of yoga, but I believe he did not do any research on it. The whole practice of yoga is not only for physical health but also mental and spiritual health. It is trying to teach us to become less selfish and to serve others. And last but not least, is yoga like sex? Well not exactly but it can improve it!
For all those passionate Yogis out there, don't give up on your hard work! Even my little Nebraska town can show off their head stands!
Peace and Joy to all,
Dr. Amy Flanagan
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