Asking for Help When It Is Not an Emergency

How I Decided To Crowdfund For Ayurveda And Yoga Training

Do you find it hard to ask for help? I do, even when there are open offers.

Sometimes, I feel like a failure because I have to ask. Or that it will be a bother. Or, possibly, that I have asked one time too much, and it needs to be an emergency if I am asking again.

It may be that these feelings and reactions are based on who I am with or who I would be asking because they “expect.” They (whoever they are) “expect” that at this stage in my life I will be able to take care of myself. Or, in the other extreme, if I need “help”, then maybe it is of the professional kind and not their responsibility.

The world I want to be a part of helps each other. It’s not the poor expecting the wealthy to carry them. Or even the wealthy feeling sorry for the poor and helping them out like one might take care of a small child.

More like, if you need something that I can give, I will gladly offer. My hope is that the same would be true in reverse — if someone else has something I need, that person would also share.

An Example Of The World I Want To Be In

For example, a cousin in Chicago tagged me in a Facebook post about one of his musician friends playing in my city. The location happened to be about two or three blocks away from my house, so I went to check out the open mic show.

I figured out which person had the tagged post, and introduced myself. Eventually, I also met the musician’s partner and sat with them the rest of the night.

When I found out they might not have a place to stay, I offered my extra room. Before the end of the night, they asked if that offer was still good.

I HAD JUST MET THEM, and didn’t have to help them. If it had been you and the vibes felt ok, what would you have done?

They used their sleeping bags and mats plus my extra pillows and setup in a warm room (on a warm night) on the floor.

They gave me what they had — a cd, a poster, some stickers — even though I hadn’t asked for anything. They covered my breakfast in the morning and happened to choose one of my favorite places.

Grateful is an understatement for how they felt.

If I hadn’t offered them a spot, their first experience in the city would have been much different. Instead, I made new friends and they made lots of new connections.

They could relax and organize for the next part of their trip.

An Organization Type That Reflects My Ideal World

Another example is why I like the makerspace concept — it is a form of crowdfunding or sourcing. The fact that we pool our money together to maintain a space and share knowledge, equipment, and chores is phenomenal when it works.

The people who do not respect that, need to go elsewhere if they won’t change.

A makerspace in the Detroit area, I3, is turning 10 this year. Considering that several makerspaces have shut down recently in Michigan, including a Tech Shop, it is an awesome accomplishment.

When it comes to crowdfunding, though, I have been hesitant. Sometimes, I even forget that it is an option. I return to the habit of figuring out how to take care of things myself. I may decide to completely pass on an opportunity or go into debt, versus asking.

In this case, I decided to go for it.

This Is My Crowdfunding Story

For a long time, I have wanted to dive further into yoga. I’m interested in the lifestyle more than learning to be an instructor. You can read about my yoga journey here.

When I have inquired or researched, it seemed like the path had to be teacher training, even if I decided not to teach.

Recently, I participated in a “summer wellness” workshop at the studio I normally use. The instructor follows Ayurveda teachings. After the workshop, (which I loved!) the instructor hosted an informational meeting on her Ayurveda and Yoga Training that starts in November.

I would loooovvvvveeee to be in that training.

The training is what I have been looking for — a deeper dive without the focus on teacher training AND a built-in community within the cohort.

In particular, there is supposed to be a lot of wisdom about women’s health and aging.

This is a topic that I am concerned about and comes up often in conversations with others.

I am working on a business idea, and I want the health aspect to be a part of it, especially for women.

The problem is, I do not have the extra funds without stretching debt that I would rather keep chopping down.

This training probably seems like more of a want than a need.

I have been looking for a full-time job to add to the part-time one I already have. This hasn’t worked out yet.

The instructor will negotiate what she can so the cost is not a barrier. A scholarship would cover a portion of the tuition. I can apply once I submit the initial amount with my application.

When I mentioned where I am financially, she responded with the fact that some students had successfully used crowdfunding.

So, I am asking for help, and in return, I will find a way to share my knowledge and help others.

Many have scrolled through my Facebook “stories” post.

In my imagination, a bunch of my friends each contribute somewhere between $1 and $50.

Whatever they are willing and able to do.

I also imagine my Facebook wall exploding as much as it does for my birthday.

The ones who think it is wrong to ask just shake their heads.

And in my imagination, it doesn’t bother me because I am focused on the friends who do care. These are the people who I want to be around.

They are supportive and amazing people.

If something came up that I could do for them, I wouldn’t think twice.

Even though I have been involved in the startup community for over six years, I have never asked for anything quite like this.

Will you help send me to the local Ayurveda and Yoga Training?

Keep in touch by subscribing to my email list here.