Dear Homegrown Yogis,
If you haven’t yet seen on our social media, I am incredibly excited to share that Homegrown Yoga will be expanding in 2021 with a third location in Macon. Our Warner Robins and Perry studios will remain exactly as they are – if you choose, you’ll now be able to use your class cards and memberships in Macon as well! Our Macon studio is located on Vineville Avenue and (after a few weeks of serious construction!) will include both an indoor studio similar to Warner Robins and Perry, as well as a fully functioning outdoor studio with turf!
As I’ve shared this news with everyone I usually get: “Yessssssss!!! That’s so so sooooo exciting!!” Followed up with some sort of slightly concerned/slightly bewildered: “It’s kind of crazy that you’re doing this in the midst of a pandemic.” And yes, it’s not only kind of crazy – I would say it’s pretty much totally crazy and that thought has kept me awake in bed many many nights lately. So I write this letter as much to myself as I do to you, especially if you’ve been considering making your own crazy decision lately. Here is why I am choosing to open a third studio:
I believe this pandemic is the perfect time to open another yoga studio because it has revealed that there is simply nothing more important or essential than our health. Duh, right?! Although I think we’ve all known that fact deep-down, 2020 has been an abrupt wake-up call that health can literally bring our world to a standstill. Even for those of us who have been fortunate enough to have our physical health intact this year, let’s talk about what 2020 has shown us about the importance of mental and spiritual health: how to remain centered when the rug gets pulled out from underneath us, how to adapt to constant change and unknowingness, and how to deal with homeschooling. Enough said with that last one, right? =) Once we can step out of survival mode and begin reflecting and learning from the year, I truly believe people will make a commitment to their physical and mental health – not just when we’re in crisis-mode but always. And that’s when yoga will have its BIG day in the West because I know I may be biased, but I have yet to find another practice that so seamlessly and holistically addresses physical, mental and spiritual well-being. After the dust settles on this pandemic, I believe people will be seeking physical and mental wellness so watch out for some seriously full yoga studios!
On a personal level, I believe this pandemic is the perfect time for me to open another yoga studio because it’s made me realize that running yoga studios is the only way I want to make a living… or go down trying!! You often hear the expression, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” I’ve heard it phrased differently lately and I think this question evokes a much more meaningful answer – “What would you do even if you knew you would fail?” What is so important to you that you’re willing to get knocked down and lose everything for? After this year of failing and losing in some serious ways, I know my answer – I would share yoga even if I failed at it and ended up losing it all. There’s a lot I would do if I knew I couldn’t fail – buy myself a motorcycle, open a store that sells only Air Jordans – but Yoga: I’m willing to fall on my face for every single day. That’s how I know I’m on my path.
I believe this pandemic is the perfect time to open another yoga studio because I want to do it. Period. I’ve spent nearly 40 years doing things because they made sense and other people thought doing it was a good idea too. I’ve reached a point this year when I realize I can do things simply because I want to do them. I can do things because they make me happy and they feel right to me. Rebellious, right?! So you know what? You can mark out the previous two paragraphs because this is why I’m opening another yoga studio and why you too should take that crazy risk in the New Year – Because you want to do it!!!! No permission or reasoning needed – you know it’s the right thing for you and you’re willing to do the work to make it happen. (And if you really think you need permission – I think you should do it!!)
Happy New Year y’all!! May this year be everything you want it to be, and I can’t wait to practice with you in Warner Robins, Perry AND Macon! <3
With love,
Rachel