Yoga has been a transformative experience for me, as I’m sure it has been for most of you. Whether it began as way to get fit or cope with anxiety, yoga is something that you can’t compartmentalize for long. It becomes a way of life. Obviously, when you have such an enriching and transformative experience, you want to share it with the world or at the very least with those around you. The best way to do this is by starting a yoga community in your neighborhood. You don’t need to be a yoga trainer or an expert to do this. You just need to be passionate about yoga and excited about sharing that passion. After all, a yoga community isn’t just about taking yoga sessions or classes together, it’s about sharing experiences, encouraging others, celebrating each other’s yoga milestones, and strengthening relationships.
Here are a few pointers to help you build your own neighborhood yoga community.
Thinking Big Shouldn’t Stop You from Starting Small
It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers game, whether you’re a teacher or a practitioner. When you’re building a community however, you can’t start directly at the top. This means that whether you’re beginning in your cozy basement or a spacious studio, it really shouldn’t matter. Likewise, it shouldn’t matter whether you just have 4 members or 40. Appreciation and gratitude are integral to yoga and you now have a chance to practice these emotions. Be appreciative of every single member and the resources you have (no matter how limited they may seem) and work together to grow the community.
Celebrate the Community
Everyone is on the lookout for positivity in life. Be that source of positivity and let your community radiate positivity. It should be a place that embraces every member, celebrating and recognizing them as individuals and as a group. Encourage personal sharing and interaction, celebrating each individual’s personal growth and breakthroughs, even getting the kids involved. While most of these activities will invariably revolve around yoga it doesn’t have to be exclusive. A yoga community shares a higher purpose and while it strengthens those yoga bonds, it also cultivates more meaningful interpersonal relationships.
Keep Everyone Engaged
You can organize activities and challenges to keep members’ interest stimulated. Challenges are always exciting and fun, keeping the group motivated and engaged. Before you organize your own community events and challenges, participate in those organized by successful and well-established communities in neighboring towns and cities. This will help you gauge what works and what doesn’t, making it easier for you to plan your community activities.
Reach Out Beyond Your Community
What I find so remarkable about the larger yoga community is that everyone is incredibly helpful. Reach out to yoga trainers and other yogis in your area for advice, support, and collaborative efforts. Find experts who you can collaborate with to conduct workshops, giveaways, or charity events. Don’t be limited by the space that you have available exclusively to you – yoga outreach programs can even be conducted in public parks or the neighborhood fitness studio. Through collaborations with yoga leaders in the area, you will expand your knowledge and also add more value for member of your yoga community.
Recharge and Renew: The Essential Self-Care Rituals for a Balanced Life(Opens in a new browser tab)
Network, Network, Network!
Social media has taken a really bad rap for its polarizing effects on society, but it can also bring communities together. If you are authentic and genuine in your online interactions, you can use social media to build real life connections to grow your community. Social media offers one of the best ways to find yoga influencers, experts, teachers, and entrepreneurs in your areas, who you can connect with. Just remember that real relationships work two ways, so it’s as much about giving as taking. If you help others with their events, do interviews, and collaborate in other ways, you’ll find that the rewards go beyond anything you could wildly anticipate.