We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Theresa Shubert a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Theresa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents gave me the freedom to choose my own journey, and provided an exceptional example of hard work and commitment. They have demonstrated a strong and supportive partnership, and are approaching 46 years of marriage. They taught me the value of the dollar, and what goes in to creating a strong a stable life for a family. They also taught me about walking the talk, and following through even when it’s difficult.

My father is a retired specialized OB/GYN. While this career allowed him to literally be the difference between life and death for many patients and their pregnancies, it obviously required countless hours of training, followed by a pretty intense career. He is incredibly driven and always striving for more in his career. My mom provided amazing support for him in that she never wanted to be the one to prevent him from pursuing his goals or taking that next step in his career, however she would provide that reminder that it was also important for him to show up for his children and family. Because of this effort, I grew up in a world where my parents really tried to make the choices to provide a happy and stable life for my siblings and I.

After stepping out into the world and realizing not everyone had parents who put as much effort into creating awesome lives as mine have, I have become so very grateful for them. Having a stable home to grow up in with parents who truly care and try is a gift. This has brought gratitude to my journey because I realize how truly blessed I have been.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

When I was about to turn 30, I was working at a high stress medical research lab, in addition to being at the beginning of a long and emotional break up with my then fiancee. Emotions ran high as my lab self worked to produce both diagnostic testing as well as research results, and my emotional self worked to understand the tidal wave of sadness, anxiety, and loneliness I felt as I said goodbye to the person I thought I would marry.

During a particularly busy season, I was involved in an emotional exchange with one of my bosses. A frazzled, on edge, emotional professional was not the person I hoped to become, so I decided to check out some yoga in order to explore ways to balance work and personal stress. My mom had introduced me to the practice years prior, so I already had some idea of where to begin.

As I developed a regular practice I felt the benefits of the deep breaths, the physically challenging poses, but most importantly, I felt what it was like to be uplifted, I began to notice the not so subtle impact words we hear daily have on our mental wellbeing, and have worked to be more kind in my thoughts and in my words. The longer I practice yoga, the less the practice is about the physical, and the more it’s about awareness of the mind. Notice the thoughts you have about yourself. Notice how you talk to yourself. Notice what your instant thoughts are when you make a mistake. Often, this judgement we have for ourselves translates into judgement of others.

I think what sets me apart in my teaching is the amount of work I have done to understand my own emotions, and rebuild and continue strengthen my mental health after going through what felt like a shattering end of a relationship. I seek to provide my students with an empowering narrative. Yes, physical movement is a part of this. But the joy is in the journey. Just because someone can do a one handed hand stand doesn’t mean they are closer to well-being if the mind is not at ease. Anyone can start the journey toward an easeful mind, and I provide plenty of options and modifications for practitioners of all levels.

I think I am most proud of how my journey as a yoga instructor has facilitated my personal growth. I never thought I would find love again, and am proud to realize I was wrong. Not only have I realized all the love that has been in my life the entire time, but I have met and been dating an amazing man.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My yoga business, Tea Rose Yoga, is technically for profit, but right now I teach for trade at CALM Healing Center in Columbus, OH (shout out) and pay my bills working by working in the corporate world as a data scientist (for now). I met the owner of CALM, Elysa, through a dear friend who I met in my medical research days That friend and I have been through so much personal growth as friends, and she has known me throughout my yoga journey. She felt Elysa and I would be a great energy match, and it’s true! Elysa and I started practicing together for a few months and got to know one another. I was looking to get back into teaching, and this really is the best match. There isn’t pressure to bring people in, or follow a template. There is just an invitation to have people join our flow and to let the practice be from the heart.

We have begun to take on small groups of her massage clients. We work on range of motion, awareness of personal narrative, and overall self appreciation and love. She is able to observe them in motion, and understand how to deepen their massage work, as well as practice a little yoga. I am able to watch her massage work reflected in the student’s yoga practice and body awareness, as well as receive massage. It truly makes my heart happy to hear yoga students let us know how much this work has augmented their lives.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

When I first started teaching yoga, I taught at a small studio that did end up successfully surviving COVID and was eventually sold to a local chain of studios. This was my first exposure to the hustle it takes to really make it work as a full time yoga instructor and/or small business owner. While I fully appreciated the business agenda of the studio, I just really became unsure I had what it took to be a teacher full time, mainly because I didn’t (and still kind of don’t) want to use social media for marketing.

As I mentioned earlier, what brings me the most joy is helping someone realize today is the day they can feel good in their body and find ease in their life. Many people can benefit from taking a moment for themselves to breathe and become aware of the way the narrative of the mind manifests in the body. It feels so good to experience an ongoing yoga practice, but can become financially unavailable for many. I appreciate my data science career because it allows me to be able to work in trade with Elysa’s students, but I’d love to find a way to tip the balance more toward yoga and less toward corporate life. I’d also love to find a way to connect with students who are feeling the vibe off of social media. I am not about portraying a staged set up on social media that reflect that a yoga practice is the acheivement of splits, or handstand, or looking amazing in fashionable and pricy yoga clothes. The practice is about meeting yourself where you are today, and providing yourself the physical activity that is needed to calm and align the body for meditation.

I feel resilient for returning to teaching after that period of disillusionment about the yoga industry. I was able to bounce back and align myself with someone who is doing something differently and managing to make a living off of this work, while really and truly taking care of people. Who knows what the future will bring for Tea Rose Yoga, whether I will be leading neighborhood groups, or whether I will be able to make a living off of this work. Either way, I will continue to share my knowledge and my practice with all who are seeking.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tearoseyoga.com/

Image Credits
Cover image credit Meg Havens Obenauf, other credit Daniel W. Hille.