Happy Thursday y'all! I am extremely blessed to co-own Charlotte Family Yoga in Charlotte, NC with my dear friend and neighbor, Kara. We've had a somewhat successful run at managing a yoga studio, parenting kids, being daughters, wives, counselors, friends, etc. and we have FUN doing it! There's no one else I'd rather be doing life and participating in yoga shenanigans with! Together, we created the mantra, Joyful Things Only, when going through a rough time in early 2019. We hold fast to that mantra anytime things get tough, but these days, we've been throwing around "It's fine, I'm fine, EVERYTHING IS FINE"…sarcastically, of course! Because everything is definitely NOT fine!
Fortunately, unfortunately we are still under the Stay at Home order in NC and received notice last night that, after spending all morning planning our re-opening (updating the cleaning protocols, class schedule, social distancing guidelines), we were excluded from Phase II and could not open the doors to the studio to our beloved community. I was not sad for myself, I was sad for all the friends, family, and members that join us each and every week to practice yoga. My heart ached for those that keep calling, keep emailing, and communicating, "We can't wait to get back into the hot box with y'all!"
See, Charlotte Family Yoga is not about turning a huge profit. Yes, it is a business and we try to be good stewards over the inflows and outflows, but our mission is different. We are more concerned about our community, their health and well being, their heart, and being a light to them by guiding them through a yoga practice. Yes, virtual classes are awesome, but the power of human touch and communication means so much more. So, my emotions are all over the place. I'm still joyful, but mad, sad, confused, frustrated, and disappointed. Because we can go shopping at TJ Maxx, but can't practice as a community. We can go here and there, but can't access a space collectively to uplift and bring balance to our mind, body and spirit.
So, we continue to press forward. We pray and work through how we can best serve our community, while remaining closed until who knows when (and still paying rent, utilities, etc.). We find ways to reach out and continue to be a blessing to our yoga tribe by holding space for those hurting or trying to navigate life during and after COVID-19. We accept what is, what will be and know that all things are STILL working together for our good. Our faith remains steadfast and it will continue to guide and anchor us through this and every season!
'And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.' Romans 8:28
"We have this certain hope like a strong, unbreakable anchor holding our souls to God himself. " Hebrews 6:19
