Comments on: Yoga For Change: Part 2

By: Margaret Burns Vap

Margaret Burns Vap — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:29:08 +0000

Hi Kelly, soooooo much to say on this topic of career transition, esp to a yoga career, so please feel free to contact me directly at margaret@bigskyyogaretreats.com and we’ll go from there…I can get more detailed info on exactly where you are in the process and would be happy to offer my input. hope to hear from you and wishing you all the best! Namaste.

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By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 16:57:51 +0000

Hello Margaret,

I am truly inspired by your writings. I am currently at the “jumping off” point in that I’ve “made the decision” to make the big switch from a career as a Software Engineer to a career in teaching yoga. My current career is very dissatisfying and unhealthy. All tech jobs appear to be the same to me now and no amount of money for these types of jobs is inspiring at all. I am finished with this leg of my life journey and anxious to live and work more meaningfully. Still… I’m a bit fearful to make the change and not sure where and how to start, but I feel that I must begin this transition soon or my health will be impacted severely. Will you please offer some tips and/or advice on how to start this transition, knowing that I must continue to pay my bills? Your thoughts and experience are truly appreciated!

All the best!
Kelly

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By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:56:44 +0000

Margaret… another great article. As always, it is wonderful to see your insights in writing. How true it is that what we foresee our paths to be when we are 19 or 20 have somehow transformed into something very different when we turn 30 (or 40). I like how Rumi said it, “Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.” I do hope our paths cross again someday. Peace!

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By: Margaret Burns Vap

Margaret Burns Vap — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:32:23 +0000

Hi Amy, glad you liked the article. I think it really depends on your current life stage…and actually, I had no idea I was going to teach (or even practice) yoga when I enrolled in my MBA program. I had just finished my 2 years out of university first job experience. For me it was a critical stepping stone in my career, and it did help me land my next marketing job (with L’Oreal) at a higher level. I was in my mid 20s then, single and no children. It was the right move for me at that life phase, and given the career path I was on then – marketing in a corporate environment. Back then I didn’t think I had any entrepreneurial yearnings, they came later.

Years ago my husband was considering getting his MBA. This was after 10 years of starting up and owning his own company. I told him to forget it, he had already lived everything he would study in theory. A graduate degree is a big investment in time and money. While an MBA has loads of practical applications no matter what you end up doing, it is an expensive endeavor. It was a valuable experience for me, but in terms of starting my own businesses the most I learned was from being in the trenches, so to speak. In other words, just doing it and figuring it out along the way (and accepting the sometimes big mistakes that result!) I didn’t need an MBA for that. So, it really depends on where you are with your career and family, what previous work experience you have, etc. – but in general my advice would be to skip it if you see yourself becoming an entrepreneur. You will have to educate yourself, but it will be worth the effort. There are also so many continuing education programs out there that are targeted to specialized areas, so maybe that’s a better option depending on what you want to do with your venture.

I’m happy to chat with you more on this if you like! best of luck to you.

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By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 04:42:59 +0000

Hi Margaret,

I found your article very interesting and encouraging. I am not very involved in yoga at the moment, but I am an active person involved in various other sports interests. I am currently contemplating getting my MBA. I noticed that you didn’t regret it even though you were planning to go into yoga instruction. I would love to see your comments or advice you would give to a prospective MBA student, who does not plan on being in the career world, but in some sort of entrepreneurial venture. Good idea? not good idea?

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By: Kelly Contello

Kelly Contello — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:57:51 +0000

I too am on the teacher’s path of yoga, learning the Seven Spritual Laws of Yoga. I am so happy and elated at the thought of how much my life has changed in the last few years. Peace and love flow so freely and I feel that the qualities that people have always seen in me, are now so much brighter. My life revolves around giving to others and I can’t wait to teach and share my joy. I will be teaching in June. Peae, Harmony, Laughter and Love!
Thanks for the community extended here! Namaste.

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By: Krystall

Krystall — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:43:58 +0000

Thanks to the chi for featuring more of M’s articles. This could not have come at a better time for me… I am just finishing up my first yoga teacher training and beginning to teach at my favorite studio. I have also expressed interest in learning more about the functions of the studio as a business. Luckily the owner was very receptive of this, and I am going to become involved in the busienss aspects as well as teaching. This article was great! Thanks again.

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By: margaret Burns Vap

margaret Burns Vap — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:14:14 +0000

Fit Mommy: you are going to LOVE the YW TT, it is the best training I’ve taken. I took it when my daughter was just over a year old and every day questioned how I would make it all work. But it worked, and in fact all came together spectacularly. Enjoy every moment! Namaste.

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By: KL- Prana Flow NZ

KL- Prana Flow NZ — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 01:53:44 +0000

Great series of articles!

Thank you!

There’s so many things I want to say about yoga as a career, but I don’t want to write a super long comment… might just have to write a post about it instead. Gives me an excuse to link to your articles too :)

There’s no doubt that teaching yoga is about far more than just showing up in front of students and delivering a few instructions – especially if one wants to turn it into a “career”.

By: Fit Mommy

Fit Mommy — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:42:14 +0000

Great article. As I look at my upcoming Yoga Works training with trepidation and excitement, I too am wondering how all the pieces will fit together!

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