News

11/09/11

au·then·tic adj \ə-ˈthen-tik, ȯ-\

: Not false; true to one's own personality, spirit, or character

 

My entire professional career has been devoted to selling things.  With over 10 years spent in advertising, PR, marketing, promotions, and sales, I’ve seen a lot of product sold for a lot of different reasons.  In some form or fashion, every business transaction is about selling something, be it a tangible product, service, or an emotion.  This fact is neither, good, bad, or ugly.  It can however, be inauthentic, either to the product being sold, or to the person being used to help sell the product.  How many of you have experienced the difficulty of trying to sell something you don’t believe in?  How many times have you seen an actor, or athlete being paid to push a product and wondered, what on earth do they have to do with X?  

 

This inauthentic relationship when one acts out of alignment with their principles is from where we derive our commonly used term to “sell-out.”   

 

This subject is hyper-visible in our day-to-day work at YAMA because (in general), Yogi’s are more aware of their principles and beliefs than most.  YAMA is in the role of providing personalized career guidance for Yogi’s by actively listening, and being aware of their principles - making sure that every step of the way, each client is on their authentic path.  When I set out to create an ethics based business, I committed 100% to the fact that my clients will never be pushed into a decision that is against their beliefs – even if it is a “great” opportunity for advancement, even if it is a “great” opportunity to get paid.  Which does not mean that they will not choose to do something out of alignment, it means that YAMA will not be the impetus.  As a result, we have turned down opportunities that were offered, and not gone after others because they were not in alignment – this approach is how YAMA does its yoga in the work place.  As with all things, it is daily practice and we do our best to keep coming back to center.

 

There are also brand relationships that exist that are so genuine and aligned that it is a pleasure to be the endorser, the product and the end user, all at once, as it is in the case of Leslie Kaminoff and MBT shoes.  When Leslie called me in to his office about 8 months ago to tell me about an idea he had that he wondered if I would help him take a crack at.  At that time, I did not know enough about MBT to see the correlation.  Then, I went to Leslie’s “The Yoga of Walking” workshop at the Yoga Journal Conference NY, and it all clicked.   

 

Leslie spoke so passionately about the architecture of the foot and the importance of proper foot care to a room full of Yogi’s.  Throughout the course of his lecture, he naturally engaged them in conversation & education about MBT shoes, with his own pair sitting next to the stage.  I could barely wait to contact MBT to share Leslie's enthusiasm for their products and to suggest creative ways we could work together.  My client, Leslie drove this communication through his authentic connection to the product.

 

Fast forward 6 months, after walking in off the street at an MBT event in Manhattan, lots of phone calls, meetings and proposal drafts, and here we are, announcing that MBT and Leslie Kaminoff have secured a partnership.  The kick off event is this Saturday Nov 12th, at Leslie’s studio in Chelsea, the Breathing Project.  He will be lecturing on the benefits of MBT and doing a gait analysis as we all celebrate the release of his best-selling “Yoga Anatomy 2nd Edition” with Amy Matthews, by having a book signing and party.  We are thrilled to be connecting MBT to the Yoga Community with Leslie as the liaison.  There are workshops and other ways the partnership will come to life to be released soon. 

 

YAMA is excited to continue our work on knowing our clients well and on creating aligned business opportunities to coincide. 

06/29/11

In order to keep up with increasing demand, we are pleased to announce, that Mysh Kelly has been hired as the Bookings Manager for YAMA Talent.

 

 

Mysh Kelly, RYT 200, has served as Director of Operations for CITYOGA School of Yoga and Health, one of the Midwest's largest and most successful yoga schools for over 10 yrs.  As a veteran studio owner, Mysh knows first hand, that booking teachers is a fruitful endeavor, both monetarily and otherwise, and also know how tricky it can be.  Her professional experience in both medical and legal administration, combined with her keen whit, and organizational skills make her an ideal Bookings Manager.

 

 

Expanded services make it easy & efficient for venues to connect with and book teachers.  We now handle everything from start to finish including, managing data regarding rates, availability, promotional & marketing materials, travel itineraries, contracts and billing;  all a phone call away!

 

 

“It is the same with the enduring stream of knowledge known as parampara. Wherever we make contact with the lineage of teachers…we touch upon the entirety of the wisdom.” - Desikachar

 

 

04/01/11

The episode is titled "Yoga a la carte" and examines yoga as a phenomenon both its roots and it modern day incarnation, from the desert festivals of California, to the ashrams of India, the streets on NY, (agents and all) - as well as the birth of an industry to support it.  109 examines culture and what is shifting and shaping it.  Both Sadie Nardini and Ava Taylor will be featured.

- Saturday, April 2nd at 7:30 pm

- Sunday, April 3rd at 11:30 am
After this, the show will be available at : http://www.109-tv.com/
01/04/11

YAMA Talent, is pleased to announce the additions to its roster of teachers for 2011, including:

 

Dana Flynn, D'alien aka 13 HANDS, Derek Beres, Desiree Bartlett, Dina Amsterdam, Eoin Finn, Faith Hunter, Giselle Mari,James Miller, Jordan Mallah, Leslie Kaminoff, Matthew Cohen, Maya Fiennes, Michael Gannon, Ruslan Kleytman and Sara Ivanhoe.

 

These influential teachers are from across the yoga spectrum, and add a considerable amount of variety for booking venues.  YAMA Talent now offers Yoga Anatomy, Ashtanga, Blissology, InnerYoga, Jivamukti, Kundalini, Lotus Flow, Sacred Energy Arts, DJ sets & Kirtan, as well as a spectacular crew of recognizable faces and household names.

 

We're pleased to be bringing the world of yoga together, and, to you. 

10/27/10

YAMA Talent is pleased to announce that Certified Anusara Yoga teacher, Ashleigh Altman, has been chosen to be the new Global Yoga Ambassador for adidas in 2011; she will be taking over a role that Elena Brower pioneered in 2010. 

Ashleigh is an integral part of the Anusara yoga community and the YAMA family.  This endorsement will take her around the globe sharing the gift of yoga with students and teachers worldwide. YAMA is honored to manage and support her on this journey.  Confirmed engagements thus far, for 2011, include the production of two DVD's, teacher trainings, media events and public classes in  Berlin, Taiwan, Shanghai, and Uruguay.  She will officially take on her duties in November when she travels to Tokyo.

 

For more information on Ashleigh, click here:  http://www.yamatalent.com/ashleigh-altman.

09/14/10

September 19th, 2010 - NY, NY.  Angel Orensanz

 

Join YAMA Talent and a stellar line up of musicians and yogi's in support of Yoga Aid's fantastic charities - Off the Mat Into the World, Y.O.G.A. for Youth, Africa Yoga Project, and 4 oneworld.

 

Confirmed talent includes:  Wah!, 13 hands, Donna D'Cruz, Elena Brower, Kristi Clark, Jeffrey Duval, Paige Elenson, Dana Flynn, Gurmukh Khalsa, April Martucci, Dharma Mittra, YAMA's own Sadie Nardini, Simon Park, Donna Rubin and Dechen Thurman.

 

Don't miss this special two hour practice consisting of 108 sun salutations!

07/28/10

Sadie Nardini, a "rising star" called by Yoga Journal, is now on TV.

 

Many of you have been following her Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga on Sadie's Youtube channel;  YAMA Talent is pleased to announce her programing schedule on Body In Balance in Europe and abroad on Sky Channel 275.

 

Turn on your TV every Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7am and 6pm and get ready to start your Core Strength Transformation journey with Sadie.

 

29th July 2010

07:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 7

18:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 8

 

3rd August 2010

07:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 7

 

5th August 2010

07:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 8

18:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 9

 

10th August 2010

07:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 8

 

12th August 2010

07:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 9

18:00   Core Strength Vinyasa with Sadie Nardini - episode 1

 

07/07/10

On June 22, 2010, YAMA partnered with Flavorpill, JetBlue and so many of you to make history at Yoga at the Great Lawn! 10,000 yogis and yoginis gathered in the Central Park in NYC for the largest yoga event in the world. Over 13,000 people registered, 150 yoga teachers from all over the country came to assist attendees during the class, 16 well know yoga teachers including Duncan Wong, Sadie Nardini, Maya Fiennes, Gwen Lawrence, Sam Chase, Sarita Lou, Ashleigh Altman and Angie Stewart were on stage and most important, all of you. You brought your energy to the Great Lawn, and together, we made a shift, peaceful and powerful.

The yoga class was taught by Elena Brower, and, began with three "OM's" followed by sun salutations alongside the honorable Sri Dharma Mittra.  Then, we rolled up our mats as the rain began to pour!  The thunder and rain stopped us from finishing the class, but, we all left the lawn with a warm heart and gratitude.   “The OM says it all,” remarked Sadie Nardini.

 

In September, we’ll roll out ours mats again @ The Great Lawn in Central Park and YAMA will certainly have your favorite teachers on the stage.

 

Namaste.