Namaste Beloved Community,

We need each other now more than ever. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve reached out to you as a whole community. Now that the “newness” of this current state of survival has past, how are you? We’ve all had our unique challenges during this time, and at the same time, pretty universal challenges.

Each day I’m learning more about my ability to persevere, to surrender, to be resilient, to depend on others. I’ve loved seeing your faces, places, pets, family members, and the spaces you’ve carved out in your homes to continue your practice with us through our online live streaming classes.

We know the power of this practice, and we are experiencing the power of community every day, even in isolation. These classes have been a life line for many of us. If you haven’t yet joined us online, we would love for you to join us. If you’re having trouble registering, just let us know. It’s easy ! Nothing compares to the energy we co-create when we come together in the same space, but for now, this is what we have. And the best part, you can show up in your pajamas, with bedhead and a cup of coffee! No judgment.

Many of you have asked when we might reopen, and what that might look like. I wish I had the answer. As the state "reopens", the studio falls into Phase 2, so we are at least 2 or 3 weeks away. And even when we do reopen, it will most likely be a hybrid between in-person and online classes. We serve many people who are considered “at risk”, and everyone will have a different level of comfort about coming out into public spaces, let alone group classes. We want to continue to provide opportunities for everyone to feel safe and to be able to practice with us, in person or virtually.

Another lesson I have learned through all of this is the need to embrace uncertainty. I’ve not always been comfortable not knowing but now more than ever I have to trust that I’ve done the work. That I’ve laid the foundation, and that our future as a studio, a community, a sangha, is bigger than me and dependent on forces greater than my own.

Many of you have been with me over the years. You witnessed as we built the studio that sits behind my house on Shanthi Way 15 years ago, where together, we built this community of yoga practitioners. Not because I wanted to run a business, but because I wanted to provide a space for people to come together and practice yoga.

It’s never been about the money, it’s always been about the community. It’s truly been a labor of love. Then 4 years ago, you witnessed our growth as we spent 2 years renovating our current space in downtown Boone, allowing us to expand our offerings and build our community even stronger. I’ve always had a creative vision, and as a lover of “spaces”, I see potential where others just see empty space. My hope in expanding was to be a catalyst for other businesses to move downtown, and re-purpose underused spaces, so that we co-create the kind of thriving downtown we all want to be part of.

All of this was not without risk. Who could have ever predicted a pandemic? The reality of our current situation is evident, and the future is uncertain. Bottom line, this is not a good time to own a brick and mortar business. Our overhead to keep our downtown space is more than $8,000 a month (rent, utilities, taxes, insurance, liability, licensing, and operating overhead even when the building is closed), and does not include salaries for staff or teachers. When we are allowed to reopen, we’ll most likely have to limit class sizes for an undetermined amount of time, which will never cover paying teachers and expenses. More uncertainty. I’m trying to embrace it.

Our online classes have helped, but it's still bringing in less than half of our monthly income. We want to make classes accessible to all people, especially those who are also suffering from reduced income. So we’ve made the $5 donation an option for all online classes. This certainly helps to pay
the teacher, which we need desperately, but does not support overhead costs for the studio.

For those of you keeping your membership, and even upping your membership, we thank you. But the reality of unlimited class passes means many students are taking 20-25 classes a week, paying $3- $4 a class, which barely pays the teacher, let alone studio expenses. We want to be here for you now, and on the other side of this crisis. But we want you to keep your membership!

As a business owner, I’ve spent weeks searching and applying for federal funding, only to fall through the cracks everywhere. As a sole proprietor with instructors (as independent contractors) we do not qualify for funding.

We hope this community and the space we create (physically and virtually) is worth supporting. So how can you help? Here are a few ways:

• Continue to join our online classes.

• Let your family and friends know they can join you for yoga at your hometown studio with your favorite teachers, no matter where they are in the world. This is a real win-win situation. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and share and tag your friends in our posts.

• If you are purchasing an online class pass, consider your current situation and what you need and what you can offer. Most importantly, we want you to keep practicing with us.

• If you’re currently a Lotus (unlimited) member- thank you, we love you! We love seeing your faces every day, and as the heart of our community, we are glad we can be of service during this difficult time.

In the same turn, we hope you’ll be there for us on the other side. Consider keeping your Lotus membership, even when restrictions are lifted, you go back to work, the weather improves, and you may not be able to attend every day. If you’re taking 15-25 classes a month at $3-$5 a class right now, and then drop or reduce your membership when we reopen, that will not be sustainable.

• Consider purchasing a gift card for Mother’s Day, graduation, a frontline worker or to support another individual who can’t afford classes. We have some members who have been forced to drop their membership due to lost income. You can sponsor another student to practice. It’s the gift of yoga. Just ask us. Start by purchasing a gift certificate, either through your MindBody app or you can use this direct link to our MindBody gift certificate webpage .

• We’ve just partnered with Manduka so if you’re in need of some yoga props to support your home practice, you can purchase them directly through this link and Neighborhood Yoga will receive 25% of the profit. You can also use the discount code NEIGHBORHOODYOGA at checkout.

• If you’re in a position to offer more, consider making a donation to keep our doors open and our classes going. We can’t do it without you, as you are the backbone and the inspiration for all we do.
If you are still reading . . . THANK YOU! I appreciate you reading with open minds and compassionate hearts.

May you feel supported.
May you feel the strength of your own being.
May you feel the strength of the collective community.
May you feel the illumination of your light and let it be your guide through any darkness.

In peace and gratitude,

Valerie Midgett
Founder/Owner of Neighborhood Yoga
Main Studio: 659 West King Street
(3rd Floor, Shoppes at Farmer's)
Shanthi Way Studio: 129 Shanthi Way
(near Queen & Water Sts)