I'll never be a Lifetime Fitness Center. It's a fact. Pure and Simple. Over the summer, Lifetime Fitness came to town. Being a small business owner, was I worried. At first, not really. I didn't think anything about it. I was happy, content, and confident about what I was offering at Balanced for Life Yoga. We have grown so much in our 3 years of business. The studio feels like home to me and for many of our students as well. I know what we offer at Balanced for Life Yoga Therapy is different than what you get at a big chain.
We have: Unique programs and experiences A teaching staff with so many varied skills and styles A small a caring community A wanting to bring people together A willingness to get to know our students on a deeper level BUT then I got nervous! I started to hear chatter at other local yoga studios, or people who worked at the Y, saying they noticed a decline in attendance in their spaces. Then various students of ours mentioned about "all my friends just joined Lifetime" or "several of our yoga teachers are teaching there now". Bigger is better thinking can undermine everything we do. (If you let it!) I had to stop myself and reflect. I'll never be a Lifetime is true, but I never really want to be either. I'm OK being the little guy, doing my part in the way I am. It's OK to have my little space and to grow organically. Not forcing myself to be something I am not. I am grateful for my yoga community. I am grateful for my space that holds 8 students. I am grateful for our regular teachers (Josette, Leslie, Mindie, Jen, Allie, Molly, Daria) and those who have been our guests. Because I am grateful for being able to also hold space for those who join us. I see people change, sometimes it is gradually over time, sometimes it's like a lights switch has been turned on. It's like I am a witness to little miracles every day. I've seen people get help for their demons that have been haunting them, letting go of past hurts from childhood, change from having so many anxieties and fears to becoming confident and calm, to ask for support when they would have done it alone, and so many other things that seem small, but are not at all. I am so grateful for being able to witness all these miracles. There is a place for bigger. There is a place for all the Lifetimes, and there is definitely a place for all the small places like Balanced for Life Yoga, that don't ever want to be big. Bigger isn't better. It's just different. With 3 years of Balanced for Life Yoga in the books, I am just hoping that we can continue to provide a community, with caring and connected teachers, in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere where our clients and teachers can feel safe, heard, and be themselves without judgement. Do you ever feel pressured to be or do more? Share below so we can all learn from each other! Thanks to you! Warmly, Denise
6 Comments
Erika Yablonovitz
11/15/2017 02:02:55 pm
I love this! It is spot on. I love the special feeling I get being at your studio, reconnecting with the others in class, attention to detail that instructors provide, individualized instruction to what our bodies need that day at that moment... you will never get these things at Lifetime.
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11/15/2017 04:18:59 pm
Thanks for sharing your experience about us, Erika. We love having you at the studio. This blog was really about me feeling like I needed to do more or be bigger than I am. It's that idea that we compare ourselves and worry about what other are saying. It's finding "enoughness" and purpose even if it's not BIG. Someone said you should franchise. I can't even imagine the thought of that. I have not taken yoga classes at Lifetime and I am sure their yoga instructors are great. I know they were looking for the best in the area. This blog is a reminder to find peace and contentment in what you are doing and being grateful for what you have! Because sometimes I get challenged in this way.
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Susan Madden-Cox
11/16/2017 08:50:26 am
Keep it up, mama! It's apples and oranges; and your juicy little orange is providing the intimate connection, grounding, safety and inspiration so desperately needed in our culture and our time. Every tiny miracle is worth a million "Lifetimes". Blessings!
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11/20/2017 08:01:18 am
Thanks Susan. It is always wise to see those Blessings clearly. It started with you and you vision as well. Love to you!
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Cammy
11/18/2017 03:50:50 pm
Boy do I feel blessed to be part of your small nurturing community! I have received support for body, mind and spirit from you and your fabulous instructors. I Hope I have offered a listening ear to others as we practice yoga and breathing in your safe space!
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11/20/2017 08:03:11 am
Thanks Cammy. You are an integral part of our community. I love seeing you at classes and am thankful for your support and love seeing you every week!
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