I’ve mentioned it in almost every post I’ve written in the last couple of weeks but I am entering into 2019 feeling full of hope, healing, inspiration and courage. 2018 was the best and worst year of my life. I only wish I could truly share with you the extreme of highs and lows that it held for me but in the spirit of a) privacy and b) moving on, we’ll leave it in the past.

After Finn’s birth, the end of my relationship with his father and leaving the yoga studio that I had dedicated so much time and energy into building and nourishing over the last three years (and taught at for the better part of seven years), I needed to go into a hole. I wanted to focus on Finn, my family and putting myself back together again.

I fully believe it’s completely necessary to go into a hole sometimes. For me, it was a form of protection and self-care that allowed me to focus on taking care of my emotional needs, being with Finn and the transition into motherhood.

But you can’t stay in the hole. It’s not a good place to be long-term. When the time is right and you start to see glimpses of sunlight, warmth, love and opportunity…it’s time to come out.

The holiday season marked my coming out of the hole. I can’t even describe what prompted me to do it other than I just felt ready. Don’t get me wrong, I still have a lot of work to do but I’m on my way and I’m ready to “get back out there” on many levels, one being teaching yoga.

While I was in said hole, I contemplated giving up teaching completely. There was no part of me that felt like I could stand in front of others and lead them through a power yoga practice when I felt so powerless. Opportunities came my way, but with the exception of the 200-hour teacher training that I have been leading at VIDA Hot Yoga, none of them felt right so I said no. I credit the yoga teacher training that I have been leading at VIDA in Kingsport, Tennessee for reminding my why I love yoga so much and reigniting my fire to teach. It was wonderfully refreshing to step out of the Charlotte yoga scene (and it is a scene here…sadly) and into a community where passion for yoga felt pure, honest and heart-centered.

With a renewed hope for the practice that I fell in love with 10 years ago, and a heart that is on its way to healing, I have found myself wanting to say yes to some inquiries that have come my way to teach again in Charlotte.

So that’s what I’m doing! Here is my new teaching schedule.

WINTER 2019 YOGA TEACHING SCHEDULE

Here’s how I’m changing my approach to yoga in an effort to protect the “sacredness” that I appreciate about it so much and became lost to me.

• I’m not focusing all of my energy on one studio. I am teaching at multiple places (still working on a perm class at the Dowd Y as well) so that I can be a part of different communities, meet new yogis and be more creative with my teaching. Related: stay tuned for winter/spring workshops at the Dowd.
• I’m absolutely not participating in management responsibilities at any studio. Not gonna lie, being a part of all the things that happen behind the scenes can sometimes take the shine off. I am focused on TEACHING, which is what I love and where I find the most inspiration and joy.
• I have had super candid and vulnerable conversations with all of the studios that I will be working for about what I’m looking for and my intentions. The studios where I will be teaching support not only me as a yoga teacher but also me as a mom.
• I’m not teaching 7 days a week, and not teaching weekends. I am committed to having a better work/life balance and I want to save my weekends for things like workshops and teacher trainings when Finn is spending time with his dad.

The last class that I taught was on May 16, 2018, two days before Finn was born. Taking nearly eight months off of teaching regular classes in Charlotte has been needed on so many levels, and stripping away that yoga teacher “identity” has been incredibly refreshing and full of valuable lessons. I come back to teaching this weekly regular schedule with a giant dose of humility and a much softer and open heart.

I’ll also be leading another 200-hour teacher training with VIDA next fall (dates coming very soon) and am in talks about teacher trainings in Charlotte too.

So if you’re in Charlotte…come practice with me! The studios offer a variety of class pass options from unlimited memberships to class passes, and most offer really great new student specials. I hope to see familiar faces, and can’t wait to connect with many new ones as well!

Here are website links:

• Charlotte Yoga
• VIBE5
• Cornwell Center
• VIDA Hot Yoga (Kingsport, TN)

I am ready to make 2019 an amazing year, one of the best yet.

With so much gratitude for your love and support,
Jen