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Dear loved ones,
This summer I will be biking 2,800 miles across the United States in an effort to help keep a wonderful small business alive. I am writing to you today to ask for help: I am so grateful for your time in reading this letter in its entirety.
Many of you know how much yoga and meditation have become an important part of my life recently. A blessing discovered during a difficult transition period of my life. However, few of you know that if it where not for Rian Bodner and Illumina East Yoga Studio, I would most likely not have found this blessing that has helped me so much.
Around 18 months ago, I was bouncing around yoga studio's in NYC, taking advantage of free trials; unable to commit to paying for a membership in a practice I only suspected could be beneficial to my health. When I completed my two week trial at Illumina, I felt particularly sad to move on from a community that I felt held so much beautiful, healing energy.
Rian opened his doors to me, allowing me to exchange work for unlimited membership. Knowing the prices of yoga classes in NYC, there was no doubt I was essentially receiving a gift.
When I overslept morning shifts, I was never greeted with punishment, only patience and understanding. When I left the country to go back to Kenya for long periods of time, I was never threatened with losing my position, and was always welcomed back with open arms. I will never forget after a long night, falling asleep in the class after my morning shift, and being left to sleep for the next few hours, despite another class coming in and starting!
This is because Illumina East has *always* been about community. The studio, which resides in one of the most money driven cities in the world, has never been about profit. Besides learning about different kinds of yoga through the most inspiring teachers, Illumina has taught me that there is an alternative model to prioritizing money over everything. The longer I worked in the studio, the more I became attached to it. To Rian and Johanna, to the countless teachers, to the other Karmi workers, and to the members. I witnessed the incredible power of community and will forever be moved and inspired by this.
As you know COVID-19 has devastated small business's across the world. Illumina East is one of them. Despite this, Rian has continued to demonstrate his priority in community and has actually *added free classes* in the hope of relieving some of the anxiety that this crisis has created in our daily lives. In addition, he ensured members of the community where checked on regularly and asked all to reach out should there be *anything* the studio could offer.
Now, Illumina East needs our help to stay open. That is why this summer, most likely beginning at the start of July, I will be biking across the United States, from Washington D.C to California, in an effort to raise money for a small business that deserves to stay open. A small business that the East Village community in NYC dearly needs. A small business that should serve as an inspiration to all.
Dearest friends, I know that many of you do not have the means to give, but even the smallest donation can go a long way in keeping this studio alive. I would be so grateful for any donation, or positive thought or prayer. I will be thinking about you all as I bike approximately 2,800 miles with a tent and sleeping bag (of course adhering to social distancing regulations), and will do my best to keep you regularly updated on the journey, as well as my thoughts and meditations.
With so much love, gratitude, blessings, and light.
Your friend,
Matteo
This summer I will be biking 2,800 miles across the United States in an effort to help keep a wonderful small business alive. I am writing to you today to ask for help: I am so grateful for your time in reading this letter in its entirety.
Many of you know how much yoga and meditation have become an important part of my life recently. A blessing discovered during a difficult transition period of my life. However, few of you know that if it where not for Rian Bodner and Illumina East Yoga Studio, I would most likely not have found this blessing that has helped me so much.
Around 18 months ago, I was bouncing around yoga studio's in NYC, taking advantage of free trials; unable to commit to paying for a membership in a practice I only suspected could be beneficial to my health. When I completed my two week trial at Illumina, I felt particularly sad to move on from a community that I felt held so much beautiful, healing energy.
Rian opened his doors to me, allowing me to exchange work for unlimited membership. Knowing the prices of yoga classes in NYC, there was no doubt I was essentially receiving a gift.
When I overslept morning shifts, I was never greeted with punishment, only patience and understanding. When I left the country to go back to Kenya for long periods of time, I was never threatened with losing my position, and was always welcomed back with open arms. I will never forget after a long night, falling asleep in the class after my morning shift, and being left to sleep for the next few hours, despite another class coming in and starting!
This is because Illumina East has *always* been about community. The studio, which resides in one of the most money driven cities in the world, has never been about profit. Besides learning about different kinds of yoga through the most inspiring teachers, Illumina has taught me that there is an alternative model to prioritizing money over everything. The longer I worked in the studio, the more I became attached to it. To Rian and Johanna, to the countless teachers, to the other Karmi workers, and to the members. I witnessed the incredible power of community and will forever be moved and inspired by this.
As you know COVID-19 has devastated small business's across the world. Illumina East is one of them. Despite this, Rian has continued to demonstrate his priority in community and has actually *added free classes* in the hope of relieving some of the anxiety that this crisis has created in our daily lives. In addition, he ensured members of the community where checked on regularly and asked all to reach out should there be *anything* the studio could offer.
Now, Illumina East needs our help to stay open. That is why this summer, most likely beginning at the start of July, I will be biking across the United States, from Washington D.C to California, in an effort to raise money for a small business that deserves to stay open. A small business that the East Village community in NYC dearly needs. A small business that should serve as an inspiration to all.
Dearest friends, I know that many of you do not have the means to give, but even the smallest donation can go a long way in keeping this studio alive. I would be so grateful for any donation, or positive thought or prayer. I will be thinking about you all as I bike approximately 2,800 miles with a tent and sleeping bag (of course adhering to social distancing regulations), and will do my best to keep you regularly updated on the journey, as well as my thoughts and meditations.
With so much love, gratitude, blessings, and light.
Your friend,
Matteo
Organizer and beneficiary
Deanna Simone Green
Beneficiary