I started this post a few times working through some different topic ideas, but they didn’t quite seem to fit. But as I found myself thinking about the then upcoming Mother’s Day holiday, I landed on this idea of offering yoga as a gift. Giving a yoga class – or workshop – as a gift can be to introduce someone to this practice they may want to try or that you think they may enjoy. It can be a way to help support them in something they love if they already have a yoga practice. Or it can also be a great way to experience something together. Let’s explore these options.
Several years ago I took a class on Mother’s Day with my Mom. I’d been practicing yoga for quite some time already and probably talked about it a lot, but it wasn’t something yet that she had tried. It was a great way to introduce her to a part of my life, to something I really enjoyed doing. And there was the added bonus of her getting the chance to meet some of my friends I’d made at the studio and put faces to names she heard from time to time.
Over the years, I’ve looked forward to coordinating taking workshops at the studio with friends, so as I’ve considered yoga-related gift giving, I love the idea of offering to cover a workshop. Not only is this a lovely way to spend an afternoon (morning, or day), but if it’s a workshop you – the gift-giver – may also be taking, then you have someone to share your thoughts and takeaways with already! Maybe even meet up shortly after to share continued thoughts from the workshop as the days and weeks pass.
What I appreciate about the above ideas is that it turns the gift more into an experience and takes the question away from a thing: Is this something else that’s going to collect dust (something I think about when I travel and get souvenirs for myself or gifts for friends!)? If a book, is this something the other person would like? Or have they read it? The gift becomes a shared memory.
And if the person for whom you are buying for already has an established practice and/or a nearby studio, there are a few other options for consideration: one class, a class pack, covering a workshop, etc. Which also highlights options available for different budgets or events. Perhaps you may want to give a few classes after a big event, like a graduation: Congratulations! Here’s some self-care options after such hard work.
While I know Mother’s Day will have passed by the time this posts, I hope all of you celebrating had a wonderful day and/or were filled with lovely memories.
This is the part of a series of posts for The Mat Yoga Studio, sharing my thoughts and observations as a student only. The views and opinions are my own experience.
