Community Funded Yoga
Happy Place Yoga facilitates a special Community Funded Yoga program. HPY exists to share the joy and healing tools of yoga with ANYONE interested to learn. Because these tools are simple, effective and they don’t cost anything once we know them. Slowing down to breathe well, to move mindfully, to be aware of what we feel. It’s really nice to have a guide for these activities. It also profoundly empowering to use these tools on our own - whenever we might need a little more balance or peace in our lives.
Happy Place Yoga aims to make paid yoga services really valuable for folks who are able to pay. For those who can’t (for whatever reason), HPY can provide yoga services at no cost. The Community Fund covers Natalie’s basic business expenses to make this possible. For every $35 raised by the fund, Natalie provides a Private Yoga Session or a Group Yoga Class to someone who might not otherwise be able to access those services.
HPY clients are encouraged to donate what they can, when they can. If you’ve worked with Natalie and found her support valuable, please consider giving to the fund to help her spread that same valuable support to others.
Natalie has known her yoga students to be some of the most generous people she’s ever met. She is passionate about sharing yoga and believes that others are happy to do their part. So thank you for considering a gift to the fund. And thank you for requesting community funded yoga services - asking for support isn’t always easy. Our community can only grow stronger when we are open and willing to share.
SO…LET’S SHARE
How does it work?
Anyone can give to the fund in any amount they'd like. Anyone interested in Community Funded Yoga serivces can fill out the interest form here. For every $35 contributed to the fund, Natalie provides either a Private Yoga Session or Group Yoga Class (recipient's choice) to the next person/group up. At any given point, there may be more interested recipients than there are funds available. This results in a waiting list. The opposite is also possible - a surplus of funds could cause HPY to donate outside of requested recipients. In such an event, yoga services would be offered to a local non-profit group.
Who is eligible to receive Community Funded Yoga services?
Anyone who is interested in yoga and can't afford to pay. There are no eligibiliy requirements, but Happy Place Yoga asks that folks be honest with themselves about their ability to pay. If yoga packages are out of reach, recipients from the program might consider donating any amount to the fund to help share the benefits of Commnunity Funded Yoga.
Who can benefit from Community Funded Yoga sessions?
Truly anyone. Especially folks dealing with conditions that get in the way of everyday well-being. You don't need to have any yoga experience or special attributes like flexibility. Natalie has worked with folks who are recovering from strokes, managing chronic illness, mental health challenges, and/or structural issues. And virtually everyone she works with appreciates the stress-reducing benefits of yoga.
Is there anyone for whom Community Funded Yoga isn’t a great fit?
Again, absolutely anyone can benefit from yoga. However, there are some circumstances that lie outside of Natalie’s area of expertise. For instance, she does not have specialized training in prenatal yoga. If you have any concerns about whether Community Funded Yoga services will be a good fit for you, please feel free to contact Natalie with questions.
Where does Community Funded Yoga take place?
It depends. If you choose private yoga sessions through the community fund, those sessions can take place either in-person at your location or virtually via Zoom. For group yoga classes, the class would generally take place at your location. If you are interested in hosting a group class, but don't have space available, please let Natalie know. She might be able to find another place to hold the class. If you would like Natalie to come to you, please contact her to make sure your location is within HPY's service area.
How do yoga Community Funded Yoga services differ from HPY's packaged services?
A Community Funded Private Yoga Session or Group Class is essentially the same thing that is offered on HPY packages. Both the private sessions and the classes are 60 minutes in length and customized to the participants' needs. The primary differences of Community Funded Yoga services include:
- No initial phone consultation (though new clients will still fill out an intake form to provide information about their needs/preferences)
- Less time before and after a group class
- Only single sessions at a time versus the bundle of sessions/classes
- No Wellness Routine Consultations available
What should I expect during my CFY Private Yoga Sessions?
We will always spend some time at the beginning and end of each session chatting and checking in. Typically, for the bulk of the session, we’ll practice breathing mindfully, brief meditations, and yoga movements/poses. The intensity of those practices may vary depending of your needs and goals, but we may be situated in chairs, on the floor/yoga mats and/or resting with props. Private sessions are not usually structured as formally as a typical yoga “class”, so there is always opportunity to pause, ask questions, and make specific requests. We might also occasionally do more unexpected things like drawing or singing. Natalie is always happy to provide ambient music in the background during your session. If you have any that you really like, we can use that too. Natalie will leave you with some suggestions for continuing your yoga practice on your own.
What should we expect during our CFY Group Yoga Classes?
Natalie will arrive just before the class start time. Please have your space/room cleared and set up by this time. Natalie will provide ambient background music for the class and make any other final preparations. Participants will sign a waiver and then get comfortable on a mat or in a chair. The start of each class typically begins with a centering, meditiation, and/or guided breath practice. After some gentle warm-up movements, we might build to a more active yoga practice, then a cooling wind down. The final minutes of a yoga class are usually spent resting quietly. The exact nature of your class might vary some depending on your needs/preferences. Natalie will stay after class briefly to answer questions and wrap things up.
When can I scheulde my Community Funded Yoga services?
Happy Place Yoga offers simple, flexible scheduling options. Once funds are available to cover your chosen service, you'll receive a code to schedule your session or class online. 24 hour notice is required for all appointments and cancellations.
Can I receive Commnuity Funded Yoga services more than once?
Yes! After you have completed your scheduled CFY private or group class, you are welcome to request services again (basically you can only have one active/pending request at a time). Your new request would go to the bottom of the waiting list if there is one.
Can I use a CFY Private Yoga Session for more than one person?
Private yoga sessions are custom designed for one student and may not be shared. If you would like to do couples yoga or yoga with a friend, please request a Community Funded Group Yoga Class instead. Those classes can still be customized to your interests and needs, but are not focused one-on-one.
Is my gift to the fund tax deductable?
No. Happy Place Yoga is a socially-minded small business, not a non-profit. While your gift is not eligible for an IRS tax deduction, it will help folks in your community and help Happy Place Yoga continue to operate a sustainable, valuable business. So you can feel good about doing some good!
If I give to the fund, can I decide who receives the services?
No. HPY determines who will receive services based on expressed interest from individuals/groups and provides yoga in the order requests for services are received. If you know people who might be interested in Community Funded Yoga services, please feel free to direct them to fill out the interest form.