We were lucky to catch up with Tara Eschenroeder recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Storytelling is one of my love languages, and I’d love to share one with you.
The story is a small part of the many chapters of this path that has chosen me to walk it, and it’s created as I do.
I had just graduated from university and was in a place of “what’s next?” To be honest, I was feeling a bit lost. My mom lovingly continued to invite me to come and practice yoga with her without a single ounce of pressure. My dad had actually taken me to my very first yoga class when I was in high school. It was early, people were breathing weirdly, I’m pretty sure somebody farted, and it just wasn’t my jam… at the time.
I finally decided to join my mom for practice one day, and something shifted. The moments following class were accompanied by a feeling of deep peace. Although this was fleeting, I began to realize that this practice of yoga was something more than just the physical.
My curiosity only grew from here. I started attending as many classes as my schedule would allow at the local gym in order to experience different teachers and their styles. I also looked up as many free events as I could find to attend around the city of Richmond, VA (where I lived at the time). This tiny little flicker of a flame began to grow. I have a picture memory in my mind of walking down the stairs one day at my parents’ house and announcing, “Mom? I know what I have to do with the rest of my life.”
The thing is, I had no idea exactly what it looked like; however, there was a bone-deep knowing that my path had to do something with this thing that was yoga.
Boyd Varty puts it beautifully when he states, “I have no idea where I’m going, and I know exactly how to get there.”
Fast forward a few months to when I met my teacher, Arlene. This woman forever changed my life. She saw something in me that I’m not sure I had the courage to recognize within myself. When she asked me to do her teacher training, I thought of every excuse under the sun as to why I couldn’t… and shortly thereafter registered for teacher training.
Arlene tragically passed away when my peers and I were in the midst of our training. My heavy heart began to accept that maybe it just wasn’t the right time yet.
I was taken back to a memory I had with her when we were sharing Thai food at our favorite restaurant. Arlene was a visionary. In the middle of dinner one night, she stopped, eyes wide, and shared with me a vision that she had just had. This vision included hundreds of people gathered together in one place viewing my photography and being in awe of what they saw. Professional photography is one of the many creative pursuits that have been a part of my journey, and I used to do most of Arlene’s promotional material before she passed.
Fast forward to the day of the funeral…
I arrived at the church to see cars literally making up parking spaces on the grass, as there were clearly none left. Walking inside the church, there was standing room only. Hundreds of people were gathered together to witness the passing of this sacred soul and the celebration of her ineffable life. The service went on, and towards the end, the lights were dimmed, music started, and on the projectors at the front of the church were the photos… one after the other… everyone in the room silent and in awe… hundreds… witnessing photos that I took of my teacher, Arlene. Her vision had come true…
That day, the tiny flame that had almost been extinguished turned into a bonfire. The next day, I called Yoga Alliance and shared our story with them. The kindest soul named Jannine heard and received my story and wanted to help. We came to realize that the program Arlene had designed was meant to roll into a 500-hour program, meaning myself and my cohorts were already well over our required 200 hours. The only other graduating class that came before us acted as our mentors and signed us off on a rubric that my classmate, Rachael, and I created in order to graduate.
Arlene had given us a message. I knew that the path before me wasn’t going to be necessarily easy, and I knew it was mine.
My small business, Great Abiding Yoga, was born in December of 2014. What started as teaching yoga all over the city of Richmond has led to leading retreats all over the world, presenting at festivals all over the country, connecting with beautiful souls and trusted containers of one-on-one coaching and private yoga, writing books of poetry, making a sanctuary of a home for myself in the mountains of Western North Carolina… and I know it’s far from complete.
“I have no idea where I’m going, and I know exactly how to get there.”
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.
Upon hearing the name of my business, one might think that it’s all about the physical practice of yoga. However, what I feel is of utmost importance is sharing all of the eight limbs with individuals who are called to work with me.
My craft includes sharing the practice of asana, breathwork, meditation, inviting beautiful souls out of their own backyard on retreats all over the world, presenting at festivals, sharing poetry, occupying the sacred and trusted container of life coaching, and so much more.
What I’ve come to learn is that many people seek me out when they are more or less “instinct injured.” My teaching and guidance are an invitation back into the soft animal of the body, reconnecting with the internal compass that is always there to guide us, no matter how many layers have covered it up over the years.
It is an honor and a privilege to be trusted to help individuals who are instinct injured, in the midst of transition, and need support in gaining clarity to make courageous transformations from a place of self-trust, instinct, and intuition. I guide driven individuals to recognize and channel passionate energy to manifest a life of deep fulfillment and freedom.
This comes in the capacity of connecting virtually and in person.
Every day, I reflect on how incredibly grateful I am to get to live my Dharma and call this my life.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
It’s been fun to keep track of how I’ve met the incredibly inspiring souls that I get to call my clients over the years.
When considering the best source for new clients, I will speak to the importance of showing up as unapologetically myself, sharing my truth, and what I have to offer others.
I’ve learned over the years that the people who are called to work with me will come. My responsibility is to show up as my authentic self, giving others permission to do the same.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
There are a multitude of books that have impacted my business and how I move through the world (which are not separate to me). Some of my favorites include (and are not limited to):
The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life
Braiding Sweetgrass
Women Who Run With Wolves
Wild Mercy
Untamed
Wolfpack
I Will Teach You To Be Rich
Dare To Lead
Heart Minded
Big Magic
Soul of An Octapus
Untethered Soul
Tuesdays With Mori
Atlas of the Heart
Greenlights
The Way Of Integrity
Midnight Library
Anything by John O’Donohue and David Whyte
Contact Info:
- Website: http://greatabidingyoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatabidingyoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becky.eschenroeder/and https://www.facebook.com/greatabidingyoga/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Ad7lwBuG1GcQZqae7XDUA
- Other: Insight Timer: https://insig.ht/hKogenxtanb
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3T2AROCSEIe3hktXqDPqOp
Newsletter sign up: https://greatabidingyoga.com/contact#subst
Image Credits
Brent Weber of Bretn Weber Photography: https://www.brentweberphotography.com/
Hannah Sharriee Photography
Heather Lancaster of Creative Heat Photography: https://thecreativeheat.com/