There's a conversation I keep having with myself, in two parts of my life.
In my work with an NGO, I advocate for ancient ecosystems that have thrived for thousands of years, that have survived in the most hostile environment on earth and that deserve to exist for their own sake, not because they're useful to us (even though - as massive carbon sinks - they are). I sit across from parties focused on short-term “wins” and self-interest, and it is so hard to argue for something as unglamorous as "the right thing" when it's competing against what's convenient right now.
Yoga - and actually truthfully, small business ownership - has taught me similar lessons from a different angle. I pay my teachers fairly, I'm properly trained, I pay my taxes, I build classes that actually think about what my students need. I care SO MUCH. Doing it this way takes more effort than cutting corners, and I won't pretend it's always the easy path. It’s certainly a much harder path than those who “manifest abundance” by poaching from other studios and not paying taxes. But it's the right path, and it’s the one I believe in.
Yoga has a word for a lot of what I'm describing: Ahimsa, non-harm. It’s usually talked about as how we treat our bodies, and how we treat other souls on this planet, but it extends further than that. It's how we treat ecosystems and the environment. It's how we treat the people we work with. It's whether a business is built with care or to exploit.
There's also Satya, truthfulness, which shows up in simple things like running things properly and paying into the system you operate in. And Asteya, non-stealing, which is about respecting what does not belongs to you, whether that's a client relationship, an ecosystem, or someone's trust.
This is the thread that runs through everything we do at Madrid Yoga Collective. We're not free, and we don't apologise for that, because what you get in return is real: properly trained teachers who are paid fairly, classes built thoughtfully around our students, and a business that operates lawfully and pays its way. Like those ancient ecosystems I’m fighting so hard for - we're here for the long run, not for a quick buck.
We do that because the best part of all this is who it brings together. Our community is full of empathetic, welcoming, curious, international people who look out for each other, on the mat and off it. That's what keeps me going on the days work feels heavy, and it's the reason I'd love for you to join us.
Check out our full class schedule and upcoming events. Come find out what we mean by doing it properly.
