Without naming names or an specifics about the event that took place last week, I still wanted to be able to share my feelings about it.
The yoga community in Austin is pretty large. There are tons of studios and it seems like everyone and their mother is a teacher. That is part of the reason why I love this town.
I also love that yoga can is accessible to people all over town. North, South, East and West. and that there are all different styles to suit everyone's needs, schedules and abilities.
To preface this, I'll share a little bit about a beloved studio I've had the chance to teach at. The owners are the sweetest people in the world. They are caring, loving and so tremendously gracious. I had little to no experience when I entered the doors and they gave me a chance to teach, and from that chance, I've grown into a more confident yoga teacher....I got to develop my passion there.
Last week I found out that another studio decided to move in next door....not downstairs from, not across the street from...but Right.Next.Door. I was baffled. Confused even. Of all the places they could have chosen to hang their sign, they chose the other side of our wall.
I'm all about being friends and sharing space and even welcoming the idea of a healing community wherein all members work together and benefit from offering a great service, but the way that this came about rubbed me the wrong way.
The way that this came about was as follows: Property manager approaches studio owner and says, "you're going to need to move your stuff from outside because _______ is moving in next door." This was brought to her attention for the first time on that day. There were no prior conversations, no agreement, no talk of shared space or students or working together or anything like that. It just was.
And when I passed by our beloved studio last night, low and behold a sign for the other studio was already hanging from the balcony. It was real, it was happening.
I don't want this to be slanderous or evil or even mean...I just wanted to express how deeply unfair and non-yogic this decision was. Conversations should be had before decisions are made to move right next door. I'm taking this in as a lesson. Honesty doesn't just mean tell the truth when asked...it also means disclose information when necessary. Lying by omission exists and it's just as dishonest as telling a bold faced lie.
That is all.
