Love is in the Detail

This is a blog I wrote for a Yoga Studio in Folsom, for whom I have revised branding, corporate identity and am responsible for marketing. I hope you find it interesting in how as an external consultant, the integration of specific ideals is often a considered subject!..........

So it’s time to come clean, spill the beans, let the cat out of the bag and make the global announcement that I am not a Yogi!. I AM NOT A YOGI. There it’s done, I have come out. I am sorry. The guilt is great and the compulsion to start is overwhelming. When I visit Leap Yoga Studio, I feel positively meek, uneducated and naive in this world of heath, philosophy, love, friendship and spirituality. Each taken individually, I can appreciate and perhaps hold a rudimentary, semi coherent conversation, maybe defining my views and ideals on each. Combined, the power is overwhelming and intellectually, though extremely attractive, somewhat daunting.

So who am I and what gives me the opportunity to have a blog posted on the Leap Yoga site. I am the artsy, cantankerous guy that is charged with marketing Leap. The one that when seated at Leap corporate meetings has the indefatigable and distinct impression that I need to work harder on myself, as I am obviously missing something. Impressions that cannot be ignored as I look around the table. I see Papa Yogi, Butch, senior to me by some 20 odd years, but with an aura, physique and outlook to which I can only aspire. Great start! Then I see Michèal, Cindi and Stacy. All loving, caring, warm hearted and beautiful. All at peace, warm, inviting, not at all the norm I find in the cold, hustle and bustle world of designing and marketing for businesses in industry. There must be something to this Yoga thing after all! Why is everyone so nice? Confusing – when I flip through cable news channels – I know that this cannot be the norm.

Get to the point, I sense you think. Leap has slowly been honing and building. The energy that Papa Yogi has shown, followed by Stacy (our elected Yoga Guru), Michèal (Kaiut Teacher, Yogi and Mrs efficiency) and Cindi (wiser than anyone I know, soon to be Kaiut teacher and Leap retail champion) is unique. Little by little through the challenges of life, I am astounded at the consistency of Leap’s vision. That to create a family within the community to share this precious gift which is Yoga. This beyond the importance of self interest, financial considerations and personal consequences. I am proud, though sometimes feel somewhat unworthy, to be associated with such a wonderful endeavor.

Perhaps you have noticed within the last year or so that Leap has evolved. This pursuit of community, wellness and inner peace has been the driver or mantra of Leap’s development. This is reflected in the quest for the very best Yoga teachers, those committed to the same philosophy and to the studio. Reflected also in the development of classes and schedules. The addition of Kaiut among others, dedicated to helping students improve their quality of life. Providing increased mobility, reduction of injury pain and improved heath for all protagonists.

Leap is so focused and designed to help the body and mind. Sometimes combining specific areas of interest to help focus student needs in becoming healthier, happier people.

Ok OK! why am I writing about this, probably the least qualified of all to do so? Well because to coincide with this spirit and to further champion what we are about, you may have noticed subtle changes in the way we are portraying ourselves. You may have seen changes on our facebook page and web. The logo changing to gold and red, to portray a less stark identity, to be reflective of the centuries old Yoga culture. To add to this there has been a slow simplification, but expansion of the site in general. Teacher training pages, pre & post natal sections, class banners, featured classes, easier pricing packages and others. All designed to convey our information as simply and easily as possible. The web is now more influential of information posted on our social media. Softer, warmer, more informative and dedicated to being the very best yoga experience in our sphere.

Our tag line is Leap, Yoga for Every Body. Yes we aim to bring the benefits to everybody and every body, even my body, so why not yours! Our brand is going through the same transformation, one of development and betterment. Our retail offering is being expanded with a range of custom shirts, clothing, mats, fragrances and products. The purpose again is to develop a unique offering, indicative of a blend of values that we like to think of as Yoga.

So whether in staff, teachers, environment, classes, workshops, teacher training, retail and now branding, we believe that it’s the little things, as well as the large, that demonstrate our commitment. The relentless desire to offer something truly unique, special and worthwhile within our community. To do this, we recognize that love is in the detail.

For further information about Leap Yoga, its classes and workshops, please visit our website www.leapyoga.net

By Marco Ippaso – owner of MiDESign and Marketing Consultancy www.midesign.org