Free

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Free Baltimore Yoga was launched 2 years ago. The idea was fairly simple. I would teach studio quality yoga in non-studio spaces. The classes would occur weekly and the schedule would run similar to a yoga studio in that I would only cancel class if the locations needed the space for some unforeseen reason or if there was inclement weather.

I took everything that I had learned about marketing myself as a yoga teacher and channeled it into this program. It was designed to be an alternative and a complement to yoga studios. The classes are open to anyone and they are free with an aim to create as few barriers as possible from a regular practice. Some students start with us and move onto studios. Some students practice with us when they need to save money in a week. Some students practice with us because they like the teaching and the vibe of the classes. I cannot stress this enough. I didn’t create the program to replace yoga studios. I created it as a way to offer yoga in the most free way possible for both the students and especially the teachers.

As we grew and more teachers joined our program, I aimed to keep the program as relaxed as possible. I didn’t micro-manage the teachers’ classes. They are free to teach vinyasa yoga as they like. I required the teachers to be a certified yoga instructor and to carry up-to-date liability insurance. I asked that they also share in a genuine belief and love in the practice and the program by practicing with the classes when they could. (This both worked and failed to a large degree, mostly because I rarely practiced the classes myself because I found myself obsessed with the program and wasn’t really free to enjoy my own practice when I attended.)

I think the program is both a success and also it’s far from perfect. I certainly used the popularity and shininess to curate a “cool-looking” yoga program from the outside. It is cool in many ways. I loved being able to share yoga in such a free setting and it was still not as accessible as it could be. We don’t offer yoga classes specifically for seniors. We don’t have yoga specifically for trauma recovery. Our teaching team lacks diversity. We may have taken some money away from studios and in turn out of working teacher’s pockets. I’m not happy about any of that and I take full responsibility for that. (I will always be a stand for teachers negotiating with studio owners for their full worth. Know your value and start a discussion from that space. Don’t cave into the belief that it’s somehow “not yogic” to ask for fair compensation. Some of the most “practiced” yogis I know own studios, volunteer their teaching time, AND fairly compensate their teachers. I’m looking at you, Stacey Vespaziani.)

This Tuesday I’ll teach my last yoga class. Emily Fleming (Baltimore native) will continue to run this program with a team of generous and talented teachers behind her.

I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to roll out a mat with us over the last two years. I may not always remember your name but I know all of your faces.

Thank you to all of my past and present teachers and friends, my family, and my husband for tempering my fire with reason.

Thank you to all of the location sponsors, the door openers and lockers, maintenance workers, and security guards for baring with us through the years.

Thank you to my friend who shared a manic cup of iced coffee with me in the rain a few years ago on the top of Fed Hill for naming the program. It was simple and direct and without his help, I probably would’ve called it Glitter Yoga Express or something and it really would’ve missed the mark.

The light in me sees and acknowledges the light in all of you and I look forward to seeing you around town!

 

Free Baltimore Yoga Turns One

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When I last wrote about Free Baltimore Yoga, a project dedicated to providing studio quality yoga in non-studio spaces (you didn’t see it, but fellow entrepreneur types – I typed that elevator pitch with a quickness), we were still doe-eyed and fresh-faced. It was November and 4 months into this program, we were still riding high on adrenaline, attention, and momentum.

Staring down Free Baltimore Yoga’s one-year birthday next month, some days we don’t feel so young anymore.

November Project Baltimore

Photo: Sydney Van Horn

Questions I frequently answer:

What about the people who come to class who can afford the yoga?

Isn’t that what’s so damn special about this? In a world where everyone wants you to click on the link in bio to reserve your spot – here there are no tix for sale. I love the notion that your money is no good here. AND I’ll add that I don’t know and don’t give a damn who can or cannot afford the class. The entire second row on Tuesday night at Patterson Park could own founder-level 1980’s Apple stock and I’d have no idea. I won’t treat you any differently based on your income. I won’t teach you any differently. That sounds freeing regardless of the money or lack of money being exchanged.

Credit: neontalk.com

Credit: neontalk.com

Why don’t you let people donate depending on their level of income?

I don’t want to see the guy who’s chasing the fancy quiche pay $20 in front of the guy who’s scrambling to make ends meet this week. Listen, I love the guy who wants the fancy quiche. I want the fancy quiche too! But this has no place in yoga. At least it has no place in the yoga that I want to share.

Credit: CNN The Eighties (I truly hope he did earn the fine and fancy quiche.)

Credit: CNN The Eighties (I truly hope he did earn the fine and fancy quiche.)

What do you do for money? Trust fund? Wealthy husband?

I hope both my parents and my husband have a good laugh at this one. Not that it’s any of your business but no. I don’t have a trust fund or a wealthy husband. Before I taught yoga full-time, I was a makeup artist. Guys, I wasn’t very good (see below)! After college, my husband started off working at Kinko’s (before it was Fed-Ex Kinko’s) and I still remember the day we celebrated when he got a raise to $9 an hour. Full disclosure: he is now a Software Engineer and we have bills and debt just like most Americans. For the most part I have eschewed a paycheck over the last year, although there were exceptions and I am grateful for them!

mark_joker

Do you want someone to buy this whole thing and pay you to run it? (Clarification: No one has ever asked me that. I wish someone would ask me that. Let me volunteer my answer…)

YES, of course! I’m naïve and community-minded but I’m not stupid. Of course, I want some philanthropic, large-hearted, sugar daddy, yoga lover to see the value of community built without money. I’d love to be able to pay the teachers (my friends), photographer (my friend), web designer (my husband), and social media maven (me) every penny of what they’re worth. Here’s the thing though, I’m not going to compromise the program just for the dollars. I don’t want people to have to practice on mats with logos and I don’t want it to become PNC Free Baltimore Yoga because we all know that’s stupid and gross. This is yoga asana as pure and accessible as I can teach it at this point. I haven’t figured it all out. Nobody has.

sugar_daddy

Since you teach for free, will you teach for my community group, sorority, me and my turtle?

No. I’d love to be able to do that and I have learned to say no. This program has inclusivity at its core so teaching for a small group, no matter how incredible they are, takes away from the community and inclusivity of the program’s aims. It’s in no way personal. (Note: If you do practice with your turtle on your back, I might actually say yes just for the Insta.)

for_the_insta

What else do you do?

Thank you for your concern! I’m a yoga teacher and full-time caretaker of Free Baltimore Yoga and Free City Yoga and although my schedule may not always appear full, I assure you that I have plenty to keep me busy. I also write. I don’t get paid for that… yet! If someone wants to change that; let’s talk. Listen, I have no problem with writing AT&T presents Lee Anne Finfinger’s book of musings on life, yoga, and everything in between.

free_city_yoga

What’s next?

Free Pittsburgh Yoga has been going strong for almost 2 months! Free Twin Cities Yoga and Free DC Yoga are on their way thanks to the incredible women who’ve all come to me and asked if they can start this in their own cities. Like I mentioned, Free Baltimore Yoga will turn one next month! We’re talking about locations to add in the fall and we’re only taking a break the week of July 4th. All classes are cancelled and will resume on July 12th when I return from Copenhagen stuffed with lagekage! July 19th and July 21st – we’ll celebrate at both classes with yoga and free cake and maybe some surprises if I think of them. Thank you for supporting our little yoga community. If you haven’t rolled out a mat in a while, come see us again. We miss your face and while we won’t accept your dollars, we will accept your love.

lagekage

Final Pittsburgh Classes Here

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Come practice yoga with LA before she leaves for Baltimore.
All classes are at South Hills Power Yoga.

Tuesday January 13th, 5:45 PM – Dormont
Wednesday January 14, 6PM and 7:30PM – Peters
Tuesday January 20th, 5:45PM – Dormont
Wednesday January 21st, 9:30AM – Dormont & 6 and 7:30PM – Peters
Tuesday January 27th 5:45PM – Dormont
Wednesday January 28th, 9:30AM Dormont & 6 and 7:30PM – Peters

Pittsburgh Yoga Teacher

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LA Finfinger – Pittsburgh Yoga Teacher

Vinyasa and Power Yoga

LA Finfinger - Pittsburgh Yoga Teacher

LA Finfinger is a Pittsburgh yoga teacher

LA Finfinger is a certified Pittsburgh yoga teacher. She has taught workshops on arm-balancing, hip-opening, music explorations with live DJs and musicians, and more. LA currently teaches many of her workshops in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, however she is available to teach anywhere.

Click here for inquiries about booking LA at your studio.

LA has assisted Teacher Trainings in Costa Rica, Maya Tulum, and Pittsburgh. She has also co-led yoga retreats near Pittsburgh, Gateway Lodge (Cook Forest), Lake Erie, and Bedford Springs.

LA Finfinger is a certified Pittsburgh vinyasa and power yoga teacher.

Click here for more information about LA!