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Photo: ©Barbara Denowh
Cleaning the studio wasn’t part of my dream, but I find that I actually enjoy doing it. Maybe nothing fancy or new is really necessary.
BY MAGAZINE COLUMNIST BARBARA DENOWH
I was saving all my yoga teaching pennies to begin my advanced teacher training. To me, that was the best way to invest in the studio: invest in my training and knowledge.
And, that worked great, because the little studio doesn’t really “need” anything. There are some rough edges and a few cosmetic things that I’d like to fix. It would be fun to have a brightly painted wall (not fun to paint it) or maybe some art. Nothing really necessary. Just those things that I envisioned when I dreamt about a studio.
Overall it is a great space and in great shape. Does anyone really notice the ugly linoleum in the back room? And, even if they do, no one has complained about it.
Should I look for a way to continue to invest?
I keep the floors as spotless as possible. I keep the bathroom clean. I keep the mats clean. The windows could use a washing. None of these were in my studio daydream, but I find that I actually enjoy doing them.
So now, how do I continue to invest in the studio?
I could advertise.
Yup. You read that right. I don’t/haven’t advertised. It is all word of mouth. Or the few people who stumble onto my website. Or the few that walk by and see the poster and schedule in the window. I’m just not willing to sink money into advertising. I don’t want to drop a bunch of scratch into some huge marketing scheme and then increase the cost of my classes to cover it.
I think along those lines for new mats, too. The cheapo ones I bought at the beginning of this endeavor are wearing out. They have chunks missing and are beginning that yoga mat shedding thing. I know a lot of studios charge a mat fee. Only a buck or two and that money can go toward new mats.
It just isn’t what I want to do. Charge $5 for class and $2 for a mat.
Searching for a sign
You know those hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are always packed and the food is outstanding? They are amazing and hard to find because they don’t advertise and there isn’t even a sign on the door? That is how I like to think of my little studio.
Oh, I haven’t mentioned that I don’t have a sign? I’m working on that.
Barbara Denowh is a yoga teacher in Helena, Montana. You can find her in cyberspace on Facebook or at her website denowhyoga.com. She also rambles about yoga, teaching, her wonderful husband, and her hound at babsbabble.com
