Recently, I was asked to teach a large-scale, outdoor yoga class with an estimated attendance of 30,000 people. The yoga class would be part of a larger weekend of other activities including running, social events, and more. How exciting! I was all in. That is, until I asked the organizer what I would be paid.
“No pay. The exposure is the pay.”
I paused. I reflected. It was tempting. That’s potentially 30,000 new subscribers to my website and eyes on my social media platforms. My photo and bio would be printed in the event magazine that sits in the hands of 30,000 new people.
And yet . . . I had to say No.
Thankfully, I already have several income streams from YogaGlo and retreats and workshops. But, generally speaking, yoga teachers are grossly underpaid for the services they provide. The reason I said No is because I couldn’t, in good conscience, contribute to a culture that perpetuates this cycle of undervaluing Yoga Teachers. What’s more, this event was not for charity. There was a budget. It had many sponsors. The money was there. But, apparently, not for the teacher.
Purushartha is a key concept in Hinduism that can be translated as The Goals of Life, of which there are four. One of these goals is Artha or Prosperity–our material welfare and what we need to survive and prosper. Artha is what provides us with food to eat and a safe, warm home in which to live. Artha is essential to fulfilling our Dharma–the work we are destined to perform in this lifetime (Dharma is Purushartha #1). For example, in order for me to continue to teach yoga and ayurveda, I need income to buy books, further my education, eat healthily, and sleep soundly, and even to have the time to plan my classes.
Bottom Line: Artha requires not only knowing your value but materializing your worth in order to transact in the workplace. And as good as it may sound to have it, “exposure” won’t pay the rent.
Reflecting back to my early years as a new yoga teacher, I had many well-educated, accomplished, non-yoga friends (and still do) who knew me and accepted me and valued me as I was. But when I’d meet new people in these circles and tell them I was a yoga teacher, I could feel their energy shift. Perhaps my own insecure mind was imagining it, but the shift was subtly disheartening. At some point in the conversation, I felt the need to casually sneak in the fact that I held an undergrad degree in Finance/Accounting and that I used to be a CPA. My subtext was “Hey, even though I teach Yoga, I’m smart like you.” Ugh. Sometimes knowing your worth also means wrestling the demons of what you fear others believe your worth to be (or not to be).
All this said, there’s a very satisfying ending to this tale (drumroll, please): the event coordinator got back to me one week later to say that he found money in the budget, and he would pay me for the class. He even admitted that he had learned a valuable lesson through our interaction.
I don’t pretend to be some great deal-maker or relentless negotiator. I’m just finally learning to come to terms with my worth.
No matter what your profession is . . . Know your worth.
Believe it. Live it. You’re worth it.
Karen Dalury says
Thanks for sharing your insights Marc. For a fundraiser for a worthy cause, sure why not if it works with your life. Otherwise, indeed increasing viewership and interest is great but we work hard for our money. Also Yoga teachers are pretty available and accessible these days Burt one with your knowledge, experiences and I integrity are not so common.
Marc Holzman says
that is so kind karen thank you. key is that if you choose to work for free or very little money, that is ok once in a while. but it should be on YOUR terms 🙂 xo
Amanda Freed says
Thank you Marc! A few years back I was called out publicly by a family member for accepting money for teaching yoga and meditation. I was accused of being a fake spiritualist and the suggestion was made that if I were really spiritual I would freely offer my knowledge. I simply said “yogins need to eat too”. It caused a rift in my family that was sadly never repaired. As I wrote in my book. Our first responsibility is to be the stewards of our earthly vehicle, all attempts at spirituality are secondary. Thank you for your integrity and perspective.
Marc Holzman says
i agree Amanda. Or as my teacher Paul used to say: Water, like Yoga is free. But if you want it delivered, that delivery system costs money. You want water running hot and cold directly into your pipes? you’re going to have to pay.
Sorry about this unresolved family matter. thank you for weighing in. xo
Lisa Muehlenbein says
LOVE THIS ANALOGY!!!!
Leslie St. John says
So good. I’ve had this same conversation many times and chalked it up to not being s “superstar yogi.” I’m surprised you had this experience, but I’m grateful you listened to your conscience for yourself and for all of us. “Change is gonna come.”
Marc Holzman says
Leslie I think we are all superstars. If you’re upleveling the planet through sincere service, you’re a superstar yogi 🙂
Carine says
This is awesome Mark, to the point it happens so often and believing in our worth is key. Thank you so much for this priceless reminder.
Bisous
Marc Holzman says
thank YOU Carine. Keep believing.
Geers says
Beautiful said and thanks a lot to raise up your voice in those delicate topics
Brave warrior
Marc Holzman says
Thank you Geers … from one brave warrior to another.
ilona says
Excellent response and handling of the situation. To be a yoga teacher of quality takes years of study, perfection,
and finding out who you are and what’s your life mission.
Knowing one’s worth and communicating it to others.
It’s time to find alternatives to the big yoga studio’s/fitness industry corporations dominating.
Believing in yourself no matter what… Letting your light shine on the Dharmic path.
Namaste
Ilona
Marc Holzman says
indeed .. thanks ilona – if we don’t know our own worth, how will anyone else know? m.
Mercedes says
Great Marc!
You give a lot with your Light!!
You know your worth,
So do I..
thanks!
Marc Holzman says
thank you mercedes! keep sharing your light …
Elena says
Hey Marc,
Good article! And even if we get payed, it’s not much. Compared to what I’ve spent on my trainings (I’m certified Anusara teacher by now), I think it’s even hard to make a break even… Not to mention companies like lulu lemon who offer free weekly yoga classes and always find teachers who seem to be fine with not getting payed… so how can we change this??? Xxx from berlin. Elena
Marc Holzman says
Elena I hear you sista. I’ve poured countless thousands into education. And this is not unique to the yoga world. One thing we can do is create our own courses and offerings in which we are more in control of our financial decisions. With financial freedom and independence, I can then offer discounted or free yoga on my terms because I am subsidized though other online course offerings. Thanks for your time! 🙂
Steve Mull says
Here’s another perspective. “Exposure”, indirect marketing, can be a very valuable thing to some businesses, under specific circumstances. Offering “Exposure” in lieu of cash isn’t de-valueing you. Perhaps the best fit for them would have been a yoga teacher who needed Exposure more than immediate cash. There’s nothing wrong with bargaining, if you do it right. If they want YOU, then ask for what you want, and be prepared to negotiate creatively.
Marc Holzman says
Hi Steve,
I agree with much of what you’re saying, but you’re making some large assumptions here. Indeed I have enough exposure, but i don’t need ‘immediate cash’- I’m not that short-sighted. I understand well the value of exposure. Every circumstance will dictate a different outcome. In this case they wanted my experience (that’s why they chose me), it wasn’t a charity, and it was a well-funded, business-sponsored event with many thousands of euro available for other aspects of the event … but not the Yoga teacher. And I did bargain. They said No. And then they said Yes. So it all worked out. 🙂 thanks for highlighting another angle. M.
David Harshada Wagner says
YES! Love this!
Also, we have to acknowledge that the term “yoga teacher” is such an neutered word. “Yoga teacher” could refer to a seasoned senior teacher (like myself or yours), it could also refer to a revered Himalayan master, it could also refer to a 23 year old who who just completed their 200 hour training at their local studio.
And the cycle spins on……
Right there with you.
Love x1008
David/Harshada
Marc Holzman says
yes yes and yes David. it is a neutered word … it means everything and thus … nothing. xoxoxo love x 1008 indeed.
Tracey King says
Lulu Lemon does pay you in clothing and giving new teachers out there a chance to teach where most Studios and gyms don’t.
Jason says
artha – purpose, aim, meaning
BKS Iyengar Light on the Yoga Sutras