I will be in Treasure Beach (for the 1st time since 1987!) Dec.11-25 and would like to offer early morning and/or early evening yoga classes.
Not sure how often, not sure when...suggestions welcome please.
Cost will be $2 per class for Jamaicans and $6 per class for visitors (no discrimination implied, just recognition of the relative earning powers and the unequal distribution of wealth in the world).

Suggestions for time and place welcome.

Not because we like to take vacations even at some times when we can barely afford it, doesn't mean us visitors to the Island always earn more than what most Jamaicans do.

However, your proposal sounds much better than Canadian Citizens coming to the US to get free H1N1 vaccine while many US citizens have to pay for it....( a proven fact broadcast on Local10 Tv channel)

I will surely not attend since this is discrimination. Unequal distribution of wealth? That comment is discriminatory in and of itself.
I assume that you have a Jamaica work permit?
You are way off base here with this.

What does YOGA have to do with H1N1?

{apart from the fact that most yogis don`t get the flu OR vaccines!}

In my Canadian city, yoga classes range in price from 12$- 20$.

Six dollars for a class in Treasure Beach would be a real treat!

As a suggestion: In the past, yoga classes have been held in the Pavilion at Jakes.

Wish I was there..

To say that there is unequal distribution of wealth in the world seems more like a fact than a statement of discrimination.


Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/guides/457000/457022/img/1169457081.gif

Why is it a big deal if a provider of services wants to charge different prices? Is YS Falls, for example, practicing discrimination when they charge a resident rate?

How does it hurt you, especially if you don't attend the event? And if it doesn't hurt you, why make a fuss?

I am in Canada, and while H1N1 is not to do with this topic, the vaccines are and have always been free here. There just haven't been enough to go around just like in the US, etc.

My daughter was infected, then diagnosed with Swine Flu and then hospitalized as a result of not being on a "high risk" list to get the shot when there was more of a need that there was vaccine available. So it go...we were lucky, and thank goodness she is starting to feel a little better day by day after a month of REAL illness and infection.

Many US citizens come to Canada for our Free or cheap healthcare too...still not sure what this had to do with this thread, but wanted to set the record straight...like anywhere in the world, people will travel to get what they need when they can.

One of the most pertinent comments here is the probable lack of a Jamaican work permit. Charging less to residents is a form of "discrimination" that is widely practiced in Jamaica and definitely in Treasure Beach. Marlene I suggest you find a no cost place to held your classes, charge what you believe to be fair and then donate 100% of the money to the TBWG, Treasure Beach Foundation (scholarships) or some other worthy local cause. If the money never goes into your bank account or is spent by you then I think you would be raising money for a charity instead of illegally working.

Since we got off topic here....

My first question is to tb.net.

I was under the impression that if you had goods and or services to sell/promote here on this site, that a fee had to be paid to TreasureBeach.net. All Jamaicans listed on this site have paid a fee have they not? Why is Marlene allowed to advertise her services for free while others must pay for the same privilege?

Next question for Marlene.

So Marlene do you have a work permit?
You know you need one to do what you are doing legally - and yes someone could call immigration on you and report you - I have seen stranger things happen.
Be Careful of yourself or you may end up being a deportee.

HI... Excuse me if I have offended anyone... my intentions were good. I will attempt to find a soemwhere to offer free yoga if anyone wants to share practice with me, No I certainly do not have a work permit and the suggestion of donations going to TBWG is a great one. So let's all take a deep breath. pS WE ALL HAVE FREE SWINE FLU VACCINE HERE IN cANADA FOR THOSE WHOSE WISH TO HAVE ONE

TB you have bigger fish to fry. Get it together you. Stop selling your land (lease it or rent it). Keep control with in your grasp. You set the the tone for your community not westerners. The ones that are trying to do good and help you is where you should be putting more of your efforts. The owning of the beach should be outlawed (the sand that you stepped on today is not the same sand you will step on tomorrow so how can you own it. If I donate millions can I to do what ever I want. Lots of love TB. Tip to Marlene, next time choose your words more care fully and make it even pay across the board. Tourist aren't cash cows and I'd feel more at ease if i new you weren't expecting more money from me just because i come from abroad. Yoga is good for all.

Many businesses on the island, hotels in particular, offer a "jamaican rate" to locals. So what's so wrong with offering a lower rate to local folks? I think it encourages more people to participate in yoga, which is a good thing. The idea of donating the proceeds to a local non-profit is even better.

Here is why Eric....
Although I am extremely impressed with your chart showing the unequal distribution of wealth, a generallization does no good here. I GUARANTEE you that there are pleny of Jamaicans who have alot more money than this US citizen. The point is, there is a good chance that if 2 people went to the yoga session, one from Jamaica and one from...wherever, the Jamaican may very well make more money. Therefore, the price difference is discriminatory.

"What has YOGA got to do with H1N1"? Well dj I was just merely comparing two different ways of how inequality is being represented.

My dear Canada, sorry to hear about your daughter's misfortune with the virus. See I live in the United States and while I can't afford health insurance it never cross my mind to do put my burden on the Country of Canada to seek free medical health care there, and I was faced with the injustice of not having the $24.99 charged at the local pharmacy for the shot and was robbed of the opportunity of getting the free one provided by the Government in my neighborhood, because Canadians streamed in and used it up.

My point is simple this, although I live in this great Country of wealth, doesn't mean I have a bigger salary than most Jamaicans. So when one is trying to promote sale for thier services i think it would be in better taste to just simple state your price without stating the cause being that of "unequal distribution of when in the world"

For the record Tell Me Why, it is free to post a message in the Forum regarding services you provide (hotel, restaurant, yoga, etc) as long as you clearly state that you are doing so. In other words, we do not allow a guest house owner to pose as a guest and tell people their place is great.

The permanent ads in Where to Stay and Eat and Play have a monthly charge with them.

Hope this clears things up.

-TBNet

Hi Marlene

Cant believe you havent been back to TB for so long. I wonder what changes you will see, it will be interesting to find out. The main thing for me is the beach. I used to love sitting under the almond tree in front of Sparrow's bar.

You will have a lovely time I am sure,I always do. I have many friends now and miss them so. Everyone always wants to know when I am coming home!

I am sure you will find somewhere to practice your yoga even if it is just down on the beach.

Have a fabulous holiday and dont take all this chat to heart. Please let us know all about it.

If you are a Florida Resident, when you go to Disney world you get discount, what,s wrong with us, this person are charging nothing, go some
where else and you will see the price of Yoga classes.

Thank you TBNet for your response that clears up things for me.

I agree that it is a wise idea that any monies collected be donated to TBWG, since they do so many really good things in the area.

I leave The US and head to Jamaica during the holidays to avoid all of the chaos and negative vibes..It is so disappointing that even though I rarely read this forum anymore (due to the consistantly negative attacks against EVERYONE)I can only seem to find a rare thread that warms my heart and reminds me of all of the reasons I love Jamaica. This is truly sad! However; as soon as I arrive..I am reminded time and time again of my deep affection, respect & admiration of this island and it's people. ONE LOVE! Not trying to lecture..but only to remind..

Just want to make a correction to the last line of my posting Dec. 6, where my brain and finger was not co-ordinating...... I used the word "when" instead of "wealth".

Kalona, I have travelled to only a few countries of this world. I have expereinced negative vibes, chaos and ONE LOVE in America, Canada, The United Kingdon, Mexico and Jamaica and over all ONE LOVE always won over chaos and negative vibes.
I love all these Country just the same. I don't think different group of people merely expressing their opinion on a topic such as the one this thread take away the affection, respect & admiration anyone has for any given country and it's people. I have not seen anything posted here where anyone was stating disgust for any country or it's people, just stating the facts on a issue of wealth.

Hey, Marlene, Friendly faces like Charlie and Clessie are still around and and are waiting to welcome you back with warm hearts, just like any member of our community that you will meet.

This could not be done in another country. Advertising freely and speculating on both locals and foreigners without a work permit - Unheard of!

Thanks Welcome... I think I will come to treasure beach under an alias and do secret yoga alone! Can't wait to see charlie and clessie again (don't know how you know my connection with them but it's a lovely feeling).
I have never posted anything on the net before and never imagined I would cause any trouble... I'm too spontaneous sometimes I guess and will mind my p's and q's the ebst I can! No more internet postings for me!

Internet posting can a useful tool Marlene, don't give up.

Bottom line is that we would never let a wondering Yogini miss her protein, carbs, fats and etc or be exposed to the elements.

Those that are of the Each One Teach One U that is.

There are exchanges far beyond the reach of officialdom and accountants. Respect to their roles still. This is understood internationally. It's not only an Eastern thing.

Real knows Real.

All the best.

It is one of the problems of Jamaica. Since it is an English speaking country Americans tend to forget they are somewhere else. Well you are and don't forget it. As far as work permits go ... it is understandable why this would be sensitive. There are many competent Jamaican yoga teachers, massage people and artists (I mention artists as I see in another topic American painters who do not have work permits mentioned). Why go Jamaica to do business with Americans? Jamaican businesses should be supported first and foremost.

Words got out, someone named Marlene visited Treasure Beach in the late 80,s will be returning soon and is asking about Clessie and Charlie, so afte reading this post, did the math and made a wild guess. Hope you'll have a wonderful time with fond memories.

Hi Marlene, im definitely interested in your Yoga and $6 a class is extremely cheap - it actually is hilarious how statements on this site are constantly taken out of context.....Yoga in the early morning on the beach sounds like paradise to me....