community feature January 2019

Before I ever stepped into yoga studio, I was someone who was constantly busy.  I worked two jobs while attending university, maintaining a jam packed schedule, living with 7 boys and in a toxic relationship.  Two years later I found the courage to leave the relationship, but I don’t even think I had time to pause and give myself the permission to shed the weight of my abusive relationship.   My MO was a very active and busy lifestyle, so I just kept going.

One day with my new partner at the CNE, I had a severe panic attack for the first time. It came out of nowhere and I didn’t know how to handle it! Thankfully he eased me out of it and I am grateful I was not alone. Attacks came periodically, so I went for medical tests – everything came back normal.  I was diagnosed with a minor anxiety disorder and was given two options: pills or yoga. I was resistant to both! I felt pills would mask the problem and yoga was too slow and boring for me…My entire life revolved around active sports and now I was supposed to sit on a mat and do some slow stretches? Thank you, next.

I went home to tell my parents and it just so happened that Power Yoga Canada had just opened up behind my Dad’s shop, Clarkson Fine Cars on Clarkson road. My dad bought me a pass and encouraged me to use it while my car was being fixed that day. I was resistant with every bone in my body but I decided to listen.

I met Kinndli and Pauline who right away made me feel like I was part of the PYC family. I don’t even think I had proper yoga gear that first day but their persistence made it difficult to say no to taking the next class. I took a spot in the back corner and had zero idea of what I was getting myself into. All I knew was that it was SO HOT and how the heck was I going to breathe?! I made it through the class not knowing a single pose and still left the studio feeling like a BADASS!

That night I had the BEST SLEEP EVER! I went back the second day wanting more of what I knew nothing about. I signed up for the 40 day to Personal Revolution and little did I know that decision would forever change my life. The anxiety vanished, I slept like a champion, I was more present in my body and with my family and friends. People kept telling me something changed in my energy but they couldn’t pinpoint what it was. I wanted more. In 2012 I joined PYC’s first intensive two week teacher training program. I started teaching at my corporate finance job twice a week and implemented yoga into my condo community in Toronto which were both successful! Two years later I moved to New York City and completed Level 1 & 2 training with the Baptiste Institute. I managed and taught at Lyons Den Power Yoga, Manhattan’s only Baptiste Power Yoga studio.

I have moved back to Oakville and have decided to leave the corporate world all together and devote my passion and energy into yoga full time. Although it is inspiring and fulfilling to do what I love, I took a big pay cut from what I was earning in finance. I have stayed positive throughout this process and trust that the abundance of money always comes from when passion and drive are in alignment with our work.

This is my calling. If I build it, they will come. Landing a job that pays is easy. Landing a job that aligns with your passion, requires a thirst for action, a yes for patience, and a whole lot of courage. Is all of THAT possible? I would have had a different answer a year ago. Today, I can confidently say YES IT’S POSSIBLE!