After graduating college in 2009 from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising with an AA in Merchandise Marketing, I found myself in a challenging job market. The opportunities were limited, and the uncertainty of my future led me into a state of depression. Each day, after driving home from a job that merely paid the bills, I would pass by a yoga studio with an advertisement for teacher training prominently displayed in the window.
For about a month, I couldn’t get that sign out of my mind. Every time I saw it, I felt a pull, a curiosity, and an unspoken invitation to explore something new. One day, after much contemplation, I decided to take a closer look. I thought to myself, "I could do that."
I began researching yoga studios in my area and discovered a few nearby. Without any prior experience or even taking a class, I walked into one of the studios and signed up for teacher training. The moment I stepped inside, I was captivated. There was something about the energy, the vibe, and even the smell of the studio that made my soul dance. I felt an instant connection and knew I needed to be a part of it.
After enrolling, I decided to take my first yoga class. From the very beginning, I was hooked. The practice of yoga brought a sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment that I had been missing. It became more than just physical exercise; it was a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Through CorePower Yoga, I became certified in three formats: Hot Yoga, Hot Power Fusion, and C-1 Vinyasa Yoga. These certifications have not only enhanced my personal practice but have also allowed me to share the transformative power of yoga with others.
After my first 200-hour training, I began my teaching journey. I started at Lifetime Fitness, where I met some incredible instructors who opened the door to the yoga world for me. After teaching for a few months, I expanded to local studios, where I got to express the true traditional practice of Bikram yoga (Hot). Hot method was a new world, and I learned so much from this studio. They had two locations, and I got to teach at both. After about six to eight months, one location was bought out and turned into Odyssey Yoga, which still retained the essence of Bikram. Then my true dream became a reality: teaching at a CorePower studio. This is where I stepped into my own power and felt the most alive. I was on the schedule a few times a week, then on the schedule at other locations, totaling six times a week with CorePower and once at Odyssey. I felt like I was living out my true calling in life.
When there was an opening for client services through CorePower, I jumped at the chance. I got the position working remotely and continued to teach. It wasn't long before I moved up to the supervisor role for client services. Everything was looking great for me. I taught for eight years. My yoga journey brought me to a divine space. I married my husband in 2016, and we were in the stage of wanting to start a family. We could not afford a house in Colorado, so we explored Nashville, TN, Goodlettsville, TN, and landed on Clarksville, TN. Clarksville was not our first choice, but that was the path we were meant to take.
After moving, I stopped teaching but continued to be part of CorePower by working remotely for client services. Right before the pandemic hit, CorePower franchise was in the process of transitioning into corporate. This was a big move involving 30-plus studios. I was then forced into the role of Manager for client services as they let go of a big chunk of my team. This was a pivotal moment. I knew my job was ending. The long journey it took me to get to this point felt like it was all crashing down around me. I wanted this so badly, and I made it happen for myself only to find that it was all coming to an end.
I held on as long as I could until I needed to do what was best for my husband and me. We had just bought a house, and I wasn’t going to just give up! I explored who was hiring and landed a job an hour away in Nashville in a Supervisor role at a retailer at the Opry Mills Mall. With the commute being so long and the late nights, I knew if I were to get pregnant, this would not last. So, I found an Operation Supervisor role in town working for an emergency roadside service. I worked for them for four years and had both of my babies while working there. I grew so much in the corporate world, but I was not happy. I missed my yoga world. I missed the studio. I was overly stressed, frustrated, and missing out on life. Then it happened again: I was laid off.
Now what? Where am I going from here? So, I started Luna Mama, a lifestyle brand with a mixture of so much. A course to help start your own business, a masterclass, and other digital products to kickstart your business. Luna Mama grew into a blog and soon yoga and meditations. I am now living the life I have always wanted. I work wherever and whenever I want, doing the things I was meant to. I believe my journey has brought me to sharing my story, shedding some light, and showing how to ditch the norm. You don’t have to live the life society has ingrained in us. Rather, we can live a life that makes our soul dance. Enjoy the journey, embrace life!
Comments