How did I get here?
Kids LOVE to ask questions and nothing is off limits...
"How old are you?" "Do you have kids?" "Are you married?" "Why not?" "Do you have a boyfriend?" "What's his name?" "Do you want kids?"
My favorite of all..."Is this your job?"
They're always excitedly shocked to find out that my job is a kids yoga teacher. Even at such a young age, they're conditioned to think it's not a "real job".
Now with kids, their curiosity comes with an innocence that can feel a bit less judgmental than when the same questions come from an adult. They continue with more...
"What did you used to do?"
Well, this list goes on for a while, so I usually give them the cliff notes. I was an elementary school teacher for six years (they don't do the math).
But, for your Sunday reading pleasure and a few laughs, here are a handful of jobs that prepared me for this wild ride of entrepreneurship...
Babysitting - My go to, always felt easy and fun. I also walked away with cash. Yes, please:) Ice Cream Shop - Very short lived, ate too much of it and gave generous amounts to friends. Oh, and I traded milkshakes for french fries with the restaurant next door🤷🏼♀️. Abercrombie & Fitch- Yep, senior year of college. Sorry mom, I know you despised the store. Fox News - Affiliate sales and marketing - I was an intern. Interesting, but more interested in NYC living:) Sports Reporter - I get uncomfortable thinking about this one. Wayyy out of my comfort zone and did not like bothering athletes with questions or being on live TV. NYC Waitress - Wow, a crazy one. You feel like you can conquer the world after working a Sunday brunch in the West Village during Gay Pride weekend. Thanks for making me do this sister. Some of my best friends were made here. Modeling - Eek, hard to share. Really eye-opening and allowed me to travel quite a bit and live in Italy. Teaching - 4th, 1st, and 2nd grade - NY and LA. Student taught in K, 3rd and 5th. Now just realizing I’ve taught in all elementary school grade levels, cool. Makes sense. Coaching - Love basketball and lacrosse. Love teaching it. Not sure I’m head coach material though. Tutoring - Still a job and I love it. Feeds my academic fix - math and writing, woohoo!
And here I am.
I am a kids yoga teacher. Breathe & Learn is my company. I do my best to nourish little minds and bodies with confidence, compassion and all of that good stuff. And believe it or not, it took me a while to own it. When I first left the classroom, I didn't feel like I was taken seriously. My job was cute, not real.
I smiled and laughed off comments from others, even close friends, who believed I practiced yoga all day long and drank green juice on the strand. I didn't feel good enough and simply put, that didn't feel good.
Teaching the B&L curriculum helps me just as much as I hope it helps my students. I write in a gratitude journal daily and positive affirmations can be on my bathroom mirror or in one of my journals. Most importantly though, I let go of others beliefs and assumptions about my story. I am more confident and comfortable in my skin each and every day. I do yoga, I teach yoga, I run a company and I drink green juice on the strand. This is my story and I am proud of it. I am grateful I get to wake up every morning and continue writing it. There is so much power in that.
Soak up these last few days of July!
xo
Joanie Plake Founder of B&L | M.A. Childhood & Special Education | E-RYT 200 www.breatheandlearn.com
p.s. The fall schedule is LIVE! Check it out and book your spot now! Ensure a mindful transition into the school year.*
*Mindful Minis is back on the schedule. Drop-off your 4&5 year-olds for an hour with me!
