A few colleagues have recently asked me about Yoga. They are interested in improving their health problems and have heard that yoga might just be the thing to try. They have heard that I'm "into yoga"
and want to get a feel for it.
AWESOME!!! Come with me, we can go today! It'll be awesome, we can go every day! ... Hmmm, maybe that's not the right approach. I'm not going to lie, in the first few months I might have said that to a few people and scared them off. I was super excited about Bikram Yoga (still am!) and I wanted to share it with everybody! NOW!!
Thing is... not everybody is ready and pushing them in this stage is counterproductive. I have learned that quite a while ago. Today another colleague asked me about Yoga and said "But you do Bikram Yoga, right? That will be too much for me with the heat and all." What would you have said to the person?
I didn't want to overwhelm him with information, but I wanted to make sure he feels welcome to try. He will NOT be the only one who is new to this/feels too hot/cannot touch their forehead to their knees. I calmly told him why the heat specifically helps us (stretch and heal our bodies & deal with circumstances beyond our control). I also informed him about the beginners special (two weeks unlimited for 25$). If he is interested and ready for it, he will research himself or ask me again. I do not want to push it on anybody :)
So what do you tell people who are interested in (Bikram) Yoga? Do you try to "sell" it?
I always tell them: "It's hot, you will sweat, and you won't really know what you're doing at first. Roll with it. I lost 45 pounds in six months, and never felt better. I'll go with you if you like. I know you are thinking that you can't. I'm here to tell you that you CAN. It will change you. Just try."
ReplyDeleteSadly, as soon as they hear about the heat, they tune out. I have yet to convince anyone to try it. So much fear.
That's a great idea to tell them about the benefits you've experienced.
ReplyDeleteI agree, most people hear about the heat and tune out, so I try not to put too much emphasis on it... a few of my friends have tried a class or two, but none stuck with it. Well, one friend actually likes it, but I don't think she goes regularly, because the studio is far away.
Actually, the first time I heard you talk about it you did it just like that, talking about how much you've improved your body, mind, and soul. And talking about heat in winter should get you some attention!
DeleteAnd I'm glad you tried it :) I am going to post an amazing story about healing back pain soon. It blew me away! I will share it soon.
DeleteThis is something I struggle with because I do unintentionally "sell" Bikram! I end up saying something like "Do it! Do it NOW!" and people get all creeped out and walk away. : ) I have noticed that I tend to hear the same responses - I'm not flexible enough, I hate the heat....but in trying to tell them that yoga is how you get flexible and that I hated the heat, too...I sound like a bible salesmen again. I'm getting better about not selling it, and remembering that everyone has their own path, and the practice is certainly not right for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI can relate to all of that!
DeleteProblem is, I feel like I have a magic potion, but people are not ready for it. It's hard when people tell me about their problems, but are not ready to try this solution... and I'm sooo convinced Bikram could help them so much :-/