Yoga Journal Conference – Business of Yoga Workshop

Attending the Yoga Journal Conference has always been on my “to do list of yoga adventures.” The universe, all the cosmos, and ultimately my bank account worked together in getting me to this amazing event. Although there are scholarships available for some, and volunteer opportunities, I really wanted to be able just immerse myself in the experience. I could only afford one day, so I needed to really make it count for what I really needed.

All the classes in the brochure looked so juicy and were calling me. My focus lately has been on business, with the steps I need to take to grow, which made it a louder calling. The second day of the Business of Yoga track seemed more like what I needed -on paper. Building community, digital marketing, chat about money, streams of revenue, and creation of yoga retreats were on the agenda.

Being at the Yoga Journal Conference was, in itself, an experience. The highlight was Dana Trixie Flynn of Laughing Lotus. Bright, filled with joy, and completely accessible she was – I fell instantly in whimsical adoration. Plus how could one not adore someone who starts her chat on “Building Community” by sprinkling us with glitter? It really was more like a chat than a lecture, which made it more interesting over being talked at. Out of all the talks, I took so much inspiration from her in how to move forward in my business and in my yoga practice. I think my favorite take away from Dana was her story of “owning the road” and a reminder to “do you!”

Dan Wilf, of Yoga Anonymous, walked a fine line between the “sell” and the information given. He was a strong at marketing and it was his passion. His “sell” wasn’t hard, (he only mentioned his drink product and website a few dozen times), but more natural in nature. Plus he gave out freebies, and who doesn’t love freebies? He showed exactly what he was telling us to do, “hustle, hustle, hustle and then give it space.” He stayed on topic of the digital marketing and branding. The wheels were turning in my head already, then, figuring out how to apply his information for when I got home for this blog and my facebook.

Sadly, most of the lectures in the track fell flat or were presenting a hard sell. Unfortunately, some of my fellow business track peeps and I felt like this. We paid over $200 to be sold on the products people were pushing – not cool. I paid to learn how to do these things for myself, not to pay someone else to do them for me. At one point, during the second part of the day, I stopped taking notes, because there was no applicable information anymore outside of the sell.

Overall, the Yoga Journal Conference was an interesting experience. During lunch break the Marketplace opened with a ton of things to purchase I do hope that the universe, the cosmos, and my bank account conspire with me again, because I would love to attend the January 2014 San Francisco event. I’ll just opt to stay away from the business track, and just focus being taught yoga goodness by some lovely teachers the conference would have offer – the bonus would be that I’ve always wanted to go to San Francisco.

P.S. A BIG thanks to my lovely friend Annie who used her photoshop super powers for this post. I am filled with gratitude for your help.