Good Morning Boys

Things are really lookin’ up for the old Dirt Cheap Yoga… Yesterday afternoon Instructor Jon McCurry and Executive Director Alex Johnson (and me, G4) were in the The 33TV studios to record a spot on DFW Close Up with the show’s host Erin Harris.

Our 5 minutes featured stretches to be done in the morning as you’re just waking up. We shared the 30 minute segment with a pet rescue, child immunizations expert and party treats decorator. Tune in to CW33 at 7:00 AM this Sunday morning to catch the boys of Dirt Cheap Yoga in slow-yog-action.

Jon and Alex warm up for Close Up.

Smile ...and ACTION!

On stage with Erin Harris for DFW Close Up - airs Sunday, August 8, 2010 7:00am.

Instructor, Jon McCurry with Host, Erin Harris.

Alex is a yogi on, or off, camera.

Hello, my name is Alex Johnson

I have volunteered to take on the position of Executive Director of Dirt Cheap Yoga. Our little non-profit engine of yoga goodness is ready for all of you to climb aboard. Right now we are working on putting together a business plan and building our foundation. We have a few fundraisers in action.

Our first is August 19th at the Elbow Room in Dallas from 5 pm to 8 pm. Come to the Elbow or take class from Jon at Exall at 6pm and then come over for a post class bender.

Balance on your elbows, then throw some 'bows at the DCY Happy Hour, Aug. 19

Dirt Cheap yoga is important to me for several reasons. The primary being this is where I got started. A friend of mine wanted to go, and asked if I would go along. We went and had a great time. We spoke that night afterward about how much fun the class was and how tired/sore we were going to be.

We were right about the tired and sore. The next week we went back. That Saturday I went to another class. Wow, a new teacher and a different style of teaching. On Monday I decided I had some time before my evening plans, and went to class. When I got to my destination I could barely walk, we did warrior 1, warrior 2, and warrior 3 for what felt like the entire class. My legs were jelly, but my interest was beginning to simmer. By the end of that week, I was hooked. Four different teachers, each with different styles teaching new students how to practice yoga in a safe manner at a price I could afford.

I started to devour yoga in every manner presented to me. I took class, I went out to dinner after class with fellow students. We drank coffee and had yoga happy hours. We shared and built our practice through Dirt Cheap.

Dirt Cheap yoga is a place for all. We are based out of Dallas Recreation Centers because we believe in their message and wish to support them. We are an official non-profit 501-(3)(c). We are developing our program to include scholorships, teacher development, teacher training, and yoga for everyone!

In the coming days, weeks, & months we will be building our foundation and reaching in old and new directions. Please feel free to contact me at alex@dirtcheapyoga.com at any time. I will return your email as quickly as I can. Come out and take a class at one of our three locations. Say hi to your neighbor on the mat next to you.

Be a part of Dirt Cheap Yoga.

Follow-Up to DCY Town Hall Meeting

…And the day was saved. Thanks to… the Power Puff Girls?

No, no, that’s not right. Thanks to… a few of the Dedicated Dirties! (You know I’m gonna just keep calling you that until someone stops me).

The biggest news to announce from last week’s Town Hall Meeting is the inducting of a new Executive Director. Alex Johnson volunteered and all in attendance cheered in agreement. Please welcome Alex with your open arms and wild ideas – he’s a hugger, he’s a listener, he’s a go-doer. (who is Alex? Scroll down…)

Also discussed: Upcoming Events

Dirt Cheap Yoga Happy Hours shall return! Keep the date of August 19th in mind for an early evening of cocktails, bendy party tricks and worthwhile raffle prizes. We will flesh out the details very soon – stay tuned.

Free Day of Yoga, Labor Day – September 6th. It’s that time again! That one day a year when everyone get to be a yogi. For FREE. DCY will be offering some outdoor classes close by the rec center locations. Check out the FDOY website for details, more classes added daily: www.dfwfreedayofyoga.com.

501(c)(3)PO and Halloween Bingo – A costumed happy hour in a galaxy not too far away. More on this as the Fall approaches.

Other topics

Punch cards: Yes, unfortunately, the rumors are true. The Punch Cards and cross-pollination of rec center classes is coming to an end. In the wake of major budget cuts for the City of Dallas Parks and Rec Dept, the rec centers have stated that they need to account for every penny and every person coming through their doors in order to ensure the highest budget for the coming year. Kidd Springs has asked us to cease membership sharing at their location immediately, but the transition for Reverchon and Exall will happen throughout August.

Do not panic, we are working out a discount system that will allow students to frequent more than one rec center location incentive and extended expiration dates that will allow them to practice wherever their mat shall land. More on this in the next few weeks.

****
Feel like you missed out, or that we missed the point? No worries – you’ve got another chance. The DCY Annual Meeting is coming up in one month’s time. Tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 26th, 8pm. We will get down to the nitty-gritty of what needs to be done, in what order and by whom. We’ve got the good people of action! Now we just need a good plan of action…

****

Alex Johnson at the Free Day of Yoga Kick-off Party, 2009

Who's that guy in the white shirt? Johnson. Alex Johnson.

Like the great white shark, Alex is ever elusive, evading the lens with ease.

But there, in the distance... Alex Johnson, Ladies and Gentlemen. Your new Dirt Cheap Yoga Executive Director.

Scholarships and Interns

Another topic on the table at the DCY Town Hall Meeting tonight: Yoga Teacher Training Scholarships and Teacher Training Interns.

How do you accomplish “yoga for everyone”? What if we could encourage individuals from segments of society, ignored by the yoga demographic, to become yoga instructors themselves… They go through teacher training and come out fired up about feeling good AND they have a perspective unique to their life experiences which they can share with others with similar experiences.

Yoga is not just for the rich and flexible…. it is for everyone. Holla!

Dirt Cheap Yoga wants to raise enough money to pay for a deserving person to go through a 200 hour teacher training course. What teacher training program? How many people a year? Tell us what you think.

What about everyone else in a teacher training program who is dying to get their hands dirty with a little yoga teaching, but doesn’t yet have the experience or the YA certificate to start their own class? Let them get dirty with us! DCY is all about promoting yoga teacher cooperation and supporting the fledgling instructors.

Why not recruit yoga teacher interns, call ‘em Zenterns, and let them co-teach or assist in the classroom. Students get the benefit of two instructors, instructors get the benefit of enthusiastic help, and Zenterns build up their teaching hours. Who, hours, schools, etc? Let’s talk about it.

Tonight: 8pm @ Reverchon Park Rec center

Committees Need Dirties

Has anyone notices that I started calling you, the people of Dirt Cheap Yoga, “Dirties”? How do you feel about that? Anyone prefer a different group moniker?

Think about it, tell me on Thursday at the Town Hall Meeting.

Speaking of the Town Hall Meeting (Thursday, July 22 8:00pm at Reverchon rec center), here is something else to think about: Committees. In our bylaws we have provisions for these four committees, but that’s just on paper at the moment. We the people will flesh them out, if you will, as the groups and goals come to life.

1. The Development committee is responsible for overseeing the fundraising operations of Dirt Cheap Yoga. They should approve fundraising goals, help to develop fundraising ideas, and assist in the planning fundraising activities. They generate ideas for external development and work with the members of the board, the officers and staff members to refine and accomplish those ideas. External developments might be to solicit charitable gifts and/or foundation/corporate grants for general use or in the use of a specific fundraising event.

2. The budget and finance committee assists the treasurer in overseeing financial reports and making budgets. Their responsibilities include preparing and/or approving an annual organizational budget, overseeing with the treasurer the accounting and banking functions of the organization, and arranging for a certified audit of the organization’s accounts.

3. The recruitment (nominating) committee recruits new board members and nominates board officers for election to their positions, recruits members to the Dirt Cheap Yoga organization and oversees the collection of membership dues. They will gather information from the members and report activities and concerns to the board.

4. The program committee oversees Dirt Cheap Yoga operations, the activities of the organization and provides feedback and advice on Dirt Cheap Yoga program activities. They will provide support and supervision to ensure that all Dirt Cheap Yoga programs fulfill their purpose effectively and efficiently.

Does any of that sound something you’d be good at? Or at least enthusiastic about? We need you. Come to the Town Hall Meeting on Thursday and learn more.

DCY Town Hall Meeting :: Thursday, July 22 8:00pm

What’s this about?

YOU.

My (Gina Fore’s) agenda is your questions and ideas.

Dirt Cheap Yoga is by the people, for the people. Now, more than ever. But… what does that mean exactly? We’ve got some ideas to try, some ideals to pursue, and you are not just “a part” of that vision. You ARE that vision.

Calling all lofty dreamers and pragmatic strategists! Come, shape the future of Dirt Cheap Yoga and join our motley crew unsung heroes. Eight o’clock, Thursday night.

**Our commitment, in writing**

Dirt Cheap Yoga has a mission to bring yoga to the people; especially the people who can least afford it.

We are advocates for the accessibility of yoga instruction and the promotion yogic principals (compassion, truthfulness, integrity, sensitivity, and moderation) in the communities in which Dirt Cheap Yoga operates. Dirt Cheap Yoga will raise money to provide inexpensive and/or free yoga classes, promote the cheap and free yoga classes taught by others, provide a venue for yogis (students and instructors) to give back to the community and support existing charities and programs.

The charitable contributions collected from individuals and companies will be used to offer free yoga classes to adults, and children who cannot afford them, to offer yoga classes at a discount for those who can afford low-cost yoga and to grant free yoga teaching instruction for individuals who wish to teach yoga, particularly those who wish to teach to minority groups.

Dirt Cheap Yoga offers yoga classes in both English and Spanish and will continue to develop the Spanish yoga program into more Hispanic and low-income neighborhoods and communities. Dirt Cheap Yoga seeks instructors from these neighborhoods and will offer yoga teacher training scholarships to inspire members of the community to reach out to their neighbors through yoga.

Currently, Dirt Cheap Yoga holds their yoga classes at recreation centers and at public school buildings, exclusively for the staff of those schools. We prefer to partner with other non-profit entities for the physical location where yoga classes will be held rather than other yoga studios. In this way we can act as a bridge between those individuals who fall outside of the typical yoga studio demographic and a healthy yoga lifestyle. Dirt Cheap Yoga instructors are certified and recognized by the Yoga Alliance at the 200 hour certification level if not higher.

As the organization gains momentum and support from the community, these funds will be used to reach more people with the benefits of yoga, and to support existing charities in the community.

FREE yoga class @ Reverchon Park, Wednesday

Bring a friend or drag along a co-worker for a pre-happy hour bender.

Tomorrow, Wednesday June 23, Amy’s 6:30pm yoga class will be outside on the lawn at Reverchon Park and FREE! No need for a heated room, this is Texas, right? We can just step outside.

This special class will be visited by an entertainment reporter writing a story on fun stuff to do when it get’s hot in Dallas. But don’t let that scare you – come show your support for affordable yoga classes! This is how you can help us to keep doing what we do for you. Tough job, eh? All we ask is that you enjoy a hot’n'free yoga class with Kripalu Yoga teacher, Amy Jones.

**** FOLLOW-UP TO THIS POST July 15, 2010 ****

Watch us on CW33 TV!