Here is an update on where things are at with Kaiut Yoga Austin! The last 16 weeks have felt like my first summer at UT Austin (1986)! Two extremes, the best of times and the worst of times clashing together like a nice, long nap and a fast moving train. My life was busy before Covid-19 and now it has reached a whole new level. As I look back to the beginning of Covid-19, I was scrambling to move everything online. I think it was when I had the dream of becoming an overnight sensation that everything began to change for me. I can't tell you how much time it takes to get the lighting right, the sound right, the props right ... and on and on and on. And, I would be lying if I told you it wasn't fun. I loved it!
But, it wasn't sustainable.
Not when the end of the month comes to an end and I need to pay rent or if I want my son to remember that he has a mom. Also, I realized I was “Reinventing the Wheel”. Francisco was doing the same thing! I have never been formally taught to teach Kaiut Yoga online because Francisco has never taught Kaiut Yoga online. It seems like it should be easy, right? Just lead a class, say a few words, but, I kept feeling like something was missing.
My gut is telling me there is much more and we are just at the beginning of seeing this method evolve.
I snapped back to reality and started to view this business with the end in mind. It includes some video, maybe an archive of videos, for now though, I need a clearer focus. Growth. In the, hopefully, not so far future, I see a studio full of students with the support of an online program filled with lectures and classes. Kaiut Yoga, anytime, anywhere.
Side note: Did you know, in previous lives, I was a technology coordinator for schools, a student working on a Master's in Educational Technology, and a Technical Sales Rep at Dell? I sold, big, technical things at Dell, like complete solutions (servers, storage, and networking) for health care systems and universities. It was technical, I loved it, and my neck and shoulders always hurt. I was at Dell for 6 years, and at least three of those years I spent lunch breaks having MFR (a specific type of massage) work done to manage pain.
When I found this method I was so excited to be OFF technology! Covid-19 has changed all of that! I'm back on and I know enough to know I don't know anything at all! Over the past few weeks I have been learning about Google Analytics and how blogging, social media content, and creating Google Ads can have an effect on how many visitors come to your website. These are things I can be doing and learning over the next several months in order to grow Kaiut Yoga through the pandemic.
In all honesty, Kaiut Yoga Austin is in "Survival Mode", "Maintenance Mode", and (Please, Dear God) ”Growth Mode". I don’t know how things will go from here. I don’t know if I will need to close the studio permanently or not. Just please know that I’m doing all I can with all the knowledge I have to keep this going for you and for me.
When I opened the studio in November, my husband and I knew it would take a few years to get things going with the business. My attitude was, “Let’s do this right”! I’ve made a lot of mistakes because I started running the business as if I had sustainable income to have it move in the direction of my dreams. And, then, 2 things happened... Covid-19 AND my daughter was accepted to Parson’s New School in NYC! Oh, great! (Crazy Face Emoji)
And, just like the mistakes we make in practice, these mistakes have given me feedback. Emotionally, I struggle less with the mistakes I make in my practice and in my physical body. Yes, I have been struggling emotionally lately. Even with this struggling, I’m determined.
When it comes to the business side of things, I'm the whole team. With all the roles I have been playing and juggling, I need to get clear on some priorities and focus my energy. One of those priorities is letting people know this style of yoga exists in the world and in Austin, TX, more specifically.
Here are a few of the projects I have been working on over the past few weeks:
Online vs. In-Studio (My heart wants to teach in the studio, I have a studio, I could lose the studio, and I need to focus my energy on one or the other.) For the next couple of weeks (starting next Thursday), I'll have one class per week (1 class per week comes with your online membership), feel free to bring family members or friends who would be willing to take a little extra time to walk through a new process of entering the studio. For now, I need to practice all the things I will need to do to open. Information on props, etc. will come when you sign up. I don’t know what Austin will do about locking down again, but I will be here at the studio using it so you might as well be here with me if you want to. :-)
Blocks!!! My uncle made them from Texas Red Cedar! Putting on the final touches! Available soon! $40.00 for 2!
Working with Strategic Partners like Beauty Counter (https://www.beautycounter.com/) Cool Zoom Event! Wed., July 15, 10:30 am!
Starting a new project with Kaiut Yoga International next week. More details to come! If you have any groups/people who you think can benefit from this work please let me know! I would love to talk with them.
Want the whole studio to yourself? Let me know! You would have access to all the equipment without having to worry about anyone being in your space. I have already started scheduling people so let me know as soon as possible!
I’d love to create a Kaiut Yoga Austin chat group on Whatsapp. Send me a message and I’ll invite you to the group.
If you aren’t already a member of Kaiut Yoga International - Students please join.
With lots of Kindness and Compassion to you all!
Renae Molden
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