Living Yoga on & off the mat - first entry by Jaime Miller, 3/3/09

The Bright Side of a Down Economy by Jaime Miller

Consumer spending is low, fear of the current economic situation is high, and individuals and families are putting more thought into what they do with their money.  One sector feeling the negative effects of people’s penny pinching is the travel industry.  Vacation travel, no doubt falling into the “luxury” category, is being replaced with what NPR reporter Tovia Smith is calling “comfort consumption”.  Instead of traveling, individuals are instead choosing to nurture themselves close to home at establishments such as spas and yoga studios.

Although travel can be a wonderful experience, it can also be stressful.  Haven’t you said to yourself, “I need a vacation after that vacation?”.  I certainly have.  Travel is also inherently energy intensive.  Flying does nothing good for your carbon footprint and many hotels and resorts are wasteful and mass consumers of resources.  Not only can staying close to home benefit your wallet and the environment, but it can benefit the local economy as well.  You can help revitalize yourself as well as local businesses by choosing to spend vacation and leisure time in your community getting a massage or practicing yoga at your local studio.  Living Yoga is offering many opportunities catering to those seeking relaxation and/or rejuvenation in their very own yoga community.  Check the calendar for events such as the Community Wellness Fair on March 21st and Yoga Spa Day on April 4th.

Overall, I encourage people to look at the bright side of this troubled financial time.  The down economy has forced consumers to slow down their spending and become more aware of what they do with their money (and time).  I consider this forced awareness a blessing.  I would welcome a shift from blind consumerism to conscious spending.  More people are asking whether or not they truly need this good or that vacation.   Additionally, with winter still heavy upon us (hey, we got 4 inches of snow down in North Carolina!!) it is naturally a time to slow down and conserve.  Combined with the current economic state of affairs, it is a good time to look within ourselves, through our yoga practice, and our communities for ways to relax and rejuvenate as we patiently wait for spring and a revitalized economy.