Today I got to hang out with my first ever yoga employer,
@jaimew00d the owner of
@samatvayoga in Canada. ❤️
I discovered yoga in 2010 when I was suffering with what I now understand to be depressive/manic episodes. A counselor recommended I try yoga and I walked into Samatva. I immediately signed up for a 30 Day Challenge. 1 year later I was cleaning the studio in exchange for classes, 2 years later I was operating the front desk, 3 years later I was teaching classes myself. Samatva changed the course of my life. 🙏🏻
Samatva gave me not only my yoga practice, but also purpose in the volunteer role I played, and community in all the friends I made- all so crucial in mental health recovery and something that the pills I was prescribed could not do. (Don’t get me wrong - pills are great! But I think recovery and sobriety requires so much more than that. This is why I’ve made it my life work to support people in ALL these pillars holistically.)
I knew right then and there that yoga was my dharma (purpose) and I wanted to do it full time, but I didn’t know how I would do it sustainably. I needed what I thought was a “real job”, which led me to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, through a brief marriage/divorce, suicidal ideation, drinking problems, and finally, sobriety and now here. ❤️🙏🏻 running
@themindfullifepractice ,
@sobergirlsyogamagazine and
@soberyogagirlpodcast . About to welcome in my next yoga retreat group.
Someone asked me recently if since running a yoga business, my view of yoga has changed. I said no - but what has changed is my view of my yoga employers. I now understand how many different roles and responsibilities that small business owners juggle - and I look back with a greater gratitude and appreciation for the amazing opportunities my previous yoga studio and gym employers offered me - even in the more challenging times. All of it is the reason I’m here today.
Deep gratitude to you
@jaimew00d . Today was a walk down memory lane. ❤️ When we hugged goodbye I said, “I have a feeling I’ll see you soon.” ❤️
My next 200 Hour YTT online starts in February. Take one of the last few spots. Join us & change the trajectory of your life, too. ❤️