Donation Based Classes

Interested in running a donation based yoga program? Good for you! Nowadays, a lot of yoga studios hold classes for $15-25. Unfortunately, this excludes a significant population of people looking to ‘get healthy’ and or connect with their Source. Donation based Yoga is an inclusive way to bring like minded community members together, that otherwise may have never met. When I moved to Kahumana Organic Farm in Waiane HI, I noticed a few things…once you look past the beautiful beaches, and tall mountains you start to realize there are more McDonalds, Wendys and Burger Kings than anything else, and poverty is at an extremely high rate. The Kahumana Yoga program was born, in 2013, with the help of many people from my ‘farm family’. I am continuously learning new strategies, and procedures every day, but the most important thing that I have learned is that wealth doesn’t always come in the form of money.

Here are some tips to get you started with your program…

Communication & Outreach

Appropriate communication is key to running a yoga program. Email your students monthly about any news that is happening within the program itself (events, new instructors, class cancelations) and or relevant outside community events of interest and is appropriate to advertise. Have a comment box next to your donation jar or sign in sheet. Open communication creates a space for positive change.

Promoting program events/offerings with a flier is still important. Create a fun and eye-catching flier, easy to read, the least amount of words possible. Post fliers at different food stores, arts and craft stores. Places frequented by your desired students – coffee shops, parks, fast food restaurants…everywhere – no place is a ‘bad place.’ Note: be sure to get permission so they aren’t taken down. Also send a reminder in monthly newsletter if you have a computer.

Key points for flyers.

  • Name of program
  • Note it is: “donation based”
  • Location
  • Time
  • Contact information Level (it is favorable to hold classes for all levels when first starting out. This way everyone will feel welcomed to try out the class, and the good news can spread.)

 

Come Early to Class…

Engage with students. This is especially important when a brand new student of your program shows up to your class. If they are new to the program or new to yoga they may be nervous and it’s your job to create a comfortable environment for them. You will want time in order to get to know them before hand Donation Based Waiver yp_donation based waiver

Linger after class…

Leave sometime for clean up after class, and time to engage with students after class. Receive feedback with an open heart, mind and do not take anything personally, these comments will only help the program and/or help the students understand your program agreements more clearly.

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* Asking the students how they feel about the current classes, class days and times.

* Any suggestions on current classes or possible new classes

* Ask opinions before dropping a class and or explain why you feel it necessary for the program as a whole.

 

Newsletters

  • New Instructors/Classes: Communicate-Email and other social media. Create excitement about new instructors joining the program. Spread the good news! Include a brief bio/brief description of class they will be teaching, what time, what days and level.
  • Leaving Instructors: Appropriately explain why an instructor will no longer be teaching with your program any longer, instead of just dropping them out of the picture that can shock people in a negative way. Not knowing can leave questions about the program, etc.
  • Events: Time, place, instructors, level, limited space, pre-registration (include Donation Based Waiver). Be sure to use imagery that relates to the event. Send a flyer a.s.a.p with at least two weeks notice. A month notice is better. Anything longer than a month’s notice can be best. It just depends on your community.
  • Send a reminder in monthly newsletter.
  • Class schedule, even if it hasn’t changed.

Class Documents

Having clear and easy to use documents is essential for your students and teachers.

Sign In Sheet  yp_Donation Based sign-in Sheet

Create sign-in sheets containing

  • Name of instructor
  • Date of class
  • Time of class
  • Student sign in slots
  • Also may include your programs mission statement and logo
  • Suggested donation cost
  • A space for instructors to record $$ donations earned
  • Maybe a spot for comments/questions from students

Have a place for each teacher to place these for your records. I use an envelope with their name on it. On the front of the envelope I have a chart to write date of class, number of attendees and amount collected.

Waiver Forms  yp_donation based waiver

Create a waiver form, stating that that neither the instructor nor program or overseeing organizations deems liable for any injury before during and/or after class. If student has never participated in your yoga program before, they must fill out a waiver.

  • Date of entry. It is beautiful to watch the growth of your students’ practice, so making a note of this is a good reference point.
  • Level/how many years practiced. Helps you gage the amount of attention this individual may need during this class. Also opens a door for conversation in order to get to know the student and their style of practice if any.
  • Any injuries? This question I also verbally go over with the student, a lot of students may have an injury but do not record the injury on the waiver. It is up to the teacher to create a comfortable conversation in order for the student to open up to you and explain any sort of pains or chronic injuries they may be experiencing. Record all injuries/emotional upsets. All this information is confidential and for the use of you and instructors ONLY.
  • Printed name and signature agreeing with the terms of the waiver.
  • Contact information is also important. A phone number and or email allows for open communication between instructors and students. Make note on form to request they print clearly. You may wish to take a quick glance before the student leaves.

Instructors

Yay! You have expanded your program and now need to reach out to other instructors!

Interviewing

Your style of interviewing is your preference. I like to keep interviews as casual as possible while still addressing important topics. An individual interested in teaching donation-based yoga, usually right off the bat shows a positive light about the person.

  1. Experience: How long have they been actually been teaching and where?               Side Note: Registered with Yoga Alliance? Personally this is not a deciding factor for an instructor in the Kahumana program. Yoga Alliance creates standards for teachers, which helps you as a program director understand their experience and credibility. I also understand Yoga Alliance can be cost prohibitive. I would not dismiss an instructor because they were not registered. If the instructor is not registered it is your job to do a little extra homework in finding out how qualified this individual is. Defiantly contact past yoga employers and/or students. Instructors who are not registered with Yoga Alliance just may create more detective work for you.
  2. Go over program requirements and the Donation Based Yoga Contractor agreement  verbally so no one is left in the dark. Sample Contract yp_donation based Yoga Contractor
  3.  Try it: Always hold a “test run” or demo class for new instructors. This could be in the form of a community workshop or special class. Remember how nervous would you were when starting and how it would feel to have your potential program director participating in your class? Be understanding and just enjoy not having to teach for a change. Don’t be harsh in your feedback. Be sure to point out what you appreciated about their teaching style. If they are not a good fit be sure to tell them why directly. Leaving them wondering won’t feel good to them and probably not you.

Bringing New Instructors onto the Program

Promptly communicate with your program attendees with e-mail and/or other social media. Create excitement about the new instructor joining the program, if your happy this instructor is joining then spread the good news! Include a picture/ brief bio/brief description of class they will be teaching, what time, what days and level.

Create a Crew: Future Communication with Instructors

Open communication with instructors is key. Create group email or on Facebook.

* Update instructors about monthly reviews of program, new classes, events or workshops.

* Ask for their opinions and views on things such as change in direction of any kind (ex. Dropping a class to add a new one)

* Ask how their class is going? Do they feel a need for change?

* Also find time to meet together, weather your going over business or all participating in a class. It is nice to join together and enjoy the energy of each other to create a bond. This is your crew, and a comfortable and open relationship is key.

Payment

I learned through my Yoga teacher training that 40/60 ratio is appropriate for teachers. Of the total donations 40% goes to the teacher and 60% goes to the program. This of course can vary from studio to studio and program to program. Since we are an organic farm, promoting healthy living to students and teachers, we also add our weekly Community Supported Agriculture box to the payment of Kahumana Yoga instructors. This includes a fresh box of 12-13 produce items harvested from the farm ($50 value).

An Instructor’s Departure

Appropriately explain why an instructor will no longer be teaching with your program any longer, instead of just dropping them out of the picture that can shock people in a negative way.

Financials

Receiving Donations

images-2From a business standpoint their needs to be some type of exchange happening between the student and teacher. When no exchange is given, I find that this de-values the class. Donations are not limited to money. I have received donations in all forms, flowers, clothes, fruit a big hug, a helping hand after class. As long as there is some type of agreed upon exchange of positive energy happening, people will forever continue to value and put a sense of worth for your hard work and energy you put into the class.

Requesting Donations (for the program)

Many of the big yoga suppliers have programs to request mats and props for non-profit organizations and other donation-based programs. It is best to go to their websites and see what you can find regarding their protocols. Put together a general donation request about your program. Be sure to update and adapt as needed according to each businesses requirements. Sample Donation Request yp_donation request

Record Keeping

Record and save ALL donations. I tally each instructor’s information monthly. I send it to them to confirm I have recorded numbers correctly. The creation of a Donation Based Income Chart is helpful for looking back at and seeing how classes have grown. It also provides a perspective on the financial situation of each class and the whole program. It is also something you may consider sharing with the teachers that give their time to the program. They can see their efforts impact as a whole. Also they may have suggestions or notice something based on the data. Donation Based Income Chart. yp_donation based income chart

Donation based yoga is truly a beautiful, and pure way to offer your teachings in yoga within your community. You will find that as much as you are teaching your students, you are learning as well. Yoga should not be limited to your social class! Opening the class to all creates an opportunity for all members young, old, new and seasoned practitioners, rich and poor to get to know each other, learn from each other, and create true friendships. Holding donation based classes is a way for all to feel welcomed bringing the community together as one, creating a diverse and loving environment for all.    

Thank you to Kristalena Lamore for providing this commentary of considerations for running a donation based yoga program. Contact her here.

FORMS

These documents are voluntarily given as templates. You will want to look them over, adapt as appropriate, and/or have a lawyer examine them for you (if applicable). These templates come from various sources and are for you to copy and use as you wish.