We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jayme Bushmiaer-Davis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jayme, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?
Decades after my mother’s passing and I’m still in awe of her ability to radiate joy. She was effortless. In quick chats with friends, in the playing of a duet on the piano with her bestie, tucked into quick squeezes or a kiss placed on the cheek of a daughter. Her joy rang out in the planting of flowers and in the easy delight she took in watching her piano students learn to play well.
Contact with individuals like my mother can be startling — an indomitable spirit can even present an affront to anyone armed with a shield to block out the mystery of life, (which my mother could serve as witness to, in even the most mundane of moments).
Some people took time to appreciate her enthusiasm. I imagine they were skeptical, I imagine people wondering if Bethel’s effervescence was a facade. But to anyone paying close attention, it was plain to see, her joy was authentic because they could feel it.
When mom died, her divine essence lived on in the hearts of all she touched.
How can some people hold this space of awe — while others struggle to do so. Certainly, everyone has stress and bears the pain of heartache. While also everyone holds the capacity to access the thrill of simply living.
For my mom, her ability to drop into this sacred space seemed to be connected to her commitment to a morning devotional. Most mornings she started her day in her screened-in back porch, which she lovingly adorned with flowers, plants and a simple, but cozy, loveseat.
On the occasion of waking up early, I’d find her there, wrapped in a robe with both a bible and coffee in hand, basking in the peace. I swear now I could see love radiating off of her.
If she ever shared with me any insight to the substance of her morning devotional, I don’t recall. And still, I carry with me the abiding peace of having bared witness to my mom in the presence of God.
By giving herself time and space to connect to her energy source, she had an abundance of spirit she could share with dozens of piano students, with her children, her husband, and with the countless people who depend on her to prepare music for church, for sustenance and order, and nourishment.
Without ever using the language of the teacher, and without ever making demands on me as her student, my mother laid down the greatest teachings on mindfulness. She continues to be my greatest teacher. Thanks, Mom!
(Excerpt from Jayme’s book, Joy Compass – Journey into wellness. Chapter 9.)
Jayme, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
As a teacher, I’ve heard many stories of how yogis found yoga, and without fail, it is always said, “rather yoga found me.” So though each of our circumstances are unique, and some truths are universal, it’s our stories that build the bridge we can meet on. Here is mine (or at least an abridged version!)
I was twenty, in college and accountable to no one — and with freedoms I could not enjoy. I was bereaved by the recent loss of both my parents and could be undone by anything, or anyone who reminded me of how carefree or joyful college was meant to be.
I both resented my friends and desperately clung to them. I felt small and weak when people regarded me as delicate for having lost them. But I also hid behind the excuse when things got messy — when I got messy. Grief was my alibi.
It was exhausting. I was exhausted. By the time I finished college I felt old.
And then I met my first yoga teacher.
For over twenty years now I’ve lived a life fascinated and dedicated to personal development.
I am a student of many practices, methodologies, and philosophies from yoga, martial arts, tai chi, meditation, contemplative studies, acupuncture, functional movement, and Ayurveda. With over 20k hours of teaching under my belt, I’m elated to have written my first book, Joy Compass – Journey into wellness and offer the simple system I use to stay fit, focused and happy through my mentorship programs – The Empowered Wellness Formula and The Morning Curve.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In my experience, to be an entrepreneur is to pivot. It requires a lot of thinking ahead. And yes, sometimes trial by fire. It calls up doers… but only the discerning folks will survive. But the big goal for entrepreneurs is to thrive, right?!
Like every yoga teacher, teaching was a calling for me. I began in 2004 (about 25), and I think a month in I realized it would never pay the bills. To bring in extra money I managed a studio. And in that, I was lucky to share my days with my most influential teacher. As I was learning management skills on the fly my passion for teaching as well as entrepreneurship intensified.
I think to be a successful entrepreneur you have to be passionate… Eager to soak up every learning opportunity. But passion is tricky in that boundaries get blurry. Therefore, balance is key.
When it came to the studio and teaching I had no boundaries. I LOVED my work so much! I was paying my bills and had some left over for fun, but I wasn’t able to build up any savings. I justified the sacrifice because I felt it was for the greater good.
Around 30 I realized my path was not sustainable… and not just financially. Teaching 20+ classes a week and all weekend is for young single folks! I think that was my first major mental pivot… Taking my craft seriously and flexing my business skills to build my future.
So for the next 12 years I took that same eagerness and passion to creating online yoga studios, teacher trainings and workshops, MLM companies… I was exhausted and burned out. When COVID hit I was one of the first to go live on Facebook. Remember that? Every day another yoga teacher was like… “I’m going live… join me for a flow, a meditation…etc.” We were all just trying to help. But I also think some of us just didn’t know how to pause! I know that was the case for me.
Finally, I did pause. And it was the best decision ever!
My husband had an impressive 25-year career as a commercial photographer. But his industry had changed big time! So we were experiencing the same burn out between passion and running a successful business.
In the middle of our decade of frustration we did make some smart decisions. Any money we made or inherited we invested in real estate. Owning property has turned out to be our saving grace. COVID gave us time to reflect on what we truly wanted out of life and what kind of life we wanted to give our son. So we were able to liquidate our assets, invest in a small BNB operation and move from Dallas to Taos, NM.
That first year in Taos, I turned off social media, stopped teaching, and hiked… I hiked a lot! I hired a coach and I started writing. My early morning writing sessions turned into a book that I just published called Joy Compass – Journey into wellness.
From my book I created mentorship programs for my online yoga space. But instead of my usual trial by fire method, I’ve learned to pause… To practice discernment… To think ahead and be intentional. And above all I’ve learned how to remain in alignment with my core values.
Being in alignment is thriving!
So in summary. If could give an entrepreneur advice…
– Do not get into the rent game. Find a way to buy property and pay it off. This is leverage and might be your retirement.
– Develop a self-care routine that every day sets your trajectory toward your core values. This is your life-line.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I was in yoga teacher training, my mentor would say a lot… “You gotta fake till you make it!” And it is true! When you’re starting out, you have to act like you know what you’re doing or what you’re talking about.
I know what my mentor was trying to impress upon us. It’s like you almost have to trust that what you need to know is in your system, you just haven’t tapped into yet.
But holding that mantra for too long led me to being really busy moving side-ways.
Eventually you have to actually know! And that requires experience, time, and…quality.
One of my favorite books, Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance had a profound effect on me with this idea of quality. And I think that book led me to unlearn “Fake it till you make it.”
Slow down, breathe, connect. Seek mentors with a deep well and spend quality time with them. Practice your craft for the sake of joy. And one day your well will be deep for the next generation. And I think that’s how we make the world a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jaymeyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaymebyoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaymeDavisYoga/
- Other: Purchase Jayme’s book, Joy Compass – Journey into wellness! https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/856731-joy-compass
Image Credits
Doug Davis of D-Squared Studios