Loving & Hunting!

Two months of living in Lakeland, Florida!   A lot has changed this fall but it all seems to be coming together, just like the marriage plans for this Saturday, November 13th.  All six of our parents are set to arrive by the time of the wedding.

Aside from getting married to the love of my life (former yoga student- thanks Holly), most of my time has focused on yoga, coaching, job hunting, and riding roller coasters (favourite: Manta at Sea World).  I even got to visit the Florida Keys for the first time with my best friend Debra and her boyfriend, Jeff. It was a magical surprise Birthday celebration for Debra whom I also met in my Yoga class. Yoga knows how to bring people together. It is almost 2011 and I continue to pursue my long term goal.


Right now, I am searching for my next career step while trying my best to stick to a goal I made on a European trip during the summer of 2008. My best friends, Kaitlin and Lindsay,  helped me realize my true passion for yoga.  They helped by pointing out my tireless conversation about the practice and love for teaching. The conversation came about while we were sitting beside a gorgeous lake in Lucerne, Switzerland.  We all shared our current direction in life and I seemed to be the most in need of guidance.  I had just finished my undergraduate degree and was in a bit of a cross-road.  Yoga had become a huge part of my life but I was not sure if I could pursue yoga as a career.  I thought the safest pathway was to get a masters in a degree with a more secure financial future.  I was all set to pursue a masters in Urban and Regional Planning after another good friend, Rachel (yoga class friend, too),  helped guide me through the application. After much deliberation, I ended up choosing to pursue a different masters program, Sport Management, and yoga.  Sport Management had room for me to continue studying and teaching yoga in Tallahassee, FL.

Kaitlin and Lindsay gave me confidence that day by the lake. Yoga had more sparkle and I was not ready to let it be a practice from my past.  In case you were wondering, the goal is to one day guide students in my own yoga space. This is why I continue to practice, study and teach.

Aside: Thank you girls for being a part of my journey and for our European adventure. I will never forget how helpful you were, especially when I lost everything, including my passport at the Duomo in Milan, Italy.



Yoga and regular job hunting continues as I get to know my new city. After two interviews with Geico, I have yet to hear a response.  I think their response is in the mail; ) I am not convinced that Geico wants a yoga instructor with a business degree and a Canadian passport.

Last week, I submitted my resume to a running shoe store and hope to hear back from them, too. I have considered applying to a fitness organization in town but a yoga studio would be ideal.

In effort to connect with a studio and to keep practicing I have been attending class daily at Satya Life yoga in Lakeland. I would be more than honoured to join their faculty and to continue learning from Frankie Hart.  My soon to be husband has been encouraging me to approach her with my availability and interest.  I am quite intimidated by the studio because of the instructors vast knowledge and skill. He has been an amazing back bone to my dream and I was planning on mentioning my interest to Ricky before the new year. Somehow the stars were aligned and after my second interview with Geico my instructor invited me to have a conversation about potential opportunities at her studio, Satya Life. Her interest absolutely made my month!

As some of you know, I had four amazing years practicing and teaching at two studios in Tallahassee. Finding my next opportunity has been intimidating.  Satya has re-kindled my excitement and I will keep you posted once that meeting happens.  So thankful !!!

Namaste

yours gingerly,

W h i t n e y