Increasing access to bodywork and mindfulness classes: our sliding scale and scholarships, explained.
Why equity matters to us
It is deeply important to us to make our services and classes accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of their financial situation or ability to pay.
Our sliding scale structure helps to even out the structural inequalities that have historically limited who has had access to healing.
If you are are experiencing financial hardship due to being a member of a historically marginalized group, experiencing disability, being a caretaker, or lacking family support or a safety net, there are options for you to still be able to receive the care and education that can help you in your healing journey. Please make use of the sliding scale. It is here for you!
And on the other hand, if you are experiencing relative financial security, have some expendable income, have a safety net or a savings account, or are not afraid you’ll be able to pay for your basic expenses each month, you can pay higher on the scale in order to support my work and allow me to serve people with less financial means.
In times past, when I was personally struggling financially, being able to access care or education – because of scholarships or sliding scales – has made a huge difference in my life. I will always remember that and pay it forward by offering a sliding scale.
If taking one of our classes, or receiving bodywork would be a financial hardship, please utilize the sliding scale, or apply for a scholarship. Please remember that there is a difference between hardship and sacrifice, however. Most of us might have to make certain sacrifices in order to prioritize caring for our bodies or mental health. We might have to go out to eat less often during the months a class is in session, or while we are focusing on healing from a surgery or releasing long-held tension in our bodies. Please carefully consider where you fall on the scale and pay what you are able, so those most needing financial assistance can access it, even if that means shifting how you budget while you are coming for Mindful Self-Compassion classes or bodywork.
Read about our fee structure below, and scroll to bottom of the page to fill out a scholarship application for a course.
Sliding scale fee structure for bodywork
This illustration of bottles represents how a sliding scale works. The bottles are filled with different levels of green liquid, representing financial privilege. Each bottle represents a different personal financial experience. This graphic and description of sliding scale fee structures is adapted from The Sliding Scale: A Tool of Economic Justice, by Alexis J. Cunningfolk and Embracing Equity.
Bottle Descriptions
Since the image above may be hard to read, here is the same information in text format:
Full Bottle ($120 per hour, or more if you would like)
I’m comfortably able to meet all my basic* needs.
I may have some debt but can meet basic needs.
I own my home or another property.
I own a car.
I’m employed or don’t need to work.
I have regular access to healthcare.
I have financial savings.
I have investments.
I have an expendable** income.
I can always afford to buy new items.
I can afford to travel for pleasure and take time off for rest/recreation.
Almost full ($105-120 per hour)
I’m able to meet all my basic* needs
I may have debt, but can meet basic needs.
I might have some financial stress about future needs.
I own my home or rent a higher-end property.
I own or lease a car.
I am employed or self-employed.
I have access to healthcare.
I might have access to some financial savings.
I have some expendable** income.
I can take an annual vacation without financial burden.
Half full ($90-$105 per hour)
I have stress about meeting basic* needs, but still regularly meet them.
I have some debt.
I am employed part-time or underemployed.
I own or lease a car but am not always able to afford associated costs.
I have limited access to healthcare.
I have limited financial savings.
I have limited expendable** income.
I have to actively save in order to take a vacation or time off.
I have had to take off work for caregiving tasks.
Least full ($80-$90 per hour)
I stress about meeting basic* needs & don’t always meet them.
I have debt and it sometimes prohibits me from meeting basic needs.
I rent or have unstable housing.
I own/lease a car but am not always able to afford gas or I have limited access to a car.
I am not employed.
I qualify for government assistance programs.
I have Medicaid, or Apple Health.
I have no or limited expendable** income.
*Basic needs includes food, housing, transportation.
**Expendable income might mean you can buy a coffee/tea at a shop, go to the movies, buy new clothes, books, and similar items regularly.
For bodywork clients, we operate on an honor-based system, where we trust you to place yourself appropriately on the above scale and pay what you can.
For courses, we offer a limited number of partial scholarships (more info below)
Scholarships for classes
We offer a limited number of partial scholarships for our Mindful Self-Compassion Courses, given out on a first-come, first served basis.
Scholarships are available for BIPOC folks, or people experiencing financial hardship, who would fit into the “Least Full” or “Half Full” categories listed above. Please find where you fit on the above Bottle graphic, and then fill out the below form to apply for a scholarship.
We will let you know if you qualify and if there are scholarship spots remaining.
If you fit into the Almost Full or Full categories, please pay the full price, to help us offer this to those with less financial means, while making a livable wage ourselves.
Scholarship application:
Please fill out this form if you would like to apply for a partial scholarship to one of our classes.