Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Hogan.
Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
At the height of my corporate career, I was a vice president at a money center bank, traveling from San Diego to New York frequently and juggling work and family life. The work was demanding yet rewarding, but as a new mom, I felt like I was missing out on important time with my daughter and husband. I had to work to help support our family, so I did what I had to do but dreamed of a different way. Fast forward to September 11, 2001 – a horrible day that shook me into the realization that every additional moment of life was a gift, and that I needed to live a life more in alignment with my personal priorities. But how?
Also, during this time, I had been practicing yoga whenever I could. I loved it, and after every class, I felt relaxed and grounded. I not only liked the physical practice; I also connected with the teachings of kindness, stillness, focus, etc. I wondered how I could dive deeper into the practice and how I could fit more classes into my schedule. This question started to intersect with my desire to live a life more in concert with the things that were most important to me. After careful planning and re-strategizing, and with the support of my husband, my professional transition from corporate executive to yoga instructor soon began. I completed my yoga teacher certification and started practicing with my friends.
Eventually, I was hired by a few studios. I was able to hone my skills while continuing my education of anatomy, sequencing, adjustments, meditation, and working with trauma communities. I would teach for anyone who would hire me, sometimes driving from one end of the county to the other, for very little money, just for the opportunity to teach. It was a slow start and sometimes discouraging and non-linear, but I knew in my heart that this was the right road for me. When my students told me that my classes were impacting them in positive ways, I was encouraged to go on and continue to build this new career. And the best part was that I was able to do this while creating balance in my personal life and more time with my family.
It’s been over 15 years since I left my corporate position. Since then, I’ve been teaching yoga, meditation, and mat Pilates at corporate fitness centers, apartment communities, schools, senior living facilities, and privately in people’s homes. I also earned a certificate in plant-based nutrition and have been teaching vegan cooking classes. Surprisingly, my years in management, focusing on customer service, communication, planning, marketing, etc., have also prepared me for this role. I am confident in my skills, but I continue to learn new and better ways to share my passions every day. I have found my niche and have built a following. My students tell me that I am helping to change their lives, but little do they know how much they have helped me change mine.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road was not always smooth, but is it ever? I learned early on that detours and bumps in the road are part of the journey. Struggles make us stronger and help us to have gratitude for the times when the road is smooth. For young women who are just starting out, it’s important for them to embrace the challenges as much as they embrace the triumphs. During the tough times, we have to keep going, with one foot in front of the other, leaning in, and believing that there is a way through. Seek out others for help and guidance, and know that all things will pass.
Please tell us about your work.
At 58 years old, I believe I am the oldest teacher at the facilities where I teach, but I hope that’s not what sets me apart. I do tend to teach a slower kind of yoga because I want my classes to be accessible to all and because everyone can benefit from slowing down. Yoga students today have so many options from which to choose, from yoga combined with weight training to yoga with goats, to classes focusing just on breathwork, and everything in between. All classes have benefits. My classes follow more of a traditional Hatha yoga teaching philosophy, with an emphasis on breathing and staying present in the pose. I tell my students that the asana (the pose) is the vehicle for the breath and that finding a peacefulness in every pose will allow them to breathe fully and with ease. I’m not sure if this is the most popular kind of class, but everyone from hard-core athletes to fitness newbies can benefit. It’s like that saying, “If you build it, they will come.”
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
Be present. Always do your best. There are no shortcuts. Ask questions. Mistakes will happen, it’s ok. Sometimes you’ll feel like you’re failing; you’re not. Keep going. Ask for help. Breathe. Smile. Have fun. Manifest your best life; it’s the only one you get.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.feelnourished.net
- Phone: 858-395-7930
- Email: littlebirdsyoga@hotmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feelnourished/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littlebirdsyoga/
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/littlebirdsyoga/
Image Credit:
Photo provided through PB Yoga and Healing Arts
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