I come from an advertising background, so I’m always in search of a good slogan – a few catchy words that sum up a product’s essence and also just so happen to look good on a t-shirt. Not that I was looking for a slogan or tagline for yoga, but sometimes a great one just smacks you up the side of the head.
I teach a lot of new students and meet a lot of people who are curious about yoga. In fact, this past weekend I was at an event to promote my summer beach yoga classes in Vermilion and Huron, and I got to meet a lot of awesome women who either have always wanted to try yoga, or have already stepped onto a yoga mat. One woman said to me, “I’ve done yoga, but I’m not very good at it.” Before I could chirp out a response, Marianne Greene, my lovely event buddy, did not miss a beat and responded, “You don’t have to be good at yoga. That’s the beauty of it!”
Bingo – Slogan Nirvana! Marianne had just nailed what should be (if yoga had a brand advertising agency) the marketing strategy for yoga. You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to show up on your mat, breathe, and do your best. I think I’ve found not only a new slogan, but a new mantra.
It doesn’t matter if you’re flexible; we come to our mats to become more flexible.
It doesn’t matter if you can’t touch your toes; each time you come to your mat and practice, you get the opportunity to get a little bit closer.
It doesn’t matter what is happening on the yoga mat next to yours; you get to make it your own practice.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a pretty Vinyasa flow; just get inside your body and your breath, and get down with the beauty inside you.
I always say yoga is not a competition, and I am so thankful for that; otherwise I would never participate.
Yoga – You Don’t Have to Be Good at It!
I love it! Short, sweet, concise, factual, and it delivers on the product’s key selling features. That’s my brand management blood still flowing through my veins and popping up from time to time.
Got a favorite yoga slogan, one that makes you smile, one that sums up how great your practice makes you feel? Leave a comment below and share your marketing genius!
I like this slogan and totally believe in it. I was reading your posting about the meaning of namaste the other day and I was struck by another definition “You Rock. I Rock. Let’s all Rock together!” Can’t begin to say what yoga has meant to me. Love your site. I am getting ready to start teacher training soon and I always find inspiration here! Thank you!
Cammie – You Rock! That is an awesome interpretation of Namaste and I’m so going to use that! Thanks for stopping by The Daily Downward Dog!
I just printed out your post, because I am going to use it in my class today, since I’m teaching at a new place where I don’t know anyone yet! You = brilliant!
Hey YTT Lil Sis – so excited that you are out there teaching! We need to talk and I need to get my butt to one of your classes! Congrats 🙂
Being good at yoga means being aware and present, that’s all
I love this article. As a full time marketing director who teaches yoga on the side I totally buy into what you are saying.
I recently wrote an article “Do you need to be flexible to do yoga – no, but doing yoga will make you more flexible .
Roger
From another ad guy in a previous life… I love it too!!!! It works!!
Namaste my friend!
Cathy
Great Post, thanks a lot!
This is exactly the reason why I started Satya-Yogis.com, to show that Yoga is not always perfect but makes people happy and that’s what it is all about.
If you want to I’d be happy to add you as another face on http://satya-yogis.com/.