This is the letter Rod sent on March 29, '07 regarding the change to ParaYoga...
Dear Friends and Yogis,
I wanted to share a major announcement with you. Please take a close look at the image attached to this email. The following is a full page ad that will appear in the upcoming (May) and issue of Yoga+ magazine.
I wanted to share a major announcement with you. Please take a close look at the image attached to this email. The following is a full page ad that will appear in the upcoming (May) and issue of Yoga+ magazine.
Article Body
Yes, "It is now called ParaYoga". This means that the style of Yoga I teach, that so many of you practice and cherish, and that informs the way more and more of you are teaching will now be known as ParaYoga.
First, let me say that I am truly excited for the change.
Years ago, when I began looking for a word that would capture the heart, soul, and science of my teaching I strongly considered using a Sanskrit term. It was my first choice initially, but the more I considered it, the more reservations I had.
Ultimately, I decided against it. The principle reason was I didn’t want to casually use or commercialize a term that might in some way diminish its ancient roots. It was the right decision at the time, still as the years passed, I often felt the name we were using didn’t rise to the level of what we were teaching and practicing.
Meanwhile, the name Pure Yoga, outside of the U.S., in recent years began being used by a chain of Yoga studios in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. When the company first started to promote themselves in the U.S. it was something that I (and my attorneys) took very seriously. As some of you know, I engaged legal counsel to address the infringement.
A year and half later, after much negotiation, the dispute remains unresolved. We are continuing negotiating with the infringing party (Pure International). When and if that dispute comes to a resolution we will announce it. Should the negotiations fail, other potential parties are "in the wings". It is my intention to complete a sale and licensing agreement of the Pure Yoga mark.
My decision to potentially license and sell the name comes after much reflection and the counsel of my teacher, Panditji, as well as, a few close and trusted friends. He and I agree that this is an opportunity to refine and grow the message and mission of the "teachings". Upon receiving his blessing to call it ParaYoga, it was just a matter of completing the necessary paperwork and waiting for the right time to announce the change. That’s where we are today.
While the name change is in no way minor, everything materially and spiritually about what we do will stay the same:
· All of your hours of study, as well as, credits toward Dedicated and Certified Teacher status remain in place.
· The web site, in the next few days, will reflect the change, although the site URL will now be: parayoga.com.
· As it stands and until further notice whenever you search for or type pureyoga.com you will automatically be linked to the new site.
· Yoga Alliance will soon be notified of the change.
Lest I forget Para means: supreme, highest, ultimate, ancient, beyond, the end or limit; the utmost reach, to fulfill the promise of a thing; study or learn thoroughly [as a science] a guardian or keeper, superior, best, highest, exceptional, the utmost reach or fullest extent.
I am so pleased to have ParaYoga as our banner under which we will continue to build a powerful and exceptional community, dedicated to a "supreme" way of practicing and sharing the wisdom and light of yoga. More than ever, I am excited as now more and more of you will be able to answer the question, “What kind of yoga do you teach?” by saying, “I teach ParaYoga”.
Thank you for your continued support, particularly those of you who reached out during this past year and half to voice your concern and encouragement regarding the infringement of the Pure Yoga mark.
In Light and from Love,
Rod
(Yogarupa)
First, let me say that I am truly excited for the change.
Years ago, when I began looking for a word that would capture the heart, soul, and science of my teaching I strongly considered using a Sanskrit term. It was my first choice initially, but the more I considered it, the more reservations I had.
Ultimately, I decided against it. The principle reason was I didn’t want to casually use or commercialize a term that might in some way diminish its ancient roots. It was the right decision at the time, still as the years passed, I often felt the name we were using didn’t rise to the level of what we were teaching and practicing.
Meanwhile, the name Pure Yoga, outside of the U.S., in recent years began being used by a chain of Yoga studios in Hong Kong and other Asian countries. When the company first started to promote themselves in the U.S. it was something that I (and my attorneys) took very seriously. As some of you know, I engaged legal counsel to address the infringement.
A year and half later, after much negotiation, the dispute remains unresolved. We are continuing negotiating with the infringing party (Pure International). When and if that dispute comes to a resolution we will announce it. Should the negotiations fail, other potential parties are "in the wings". It is my intention to complete a sale and licensing agreement of the Pure Yoga mark.
My decision to potentially license and sell the name comes after much reflection and the counsel of my teacher, Panditji, as well as, a few close and trusted friends. He and I agree that this is an opportunity to refine and grow the message and mission of the "teachings". Upon receiving his blessing to call it ParaYoga, it was just a matter of completing the necessary paperwork and waiting for the right time to announce the change. That’s where we are today.
While the name change is in no way minor, everything materially and spiritually about what we do will stay the same:
· All of your hours of study, as well as, credits toward Dedicated and Certified Teacher status remain in place.
· The web site, in the next few days, will reflect the change, although the site URL will now be: parayoga.com.
· As it stands and until further notice whenever you search for or type pureyoga.com you will automatically be linked to the new site.
· Yoga Alliance will soon be notified of the change.
Lest I forget Para means: supreme, highest, ultimate, ancient, beyond, the end or limit; the utmost reach, to fulfill the promise of a thing; study or learn thoroughly [as a science] a guardian or keeper, superior, best, highest, exceptional, the utmost reach or fullest extent.
I am so pleased to have ParaYoga as our banner under which we will continue to build a powerful and exceptional community, dedicated to a "supreme" way of practicing and sharing the wisdom and light of yoga. More than ever, I am excited as now more and more of you will be able to answer the question, “What kind of yoga do you teach?” by saying, “I teach ParaYoga”.
Thank you for your continued support, particularly those of you who reached out during this past year and half to voice your concern and encouragement regarding the infringement of the Pure Yoga mark.
In Light and from Love,
Rod
(Yogarupa)