Craigslist ad response: my big let down

[pegasus]

I got a call from a potential client who saw my craigslist ad and spent some time on the phone with him taling aobut what he is looking for, just like Sara and Harlan advise. We had a nice discussion, and I felt confident that this was going well. He is coming to my area on vacation with his wife and wanted several private sessions as a couple as a special bonding experience for their anniversary (everyone go "awwwwww!").

I spent a lot of time listening hard to what he was saying, and I made a few suggestions as to how we might make this a nice experience for the two of them... and then he dropped the bomb: He wanted to know if I would work with them IN THE NUDE. Everyone go "eek!"

I believe I was very calm and professional in telling him that "while I know that is a special and sacred thing to some, I do not work in that mode." He stammered and apologized, and again, I assured him that I am familiar with 'naked yoga' but that for personal safety of my clients and myself, and to maintain professional ethics, I simply don't work like that. I also told him that if they decided that was what they were looking for, I could recommend someone else in my area that may be willing to work with them in that way (OK, that was kind of a lie, becuase I don't really know any yogis around here who would even consider doing that, but I could give him the number of the local whore service.)

At this point, he quickly ended the call, saying he had to talk it over with his wife and might get back to me. I juyst wanted to post about this and let you all know that even when something like this happens, you can keep your cool and maintain your professionalism.

I admit I'm disappointed, because I thought this was going to be a great client -- couples sessions, more than one session, he wasn't even asking me "how much!" But it sadly turned out to be just one more sleezy request. And I even put a note at the top of my criagslist ads stating "non-erotic services; mature adults and serious inquiries only, please."

I'm still chuckling over this...

[Administrator]

Doesn't everyone do yoga in the nude?

Sara, you told me this was normal!!!!

Just kidding.

I wouldn't write them off as clients. Call them and ask them
if they'd like to restart.

I don't think they are perverts or anything is wrong with them.

When people start doing yoga, they awaken their Kundalini energies (sometimes for the first time).

But they don't know how to control them.

That's where the yoga teacher comes in.

Teach them about controlling this energy.

AND....

Take that line out of your craigslist ad.

You're asking for trouble.

Peace.

Harlan

[pegasus]

I had thought of that, wondered if I would draw the very thing I was trying to avoid!

Thanks for the tip, I will follow your advice.

[pegasus]

Harlan, you sounded as if you thought this might be a current or past client that I was letting slip away. I assure you, he is not.

Also, I truly appreciated your insights, and believe me, I do understand about naked yoga and kundalini power and learning to work with it, etc. But let me tell you a few more details...

He called me on one phone, and after we talked a bit, he asked me if he could hang up and call me back on another phone because his headset was(supposedly) dying. Hm, ok. It happens.

Then after calling back, a little later in the conversation, he suddenly HUNG UP on me! OK, there are accidents, sure, people do get cut off sometimes. But when you can hear the receiver hitting the base, you know it is deliberate! When he called back, he didn't offer any kind of explanation for this, just started asking more questions. BUT...

Now, he was talking in a very whispering kind of voice, like he was trying to be secretive. My internal red flags were really going off by this point!

Also, he seemed oddly interested in hearing the details about HOW I WOULD WORK WITH THEM, who would be touching whom, etc, as well as WHAT WE WOULD ALL BE WEARING, etc.

And this was odd... he didn't seem to know when they were coming to town or where they would be staying, then suddenly he did know, as if he was making it up as he went along.

I don't want to be overly suspiciuos, I usually give people a lot of leeway and benefit of the doubt. But I'm also pretty darned perceptive, and I'm telling you from my gut that this guy was looking for a threesome, or he was just getting off on talking to me about it.

As much as I respect your advice, Harlan, I will not be calling this guy back. Definitely NOT an "A list client!"

What do you all think???

[Administrator]

Boy, you yoga teachers lead such exciting lives!

For some reason, I thought that you had actually worked with the client.

Now that I re-read your post, I see it was just a heavy breather.

Yeah, you get them.

Maybe one day Sara will tell the story of the guy who wanted to take off his clothes during a yoga session.

Must be the yoga?

[pegasus]

Take off his clothes during the yoga session?! Ach!!! At least this guy asked me in advance! I would like to hear the story if Sara can share.

My point in sharing my story was to say that we can still behave professionally, honoring our own inner peace and personal boundaries, even in unexpected and potentially offensive or embarrassing situations.

I would like to hear of difficult situations others have encountered, if anyone cares to share. I think we can all learn from these things together!