Find Your Passion and Embrace It: A Guide to Discovering Purpose
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Chapter 1: My Journey to Rediscovery
I have developed a strong passion for Bikram yoga, yet for three years, I found myself in a yoga void. My lowest point came in March 2014 when I relocated to Maryland. Just months prior, I had lost my father and was navigating a fresh divorce, even experiencing a brief period of homelessness. In hindsight, it seems almost expected that I would rush into moving in with a new partner. During that time, I was engulfed in grief, shock, and a desperate need for a safe space.
Dead-End Aspirations
My aspiration to become a Bikram yoga instructor was extinguished by my ex-husband's dismissive response when I first voiced it. Although heartbroken, I felt too stunned to argue. Instead, I redirected my focus toward work and education, attempting to suppress my dream. Arriving in a new state with no job prospects, I applied to numerous positions, but the silence was deafening. I was filled with despair and anxiety, desperate for relief from my overwhelmed nervous system.
Doing What Others Do
With only one friend and my boyfriend by my side, I followed their lead. My friend introduced me to the local Bikram studio, where we attended an evening class together. It felt like a refreshing oasis. Not long after, I brought my boyfriend—who was indifferent to yoga but willing to try. During a class, he asked about one of the postures, and as I helped him, I spoke with a newfound confidence. When he looked at me and said, “Kat, you should be teaching this,” I was taken aback. In that moment, I felt truly seen and understood, contrasting sharply with my earlier experience of dismissal. It became clear to me: teaching yoga was my true calling.
Your Mission Awaits
Fueled by this realization, I set out to turn my vision into reality, facing a barrage of questions: How would I finance my training? Would the studio hire me? What if I wasn't a good teacher? Yet, I pressed on, confident that this path was right for me and aligned with my soul’s purpose. I scheduled a meeting with the studio owner and prepared a list of questions to ensure I didn’t miss anything important. To my surprise, he anticipated my final question, reading aloud, “Would you be willing to hire me?” My heart raced as I awaited his response. “I wouldn’t be having this meeting with you if I wasn’t going to hire you, Kat.” In that moment, I felt a wave of joy wash over me—the happiest I had been in years.
Settling for Less
In March 2021, I moved again, unaware of any traditional Bikram studios in the area. I settled for a trendy boutique hot vinyasa studio nearby and became part of that community until it closed two years later, returning me to square one.
The Universe Steps In
After welcoming my baby in January, I craved the familiar heat and humidity of a traditional Bikram studio. Having taught an hour away previously, I occasionally returned for classes. When I expressed my desire to my fiancé, he questioned if there were closer options. I adamantly replied, “No, there’s