by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat
Here’s the deal.
There were many supportive and encouraging comments on my last Musings article, Quitting or letting go? Apply discernment here.
And there was one comment that pushed my buttons. Made me feel down-right defensive, and self-righteous even.
On the path to inner knowing, anything that makes us feel defensive and self-righteous is a sign-post.
Something to see here folks, something to see.
And there was… once I’d taken some time to allow the defenses to melt and I was able to turn inward and look.
The comment was short:
What is TYLB? Is it a book, a personal blog (it seems that way to me), a NZ yoga website, a public meditation, self promotion, advertising, a way to pass time, a way to generate sympathy and support, a way to connect with people, a way for people to connect, a business? – David
Simple question right?
Brought up a few issues for though. See, the comment implied that it’s not clear what YLB is to your casual reader. It implied I’m not doing my job well as the editor of YLB, if people have to even ask that question.
Once I got over myself, I could address the validity of the question. And the more I inquired into it, the more I could sense that it was time for a change on YLB.
See, I’ve often been producing YLB from a writer-perspective, instead of an audience-perspective. Sometimes our needs have meshed, and sometimes they haven’t. David’s comment further drove it home to me that I need to see YLB as separate from me, and put the needs of YLB and it’s audience in front of my needs.
That’s what makes it a business.
I need to look at removing my personal blogging – which is more about my own creative expression – from YLB and instead focus on writing articles that meet the needs of the YLB audience.
It’s only a slight shift in focus. But an important one.
Yet I recognise that I need creative expression as a writer, it’s who I am. There’s many people who enjoy these personal blogging articles and gain a great deal of value from them. And I have the perfect place to do this… my own website. Kara-Leah.
So I’m playing with the idea of having my column Musings from the Mat fall into line with the style of the rest of the YLB columnists. That means I’d write every four weeks or so, and I’d keep my focus on observations of the way our practice on the mat informs our life. Likely I’d use personal examples to illustrate this, but the column will no longer be my personal blog or creative expression.
My intention over the next few months is make small changes like this that streamline the offerings on YLB for it’s target audience. I also plan to reduce the number of hours I spend on the website, bringing it more in line with the amount of revenue I receive each week.
This is also called business.
I’m considering offering a way for loyal Lunchboxers to pay for the value they receive from the website, exploring the idea of introducing a paygate, similar to Elephant Journal’s. If a reader wants to read more than three articles (or maybe two) a day, they’re asked to commit to a monthly or yearly subscription. Or come back tomorrow to read more for free.
Before I take any such steps though, I need to weigh up the cost in time and money to implement the system versus the likely gain by having the system, minus any negative implications for the website. (Feedback welcome on this, please leave a comment).
Underlying all of this work is one clear intention, the core purpose of why I started this website:
How can I best use The Yoga Lunchbox, and my skills & talents as a writer & editor, to serve the needs of the yoga community?
It strips out the unconscious need I was meeting through the website – my personal need for creative expression and connection.
It feels clean.
It feels clear.
And I like that.
You?
What do you feel?
Hiya, I disagree with that commenter about it seeming like a personal blog – I appreciate your honesty and your presence and I see it as an appropriate ‘editor’s’ presence. I like that I have been able to ‘get to know’ (kind of) the person behind YLB – it makes it more human.
YLB is to me a well-edited online yoga magazine! I really enjoy it. All of it. Including your ‘personal’ articles.
Keep up the good work! 🙂
Hey Helen,
Ah… I hadn’t thought of that perspective, that of a ‘present editor’. I like that! Thanks for your specific feedback, it’s great to get different views on this!
Blessings,
KL
Hi Kara-Leah
Focusing is always good, but for me it is your skill and talent as a writer, that make “Musings on the Mat” the headline act for TYLB. Your willingness to examine your own life through the lens of yoga and your writing about it, offers genuine nourishment to the community you serve so generously. Diving into one of your articles, gives me entry to the wealth of other information and experience contained within the YLB archives and to the wider yoga community. I am truly grateful for it.
Many blessings,
Rachel
Hey Rachel,
Fantastic to have such specific feedback – thank you! I will most definitely be continuing with MFTM, and in this style. The comments I’ve been getting will help me determine how much of a presence the column needs to have… all about balance I guess!
Blessings,
KL
Hi Dear Kara-Leah
Thanks daily posts I am doing practice at morning on my bed.
Thanks again
Devraj Dhedda
Hi Devraj,
Morning practice rocks – and I’m glad these regular articles seem to be inspiring you!
Blessings,
KL
Hi Kara-Leah
Thanks for your reply and please send me daily nice practical practice and literature about yuga.
Thanks again.
Hi
Yuga is change of life we know who I am ? Yuga is meet to God and no difference about I and God.
I am very glad to read your reply.
Regards
Hey Devraj,
I love how you put that – yes, yoga is when our lives change because we know who we truly are. That we are God and God is us…
Blessings,
KL
Hi,
Your self examination and honesty about what you find out about yourself is what makes it unique. David, sounds like one of those black and white thinking type people. Does he even practice yoga? Stay real, adjust your sails where ‘you’ feel necessary, Nick
Hey Nick,
I like that “stay real, and adjust your sails where you feel necessary”. Great offering, and one I’m taking on board. The self-examination & honesty will always be a big part of YLB!
Blessings,
KL
I adore all your columnists, but I do take particular pleasure in your musings from the mat posts and the videos. And I think it’s great that you keep us in the loop about editorial processes, about how you relate to TYLB.
As to a paywall, I don’t like it. It would be hard to make it work together with the rss feed. Cutting the rss feed would make it harder for me to stay up to date, and probably a bunch of other people. Another blog I read does bi-monthly reminders for donations or subscriptions, would that maybe be an option? (http://www.shakesville.com/2012/08/bi-monthly-reminder-thank-you.html)
Hey Paula,
Great feedback – thank you. And good point about the RSS Feed. However, that wouldn’t change at all. There’s always many ways to “avoid” a paywall if one wishes, it’s more about opening up a process where people can choose to offer payment to the website if they feel they’re receiving sufficient value.
I did offer subscriptions for a year or so, about a year ago. However, only 40 people signed up, and the administration of the system was costing more than the revenue received.
Once I run metrics on YLB & a paywall, it may well be the case that the same is true – it would cost more to run than it would generate in income.
Many blessings,
KL
Dear Paula
Thanks for your reply.
I hope you and your family will happy and fine.
Please don’t ignore to send your practical yuga I like Kara – Leah practical yuga and poss.
Regards
Your musings from the mat is one of my favorite things about YLB. I’m sorry that commenter made you doubt yourself, doubt YLB connection to its audience – I love this space and everything it has to offer. I’m not sure I’d like to see it change. Love your work x
Hey Natalia,
Have no fear – Musings from the Mat isn’t going anywhere… I was more concerned about balance. However, it does sound like people are more than happy to read extra articles from me, which is great to know.
Thanks too for the appreciation – it’s… appreciated 😉
KL
Dear Kara-Leah,
During a time of immense personal change, pain, searching, growth and all that good stuff, your articles have been like an intelligent, honest friend who helps me reflect and learn, and challenges me to be honest and look deeper within. They are my favourite aspect of the YLB and the reason I come back to the site again and again. You have a gift for communication and I really hope to read many more of your articles (I see them as articles more than blogs, perhaps because they are always so well written and structured) for some time to come.
You might be writing about personal stuff and meeting some of your personal needs through the articles, but the comments above and elsewhere on your work show that you’re helping many others too. I sincerely believe that.
If you ever come to Christchurch, I would love to have a group or one-to-one yoga class with you.
Smiles and kindest regards,
Francesca
Hey Francesca,
Thank you – wonderful feedback to receive. You will most definitely be reading many more of my articles over time.
Blessings,
KL