Semi-Well-Known Author, Yoga Dude Seeks Donations for Yoga School

Neal Pollack is an author, a blogger and a dedicated dad. He’s also a self-proclaimed yogadork. We know, because that was almost the title of his new book, STRETCH: The Unlikely Making of a Yoga Dude, due out this fall ’10. With a subtitle like that, and if you’re familiar at all with Neal’s regular Faster Times column, we probably don’t need to elaborate much further on the subject matter (psst.. it’s about the unlikely makings of a yoga dude). But, did you know in continuing his journey on the road to yogi teacherdom (and promoting his book) he’d been accepted to one of the most prestigious trainings in the US? Mr. Pollack was lucky enough to be selected to train with Richard Freeman at The Yoga Workshop in Boulder, CO. Fantastic! The problem? Pretty much what almost any yogadork could agree is a major blow to the nadis (especially in this economy), but which we’ve also learned keeps many great yoga studios afloat (especially in this economy): TUITION.  Tuitioooon. Tuition! (sung a little like Fiddler on the Roof). It’s almost $3k all included to attend Richard Freeman’s 200-hr teacher intensive, which frankly is on par with many other trainings you’ll find these days (many close to $4k). So what did Neal Pollack do? He asked for your help! And many responded with cold hard cash. Really! Below you’ll find his kickstarter widget and his yoga dude missive.

By now he’s super close to his goal of $4,200 to cover all expenses and support his fam while he’s away all of June, and we have no doubt he’ll reach it by the March 28 deadline. That’s not why we posted this. The whole idea of raising money for yoga teacher training is incredibly intriguing and we hope Neal makes it as we’re looking forward to reading about his journey into the depths of his soul, er, the path of intensive teacher training. He’s got enough name recognition to pull off asking for $1 to $1,000 donations in exchange for autographed books and other goodies without seeming self-righteous or lame, mostly. But if an accomplished author, or his publishers, can’t afford to send this aspiring dude to yoga school how are the rest of us yogaschmoes supposed to pay for it?

Lesson? Teacher training is freaking expensive and it’s a commitment. Set up your tip jar now.*

PS. If you’re up for it, by all means send Neal a donation, and be sure to tell him YD sent you.

*this has our little dork minds churning with a fabulous idea!…more details soon, maybe.

Neal Pollack’s Kickstart page

Earlier…Recession No Threat to Pure Yoga Expansion, New Teacher Training Program

Climbing the Ladder of Yogapreneurship: Can You Earn a Living Teaching Yoga?