Yoga Month Part 2.

Sadie Nardini answered more of our questions regarding the upcoming Yoga Month, a national campaign to promote Yoga and raise funds for Youth Health Alliance.

Yoga Bear: Yoga Month will be hosting events in numerous cities around the US. Who is your target demographic? (Age, level of practice, etc.)

Sadie Nardini: We are targeting anyone and everyone who would like to learn about the physical, mental and emotional benefits yoga can provide. We have workshops geared towards all fitness levels and interests, and we did that on purpose. We don't want to turn anyone away who is seeking more information about how to bring this healing modality into their own lives to help them towards their goals. There are vigorous physical workshops, like mine, where if someone felt more comfortable listening and taking notes, they would learn just as much about coming back to their center. There are meditation-centric workshops, like Max Simon's wonderful Get Self Centered classes, where any experience level is welcome to come and calm the mind. Whether it's a lecture on the medical benefits of yoga and meditation, a nutrition seminar or an on-the-mat lesson for any level, Yoga Month has it.

Yoga Bear: The yoga community is a unique, supportive community that has become more mainstream and accessible in the past decade. However, low-income communities still have less access (and knowledge) about the practice. How do you think the yoga community (studios and instructors) handle this problem?

Sadie Nardini: As a studio director in one of the largest and most diverse cities in America, I directly confront this issue in many ways. Luckily, one of the foundations of yoga is Seva, or selfless service. As a yoga teacher, I know that the best way to offer someone something is to then empower them to offer something that they have of value, so most studios have a strong tradition of Karma Yoga programs and Community Classes. The former is when we have students who do light work around the studio in exchange for free classes, and the second are discounted or by donation classes that are available to any income level. At my studio, we do both, and I find it's much more esteem-building to have the student feel like they're not just being given a free ride, but that they gave us something we needed too. Everyone is on equal footing then.

Also, many places, like schools, hospitals, neighborhood centers and other community-based organizations are putting aside some funds to bring on qualified yoga teachers who speak directly to their needs. That's one reason I think Yoga Month is doing something so necessary for our country, because they're reaching beyond the tour itself to help teach kids yoga, regardless of their income level, so they can begin learning about a healthy, balanced life earlier than they otherwise would, if they would at all. Yoga helps the world by helping each person in it connect to their innate compassion, wisdom, and happiness. If we can't make that accessible for everyone, then what chance have we got?