Do You Ask Beyoncé for a discount? Why Would You Ask Me?

A Reflection on Fair Compensation in the Yoga Community - By Justine Simon

Reading time: 3 minutes

Ok, so whenever I seem to write an article nowadays, it seems like I do nothing but have a little rant. But this is my space to do so. And maybe by hearing my perspective - my truth - you might understand why I am getting so frustrated. Satya. Honesty. Right now I need my voice heard.

Last month I started up a new, monthly, online Yin and Nidra practice. The intention is to wind down from the weekend and prepare for the week ahead letting go of those Sunday Scaries. As a promotion, I offered the first class for free.

This is promotion and advertising. I wanted to do this. I wanted to say thank you to all my regulars that have been supporting me and showing up to practise with me.

This month, I have already had 4 people just asking for the link to be sent. Not even wanting a discount; they want a free class. Now these are not people who are financially struggling but people in full time, well-paid, secure jobs. I offer a community class weekly where people pay what they can afford even if the amount is zero.

I work for a studio where I offer a monthly community class with the same pay structure. This monthly online class is for me to earn money. And it may seem a little selfish but I do need certain luxuries in my life such as running water and a roof over my head.

When one person decided that they would be willing to “do me a favour” by offering to pay £5 to attend 2 classes (£2.50 per class) I asked her if she expected me to pay to teach? Her reasoning was that it was online so I had no overheads and so all my money was profit. Except it isn’t. Zoom costs money. Websites cost money.

And my time is worth something. A Nidra script can take hours to write and plan. The admin sending the links out is time consuming. And am I not entitled to earn a living? Want a free class? Let me direct you to You Tube.

And I do offer discounts. I offer them to those that would never ask. Those people who have shown up regularly. People who are loyal.

I work very hard. But when you factor in planning, travelling, overheads etc. then really I am earning less than minimum wage. And I am ok with this. For now. For now, I am content. I love to teach; it is my dharma.

But I just want to ask you the question, when it comes to buying a service, would you ask Beyoncé for a discount or a free ticket? If the answer is no, then why do you ask me? We are all riding this cost of living crisis and I would like to keep my head above water at this challenging time please.