The Savin Hill Yoga Cooperative was formed to support yoga classes and related activities at Pearl Street Studios at 11 Pearl Street in the Savin Hill neighborhood of Dorchester. The studio at Pearl Street is a beautiful renovated livery stable built expressly as a yoga studio. We have a wall of windows that face the rising sun, heated floors, 5/8" rubber on the entire studio floor and local art on the walls.
Teachers pay a set fee to the Coop for each class that they reserve on the schedule. Rent and other overhead expenses are paid from the Coop accounts. Teachers determine all policy as a group. These numbers could all be changed by group decisions once we are up and running at a full schedule. Members determine the amount of the fee by examining the basic costs of running the studio, rent, office expenses, and other overhead. They can then set the fee rates. Right now the rate is 20 dollars a class.
Many teachers would like to have a studio but cannot afford the overhead costs. Management responsibilities and financial risks make it hard for an individual teacher to take on a business. The Coop allows teachers to have complete autonomy in their classes while sharing the big expenses and responsibilities. If you only teach one class then that is all you are responsible for managing. It's like having your own yoga studio for a 20th of the normal cost. Teachers build their classes and develop their own relationships with their students. Teachers get help with managing their classes, promotions, website updates etc. Teachers at SHYC are part of a supportive community of practitioners.
Teachers decide policy at SHYC. Teachers vote according to the number of classes that they teach. If you teach 3 classes you get three votes in the Coop. If you teach one class you get one vote. All decisions of the Coop are made at the monthly meeting at 8pm the first Tuesday of each month. Teachers must be present to vote. All meetings of the Coop are open meetings in which all teachers and members are welcome. All the financial records of the Coop are present and available to all members at each meeting of the Coop or by individual appointment with the Secretary. Every member of the Coop is entitled to speak at meetings. All meetings are governed by Roberts Rules of Order allowing each participant to have his or her say in how things are run. There is no boss, principle teacher or manager. The Savin Hill Yoga Cooperative is a transparent model of democratic cooperation. We are a Yogic community that appreciates the importance of the opinions and ideas of everyone of our members.
The Pearl Street Studios Story
Pearl Street Studios have been in operation for over 28 years. Over the years PSS has hosted studio artists, Boston Art Casting, a bronze foundry, Ahimsa Studio an art gallery, Savin Hill Yoga and hundreds of other activities and events. PSS is the oldest continuously operating arts organization in Dorchester.
Workshops and Events
If you have an event or workshop idea that you would like hold at Pearl Street Studio contact us for rates. The studio space at Pearl Street is a beautiful setting for a meeting of your group. We have had wedding preparties and social events with up to 40-50 people without feeling crowded. Call to discuss your space needs at 617-429-9597.
