Elephant in the room....

[gaileee]

Hi Harlan, Hi Sara,

So this weeks newsletter has a craigslist ad in it. Great stuff!

The elephant in the room....is me. As a plus sized yoga instructor, I don't see me as the "poster child" for talking about bathing suit season, getting in there to take yoga to lose weight.

I'm more of the....I just had a baby, I've lost some of my baby weight, and I'm maintaining the weight...type of thing. But I'm still a plus sized instructor. No matter how you crack the nut.


gaileee

p.s. I'm going to think about this in a different manner, and put it on my blog instead. See what happens there.

[YogaMom]

Dear Elephant

I want to start out with my personal story about outside appearances

[gaileee]

Hi YogaMom,

Thank you so much for your sweet reply!

One of the main "hooks" that get people to private yoga lessons, that Sara and Harlan talk about on this website is weight loss.

For me personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable representing the "swimsuit" community. (So I would want a craigslist ad, (hint, hint, Harlan) that doesn't talk about swimsuits, but I'm not sure how many people would respond to that ad.) So I put the ad on one of my websites. Its good information!

One of my yoga teacher friends in my area is a large yoga instructor, and gives a kick butt class! She can Sun Salute you to the ground!

I teach three classes at the moment. I'm always being asked where else do I teach, how can I get to another one of the classes. The students like my humor (or lack of it ) sequencing, final relaxation/meditation. When #4 child goes to school, I intend on expanding the private business, and then get to teach a prenatal class. I do have weaknesses, but I'm working on them.

Thank you again for your thoughtfull words!

gaileee

p.s. Here's a website for you Harlan/Sara....I've added a link to you! Yoga with Gaileee, E-RYT

[joyflowdeb]

Hi Gailee and Yoga Mom, I really liked your reply.
I too, as an imperfect human being, am dealing with that uncomfortable weight thing. It is a bit challenging to my ego that the other primary yoga teacher in town is a thin, beautiful gymnast-yogi.
Yet, I am very experienced and knowledgeable and have a very loyal following. I do find that the students who are drawn to me are more baby-boomer age, average size and want the stress-relief, healing and spiritual benefits more than the buns of steel ones.
So I don't market the weight-loss angle, instead I go into other benefits: good health, relaxation, relief from tension and pain, and connection to Spirit. And yes, I give good savasana!
So, I'm writing to cheer you on Gailee (I"m not going to call you an elephant -you just had baby #4 right?). Yogis come in all shapes and sizes!

Joyflowdeb

[yogiintraining]

Hi Gail,

You may not be the posterchild for swimsuits (yet), but I'm sure you have other great qualities that make you a wonderful teacher!

I think it is great that you want to teach the prenatal classes! I have a difficult time with that myself. I've never been pregnant and don't really feel that I can relate to all the issues, both bodily and emotionally, that the women go through. This is why I hesitate to teach the pre/postnatal classes. I know that I can teach the physical poses well, but I have no idea what emotions they're dealing with. Also, I have no idea what the actual physical sensations of being pregnant are. So it sounds like you have a niche there that others that may be "swimsuit" people don't. Work with it and embrace it!

Also, don't feel that your physical size, shape is a deterrent. There are many women & men out there that aren't in great shape and would probably feel a connection to you because of this. If they see that you are practicing and can do it, it will give them the feeling that they, too, can!

I have a good feeling about this!

Take care,
Karen

[dawn]

If a potential client with an 'elephant' body image issue approached you with the same concerns as you have about yourself, and they were nervous of joining a class because of it, what would your response/advice to them be? Say your response out loud to yourself and listen to the words. The words will come from your true 'Self'. The Self, that which we all are. Focus on your strengths. Be who you really are and as you choose not to buy into the worldly story of the lower self, your higher self will shine brighter still. Do you think that Geeta Iyengar gives a hoot about her weight? Yet she is undoubtedly a bright light. Larger/post natal ladies will feel more comfortable in your company as you show them they are still loved and are fabulous. Do you ever think that this issue is actually among your greatest gifts. Whenever I can't do a posture as perfectly as I would like to, I do it anyway, and maybe get someone in the class who can do it better to demonstrate, after the class someone will always come up to me and say "It's nice to see that you are human too". Come down off the pedastal, perfection isn't up there, it's Here and Now...Self acceptance is the key. I dare you to be fabulous just as you are...All my love dx

[YogaMom]

Hey Gail
I didn't mean to discount the idea that you can teach yoga for swimsuit benefits! You positively CAN! If you don't WANT to, that's different.

If you want to reel in those fish, use the ad that Harlan wrote! Maybe offer a two for one class deal - The first class is free when you pay for the second one in advance? Something like that to get them in. When they see that you know your stuff and can whip their butts (I DO mean butts) into shape, they will be back for their regular classes with you.

Also, for the larger women who aren't really worried about the bikini in their future, they can still benefit from toning and stretching - which will lead to more self-confidence. They will be more comfortable showing more skin at the beach or pool - all thanks to you!

Tweak the ad a little (I haven't seen the ad) by adding something like, "Get more toned for the summer clothes you want to wear! Kick it up a notch, by taking it down a size! - Yoga weight loss secrets work for everyone - I KNOW YOGA!" Call Gail, a real woman like you!!

Oh yeah, and Gail....I went to your website - There's no way you are an "elephant"

[JayaDevi]

I loved your post and all of the responses...as a yoga teacher who has suffered from eating disorders in the past I still find this a challenging aspect of my career and life. I recognize that some of my students do come with certain expectations of how they think I should look, sound, and live my life. And I'm finally okay with that because I continually come back to each breath and know that even though I'm not the bendy rail I once was, I am now a much more grounded teacher, friend, spouse, and parent. In that ground I feel I can hold space for others to explore freedom from the ravages of these disorders or from other related issues. It is an ongoing exploration for myself and I do hope that I continue to find new ways to relate to food and my body but I refuse to let these things hold me back from my dreams...its challenging for me when very fit students come to class but also a beautiful reminder of what yoga really is and how amazing it is that we all have access to this thing called living. I'd be curious to hear if any other teachers have had eating disorders or still have and what their thoughts are on how yoga can help heal. In a image obssessed culture being willing to put your body up there for others to see can be intimidating and sometimes I feel myself feeling dissapointed in how I look, wondering if my students feel that way too...
Anyhow...best of luck in any classes you teach and thank you so very much for posting this as it has brought some things to my attention about how I've been feeling that I need to let go of. Namaste, JayaDevi

[pegasus]

You are getting a lot of good encouragement here about being exactly who you are (plus size) and teaching from that or from other strengths as a niche. I totally agree with this!

I don't think any of us is here to actually COPY word and style from Sara, but to share what works and tweek it for our own personality and style.

As for marketing yourself, simply focus on your strengths and the other benefits of yoga. I actually feel saddened that we focus on yoga as a weight loss solution.

Skinny and sexy might SELL, but that is why or how we are ALL teaching out here. I teach a lot of deconditioned housewives and stressed out men how to breathe fully, become more mindful, and give themselves permission to relax, and they LOVE IT.

As a note to Sarah and Harlan: I do think we sometimes focus this marketing thing too much on the lowest levels of what yoga can do for our clients. Could Harlan maybe work on some CL ads that have a different focus?

[alice9pgn]

What a hot, important topic. I see people at the pool with less than perfect bodies who will not dive in because they can't wear t-shirts to cover up. Other large people wear a two piece and don't care. I'm always hearing how "I can't do yoga because I'm too fat."

It's too bad that we have come to be ashamed of our bodies. I am also not model thin, but I love myself anyway, am very good yoga teacher, and am growing in my personal practice all the time. I will not give up swimming or yoga simply because some snobs may not want to see me on the cover of a magazine. I do my best to let others know that however they look, just relax and live and enjoy their life. If others don't like the picture, that is their issue to overcome.

Ok, so it may seem we need to be 'perfect' yogis in looks and abilities to teach yoga, but that just isn't real. If it was, how could someone in a wheelchair be an effective yoga instructor for children? I just read an article on him, but I can't remember his name right now. If we know our yoga, have a personal practice, and can communicate the essence of that to others, it shouldn't matter ultimately how we look, except in a gung-ho gym class. Be proud of who you are, love yourself, love what you do, then do what you love, and the right people will be drawn to your classes. This is something that I am continuing to learn, and really believe it in my heart.

You go, girl.
alice