Donate a Class

OVERVIEW

Thank you for considering donating the proceeds of a yoga class or special event to the Green Yoga Association. By doing this you are not only to raising money, but raising awareness. Before your event, let us know what you plan to do, and we will list your event on our site.

You may also wish to consider downloading the following:
· Printable version of the Values Statement to share with your students.
· Inspirational passages or poems.

EVENT IDEAS

"In teaching workshops around the country, I periodically offer one of my sessions as fundraiser for the Green Yoga Association. The suggested amount for donation is open-ended, and even with that one 2-hour class raised $700. At the beginning and end of the class I talk about the Green Yoga mission, membership, as well as individual and studio opportunities to contribute and participate. Because environmental issues are very hot in the general public right now, the message has been enthusiastically received. I hope this information is helpful for other teachers who want to contribute to this worthy cause."

Namaste,
Baxter Bell

You might open or close with an earth-revering poem or other reading. You could give the class a special focus, such as one of the five elements, or invite participants to open to the energies of the animals and plants invoked in the poses. You may wish to combine the class with another event, such as inviting a local chanting group to join you, or engaging in an outdoor environmental restoration project before or after class.

You could hold the class in an inspiring location, such as a beach, mountain, forest, or even a city park. If you do hold the event outdoors, be aware of seasonal considerations. In many areas, April – October are best for outdoor Yoga practice.

Or, to keep it simple, hold the class at your regular place and time. During class, you might want to offer prayers for the many species and other beings who live nearby. You can invite attendees to send blessings to the animals and plants, and to the soil, air, and water.

"I have led numerous ?fundraiser? yoga classes with the proceeds going to The Green Yoga Association. Typically, I will offer the classes on a donation basis and most people contribute anywhere from $15 ? 30. I often teach ?themed? classes and I have a special workshop I teach about incorporating the Natural Elements into your yoga practice. The tie between the Asana practice and ecology gives a great incentive for the donations as the students feel the link after the practice. I have led classes outdoors and indoors, usually in conjunction with studios and communities newer to Green Yoga. After the classes, I offer a Green Yoga Satsang where we discuss ways in which we can live as Green Yogi?s in the world as well as how we can all support each other. This is normally when I ask for memberships or donations. My experiences have all been very positive with this as everyone loves a ?free? yoga class and then they typically chose to donate."

Namaste,
David Lurey

REQUESTING DONATIONS

Asking for money can feel scary. It’s helpful to remember that many people actually want to participate financially, and are glad to know their money is going to a good cause. Tell those in attendance why you support the Green Yoga Association, and ask their help in doing so also.

Donations support our education and outreach for Green Studios, development of the Green Studios Handbook, advocacy for non-toxic Yoga mats, and education regarding the connections between Yoga and ecology in general. Thanks for helping make this possible!

STAY IN TOUCH!

We’d love to hear how it goes. Email us your stories and thoughts after your event. And, if you’d like more ideas or support, email us.