Asking For What I Need

Those of you who read my last blog post know I’m coming out the other side of a tailspin I brought on myself because of an extreme misperception. As I get further and further away from it I’m able to gain more insight into why I was so willing to believe the absolute worse about something I’ve been working for, saving for. That’s the reason right there in the “why”. Because it’s something I’m working for, saving for, preparing for, and is now almost upon me. I’ve been blogging about how one of my main goals this year is to become a certified yoga teacher. My home studio, Bright Yoga, is now officially a Yoga Alliance certified school of yoga and their 200Hour YTT (yoga teacher training) begins next month in July. It will run through the end of October.

Emails came out from Bright Yoga with the schedule for the training. The bulk of the hours is Friday evening and Sat & Sun afternoons for a total of 10 hours over the 3 days with 2-weekend intensives (mandatory) Thurs-Sun 8:00 am-4 pm on the first weekend in July and the other near the end of training in October. I would only need to use 4 days of PTO from work. This is extremely doable, in my opinion because we have 1 weekend a month off except in October. So what was it that sent me into a tailspin? Well the cost, of course. I’ve always known the cost and I’ve been saving up for it. My savings took a couple of hits to pay taxes and to buy new tires. Another email gave details on payment plans. One involved paying in full by June 10th with a discount and the other involved a payment plan with an additional charge. The payment plan scared me because I couldn’t afford it and still meet my normal financial responsibilities. Somehow I took that to mean the YTT was never gonna happen, therefore, ANYTHING I had planned for my big beautiful living-from-the-heart Life wouldn’t happen either! Therefore, my life was over.

I completely and utterly dismissed the fact the owner reassured me I would get certified and she would work with me on payments. She hugged me and told me this in April when I expressed my concerns after dipping into my savings to pay taxes. Not to mention the fact that both my teachers at the studio are excited about me being a part of the program and totally want to see me succeed.

I was reminded of this after I asked for a meeting with the beautiful owner, Joy, this past Tuesday to ask for a different payment plan. I was so scared and nervous beforehand. I was afraid my request would be unacceptable to her. I was afraid of being rejected by someone that I love and respect greatly. After talking to Joy and I asked for an alternative payment plan, she reassured me again, that she would work with me and of course, my payment plan was acceptable. It was a total nonissue for her and I couldn’t believe how many changes I took myself through over this. I got to really talk and connect with her about how important Bright Yoga Studio and the yoga I practice there has become to me. She shared some of her experiences when she began her YTT. It was such an amazing experience connecting with her on a deeper level. A true meeting of the mind, heart and spirit.

Many of you have shown me such an outpouring of love and support through this difficult time and have asked how you can help. As terrifying as this is, allow me to ask for what I need… Your continued encouragement, love (tough or otherwise, whichever you deem fits) and support as I take on this mental, physical, spiritual and emotional training over the next several months. I am also asking for this… I have over 1/3, but not quite half of the cost for training saved. It’s $2600.00 plus $125 for the payment plan. I have two garage sales and a bake sale planned before training starts July 14th. I am praying my efforts will allow me to either pay as much up front to offset a monthly payment plan or to pay for it in full before July 14th.  If you live locally I’d appreciate any donations to sell at the garage sales and of course for you to come by to purchase baked goods or other treasures. If you do not live locally, I would be profoundly grateful for any monetary donations if you are able and so inclined.

In the end, please know that I am moving forward with a deep gratitude and acceptance of any outcome as God’s Will for me.

NAMASTE