The free yoga class at the New York Public Library that I teach is going even better than I ever imagined. I had a few keys goals when I started this class:
1.) Get a wide audience to attend the class regularly, particularly students who have never taken yoga before
2.) Use the class as a springboard to launch Karmi’s Angels, Compass Yoga‘s free matchmaking service that pairs new yoga teachers who want to gain experience teaching and nonprofits who want to offer free yoga to their staff and constituents.
3.) Grow as a teacher myself
What I didn’t expect was what one of my students said to me yesterday, something that made me teary eyed, and glad, and grateful: “This class is the very best part of my week.” I knew yoga could have that effect; I just didn’t expect this class to have that effect. I simply replied, “It’s the best part of my week, too.” And I meant it. Others have told me, “This is just what I needed”, “I feel so relaxed after this class”, “Are all yoga classes this good?”, and one of my personal favorites – “Honey, I’ve been takin’ yoga classes for a long time and I know when a teacher got it and when she doesn’t. And honey, you got it.” How could I ever have a bad day after statements like that?
Teaching yoga, and particularly teaching a free class to an under-served, in-need population, can have a very profound effect on the teachers and the students. It opens the heart, the mind, and the soul to new ideas of how to create a happier, healthier world. It is the gift that keeps on giving. Some of my New York Public Library students keep asking me, “So when are you going to stop offering this class?” They assume I am only here for a limited run. Truthfully, I never started this class with any kind of end date in mind. I just wanted a quiet room with students who wanted to learn something about yoga. And as long as they keep showing up, then I’ll keep showing up, too.
If you are a yoga teacher interested in being matched with a nonprofit to offer a free class or know of a nonprofit who would be interested in having a free yoga class for their employees and their constituents, please contact me at compassyoga@gmail.com. Join the movement!
Christa Avampato 