Charting a New Course
This year—especially this summer—was one of the hardest seasons we’ve faced since we first opened… even harder than 2020. Oddly enough, our attendance was growing, but income didn’t reflect the growth. That disconnect left me questioning everything: What should I do? Am I even relevant anymore? As Brené Brown says, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” But still, I’d walk the Swamp Rabbit Trail and see crowds flocking to another studio in town. I’d hear how another space had 40 people per class, while some of our beloved teachers had only three or four students. My heart sank. I know these teachers are gifted.
July was the low point. I reduced my own pay, pulled from personal savings to cover teacher payroll and the mortgage. It was a pivotal moment: Do I keep going? Or walk away—just shy of 20 years? Honestly, I went into hiding. My MO? Become one with the couch. I’d teach, come home, and sit—stuck, unsure of the next move. Eventually, I remembered: I have tools. I know how to coach myself through journaling and good questions. But this hole felt too deep to climb out of alone. So, I reached out to someone I trust—my dear friend and coach, Kali Jaye.
In our session, a powerful image came to me: a boat adrift, with no one steering. The captain—me—was exhausted. Later, in another session with three coach friends, a different image emerged. I saw myself on a hamster wheel—not wanting to run the same endless loop anymore. I didn’t want to escape it—I wanted to play on it, to feel supported and joyful. I wanted my friends running beside me. I was tired of doing it alone. Those two sessions gave me clarity- First, I needed to decide where we were going. Second, I needed to ask for support to get there.
That clarity led to one of my favorite teacher gatherings ever. We met for lunch. I gave each person a small gift, with a word that reflected the gifts I see in them. Then I shared honestly where we were and what we needed—not from fear, but from vision.
Our aim? The 20th anniversary celebration. Just the next right step. What the teachers created from that moment blew me away. They thought through every feeling we wanted to evoke, every detail to make it special. Every single one of them showed up with love, creativity, and care—for the space, for each other, and for you. That’s what made the evening magical.
Since then, we’ve made other changes to help right the ship:
– A sustainable pricing structure (for us and hopefully for you)
– A fun return to social media, thanks to Amanda Ramirez of Nice Life Photography
– New, inspired offerings from all of our teachers (hello, October events!)
– A big rewrite of our signature offering—straight from my heart
I realized I get to steer the ship—but it can also be fun. It can light us up. What lights me up? Collaborating with friends. Having deeper conversations about how to live in this world. Yes, moving our bodies is part of it. But more than anything, we need nervous system regulation—calm, clear minds—and belonging—to ourselves and our community. That’s what we’re creating now. That’s what you’ll feel in our offerings. We’re having fun again, and we hope you’ll come be part of it.
One more thing—another coach friend, Arden, asked me: "What would your future self say to you about this past summer?" The answer came quickly: This had to happen—for me to right the ship to evolve to the next chapter. And here we are. Our teachers, our community, and our celebration (which definitely added wind in our sails). We’re ready to launch into new, uncharted territory. I’m so grateful you are on the boat with us. It’s time to have a little fun on the ride.
