Comments on: Yeeehaw! Cow Girl Yoga http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/2009/05/10/yeeehaw-cow-girl-yoga/ Yoga in America Tue, 13 Dec 2011 01:09:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: A Montana cowgirl who does a little yoga now and then http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/2009/05/10/yeeehaw-cow-girl-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-414 A Montana cowgirl who does a little yoga now and then Tue, 12 May 2009 05:19:32 +0000 http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/?p=281#comment-414 There are always multiple points of view. But, to set the record straight, there were actually several successful yoga/horseback riding retreats in Montana BEFORE Big Sky Yoga Retreats opened in 2007. So technically, BSYR could be considered "a spin-off" if that is the criterion. There are also quite a few run in Colorado if you are just interested in the yoga/horseback combo and Montana isn't the deciding factor. Margaret just had the marketing savvy or commercialism or corporateness or whatever you want to call it to trademark the name "cowgirl yoga". Yes, I agree that the "sponsorships" are way over the top and, as a Montana woman I believe that she sometimes walks a very thin line with her business marketing between being savvy and exploiting Montana and its natural charm to make a buck. But I also see that Margaret has the right to market her business however she sees fit. You may want to check out some of the other yoge retreats offered in Montana, especially if the expense is an issue (air travel in and out of Montana is not cheap and, I agree, the cost of the BSYR is pretty steep - it is based in Bozeman and there's a reason people in Montana call Bozeman "Boze Angeles" :) Best of luck. There are always multiple points of view. But, to set the record straight, there were actually several successful yoga/horseback riding retreats in Montana BEFORE Big Sky Yoga Retreats opened in 2007. So technically, BSYR could be considered “a spin-off” if that is the criterion. There are also quite a few run in Colorado if you are just interested in the yoga/horseback combo and Montana isn’t the deciding factor. Margaret just had the marketing savvy or commercialism or corporateness or whatever you want to call it to trademark the name “cowgirl yoga”. Yes, I agree that the “sponsorships” are way over the top and, as a Montana woman I believe that she sometimes walks a very thin line with her business marketing between being savvy and exploiting Montana and its natural charm to make a buck. But I also see that Margaret has the right to market her business however she sees fit.
You may want to check out some of the other yoge retreats offered in Montana, especially if the expense is an issue (air travel in and out of Montana is not cheap and, I agree, the cost of the BSYR is pretty steep – it is based in Bozeman and there’s a reason people in Montana call Bozeman “Boze Angeles” :)
Best of luck.

]]> By: admin http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/2009/05/10/yeeehaw-cow-girl-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-412 admin Tue, 12 May 2009 03:26:41 +0000 http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/?p=281#comment-412 Hi Margaret, Actually yes, it makes a big difference to know the backstory. How fascinating that there have been a bunch of spin offs. I guess it makes sense given your location--I've noticed more in the mainstream about yoga and riding, too--in Yoga Journal, workshops at Kripalu. Still it seems pretty unique. Happy Trails! Joelle Hi Margaret,

Actually yes, it makes a big difference to know the backstory. How fascinating that there have been a bunch of spin offs. I guess it makes sense given your location–I’ve noticed more in the mainstream about yoga and riding, too–in Yoga Journal, workshops at Kripalu. Still it seems pretty unique.

Happy Trails!

Joelle

]]> By: Margaret Burns Vap http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/2009/05/10/yeeehaw-cow-girl-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-407 Margaret Burns Vap Mon, 11 May 2009 18:20:04 +0000 http://www.joellehann.com/yoganation/?p=281#comment-407 hi there, thanks so much for your post on cowgirl yoga. Just wanted to address your comments about the corporateness: I am currently the founder and only "employee" of big sky yoga retreats, which I run out of my home office in between raising my 4 year old daughter. I trademarked cowgirl yoga because I believed in its uniqueness, and I'm glad I did because there have been a lot of spin offs right here in MT alone. I am invested in what I am offering on a personal level, and I lead every retreat, with help from others that I know and work with on a personal level all year round (riding instructors, yoga teachers). does this help to sway your opinion any? Namaste. hi there, thanks so much for your post on cowgirl yoga. Just wanted to address your comments about the corporateness: I am currently the founder and only “employee” of big sky yoga retreats, which I run out of my home office in between raising my 4 year old daughter. I trademarked cowgirl yoga because I believed in its uniqueness, and I’m glad I did because there have been a lot of spin offs right here in MT alone. I am invested in what I am offering on a personal level, and I lead every retreat, with help from others that I know and work with on a personal level all year round (riding instructors, yoga teachers). does this help to sway your opinion any? Namaste.

]]>