| For Yoga teachers, who work as independent | | | | of networking. Opportunities are good only when |
| contractors, this economy is a test of creativity. | | | | you recognize their potential. Everyone needs to |
| Although there may be class cutbacks, at your | | | | consider opportunities in this economy. |
| local health club, a local chiropractic clinic may be | | | | Please consider your viewpoint in all matters. Are |
| searching for a Yoga instructor to work "in | | | | you optimistic, middle of the road, or slightly |
| house." | | | | cynical? At this point, I have never met a |
| Alexander Graham Bell stated, "When one door | | | | pessimistic teacher of Yoga, so that option has |
| closes, another opens; but we often look so long | | | | been by-passed. |
| and so regretfully upon the closed door that we | | | | If you are optimistic or cynical, you need to hear |
| do not see the one which has opened for us." We | | | | the opposite opinion from a trusted friend. Even if |
| wait for things to happen, and when they do not | | | | you do not agree, a logical and honest opposing |
| fall into place, we dwell on the negative outcome. | | | | opinion can help you make a sensible evaluation. |
| We practice preventative health methods and | | | | Now, let's get back to the heart of networking |
| teach others to be pro-active toward health, but | | | | your Yoga teaching services. An independent |
| we neglect being creative about networking. | | | | contractor can afford to take his or her time |
| Some of us are entirely content to teach Yoga in | | | | making a decision. There is usually very little |
| isolation. There are many reasons for this, but | | | | overhead to worry about, no employees to pay, |
| most of us, who teach Yoga, tend to be very | | | | and creative independent contractors are in a |
| independent in our thinking. | | | | strong position in any economy. |
| In the words of John Donne: "No man is an island | | | | However, if you are a Yoga studio owner, you |
| entire of itself; every man is a piece of the | | | | must move forward now. You must network to |
| continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed | | | | find services that your students are seeking. |
| away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if | | | | Therapeutic massage, Ayurveda, Tai Chi, Chi |
| a promontory were, as well as any manner of | | | | Kung, Reiki, and Pilates are examples of services |
| thy friends or of thine own were; any man's | | | | that your students may desire. |
| death diminishes me, because I am involved in | | | | If you have the space or time frames available, |
| mankind. And therefore never send to know for | | | | you might find the networking opportunity of a |
| whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." | | | | lifetime. Many of these networking opportunities |
| This does not imply that you should give up your | | | | come and go, but some of them are perfect |
| own free will, but feel free to "test the waters" | | | | long-term matches. |