I have been teaching yoga in a small community since 2001. I opened my own studio at that time and it has changed locations once. I have gone through COVID and learned how to teach online and now all of my classes are hybrid.
I was also diagnosed with MS in 2005 and have continued to do what I do. Many of the students that I'm teaching now have been practicing with me since I first started.
Prior to this my husband and I owned restaurants so everything I learned from my restaurant mentor and being in that business for most of my adult life carried over into the business of yoga.
It has been challenging and gratifying. I think it takes a lot of courage, resiliency, faith, and a love of yoga that is expressed through sharing it with others.
I think it also takes some luck whatever that is haha.
Also, I wanted to say how much I appreciate you and Jason and how down to earth and honest you are with all that you teach and share. You are really good friends to have. Thank you so much for what you do.
I just got back from a long drive listening to you and Jason. What a wonderful conversation. I was laughing at the title of "wanderer" given to Jason. I admire the dedication and time that your journey has taken. I am grateful that I have been along for the ride for most of it. Looking back, I remember the struggle to find a yoga class in the rural communities where I lived. My private practice took off, but I missed the connection and community of in-person classes. I do miss the 90-minute formats though. It was like stepping into a magical portal. When I started yoga, I had small children and the class was my only time away from them. What a true gift. Thank you for all your continued work and open sharing. It has been very helpful and inspiring.
I am with you on missing the 90-minute classes. It was so nice for those last 20 minutes to really move slowly. No rushing into and out of Savasana. I would pile blankets on and around me, bolster under the knees, eye pillow -- the works! Thanks for listening and sharing.
I wonder if this will come back around. Sometimes I think the short classes keep people moving at a faster pace without offering time to decompress and reach a deeper sense of ease.
The podcast was really good and so is this Substack post! Thank you both for all you do! The part about wearing many hats is so true and I must have skipped that section during my 200 TT … 😂😂. Thanks again for all your writings and podcasts 🙏🙏❤️❤️
As usual, a very timely and potent post - especially since I'm lacking clarity on my next moves as a professional yoga teacher. I think discipline of a strong work ethic is highly underrated. We often want and/or expect the results yesterday and that's usually when we need the reminder to simply do the thing no matter the result. Thanks for leading by example and sharing your vulnerabilities on your journey.
So, so true about work ethic. I think that perhaps folks just expect it to be a "lighter" profession -- I know I did. It's actually incredibly complex to hold space for people all the time and then, in addition, to make it work as a living. Wishing you the best on your next steps, Denelle!
Such great advice! I am going to listen to the podcast in the car today, but the Substack post/newsletter was SO. GOOD. that I had to share with a friend who is at the beginning of her freelance career in another industry. You and Jason are both incredible thinkers and teachers. Truly. Thank you for all that you do. ❤️
Oh yeh all this! Think I have mentioned before, not a yoga insructor, but an Organic vegetable grower. The best thing about farming is the 'learning forever and ever'!
Surrounding myself with other like-minded (and often not like-minded, we are all food producers) people is something I find super important. Without the support and learnings I gain from the local farming community I am nothing as a grower.
Oh and so important... the ability to organise yourself. If I did not do this my mind would be racaing all day thinking about what i have to do next. Not that that does not happen every now and again but I am aware of it, and working on slowing that brain down! I was listening to another fave podcast of mine and the wonderful host was talking about Single-tasking. Like doing a single task and focussing on that task only, enjoying what that task is, why you are doing it, really being in the moment with the task. Like the opposite of multi-tasking. Such a great idea and so much easier to do when you have a plan.
I love hearing how our professions are different but the small-business owner aspect has so much cross-over! Thanks for the reminder about single-tasking. It's hard for me to do -- except when I'm writing. I don't think I ever realized that before :)
Hi Andrea, for some reason I don’t have access to the paywalled posts anymore (and I also saw you gave me a refund). Can you please check your end? 🙏🏻 many thanks xxxm (I’ve also emailed you with screenshots)
I have been teaching yoga in a small community since 2001. I opened my own studio at that time and it has changed locations once. I have gone through COVID and learned how to teach online and now all of my classes are hybrid.
I was also diagnosed with MS in 2005 and have continued to do what I do. Many of the students that I'm teaching now have been practicing with me since I first started.
Prior to this my husband and I owned restaurants so everything I learned from my restaurant mentor and being in that business for most of my adult life carried over into the business of yoga.
It has been challenging and gratifying. I think it takes a lot of courage, resiliency, faith, and a love of yoga that is expressed through sharing it with others.
I think it also takes some luck whatever that is haha.
Also, I wanted to say how much I appreciate you and Jason and how down to earth and honest you are with all that you teach and share. You are really good friends to have. Thank you so much for what you do.
Loved reading your story, Sherry! Thank you for sharing it. The descriptors you use -- courage, resiliency, faith, love of yoga -- really resonate ❤️
I just got back from a long drive listening to you and Jason. What a wonderful conversation. I was laughing at the title of "wanderer" given to Jason. I admire the dedication and time that your journey has taken. I am grateful that I have been along for the ride for most of it. Looking back, I remember the struggle to find a yoga class in the rural communities where I lived. My private practice took off, but I missed the connection and community of in-person classes. I do miss the 90-minute formats though. It was like stepping into a magical portal. When I started yoga, I had small children and the class was my only time away from them. What a true gift. Thank you for all your continued work and open sharing. It has been very helpful and inspiring.
I am with you on missing the 90-minute classes. It was so nice for those last 20 minutes to really move slowly. No rushing into and out of Savasana. I would pile blankets on and around me, bolster under the knees, eye pillow -- the works! Thanks for listening and sharing.
I wonder if this will come back around. Sometimes I think the short classes keep people moving at a faster pace without offering time to decompress and reach a deeper sense of ease.
That is definitely my experience. 🙃
The podcast was really good and so is this Substack post! Thank you both for all you do! The part about wearing many hats is so true and I must have skipped that section during my 200 TT … 😂😂. Thanks again for all your writings and podcasts 🙏🙏❤️❤️
Hahaha, I skipped over it, too!!
As usual, a very timely and potent post - especially since I'm lacking clarity on my next moves as a professional yoga teacher. I think discipline of a strong work ethic is highly underrated. We often want and/or expect the results yesterday and that's usually when we need the reminder to simply do the thing no matter the result. Thanks for leading by example and sharing your vulnerabilities on your journey.
So, so true about work ethic. I think that perhaps folks just expect it to be a "lighter" profession -- I know I did. It's actually incredibly complex to hold space for people all the time and then, in addition, to make it work as a living. Wishing you the best on your next steps, Denelle!
Such great advice! I am going to listen to the podcast in the car today, but the Substack post/newsletter was SO. GOOD. that I had to share with a friend who is at the beginning of her freelance career in another industry. You and Jason are both incredible thinkers and teachers. Truly. Thank you for all that you do. ❤️
I am so glad it was helpful Barb! I hope it’s helpful for your friend 💗
Oh yeh all this! Think I have mentioned before, not a yoga insructor, but an Organic vegetable grower. The best thing about farming is the 'learning forever and ever'!
Surrounding myself with other like-minded (and often not like-minded, we are all food producers) people is something I find super important. Without the support and learnings I gain from the local farming community I am nothing as a grower.
Oh and so important... the ability to organise yourself. If I did not do this my mind would be racaing all day thinking about what i have to do next. Not that that does not happen every now and again but I am aware of it, and working on slowing that brain down! I was listening to another fave podcast of mine and the wonderful host was talking about Single-tasking. Like doing a single task and focussing on that task only, enjoying what that task is, why you are doing it, really being in the moment with the task. Like the opposite of multi-tasking. Such a great idea and so much easier to do when you have a plan.
Anyways, loved this and the podcast. Thanks!
I love hearing how our professions are different but the small-business owner aspect has so much cross-over! Thanks for the reminder about single-tasking. It's hard for me to do -- except when I'm writing. I don't think I ever realized that before :)
I am very excited to read this article. When I started teaching, I had no idea how hard it would be.
I have 3 weeks to go in my 200-hour YTT and I am excited and thrilled but nervous. This article was so much help :) thank you!
You’re so welcome! Rooting for you on this exciting new journey!
Hi Andrea, for some reason I don’t have access to the paywalled posts anymore (and I also saw you gave me a refund). Can you please check your end? 🙏🏻 many thanks xxxm (I’ve also emailed you with screenshots)