Good afternoon to all of you who have also chosen to hunker down at home on this frigid Saturday afternoon.
I am a virgin to blogging, so bear with me, as I stumble through this and get my bearings.
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Laurette and I live in Redvers, Sask. I moved back here last June after being away for 30 some years. Gotta admit I never saw this happening, but with a willing mind and body, one never knows where life will take you.
What do I do? My goal in life is to empower people to take charge of their mind, body and spirit, through teaching yoga, empowering people to their own healing through Reiki, Reflexology and/or Raindrop Therapy.
I currently teach yoga in four towns in the very deep SE corner of the province. I started out in Redvers last summer shortly after moving here. I will forever be grateful to Deanna who allowed me some floor space in her gym and gave this fledgling little group a place to hang - or lay - our mats :) Last fall, having outgrown the space, moved into teaching some classes at the Arts Centre and at The Zone Daycare, eventually making our home at the old Silvermoon Motel, which is now the new home for Redvers Early Learning & Child Care Centre. Our student count in Redvers is now up to 20, some come and go.
As serendipity would have it, trying to organize yoga in surrounding towns wasn't coming about, until late fall when I was approached by Jillian - another gal that I will be ever grateful for - who approached me about the possibility of teaching yoga in Carnduff, approximately 40 minutes away. Within a very short time we had 35 - 40 ladies registered, spread out over 3 yoga classes, for a 6 week session. As word spread, another request to start up a class or two in Gainsborough, and after a little planning, had 16 ladies registered for a 6 week session, split up into two classes. Another class was also organized in Bellegarde with the help of one of my Redvers students, who taught at Ecole Bellegarde and another wonderful person that I shall dedicate this class to, Lisette - thank you - and 21 wonderful women joined me on the mat.
In a relatively short time, I have had an opportunity to share the gift of yoga to about 100 people in the area, some come, some go and more continue to ponder the thought that yoga can make a difference in their lives.
Why am I sharing these ramblings? Not for what some of you may be thinking, that I'm patting my self on the back - not at all. First off I am so proud of all of you that have challenged yourselves and seen success in getting a little closer to your toes, a little deeper in a twist and seeing you evolve and get out of your minds and become one with your mat. Your yoga practice is your own personal journey and I am grateful to be allowed to guide you through your transformation.
Another reason I am sharing this, there are so many people looking for a change, looking for something different in their lives. If you come from a small town and ever thought that you might like to become a yoga teacher, but thought there wouldn't be enough interest out there - think again! Yes it takes a little - okay alot of planning and putting on some miles, driving home at 40 km an hour in a blinding snow storm, but the difference that you will make in one person's life is so worth it.
After a great class like this morning, on the coldest day on the planet, upwards of -50 with the windchill, and being able to share this gift with a dozen dedicated ladies that ventured out of the warmth of their homes to meet me on the mat, I actually do pinch myself that I actually get to do this today and everyday for the rest of my life.
Above all, I owe a huge amount of gratitude to my love, Bryce, who sent me a text message one fateful Thursday night in April last year, asking me if I would be interested in teaching Yoga in Redvers. In a heartbeat, yes, that moment changed the course of my life. Never would I ever have thought that I would be back in my home town, be back here with you, doing what I absolutely love to do.
To all of you out there, follow your passion, take a chance to break free from what other people think you should do. When you are happy being who you are, happy doing what you do, when life throws you a curve ball, just ride it out, and be the beautiful, wonderful you that you are meant to be!
