Those of us in the health and wellness profession know how accountability works. It’s how we make a living. Keeping people moving, healing and committed. Yet, we sometimes exclude ourselves from the effectiveness that programs, memberships and coaches provide because we are so self-motivated.
We are the leaders. We can do it ourselves.
This intrinsic motivation can become a downfall. It can actually keep us stuck.
The secret behind every exceptional coach, leader and healer is that they have people and programs keeping them going too.
One practice that snuck its way into my life a couple years ago has served me from many unexpected angles.
Healing Unexpectedly: From Heart Palpitations to Infrared Warmth
Hot yoga was not appealing to me in my 20’s when I first learned about it. But, a few years ago I caught Covid-19 and was left with nagging heart palpitations for months and months. My doctor spoke about them and the management plan like I might have them for life.
One day during this time of accepting my new physical reality, my chiropractor coincidentally introduced me to her new infrared sauna. I had tried a portable infrared sauna at a fitness convention the previous summer and felt so much muscle tension relief after just 7 minutes in it. After the first 20 minute session in the sauna at the chiro office, much to my astonishment, the palpitations went away. So, I returned week after week for months.
The palpitations never returned again. Maybe it was a coincidence, maybe not.
Aside from the absence of the palpitations, the deep infrared warmth melted my connective tissues once a week, the music inside the wooden phone booth sized box carried my mind away to another dimension and I felt incredibly restored after each session. I would schedule them just before school pick up and it helped me reset before parenting resumed for the day.
Finding My Rhythm with Hot Yoga in Bozeman
When I was invited to try hot yoga that next year for the 3rd or 4th time, it seemed like it might align after all. Much to my surprise, it did. (I had never wanted to be in a room with a bunch of dripping sweaty and potentially smelly people)
After attending a class with an instructor who I liked, I was lured into an introductory deal I couldn’t resist - a month of unlimited classes for the price of one and by the end of that series and finding other instructors I liked, I was hooked. During that month I learned to fit various classes into my schedule. The timing was and became aligned.
For the past couple years I have been on what is called a maintenance membership at Bend Beyond Yoga Studio in Bozeman, MT. At first, it stressed me out - trying to use the 4 classes every month.
But, eventually I got into a rhythm with it and now, I am celebrating 100 classes.
Synchronicity, Community, and Celebrating 100 Classes
Since I love synchronicity, I must mention that my 100th class happened with Molly, who was the teacher that led me to the studio from a free class in a lululemon store and has become a colleague and friend I delight in collaborating with.
The classes at Bend Beyond have built my strength, flexibility, adaptability and resilience. They also empower me to be the best teacher I can be out there in the community because I am in the presence of incredible teachers each week, absorbing their energy and passion.
Trusting the Signs and Embracing Mentorship
We all need coaches, mentors, programs and ways to stay on our path and return to it when we stray. Sometimes these opportunities find their way into our lives without us seeking them out. It happens to me all the time actually. Just this month a video person and a marketing intern were plopped right into my path. Not when I asked for them earlier this year, but when the time was right.
Trust the signs and your intuition. What is right in front of you just might the answer you are looking for.
Who helps keep you aligned with your mission?
Who and what commitments help you keep moving?
Who or what has showed up in your life recently that might be a sign in the direction of your dreams?
Molly first came into my life because of a sandwich board sign on Main Street in front of Lululemon advertising free Sunday yoga. This changed the course of my path in big ways. I’m so glad I followed the sign.
Read more about my hot yoga journey in this post.