At Shine YOGA, we are committed to making yoga accessible to everyone, regardless of financial standing, and to serving our local community.
We believe everyone can benefit from a committed yoga practice, but we understand that not everyone has the financial means to do so. That is why we developed our Shine Yoga scholarship.
How does our SHINE YOGA scholarship work?
Our scholarship is designed for individuals who would like to attend weekly classes but cannot afford one of our packages or memberships. These scholarships are meant to encourage individuals who are passionate about delving into their spiritual practice, benefiting from the physical practice of yoga, or simply turning around their lives in a positive way.
You do not need to be an experienced yogi or even have practiced yoga before, the only thing needed is a passion to participate and a motivation to utilize the tools and techniques of yoga to benefit your life. We look forward to finding candidates who are interested in being a part of the vibrant, growing community at Shine Yoga!
Who is eligible for a SHINE YOGA scholarship?
Our only criteria for acceptance into our scholarship program is that our recipient:
- Can’t afford to pay for a regular practice.
- Willing to commit to a MINIMUM of two classes a week for three months.
- A passion to develop their yoga practice.
- A desire to make a shift in their health & life.
- A willingness to fulfill all scholarship commitments.
How do I apply?
If you are a committed yoga student, we will do everything we can to help you! Please email us with any questions you may have. Below is the application file. Fill it out with as much detail as you can and either email your completed application to us or give us a hard copy in the studio. Upon receiving and reviewing your application, we may ask to meet with you for further information.
Shine Yoga Scholarship Application Form
(Applicants who are not awarded a grant are welcome to apply again in the next period.)
… to say that Shine has changed my life would be a huge understatement.
As I sit here and reflect on the last three months of my life at Shine Yoga, it is hard to keep my feelings at bay, and I am finding my eyes welling up with tears. This isn’t really anything new though – I would need more than two hands to count the number of times in the last 90 days that I have been overcome with gratitude that has brought me to tears.
When late February of this year rolled around, I found myself in a pretty dark place. I was struggling with a recent spinal diagnosis that was not only causing me a great deal of physical pain but threatening to bring my love of running to a close. I felt hopeless like I was never going to be able to find a solution. And I could already feel the effects of my body image (which was never very good in the first place) deteriorating due to lack of ability to exercise.
Although I knew in my heart of hearts that starting a regular yoga practice (at the suggestion of my doctor as a replacement to running) was not financially feasible because of my medical bills, I still felt the urge to start researching local yoga studios. Shine Yoga came highly recommended, and I visited the website and stumbled upon the scholarship program. Asking for help has never come easy to me. I was always taught that if you want something, you and you alone are responsible for working hard to get it – and if you don’t get it, you’re not working hard enough. I don’t know what it was that night that made me step outside of my box, for one of the first times ever, but I did, and I applied for the scholarship and was accepted.
Fast-forward to today: to say that Shine has changed my life would be a huge understatement. I have found, and am still finding, a great deal of relief of the physical pain within my body. It is getting stronger every day, and I have noticed a lot of improvement in my practice. But I am also finding myself. I am finding peace. I am learning to be gracious and accepting of who I am, and of the body that I was given. That includes not just its growing achievements, but also its limitations – and being okay with them. When I am away from Shine for a period of time, even if only a day or two, I notice it, and I can feel it. It’s like a part of me is missing. And as soon as I step foot through that door again, feelings of peace and knowing that everything truly is going to be alright, wash over me. The atmosphere is calming and gentle. From day one I felt welcomed, accepted, supported, and loved. Never once have I felt that I am not good enough, or flexible enough, or strong enough, or knowledgeable enough.
I don’t know where I would be right now without having been provided this amazing opportunity – honestly, I really don’t like to think about it. It’s as if the “pre-Shine” me has disappeared, and a newer and better version of myself has emerged. As crazy as it sounds, I am glad that I had come to the low point in my life that I did because if I hadn’t, I don’t know if I would have taken that step to do something for myself and apply for the scholarship. I couldn’t possibly be more grateful for this opportunity I was given, and am so thankful for Shine and all of the amazing souls that are there.
I wanted to end this by sharing a song that has been a favorite of mine for many years now – the lyrics were always powerful to me, but now they have personal meaning in my life, thanks to Shine Yoga. It is coincidentally titled “Shine On” and was written by May Erlewine. The lyrics are below. —Kaitlyn L. Va Beach, 2019
Knocked me off of my feet
But I think it’s time for me to start walking again,
Stop running away from things.
Next time you see me,
I will be singing a new song
I am learning to shine on.Shine on, shine on,
There’ll be time enough for darkness when everything’s gone.
Shine on, shine on,
There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.It’s been hard not to give in,
And it ain’t easy living in hard times.
I know it’s weighing on your mind.
Next time you see me,
I’ll be uplifting, yes I will give you hope!
I am learning as I go to shine on.Shine on, shine on.
There’ll be time enough for darkness before everything’s gone.
Shine on, shine on,
There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.I know how dark it seems,
Feel it coming up inside of me,
And I feel it in you too, in everything you do.
Next time you see me,
We’ll both be laughing, oh just to be alive!
We are learning to shine, shine on.Shine on, shine on.
There’ll be time enough for darkness when everything’s gone
Shine on, shine on.
There is work to be done in the dark before dawn.There is work to be done,
So you you’ve got to shine on.
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