BA&SH and Ana Heart Collaboration

When I started teaching yoga, I was a nervous wreck. I was sure someone would turn up in the session and tell me how under qualified I was to be there. During this terrifying and nerve-wracking time, there was an apparent divide in my “friends”. Some were the unshakable cheerleaders that stood by me and fought my corner no matter what. Others made it very clear (behind my back of course), that becoming a yoga teacher was possibly the dumbest thing I could ever do, that I was horrible at it and should consider sticking to a more sensible day job option.

In all honesty, I can’t blame anyone for thinking it was a bad idea. I wasn’t great. In fact, I wasn’t even good! There was just the love of my friends and a little bit of faith that kept me going. And thank God I did! Today I am confident enough to say that I am a successful teacher reaping the rewards of many rainy days out in the field. But that was all down to the hours and hours of beating at my craft! Hours that would have never been dedicated, had I not had those real friends by my side.

I sometimes shudder at the thought; imagine if nobody believed in me. What if I decided to give in to all the negative people I thought were my friends? Imagine doing a job I hated but thought that was all I was worthy of. But the most significant and most profound question was this, who is in my life now that stands beside me like a rock? And who would blow away in the wind at the first sign of a storm?

Taking a look at the garden of your friends and removing the weeds is therefore essential. Not only so that you can follow your dreams and make your vision a reality, but also to become the best version of yourself possible. Make no mistake; if you hang around skunks, eventually you will start to stink. Friends are the family we choose, so choose wisely, and I can guarantee that these people will play a role in pushing you to a higher standard.