Chaitanya School of Yoga

Namaste Yogis

Why don't we begin our new rotation gently ? The weather is warming up next week , and it's ideal to stretch , twist , and open our bodies.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 Spinal Yin Yoga
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 Spinal Yin Yoga
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Gentle Detox
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Gentle Detox
Saturday 10h15 - 11h30 Full body Yin

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga
Eaton Centre
19 Blaauwberg Road
Blouberg
083 632 9434
[email protected]
Www.chaitanyayoga.co.za

Namaste Yogis

We have reached the end of our current rotation of classes. Another comprehensive week of classes to enjoy including the Viking Flow. Only been done once , this power flow sequenced to Viking music is and was an incredible experience. So if you're in the mood for a challenge, even at your own pace , dont miss this legendary immersion.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 Viking Flow
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 Viking Flow
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Relax & Release
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Relax & Release
Saturday 10h15 - 11h30 Full body Stretch

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga
Eaton Centre
19 Blaauwberg Road
Blouberg
083 632 9434

The True Cost of “Free” Yoga

When did we stop valuing the people who make yoga their profession?

I love yoga. I believe deeply in making yoga accessible, and I have always believed that nobody should be excluded from the practice simply because they cannot afford it.

In my own teaching, I have offered free classes to people who genuinely cannot afford them. I have offered complimentary classes as an introduction to my studio. I believe there is a very real and important place for generosity in yoga.

But there is a difference between making yoga accessible and making yoga commercially unsustainable.

And I believe we need to start having an honest conversation about it.

Yoga teachers who have chosen to make teaching their profession invest enormously in their education. They spend thousands of rands , and often thousands of dollars , on teacher training, further education, anatomy, philosophy, workshops, retreats and continuing professional development. They spend years developing their ability to safely guide different bodies, abilities and levels of experience.

Professional yoga teaching is not simply standing at the front of a room and demonstrating a few postures.

There is knowledge, preparation, sequencing, observation, correction, communication, experience, responsibility and, importantly, the ability to create a safe and meaningful experience for the student.

Recognized yoga teacher-training standards reflect this. Training can include anatomy and physiology, teaching methodology, assisting and correcting, ethics, philosophy and practical teaching experience.

So what happens when “free yoga” becomes the norm?

When there is another free class every week, week after week, year after year, sometimes offered as a promotion alongside something completely unrelated , buy a coffee and get a free yoga class, for example , we need to ask what message this sends about the value of yoga teaching.

A yoga teacher's time has value.

Their education has value.

Their experience has value.

Their rent, insurance, equipment, electricity, marketing, administration and the countless hours spent preparing for classes have value.

A yoga studio is a business. And like any other small business, it needs to generate an income in order to survive.

When consumers become accustomed to receiving yoga for free, it can become increasingly difficult for professional teachers and genuine yoga businesses to charge a sustainable fee for their work.

And this doesn't just affect the teacher.

It affects the entire profession.

It affects the teacher who has invested years and thousands of rands into becoming qualified.

It affects the studio owner trying to keep the doors open.

It affects the teacher who needs to earn a living from their profession.

And eventually, it can affect the quality and sustainability of yoga being offered within our communities.

This is not an argument against free yoga.

There will always be circumstances where free yoga is wonderful and appropriate.

Community outreach matters.
Accessibility matters.
Charity matters.
Introducing someone to yoga matters.

But perhaps we need to distinguish between occasional generosity with a genuine purpose and a culture where yoga is repeatedly presented as something that should cost nothing.

If we want experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated yoga teachers to remain in this profession, then we also have to value their work.

Yoga teaches us about balance.

Perhaps this is one area where we need to practice it.

Make yoga accessible , but don't make professional yoga teaching worthless.

Support the teachers who have invested in their education.

Support the studios that provide spaces for people to practice.

Pay teachers fairly.

And remember that behind every class is a person who has chosen to dedicate their time, energy, knowledge and often their entire working life to sharing this practice with others.

Free has a place in yoga.
But so does value.
And perhaps it is time we found the balance between the two.

The True Cost of “Free” Yoga

When did we stop valuing the people who make yoga their profession?

I love yoga. I believe deeply in making yoga accessible, and I have always believed that nobody should be excluded from the practice simply because they cannot afford it.

In my own teaching, I have offered free classes to people who genuinely cannot afford them. I have offered complimentary classes as an introduction to my studio. I believe there is a very real and important place for generosity in yoga.

But there is a difference between making yoga accessible and making yoga commercially unsustainable.

And I believe we need to start having an honest conversation about it.

Yoga teachers who have chosen to make teaching their profession invest enormously in their education. They spend thousands of rands—and often thousands of dollars—on teacher training, further education, anatomy, philosophy, workshops, retreats and continuing professional development. They spend years developing their ability to safely guide different bodies, abilities and levels of experience.

Professional yoga teaching is not simply standing at the front of a room and demonstrating a few postures.

There is knowledge, preparation, sequencing, observation, correction, communication, experience, responsibility and, importantly, the ability to create a safe and meaningful experience for the student.

Recognized yoga teacher-training standards reflect this. Training can include anatomy and physiology, teaching methodology, assisting and correcting, ethics, philosophy and practical teaching experience.

So what happens when “free yoga” becomes the norm?

When there is another free class every week, week after week, year after year, sometimes offered as a promotion alongside something completely unrelated—buy a coffee and get a free yoga class, for example—we need to ask what message this sends about the value of yoga teaching.

A yoga teacher's time has value.

Their education has value.

Their experience has value.

Their rent, insurance, equipment, electricity, marketing, administration and the countless hours spent preparing for classes have value.

A yoga studio is a business. And like any other small business, it needs to generate an income in order to survive.

When consumers become accustomed to receiving yoga for free, it can become increasingly difficult for professional teachers and genuine yoga businesses to charge a sustainable fee for their work.

And this doesn't just affect the teacher.

It affects the entire profession.

It affects the teacher who has invested years and thousands of rands into becoming qualified.

It affects the studio owner trying to keep the doors open.

It affects the teacher who needs to earn a living from their profession.

And eventually, it can affect the quality and sustainability of yoga being offered within our communities.

This is not an argument against free yoga.

There will always be circumstances where free yoga is wonderful and appropriate.

Community outreach matters.
Accessibility matters.
Charity matters.
Introducing someone to yoga matters.

But perhaps we need to distinguish between occasional generosity with a genuine purpose and a culture where yoga is repeatedly presented as something that should cost nothing.

If we want experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated yoga teachers to remain in this profession, then we also have to value their work.

Yoga teaches us about balance.

Perhaps this is one area where we need to practice it.

Make yoga accessible—but don't make professional yoga teaching worthless.

Support the teachers who have invested in their education.

Support the studios that provide spaces for people to practice.

Pay teachers fairly.

And remember that behind every class is a person who has chosen to dedicate their time, energy, knowledge and often their entire working life to sharing this practice with others.

Free has a place in yoga.
But so does value.
And perhaps it is time we found the balance between the two.

Namaste Yogis

As a new chapter begins , the yoga remains as varied as ever. 3 different styles , 3 different intensities, and 3 different outcomes . Let's lay a solid new foundational energy in our new Shala.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 " Classic " Hatha Vinyasa
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 " Classic " Hatha Vinyasa
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Full Body Deep Stretch
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Full Body Deep Stretch
Saturday 10h15 - 11h30 Yin Yoga

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga
Eaton Centre
19 Blaauwberg Road
Blouberg

Namaste Yogis

A week of self care for you. Yoga for our sanity , healing , and we'll being. Because if we don't , we self destruct. If there ever was a week to roll out your mats , this is the one.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Monday 18h15 - 19h30 The 5 Tibetan Rites
Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 Self Care Yoga
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 Self Care Yoga
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Gentle is Good
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Gentle is Good
Saturday 10h00 - 11h15 The 5 Tibetan Rites

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga

Namaste Yogis

Another solid mix of classes for you all to explore , including Thoracic yoga . The Thoracic spine is the upper half of the column including the upper back , neck , and shoulders. Enjoy this yoga therapy styled class and feel reborn.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Monday 18h15 - 19h30 Thoracic Yoga
Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 Winter Flow
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 Winter Flow
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Gentle 101
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Gentle 101
Saturday 10h00 - 11h15 Thoracic Yoga

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga

Namaste Yogis

Time to turn up the volume , increase the intensity , and get our body and mind ready for winter.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Monday 18h15 - 19h30 Yang to Yin
Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 XFit Yoga
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 XFit Yoga
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Dragon Dance
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Dragon Dance
Saturday 10h00 - 11h15 Yang to Yin

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga

Namaste Yogis

Due to the public holiday on Tuesday we have another shortened week. And I thought with the weather and winter temperatures its time to work on building inner heat. The season has come , time to flow and glow .

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Monday 18h15 - 19h30 Flow n Stretch
Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 NO CLASS
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 NO CLASS
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Hatha Vinyasa
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Hatha Vinyasa
Saturday 10h00 - 11h15. Flow n Stretch

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga

Namaste Yogis

A beautifully balanced week of yoga awaits. Hip openers are always welcome especially in Yin form , our Hatha this week is a Mysore practice, and finally the Slow n Sweet is gentle nurturing sequence.

This weeks schedule of classes is as follows

Monday 18h15 - 19h30 Yin deep hip stretch
Tuesday 08h30 - 09h45 Traditional Hatha
Tuesday 18h15 - 19h30 Traditional Hatha
Thursday 08h30 - 09h45 Slow n Sweet
Thursday 18h15 - 19h30 Slow n Sweet
Saturday 10h00 - 11h15. Yin deep hip stretch

I look forward to seeing you all on your mats

Gratitude and Blessings

Laurence Milner
Chaitanya School of Yoga