Live Dynamite

Four years ago after facilitating thousands of support groups for troubled youth I decided we were done doing “talk therapy” and we were going to use Yoga to go within and start with self-transformation. The children in the schools loved it. I was also teaching yoga at an athletic club.

I love teaching yoga and seeing the change and impact it can have in people’s lives. I’d often wished that I could do this full-time, but never believed I could make a living at it. And I had no idea how I’d ever get clients. It always seemed like a dream that was out of reach.

I started talking about how this was what I really wanted to do and was highly encouraged by Live Dynamite to go for it. Maryanne believed I could do it and pushed me to take action. I was introduced to the idea of the Law of Attraction and then saw a movie called The Secret. This idea that like attracts like and we create everything in our lives hit me like a ton of bricks. That really is how the whole world works.

Finally, after years of being asked to teach private yoga classes I decided to go for it. I sat down and wrote down my ideas on how I could start this business. I began to talk to people about signing up for private sessions. I asked my “business minded” friends for help and what to do next.

The more I spoke to others the more the dream came alive. It was as if I was already doing it. I used a lot of visualization and saw myself teaching the groups and taking more advanced training. I wrote affirmations surrounding my business that I read daily. Here are a few–

• By Aug. 1st I have earned all my money for my advanced training
• Money comes easily and readily (not something I’d ever experienced).

I worked the daily practice format. Each day I set a small goal for myself– write up business plan, contact Yoga Retreat Center in California, set pricing scale for individuals and group sessions, design business cards, order equipment–and took action.

Rather then feel overwhelmed by getting everything done at once, I did one small task each day. Each time I completed one task I felt closer to achieving my final goal. The excitement of attending the advanced training kept me motivated throughout the process. I felt like I had finally broken away from the mundane activities in my life and was inspired to transform and move forward.

I realized that in my teaching yoga I was using my social work skills in a kinesthetic way. This process did not come without fear and doubt. I surrounded myself with individuals that believed in me. I kept my attitude very positive and tried not to let myself focus on my fear. I realized that if I started out small I really had nothing to lose and asked – what’s the worst that could happen?

I tried to not let myself even go down the path of self-doubt– some days were easier than others. When I found myself moving toward fear I’d call someone who reassured me. Or I’d write down how much I’d done and acknowledge how far I’d come. I was accomplishing my goals. I had earned all the money I needed to attend training and had secured over 20 new clients. I’m doing it.

I also went to a Live Dynamite Circle and met others who were looking for more in their lives. It was really energizing to be with a group of people who were all motivated to change and take action. I was amazed at how much support they gave me – I didn’t know any of these people and they were encouraging me more than some of my lifelong friends.

I’m still working at creating my practice. My goal is to quit my job and run my practice full-time by September 1, 2007. I keep visualizing that I already have a successful business. It’s going to happen. Until then, I’ll continue to do Yoga in the schools and find ways to keep it going so kids can keep experiencing the power of Yoga. (I have another new goal – to create a Yoga program for our school district.)

Right now I have so much interest in my services, I am actually turning down requests for private sessions. Who knew? Well, I guess I did. But seeing it all come to life makes it easier to believe. The trick was that I had to believe I could do it to be able to see it happen. I know I’ll be running my own business soon and living the life I’ve dreamed of.

I’m constantly encouraging others to take that first step and figure out what they really want to do with their lives. You have to believe in yourself and find others that believe in you, too. I’m living proof that if you work at it you can do anything.

Kathy, St. Paul
Public School Counselor, Yoga & Fitness Instructor