Business After Baby

My husband and I were blessed with our third baby boy in December of 2022. Prior to finding out I was carrying our sweet Luca; I was well on my way to creating the business that I really wanted. During my pregnancy I continued to teach yoga at my regular yoga studio, Light on Yoga Fitness, UAH, and 4 private clients between small group and individual. I was growing and so was my business. I was receiving inquiries for new opportunities and was ready to take on more. I was unsure of how I'd feel throughout the rest of my pregnancy and decided to teach as long as I felt it was right. I truly had to listen to my body.

By October of 2022, I decided to step back from teaching until after our little Luca was born. It took me about 6 months to return to teaching after having him. I only returned to teach at Light on Yoga Fitness to ease back into everything. I did not pick back up teaching at UAH and not sure if and when I will. UAH was the school I attended back in 2011. UAH was where I took my very first yoga class and never stopped. I had a great teacher and had a lot of fun in the class. I met a now longtime friend in that class and thankful for her friendship until this day. It was not easy to step away from teaching and even when I came back, I had some uncertainties. I chose to walk away for a bit and getting back was challenging. After having a baby and 2 other children, things change within and there is no going back to how things were.

I knew I had to find a new way to reinvent myself and my business. I finally started to build community. I was part of it but never really involved myself in it as much as I would have liked to. I started going to other teacher's classes and not just taking yoga classes from YouTube. I started to make more connections with the students as a teacher and as a student myself. I did not realize how much I enjoyed being a student and learning from other teachers in person. I casted my net and my network began to grow.

A new studio opened in Huntsville, called Grow Yoga. I had never tried a hot yoga class and honestly, I avoided it forever. I tried my very first power hot yoga class at Grow Yoga with Maria Brito. The next class I took was with the owner of Grow Yoga, Courtney and I absolutely loved it. It was around August that I found out that Grow Yoga would be hosting in person teacher training. I am certified but got my certification online. I always knew I wanted to do in person training but could not find a program that would work for me. I could not afford to be gone away from my family and pay for hotels, food and gas for multiple trips out of town. The training at Grow Yoga was perfect and local, so I signed up. I was very hesitant because the cost of the training, but it was worth it because it's only about 25 minutes from my house in Huntsville, AL. The training started in October and will end at the end of this month. Our last weekend together is February 21st, and it seems as though the end of training is coming fast. The very beginning seemed slow going. I'm not sure how I will feel once training is complete, but I am soul grateful for the community I found within my teacher training. Each individual has been so supportive, uplifting and encouraging. I am thankful for being aligned the way I have been lately.

I am still considering what is next. What will I do next once training is complete. I finally launched my website after it sat incomplete for about 2, almost 3 years. I have been trying to make sure I upload a new YouTube yoga video once a week. With training and all the other things going on with life and my 3 kids, it has been a challenge to be consistent with my goal of 1 new video a week. It is still my goal, and I will continue to try to meet the goal as best as I can. At times, things can get overwhelming for me. I try to get out of my own mind with yoga and meditation. Always returning back to my practice of gratitude to get me through.

Stay tuned to see what is next on my journey!

May you be happy, healthy and at peace today!

With Love,

Erika B.