Why Yoga is Like Hairdressing

Have you ever had a haircut that looked good when you left the salon, but you could never re-create that look when you got home? Or worse, a haircut or colour that you hated even before you left?

I’ve tried everything, hair-wise. I’ve cut and coloured it myself based using books or YouTube, got a friend or partner to do it, used dodgy discount coupons, ‘Just cutz’ type places, expensive fancy salons. And the thing I discovered is, it doesn’t really matter what model of business it is – it’s all about the actual hairdresser. Finding the right hairdresser is a big deal. After all, we wear our hair every day, right?

Just as I’ve tried all the things with hairdressing, I really have with yoga teaching too.

What I’ve discovered is that what excites me is making a difference, and reaching people who are not already looked after.

It’s a bit of a cliché, but this is the reason my non-yoga background is all not-for-profits, education, and innovation start-ups. It’s the reason that even though I blush to mention periods in public and am a total prude, I am creating an online course about women’s neurochemistry and studying sexuality and relationships! The work I am studying now, beyond anything I’ve seen before, has the power to transform people’s lives.

My obsessions

·      Making a positive contribution to the world/helping people

·      Doing things that have real impact

·      Keeping a sense of humour

Which means I am not everyone’s cup of tea, or hairdresser, as it were. And I need to find my people!

How I am doing this

·      Teaching yoga to people who wouldn’t normally get to a class – office and private lessons especially

·      Through silent retreats for women

·      Online courses and mini challenges teaching the things that have worked for me and my clients

Last week I made the decision to cut out my part time work I was doing and go full time working for myself. And there is a significant pay gap now!

Could you help me out?

So I thought I would ask you, dear friends, if you could help me out. If you feel comfortable to, could you please share one thing I am offering with a friend or on another list, over the next week? Each category below is tagged to a special offer and I’ll be bringing postcards and flyers with me next week for the people I get to see live.

Private and Corporate classes

Mini retreats and Immersions

Online challenges and courses

Thing is, when we help each other, EVERYONE is better off. That’s what’s so beautiful about it!

Are there things you could do with some help with, that you’ve been too proud or shy to ask for?

What are 3 things you could ask for help with for this week?

(think, baby sitting for an hour so you can have so me-time, asking a co-worker to take notes at a meeting you can’t make it to, or asking for feedback at work, after an interview, from your partner.)

What are 3 ways you can help yourself this week?

You can check my self-care guide here or just jot down 3 easy things that you can do to make your life easier.

Lots of love

Ruth

Deciding To Invest…

Have you ever done something that seemed crazy that turned out to be one of the best decisions of your life?

I have, many times! But what I’ve realized it that what might have seemed like an overnight shift or a crazy change, always starts with personal investment a long time earlier. What we put our effort into is what we draw into our lives.

Not so many years ago, when I was broke, I was the Queen of Freebies. I couldn’t afford to do a lot of things I wanted to in money terms, but I invested what I had, which was time. I did a ton of free courses, volunteered for things and did a lot of online research and reading forums - scabbing as much info as I could without paying. I got so much value, it was fantastic.

But then this shifted when I started working and got into a committed relationship. Time wasn’t something I had anymore, but I still didn’t have a lot of money. I still did a lot of reading and had my daily yoga practice, but I didn’t do any workshops or ever go on retreat or anything like that - I would have told you that was too selfish or frivolous or I was just waiting until I had paid of something.

It was only when my marriage was on the rocks a few years ago that I decided I had nothing to lose and started to do some of the things I’d been wanting to. I picked what I felt were way out there, whacky things, as well as more sensible ones. I studied women’s hormonal health, got an Astrology coach, and I went on a yoga retreat in Tuscany with Sadie Nardini that cost half as much as my car.

What I learned is something I don’t want anyone else to have to learn the same way. If I had been investing in myself more all that time, it might not have come to the point where my life was falling apart. I am not saying that my marriage would have lasted, but I am saying I would have been operating from a place where I was recognizing my own value. Being a martyr was hurting me, and it wasn’t helping anyone else either.

When we invest in ourselves we are investing in making the world a better place for ourselves and everyone else. We need to stop waiting for the right time, right weight, right age, right bank balance, and take of ourselves NOW.

I’m at a point now where I get to do such rewarding work that I often have to pinch myself. I’ve invested, and continue to invest in my own development, just to the edge of my comfort zone.

But as I’ve begun to upscale my programs, I’ve had to create a wait list for my mentoring program (a nice problem to have I admit!) as I can only work with a few people at a time. I am also really aware that not everyone can afford to work with me.

So for my birthday I am giving away a few things

-       Self Care Like a Boss PDF guide

-       Decluttering mini challenge which starts next weekend

-       One ‘mini mentoring’ package with me. In this 45 min session we’ll work together to create an ideal daily practice for you that will leave you feeling outstanding!

Lots of love

Ruth