One Person Can Have Much Impact
In this solo show, I, Marianne, examine how one person can have an immense impact on the lives of many. Jenise and I recently taught a couple of classes at the Big Bear Yoga festival. I am using this experience to illustrate that we all have the power to impact many people. People we might never even meet in our lives.
[clickToTweet tweet=”But the impact went way beyond the fact that many people spend a day together practicing self-care through Yoga” quote=”But the impact went way beyond the fact that many people spend a day together practicing self-care through Yoga”]
Big Bear Yoga is run by two women as a love offering to the community. A few years back, they decided to also offer a yearly Yoga Festival.
This year, it was a one-day affair and it was free to the public.
Almost 600 people RSVPd.
We could leave it there. Their impact is that many people got to have a full day of yoga for free. The students also had the opportunity to be exposed to so many different aspects of Yoga. A lot of times people are hesitant to try something new if they have to pay for the class. They want the security or the known outcome. But for free – why not try something new.
Classes ranged from gentle yoga to very vigorous forms. From laughter yoga to permaculture. From nutrition to music. From yoga hiking to yoga writing. So many offerings!!
Here is a link to the Big Bear Yoga Festival in case you want to attend next year.
Impact beyond the Yoga Practice
But the impact went way beyond the fact that many people spend a day together practicing self-care through Yoga.
Many of the participants came from cities several hours of driving away. The option to spend one or maybe more rights in Big Bear made sense. Of course eating out and maybe shopping is also a part of a mini vacation. All those activities bring a benefit to the local community.
Vendors came too to the festival. Over 30 different booths had all kinds of interesting offerings. From Vegan food to organic yoga wear. From energy healing to psychic readings. From jewelry to non-profits supporting individuals who want to develop a product for sale.
Getting ready for the Permaculture class
Let’s not forget the connections individuals were making. In one of our sessions, a local activist in need of a kitchen connected with a child care provider who has such a kitchen and needed help. A trade made in heaven. Help time was traded for time in the kitchen.
Remember the non-profit I mentioned. They are working with all kinds of people who want to bring their cottage industry item to market – and the use of a commercial kitchen is often required.
The class we were teaching was on Permaculture. It felt like that all these connections were taken from the handbook on Permaculture design. Staking functions! The kitchen provides healthy food to the child-care kids which can be leveraged to get a Healthy Start grant. Also, the kitchen can provide an extra income by renting it out. The owner can make a product for sale herself from the yield of the land surrounding the daycare.
Please use this graphic to pin this post
If we keep brainstorming, we probably can come up with more ways of keeping that kitchen busy at all times and bringing revenue to the business. For example, a cook could be working during the time the kids are at the daycare to provide meals for families to take home for their dinner. People could drop off their pots in the morning and take them home filled with goodies in the evening.
The positive impact is that the family doesn’t need to stress to get dinner on the table. Or to go shopping for dinner for that matter. The food is healthy and family time around the dinner table is ensured.
What other ideas come to your mind? Let us know!
[clickToTweet tweet=”It felt like that all these connections were taken from the handbook on Permaculture design. Staking functions! ” quote=”It felt like that all these connections were taken from the handbook on Permaculture design. Staking functions! “]
There are so much more possibilities!
I am sure that many more connections were made during that day who will bring about events in the future.
All this was possible because two women decided to have a Yoga Festival.
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If you enjoyed this episode, you might like to listen to the following as well
http://184.154.247.208/~sustajo7/podcasting-social-change/
http://184.154.247.208/~sustajo7/organizing-economic-transition/
