More Joy Wellness

Where it all began

A pivotal moment in my yoga journey was discovering the Body Flow Yoga studio. It was a serene, light, and bright space where I immediately felt at ease. It felt like the universe led me to this place, where the inspiring teachers and peaceful energy were exactly what I needed at that time.

This studio quickly became my sanctuary, and within a few days, I felt like I had finally found a true sense of community after living in a new country for over a year.

The Karma Yogi Path

I had a two-week trial and used it to the fullest, but as a full-time student with visa work restrictions, I knew that paying for a membership wouldn’t be feasible. As my trial came to an end, I wrestled with the thought of losing this newfound community and practice. Then, almost as if the universe had heard my unspoken wishes, the studio posted a call for a “karma yogi”, someone to clean the studio in exchange for classes.

Over the next two years, I cleaned the studio and deepened my practice, love, and appreciation for yoga. 

Coming Full Circle: From Student to Teacher

Several years later, after moving away from this beautiful studio, I embarked on a 200-hour teacher training program. My goal wasn’t to teach yoga, but to further immerse myself in yogic principles and expand my own practice.

More years pass, and I somehow end up in a conversation with a lifelong friend about my yoga journey. She offered, and encouraged, me to teach a yoga class at her newly opened dance studio. And, when the universe puts an opportunity in my path, I cannot look the other way.

Filled with nerves, I sequenced my first yoga flow that I would share with a class. I arrived at the studio early, and opened the door to a serene, light, and bright studio in the heart of my hometown. I was filled with so much pride for my friend for bringing something so incredible to her town, knowing that she brought so much passion to her students, and understanding the importance in finding a sense of community in a local studio. 

As I settled into the space, I grabbed a vacuum and mop and cleaned the studio floors – an act of gratitude, honouring both where my journey started and where I had arrived.

Teaching with Heart and Humility

That first class was not just a culmination of my years of practice; it was a chance to give back and pay forward the experience of community, growth, and discovery that yoga had given me. I decided to honour my journey by teaching in the spirit of karma yoga and offering my class in service to the community. The class proceeds went back to my friend’s studio, which was doing so much to enrich the local community. My journey from a hesitant beginner to a teacher reminds me of the cyclical nature of yoga itself. It’s a practice that keeps giving, that constantly invites us to look inward and to connect with the world around us. It is an opportunity to find a sense of belonging, to nurture others as we’ve been nurtured, and to remember that the greatest growth often happens when we give back.