I remember a long time ago seeing a poster that said "There is light at the end of the tunnel... but sometimes that light is an on-coming train".

This message is still a reminder for me not to get ahead of myself because just when you think something is about to work your way... well it may not. We can hope all we want but it is always important to focus on right now. Of course I make plans and have goals, but I often have to remind myself to be right here and focus. For me this includes when I am teaching.

When I completed my first yoga teacher training in 2009 I had hopes and plans to work with veterans and as much as I tried I never seemed to break into this area. I asked for mentors and recommendations but only hit walls. So I just kept teaching and seeing where I landed. It seemed like some didn't want to share or network but there were others who at least tried to pass on useful tips and even though they couldn't help me now we stayed in touch. I was introduced to a director in Washington, DC from a current yoga student and completed the long process of becoming an approved vendor to teach veterans at the VA Administration center in DC. But then the Covid Pandemic lockdown hit. The job didn't move forward and they cut the program.

The pandemic made many people change their jobs and lives and that is what happened to a manager I used to work with. Fortunately she kept my information and wrote me last December. Turns out she now leads Wounded Warrior Expo events in the DC/Baltimore region and remembered how much the government contractors talked about my yoga class. Therefore she hired me to lead yoga and sound bowl for the veterans at their expo event; 20+ warriors who come to discuss holistic practices to help mitigate their anxiety, depression and sleep insomnia. Feedback was great and now I am starting to work for them in different markets.

Being patient and consistent is a large part of what I have learned in business. It isn't easy but I mentor many yoga teachers and this is a large part of what I encourage them to remember and understand. You teach even when only one person shows up. You teach sometimes for little money. When you have a headache, you still show up to work. When a job is cut you keep moving forward. I am not afraid to share and help pass along suggestions as I believe there is plenty of work out there for all of us and that there are so many who need the teachings of yoga.

In the meantime no matter your goals or expectations please be patient and kind. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Stay safe and keep moving forward!

Jai!

---Paige