We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Stacie Wyatt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Stacie below.
Hi Stacie, thanks for joining us today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?
In my time as an adaptive yoga teacher, specifically in the world of people living with traumatic brain injuries, I have seen countless stories of resiliency, inspiration, hope and deep acceptance for what is. I have learned so much from each student who has endured a tragic event that changed the entire trajectory of their life. The majority of students I am blessed to work with explain to me that prior to the event that happened, they were living a life completely unaware of gratitude or the gift each day is. Following the event they now see that each and every day is a blessing and most have shifted their priorities from a life of material gain to one of gratitude and living for each moment. I have learned some of the most gut-wrenching stories retold of the loss they have had and how they have continued to find a reason to not just live, but to make a difference in the lives of others. I often say that I am not the teacher as they give me so much more than I imagine I give them. There are so many heart-warming stories that have filled my heart over the years and using them to better myself has been so rich for me. I often say that our choices and words are like a pebble being tossed into a lake where the ripples are endless. The stories of my students and how they choose to show up in life is definitely a ripple effect for many people. I am the fortunate one that gets to carry the pebbles and pass them on to others, which in many ways makes the students the teacher, and their life then becomes a lesson for many, many people as the ripple effect continues.
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.
Many years ago, when I was struggling to find that balance between being a young single mom and all that comes with that, I thought that Yoga would give me a place to improve my physical well-being, as well as help me cope with stress. At that time I was more focused on the physical aspects to the practice but in time I realized that I was opening up places in me that I never knew existed. After a few years of taking Yoga classes, I began to wonder if I was feeling this good perhaps my daughter, who was ten years old at the time and really struggling, would also learn to feel good. Since she was diagnosed with multiple disabilities that resulted in having challenges with motor coordination, emotional regulation, social interactions and language, I had hoped that yoga would be something she would love to do with me and also enjoy doing herself.
This passion took me to Seattle where I took several trainings that focused on using Yoga as an option to support other modalities such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to help children with similar diagnosis or challenges. I came home ready for a big breakthrough with my girl, but like most expectations, we are often sadly disappointed. I decided to return to Seattle for a more specific training on learning this model specific to adults living with cognitive and physical disabilities, and that is where I fell in love with my chosen path.
I came back to my community ready to offer this to anyone willing to say yes. When I first began offering adaptive yoga in my community, I did so as a volunteer. Knowing that the majority of people living with disabilities are on limited income, I knew that I needed to overlook the common practice of earning money for a service provided. Instead, I chose to share yoga from the place in my heart that was not attached to an income. By doing this for over the first four years, not only did I learn and grow as a teacher, but I was able to truly give and be of service rather than be focused on profit. Back then, I relied on my “typical” student yoga classes where the cost to the student has always been a donation-based model and that allowed me to slowly grow my business and my experience as an adaptive yoga teacher. As my business grew and more agencies learned of my offerings, I moved from a volunteer status to an affordable group rate that the facility or agency pay for.
Currently, I am contracted with six agencies in the Denver area and one agency in my hometown of Colorado Springs. Between all of the agencies, I am contracted with, I see nearly 300 adults with traumatic brain injuries and other neurological conditions across approximately 46 group homes each month.
The main aspect of my work is bringing adaptive yoga and wellness practices into assisted living, long term care and group home settings for adults with disabilities, specifically brain injuries. I also have a small studio for more traditional yoga classes and wellness offerings, but the majority of my work is serving those with disabilities.
What I believe sets me apart from others is my ability to see the whole person rather than the injury or disability, and in turn, offer holistic practices that touch the mind, body and the spirit. So often when a person sustains a traumatic brain injury, there is a tremendous amount of focus on the physical body regaining function. The trauma and the effects on the spirit are often overlooked. Many of my students have lost their livelihood, their career, their families and friends, and there is so much grief that is not being addressed. By bringing to them a new and sometimes different awareness of their mind, body and spirit there is an opening for healing. I help them to discover a new relationship with themselves in the present and this brings confidence, self-love and acceptance to their life. By adding a focus of mindfulness and awareness of their spirit, they find a sense of wholeness that perhaps they may have never experienced. I am most excited about my method of bringing this type of modality into settings that typically do not offer such services. By eliminating the barrier of not being able to attend a yoga class in a traditional setting, I find that my services brings something to the students that they would not be able to otherwise access.
I got to this place professionally by believing in myself and the practice of yoga with every part of my being. I believe that the most important factor behind my success is the foundation of service I built from the beginning. I began my business with the mindset that serving others is the priority and I trusted that the profits would come. My mantra became–As long as I stay in the heart of service, I will always be provided for. With my tenacious sense of high-ethics and responsibility as as person, and as an adaptive yoga teacher success for me is not defined by money or prestige, but instead by serving others and being the best person that I can be for my students. I believe so strongly in showing up in the world and being of service to others that my life purpose to bring yoga into assisted living facilities has become a deeply satisfying personal journey as well as a profitable business.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I think that in my field there has to be a willingness to set your ego aside and do the work because it is in your heart to serve those less fortunate and not worry about the money making aspect of this work. I have always trusted that the money will be there if I was doing the work for the right reasons. Certainly, I am incredibly grateful that I make money doing this work, but it is not my primary focus. I love what I do look forward to each day of “work” because I know that my heart is aligned and I am doing what I believe I am here to do, therefore it is not really a j.o.b.
Also, it is so important to have an open mind when it comes to this type work and the ability to be very mentally tough, flexible and have incredible boundaries. Caring for the students and people I work with is key, but not letting myself get too emotionally involved is best for both the student and myself. I have to have enough goodness to go around to a lot of people, so learning the practice of self-care and boundaries has been crucial for my success. Sometimes I go in with a plan only to learn that one of students had a massive seizure and the housemates are scared and sad, which leads me to toss the plan out the window and make changes to what I offer that day. By doing this, it makes the sessions about them and not about my knowledge or training.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the covid pandemic I had to suddenly stop and shift gears like so many. At the time I was teaching in local group homes, assisted living settings, a gym/studio and in my own studio. Suddenly there were no in-person classes and I have to make a quick decision on how I would continue to teach.
Within 72 hours I was online and virtual. I contracted with several agencies across the country to provide virtual classes and I began to record sessions in my home studio that I offered to students. I recorded chair yoga, traditional yoga, pilates and meditation sessions each week for over 18 months. My online library grew and I was soon able to record less and offer some 1:1 sessions in person.
This major pivot was a huge learning curve for me and one that I look back with fondness. The resiliency to make such a quick shift–and find success–was amazing. Once the world re-opened and things were given clearance to offer in person sessions in the vulnerable populations like Assited Living settings, I got busy hustling again and was soon contracted with many new agencies as well as my original agencies.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/embracingspirityoga
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/embracingspirityoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/embracingspirityoga/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-wyatt-4ab7a3120
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu8qluQNVcNMO4wKLu7YFtQ
- Other: https://express.adobe.com/page/Q9c9SWhH3frl5/