Recently as I was heading in to take a yoga class in our Sandfly studio, one of our long time yogis said to me "I can't imagine how you feel when you come in here and see so few people in a class." I laughed and replied "That's why I practice Yoga."
The truth is it has taken a lot more than yoga in the last 18 months to keep the doors open at both of our studios. We have invented new ways of doing things, gone into a large amount of debt, and our staff has had to pivot over and over again. It has been exhausting and taken its toll physically, emotionally, and financially.
Thankfully yoga includes asana, meditation and inquiry - the practice of asking ourselves hard questions and seeking the truth. This idea of "Seeking the Truth" is the first of Baron Baptiste's 12 laws of transformation, which we study during our 40 Day program. In leading this program over the last month I have found new meaning and guidance.
Right now these laws are guiding me through what may be one of the most difficult decisions and transitions for Savannah Power Yoga. I’ll let the laws and my experience of their guidance share some important news with you.
Seek the truth.
We are $250K in debt and still burning $5-$10K per month beyond our revenue.
Be willing to come apart.
The March 2020 opening of our Wilmington Island studio and timing of the pandemic created the worst possible scenario for our business. We have been holding on trying to keep it all together and it’s time to let go.
Give up what you must.
Non-attachment is a central teaching of yoga. It’s time to put our practices in action. As of October 31st, we will be closing the doors at our Sandfly studio.
Drop what you know.
Attachment to our point of view is the source of our suffering. If we come from possibility and drop what we think we know, our options expand. It might seem like the drive to Wilmington Island is too far. I invite you to make the drive a few times and see if you can make it work.
Shift your vision.
Two years ago it would have been unimaginable for us to close our bustling Sandfly studio. It also would have been nearly impossible to imagine our entire community shifting online within just a few days. The pandemic accelerated many things and it is time for us to shift our drishti to envision something new.
Relax with what is.
Take a deep breath. The decision has been made. Now is the time to accept the things we cannot change.
Don’t rush the process.
This has been a long journey and it will take some time to change course. We have updated our business plan to map our way back to solvency. By cutting our overhead and focusing on our mission and core values, we can and will rebuild.
Understand the whole is the goal.
This decision was made with careful deliberation and experienced counsel. Our online platform, born from the pandemic, offers limitless potential. Our Wilmington location also supports the growth of our community. If you can’t make the drive, please stay in the practice. If you’ve read this far, you know that the tools and practices of yoga can change lives for the better. This is not the end of SPY, this is simply a new beginning.
Thanks to your support for the last 10+ years, the team at Savannah Power Yoga has touched more that 15,000 lives, taught more than 25,000 classes and trained over 150 teachers. You have also supported our local non-profits, donating more than $100K to Hospice Savannah and other service organizations. This past Friday alone, we raised over $7,000 for Hospice Savannah. Thank you.
The last 2 laws I want to share are these:
Step out of your comfort zone.
Consistency is part of our mission statement. We like things the way we like them. Closing this studio is way outside of my comfort zone and I am guessing changing your routine will be as well. Change is a universal truth and our practice trains us to do hard things. We can adapt to change even if it is not our preference.
Be true to yourself.
Take some time and consider what’s truly important to you. If being a part of the SPY community is important, stay connected. Make it work. If it is time to move on and grow in new ways, go forth.
Our last day of classes in Sandfly will be Sunday, October 31st. We are planning an open house on that day so that you can come say your final goodbyes and celebrate all that we have created as a community in the last 10 years.
Thank you for your incredible support through the last 18 months. Thank you as well for your understanding, kindness and patience as we make this transition. I also want to thank our staff at Savannah Power Yoga. They have been generous and patient and worked vey hard to bring you the best possible service during a very challenging time. I bow in gratitude to each and every person who has been a part of creating our wonderful community.
Namaste,
Kate
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FAQ
What will the new schedule look like?
We are meeting with each of our staff members in the next week and will do our best to keep your favorite classes and teachers on the schedule, offering them in Wilmington Island and on Zoom. In the coming weeks we will be working with our team to build this new schedule. After a period of time we will add and update the classes based on your feedback and attendance.
What can I do about my membership if I cannot attend the classes on Zoom or in Wilmington Island?
All of our monthly memberships are month-to-month at this time. They auto-renew on the date of purchase. You can check on your current renewal date by clicking here and navigating to the Account tab.
While we would love to keep you in the community, you can cancel your membership at any time by following this link
What if I have a class pass?
If you have a class pass it is valid online and in Wilmington Island and we would love to see you there. You can also take classes in Sandfly between now and October 31st.
Can I get a refund?
We are not able to make cash refunds at this time. We have done our best to make this clear with every sale. We are happy to offer you a store credit toward retail or gift cards. Please email us if you have any questions.
Why Sandfly?
Our lease in Sandfly has a limited guaranty clause which allows us to buy out the contract and leave before the end of the lease. Our Wilmington Island lease does not. We simply cannot afford over $10k in rent at this time and closing Sandfly will account for more than half of our rent, not to mention utilities and other overhead. During the last year we have met with legal counsel, business coaches and even bankruptcy lawyers. We have tried very hard to keep both studios open, and at this point the math simply doesn’t work. Closing Sandfly will give us the chance to avoid insolvency and continue to share the tools of yoga.
How can I help?
Keep your membership. Join us online. Make the drive.
Never been to our Wilmington Island location? Check out this map and pics.
