Firstly, I will share with you a quote from Anna Freud, “I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence, but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher. At the time, I longed to be a school teacher. I did my exams but I did not get enough points to go to college to be a teacher. Even though I did not become a school teacher, I did teach people in various guises throughout my career. In May 2011, an ordinary day turned into a life changing one. I was at my desk, working away when my boss politely called me to his office.

He had a somber look and his voice was low. He started about how the business was doing and where it wasn’t doing well. He was creating the padding for the next sentence. He said “the business will have to let go of one of your team”. I was in a team of 3 and one was being made redundant. Panic ensued within me. I left the office in tears and went to my mum’s house where my husband and mum were waiting for me. On the journey the question screaming loudly in my head “Why did this happen to me?”

I go to my mum’s house and we tried to work out what to do if my job was gone. They suggested to turn a hobby into a career. I had 7 years of ashtanga and vinyasa yoga practice under my belt. It was the perfect progression. The lesson I learned: Focus on what you already have and they will be your tools to be the best you can be. Yoga and the supportive people around me helped me search for the gifts to share among all whom come to my yoga classes.

Namaste, Emma.