I decided to bring my teaching to Ra Yoga in early 2018. I had only heard the highest of praises and deepest of gratitudes for Ra Yoga from students and teachers alike. I was ready to be a part of another yoga community and it seemed that Ra was calling to me, inviting me to join. From my original audition with Jenny and Amanda and my very first class at Ra Costa Mesa, I felt not only warmly welcomed, but also deeply connected. My students received and appreciated my classes, my fellow teachers treated me like kin, and the staff supported and uplifted everyone. Right away I knew that I had found another home. Fast forward almost 3 years later, I have taught hundreds of classes to hundreds of students in Ra’s beautiful studios, I have had the immense honor of supporting their teacher training programs, I have bonded truly with my incredible and dedicated students, I have befriended deeply my fellow teachers and managers, and I have cried, learned, and laughed with my fellow Ra Family members underneath Ra’s roof.
Ra Yoga is more than a business offering students a work out in exchange for coin. No, Ra is much more. Ra is a community offering its vast and diverse family a place to come to flow and lift, to sweat and cleanse, to sit still and ground down, to clear minds and unlock hearts, to learn and grow, to meet new friends and commune with old ones, to be accepted and celebrated, to give, receive, and be love. I cannot tell you how many students have expressed to me how the classes taught by myself and my fellow teachers at Ra have helped them through difficult career seasons, break-ups and divorces, deaths of family members, and more and aided their journey to healing and evolution. I cannot tell you how many fellow teachers have shared with me how Ra changed not only their careers, but their lives as well. So I repeat, Ra is not just a business, it is truly a community and a family.
Unfortunately, capitalism does not necessarily value community or heart based businesses. It comes as no surprise that the pandemic has taken a great toll on the financial health of Ra and other heart based businesses like it and very little government support has been offered to keep these businesses afloat in these tumultuous times. The hard truth is that Ra, especially being a fitness center and a small business, is in danger of not surviving this unprecedented pandemic.
The thought that Ra might not be there on other side of this stretch of history is truly devastating. Again, Ra Yoga is a community and it is a sacred space for so many people. For some, to lose Ra is to lose a means of maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health. For some, to lose Ra is to lose a place a refuge, acceptance, joy, and peace. For me, to lose Ra is to lose a family I have come to love and cherish more than I can fully express.
And so, I am asking for your help. I am not asking for my own benefit; yes, Ra is a place of employment for me but trust me when I tell you that I am completely fine and secure. No, I am asking for your help on behalf of Ra Yoga and on behalf of the family it supports. If you feel called to contribute, here are some ways you can help.
1 – GoFund Me for Ra Yoga – A GoFund Me campaign has been created by some of the family members of Ra’s owners. Every contribution counts, helps, is humbly received, and greatly appreciated. You can access the GoFund Me for Ra Yoga via the button below,
2 – Sign-up for Ra Yoga Live – Ra Yoga has created a truly phenomenal streaming platform for you to practice yoga in the comfort and safety of your own home. I LOVE Ra Yoga live and would use it even if there was no pandemic. Check it out for yourself! Here’s what it entails:
- 6 Classes per day, streamed live AND available to be streamed for 48 hours after the original air time
- Class formats include: Vinyasa Flow, Strength, Yogalates, Hot Ra, and Rastorative
- A+ streaming quality: clear visuals, crisp audio, a perfect blend of teacher’s voice and teacher’s music
- Classes taught by phenomenal Ra Teachers including myself (Johnny), Laurie, Madison, Darren, Amber, Juliet, and more!
- 2 week FREE trial
- $20 per month
3 – Purchase Gift Cards – Buy gift cards for holidays and birthdays to be redeemed for eventual class packages and retail
4 – Purchase Retail – Ra Yoga Studios are still selling retail including mats, water bottles, and yoga apparel from your favorite brands. If you are ready to upgrade your gear, purchase from Ra!
I sincerely thank you for taking the time to read my words and consider my ask. Whether I know you personally or you are a follower I have never met, you are part of my community. And so I am turning to you to help me support the Ra community which means so much to me and many others. Thank you.
All my love,
Johnny
Johnny La Pasta 