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
This sounds like the perfect fit for you!! So glad it’s all transpiring the way it is — but of course good things DO come to those with pure intentions so it’s of no surprise to me ? Cheers to new beginnings!
I’ve been consistently practicing yoga in Charlotte for 16 years, and teaching for 11 years (4 different places) – and yes it is a “scene”! It wasn’t always, but that is the current reality. You have clearly been doing a ton of growth work on your own and I’m excited to see that reflected in your teaching now. Thank you for your transparency, generosity and humility – AND for being brave enough to come back to teaching locally. Sending lots of love your way!
Congratulations, Jen!! You have so many people wishing you the best. I have family in Charlotte, so I hope to make it to one of your classes when I come visit! ❤️
Cheering oh so hard for you over here, friend. I’m so enormously proud of you.
I can’t wait to come to an 8:15am on Thursday’s at Vibe5!
Reading and smiling over here! What a wonderful way to start a new year for yourself and Finn. Cheering for you as well, and looking forward to checking out a new studio for one of your classes! Also will look out for workshops at Dowd. 🙂 Hoping to figure out another arm balance beyond crow this year!
Congrats, Jen! I am so excited for you. As a long time reader I knew you would come out of this challenging time in your life stronger than ever. As a group exercise instructor I can totally relate to your sentiment about management taking the shine away from simply teaching. I made the switch back to only teaching and it has been SO good for me in so many ways. I hope the same for you!
I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through in the past year but I am really happy to hear that you are feeling rays of sunshine and are ready to come out of hibernation. I also had a baby in 2018 – on 3/1 – and to some extent, I feel like we’ve hibernated this year. My heart has grown SO MUCH but my world has become smaller and smaller out of necessity as balancing parenting and working full time outside of the home was a doosey! Being away from our son during the work week was so hard that I really protected our weekend time and tried not to make any plans – especially ones that would take me away from our son. And I spent the first 4-5 months of my return to work feeling like I was constantly talking myself out of quitting my job… I knew I would never actually quit because I worked hard to get to where I’m at and I really do have a great role and work for a great company. But dang it has been so hard to be away from our son and to spend so little time with him (he’s only awake for about an hour when we get home from work as he doesn’t nap well at daycare). But with the turn of the calendar, I’ve started to feel better about being back to work and I feel ready to take on some new things. I am NOT AT ALL comparing our situations – but I can relate to feeling like you are ready to take on more. I’ve started working out again and it feels so good to do something for myself!
I can tell how talented you are at teaching and how much you have to share with your students so I am glad you’ve found places to teach. I bet your classes will be very well attended!!
Jen, I’ve been a reader of your blog for a long time and am so inspired by you! Thank you for sharing your story of going into the hole and now coming out. It is truly SO encouraging to hear you be so open and to know I’m not alone. I have sensed the same need to go into a “hole” after leaving elementary school teaching after several stressful, overcommitted and somewhat traumatic years. In order to recover from all of that, I had to take devoted time to myself and my family to simplify my life and recover. It’s been such a healing experience and I totally resonate with the idea that sometimes going into a hole can be a much-needed healing process. I feel like myself again after several months focusing on myself, my marriage, my family, and my own happiness. It is truly an incredible feeling. Much love to you in your journey xo
So very happy for you and the new chapter you are creating for yourself. I always wondered how not teaching was working for you because it seemed that it was a true passion of yours. It’s truly refreshing to see that you can hold on to that and make it work for you.
I hope 2019 is the start of so many amazing things for you and your little man, Not sure if you heard Glenn Close acceptance speech, but this is so appropriate for today:
“And I feel what I’ve learned this whole experience is that women, you know, we’re nurturers, that’s what’s expected of us. We have our children, we have our husbands if we’re lucky enough and our partners, whoever. But we have to find personal fulfillment. We have to follow our dreams. We have to say, I can do that and I should be allowed to do that. “
What a journey Jen xx Looking forward to taking your class sometime! I did the new student special at Vibe5 and really enjoyed it there. Good luck! You will be amazing!
Yay!! I’m happy for you!! Sounds like a great start to 2019 for you and Finn! I will be in to try Vibe!! I’m newish to Charlotte and still haven’t found my yoga nitch yet! I really appreciate the “realness” of your blog and approach to a healthy lifestyle. Looking forward to meeting you!
Thank you for sharing such an honest and vulnerable post. I am so glad that 2019 is starting off as a place of new beginnings and hope – may you find peace and comfort in this new year!
I have been in the fitness industry for nearly 10 years now and this year I am finally taking a huge step back! I have taught countless classes and trained hundreds of clients and I am burnt out!! I fee like I haven’t been giving 100% the past year and that isn’t fair to people there for a workout. Fitness will always be apart of my life but sometimes you have to step away from it and refocus. I also feel like keeping up with others goals is exhausting at times and made me resent the whole thing all together. It’s hard to start the transition into something new after all these years and hard work but it feels sooo right!!! You will do great things this year!?
Love reading this post! It is full of excitement and anticipation of a fresh start and great things to come. Can’t wait to come to one of your classes. You are such a great yoga teacher (and body pump/strength teacher!) – glad you didn’t decide to stay away for too long. 🙂 Wishing you all the very best and that your 2019 is filled with so much love and happiness!!
Good for you!! I’m looking forward to checking out the VIBES studio. I needed a reason to branch out ?
You are doing so great! I started following you when I was pregnant, we were about the same amount of weeks along. My baby was born May 30th, it was a surprise and he was a BOY! So I have loved reading your blog ever since I found it. Even though it’s only been a short while I really enjoy it and want to let you know that. I love your positivity even in hard times apparently, which I am so sorry you experienced. You may not see it as positivity but it is; positivity because it is a healthy and honest way to heal and take care of your self. Anyway, my point is, I don’t easily follow people or blogs and wanted to let you know you really have inspired me in a few ways that have changed what I’m doing. Little things but meaningful ways.
Sorry for the long post. I actually do have a question. What is the best way you recommend starting yoga? I don’t know if there is a good DVD or video or if you just recommend classes? I used to run and did a little crossfit and need to start back. How do you recommend starting Yoga?
I know how it feels for your life to turn upside down and to lose what you thought the future could be. I’ve been rooting for you all this time, and won’t lie, I was worried how you’ll be able to cope, especially since new motherhood is such a stressful (even though incredibly joyful) life event. I don’t know you personally, but having read your blog for a long time, I’m really proud of you, how you coped, and cared for Finn and got back on your feet. Sending both of you lots of love and best wishes for an amazing new year! xx
so happy and so proud of you, Jen! you are going to be magnificent girl!!
I moved to Charlotte in March and am excited you are teaching again. Love to you during your healing. Looking forward to your class at the Y and Charlotte Yoga!