I used to think that success came in two major forms - financial and recognition.
As a new yoga teacher in Edinburgh I worked flat out for the first few years. I taught as many classes as I possibly could, I would ALWAYS say yes to cover, I covered miles on my bike each day comuting and I did this alongside a 28 hour p/w job.
I was teaching my own public Yoga Folk classes, teaching at local gyms, at a local yoga studio, and teaching privates. I absolutely love what I do so I wasn’t complaining but I knew the balance was not right and I was knackered!
Over the last couple of years I have really listened to what truely makes me feel content and happy and I made necessary changes towards finding more balance.
I let go of classes that weren’t working, stopped saying yes to every cover request and let go of working for other studios. I needed to honour my need for more freedom. At first I was worried that this would mean that I would be less “known” but if I was really honest with myself I knew that this was mainly an ego driven fear. By creating more space I am able to give more to the things I choose to focus on and ultimately feel more fulfilled.
I am not very good at being super busy, I get burnt out and anxious and the quality of my teaching definitely dips! I am working to create a life that is balanced with work and play so that both my yoga businesses and my personal life can co-exist and intertwine. Of course I want them to flourish but my idea of success is very different to what I thought it was when I first began teaching. Success to me is space and time to enjoy life and to give 100% to everything I do. I understand now that for me success is not a financial thing but a personal, deep rooted contentment. My idea of success or wealth is most likely quite different to another's but that is the beauty, it's unique to each person. Once we move away from cultural or imprinted beliefs and listen quietly to our hearts, the truth bubbles up and is difficult to ignore.
An average day for me involves ritual, meditation, exercise, work (planning,creating,admin), learning and time for doing some of the things that bring me joy (eg. reading, going for a walk or cycle, blending oils, coffee with a friend) as well as having time for those I love.
I hope we can all experience the true meaning of success and wealth, whatever that looks and feels like to you.