May 1, 2023 - My first post

Here I am writing my first post on my new blog! I am writing a blog because I have found so much value in others who have posted, written, and shared in an authentic, raw, vulnerable way. I love books, reading and writing but what topic do I chose for a blog? I chose to write to you about my journey through life. My journey has led me to be a passionate Kids yoga teacher who believes in the benefits of breath, connection, and community. I hope you enjoy the read!

One month from today I will be getting on a plane and flying to Bali for a yoga retreat. One month from today I will meet a goal I made two years ago. A goal that motivated me to start teaching yoga to earn the money to go to Bali, that snowballed into a business. A business where I teach yoga, mentor preteens through philanthropy, coach health and wellness, host offerings and create Malas and bracelets to support people in their wellness journey.

In the Spring of 2021, I saw a post on Facebook about a yoga retreat in Bali for the following year. This had not been a life long goal, in fact traveling is not my favorite thing. I love to be home. I was 6 months out from post partum depression. It was 12 months after the world shut down from Covid. This was just the thing I needed to launch me into the next season of my life. I had started selling shakes after they helped me lose weight and kept me feeling good. My coach, coach Caley, showed me the tools to be successful with people, be yourself. She squashed my fear of sharing online, to strangers, everyone, posts in the world wide web on there forever. I asked her does she ever feel vulnerable posting everything and she was like "no, that's me. People can watch or don't watch. People can like it or not like it. But it's me and I share for those it helps". Inspiring right?! It's true. You can try to be a certain way to connect with people but you will feel lonely. You have to show yourself, your real, true self to make meaningful connections. While selling my shakes, I started to connect with people who wanted to be healthier and I happen to be a trained teacher in something that changed my life to be the healthiest I have ever been, yoga. So, when I saw the post from my yoga teacher hosting this yoga retreat in Bali I knew it would be the only time I would feel comfortable to travel so far with the guidance of my yoga teacher, going to a spiritual place, yoga immersion experience, enhance my teachings and my practice. I signed up.

Now, I needed the funds to go on this incredible opportunity. I got a job at the Giggling Life Farm teaching Kids Yoga. I got another job teaching Kids Yoga at Life Time Fitness in Westminster, CO. Both jobs allowed me bring my kids to so I didn't have to pay for childcare. I also sold teas and shakes through my health and wellness coaching. I did the calculations and I was going to make it! I worked and I saved and then the trip was postponed due to Covid restrictions. Over the next year, more opportunities were showing up. I taught at the Adams County Fair Grounds at a Health Fair. I obtained regular yogis that come to my weekly classes and ask for more class opportunities with me. The Grown up and Me classes I started at Life Time continued to grow and I was gifted prime yoga studio time, 4:30 pm on Wednesdays. I continued to advance my training through quarterly Life Time certifications and attended other enrichment events. I even got to use my CPR training in Northern Minnesota to help save someone's life. My passions started to explode and I wanted to do all the things. One of my mentors gave me some great advice "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.". For right now, I am focusing on teaching yoga, creating Malas and bracelets, and writing. I created this website to be a central place for my people, people who like me for being my true, self. If you don't like it, don't read it!

I am going to Bali. When I signed up I didn't even know where it was on the map. I am not a traveler. I have ulcerative colitis and I eat gluten free, plus I have allergies to orange and pineapple, annoying I know. It's easier to eat at home, I have my cozy stuff at home, my kids are at home...And, I'm going to Bali because I want to grow. I want the experience. I'm ready to find my edge. To prepare, I researched Bali, visited a travel doctor and paid out of pocket for travel vaccines. I worked to save money to buy the plane tickets and the retreat. I have been packing and researching what to bring; adapters, deet bug spray, sunscreen. I have been working on my dailies and my practice. I leave one month from today! Check back for more Journey blog notes. Shine your hearts and your smiles! With gratitude, Rikki