10. You are my family, friend, or colleague and you support my mission to be a self-employed social entrepreneur.
9. You started a business on your own and want to help a start-up get off the ground.
8. You know that over 50% of start-ups fail without financial support and business education. I have the education, looking for more support...
7. You have a dream to start you own venture some day, and you want to have good karma for when you take the leap. ;)
6. You just practiced yoga and your feeling particularly appreciative, compassionate, and generous.
5. You haven't donated your 10% yet this month.
4. You want a free class in the conference room down the hall from your office. (You aren't afraid to be seen in down dog at work!)
3. You want to create local jobs, for real people in Rhode Island.
2. You know that if individuals find peace, then we can build more peace around the world. In families, communities, workplaces...
1. You believe in the power of yoga to transform lives. Period.
Join the movement.
6.29.2012
What the heck is crowdfunding anyway?
Crowdfunding =
A collective cooperation
Pooling of money
Via the Internet
For a variety of reasons... like funding a start-up
Indiegogo =
The worlds funding platform. Go fund yourself
Jaan Yoga =
Start-up that needs your support to bring yoga to the people. Join the Movement.
Learn more =
Only 15 days left.
A collective cooperation
Pooling of money
Via the Internet
For a variety of reasons... like funding a start-up
Indiegogo =
The worlds funding platform. Go fund yourself
Jaan Yoga =
Start-up that needs your support to bring yoga to the people. Join the Movement.
Learn more =
Only 15 days left.
6.12.2012
Summer Yoga Schedule
I will be teaching yoga at several locations this summer. Here is my weekly schedule of events:
Mondays 5:45pm @ Breathing Time Yoga Pawtucket
Tuesdays 7:00am @ East Side YMCA Providence (starts June 26th)
Tuesdays 9:00am @ Freedom Yoga Barrington
Tuesdays 5:30pm @ Body Kneads Yoga Cranston
Thursdays 7:00am @ East Side YMCA Providence
Additional Classes to be held:
(check back for updates)
Sunday 9:30am @ East Side YMCA Providence (June 17 & 24 only)
Sunday 4pm @ Body Kneads Yoga Cranston (July 15)
And coming up late summer and fall 2012, look for:
Workshop series at Jen McWalters Pilates Studio and an online group mentoring program with on location retreats!
Love and namaste.
Mondays 5:45pm @ Breathing Time Yoga Pawtucket
Tuesdays 7:00am @ East Side YMCA Providence (starts June 26th)
Tuesdays 9:00am @ Freedom Yoga Barrington
Tuesdays 5:30pm @ Body Kneads Yoga Cranston
Thursdays 7:00am @ East Side YMCA Providence
Additional Classes to be held:
(check back for updates)
Sunday 9:30am @ East Side YMCA Providence (June 17 & 24 only)
Sunday 4pm @ Body Kneads Yoga Cranston (July 15)
And coming up late summer and fall 2012, look for:
Workshop series at Jen McWalters Pilates Studio and an online group mentoring program with on location retreats!
Love and namaste.
6.04.2012
How I started a business
I recently started a business. You may know this... but do you really know how I did it. Correction. How I am doing it. Many people I meet are intrigued that a woman at the late age of 28 has left typical work hours and struck out on her own. So I tell them the most pertinent parts of my journey and they are hungry for more. Asking questions. Creating change in their own perception of employment. And vowing to look at a book I mentioned, or email me to chat further. Just this weekend it happened to me twice. I met two separate couples that I shared my story with. They told me they were inspired, but honestly I am the one that continues to be inspired by the support new and old friends alike have given me. So here goes it... thanks to Heidi, Dan, Cindy and Jim for the inspiration to share.
Last summer I completed my yoga teacher training. I was working full-time at Brandeis University at the time. I had no immediate plans of leaving Brandeis, but did have big dreams of starting a business when heading into my teacher training. I wanted to be sure I really enjoyed teaching yoga first, and that I could be good at it. I mean really, if I ended up being an awful yoga teacher, found it wasn't a gift that I would be blessed with, then how would I start a business around yoga. So, I packed up and left for St. Augustine, FL.
Fast forward to my return to Brandeis after completing my 200-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training. My mind now brimming with ideas of what I could do as a teacher. I dove right in. Teaching once week at Brandeis in a conference room and once a week at Jen McWalter's Pilates. I wanted to make sure that I kept moving forward and didn't have a gap in my learning. Over the next few months I started attending the Power Up! business plan class at the Center for Women and Enterprise in Providence. I also found a great coach, Julia Kious Zabell. I started reading articles, blogs, researching people on Facebook, talking to yoga students and teachers... And I read the 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. And I listened to teleseminars almost every day in the car, on being a radiant yoga teacher, on building my business, on feminine leadership, on spirituality and faith in finances... You name it, I have probably listened to something similar.
From all that I have done, here is what was absolutely necessary for me to step away from my full-time job and be my own boss. And a few things essential for the transition...
1. Money
Now let me tell you, I didn't have a lot of savings. But I had a bit, and I had a plan of action for at least the next six months. My plan included many back up plans including asking my family for support, working part-time, doing consulting projects on the side, teaching my butt off and starting to make profit with the business. I left Brandeis on January 23, 2012, so I am still in the midst of this six month plan and back up plan. And it hasn't been easy, but I am making it work so far. When you have to make it happen, we usually find a way. If you have to, sell your stuff, get public assistance, sell your car... (I haven't sold my car... yet)
2. Time
LOL. Time is a trap and a tease. It sucks you in, makes you think you have more than you do, requires way more to complete a project than you think it does, AND I did not move quickly through time when I first made the transition. I was completely drained when I was finally my own boss. Ultimately, time and transition are things that alter based on your own perspective and you need time to transition. So if you feel like time isn't on your side, or you are not supposed to be this tired after making a huge leap in your life, change your own damn mind about it. It will take more time than you think to transition, more time for each project and task at first, and more time to make money. It isn't you and you shouldn't judge yourself based on this transition or start-up phase. You just have to make it a part of your practice, to get back up and starting looking at your life as if you have all the time in the world. Because you do. When I became my own boss it took me about 3 months to realize that I don't have to be in the office for a certain time each day, I can take a nap when I need to, and most work doesn't take the same amount of time that working as an employee does. Who ever said it takes a 40 hour work week to get a sufficient amount of work done? Read more on this with Tim Ferriss.
3. Fear
I stepped away from a job because of the fear that I would never be anything bigger if I didn't leave. The fear that my ideas and creativity would perish if I didn't do it while I was young. The fear that if I waited to take risks in life, I would have kids and a house and need the security. We are conditioned to fear. And we don't have to. So my advice, do whatever you have to do to move past FEAR. Because it will shave years off your life and happiness off your experience. I started to overcome fear through the practice of yoga. But I added in huge doses of inspiration from thought leaders, support from family, friends, and people like my coach, Julia. This hasn't been a solo journey, each person along the way makes it a little bit easier.
4. Purpose
With out first finding my ultimate purpose, to transform lives through yoga, none of this would be possible. It drives me everyday... you must find this and pursue it. “It is better to strive in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another." -Bhagavad Gita
This is just a glimpse. Have more questions? Ask me. audragrady@gmail.com
Last summer I completed my yoga teacher training. I was working full-time at Brandeis University at the time. I had no immediate plans of leaving Brandeis, but did have big dreams of starting a business when heading into my teacher training. I wanted to be sure I really enjoyed teaching yoga first, and that I could be good at it. I mean really, if I ended up being an awful yoga teacher, found it wasn't a gift that I would be blessed with, then how would I start a business around yoga. So, I packed up and left for St. Augustine, FL.
Fast forward to my return to Brandeis after completing my 200-hour Kripalu Yoga Teacher Training. My mind now brimming with ideas of what I could do as a teacher. I dove right in. Teaching once week at Brandeis in a conference room and once a week at Jen McWalter's Pilates. I wanted to make sure that I kept moving forward and didn't have a gap in my learning. Over the next few months I started attending the Power Up! business plan class at the Center for Women and Enterprise in Providence. I also found a great coach, Julia Kious Zabell. I started reading articles, blogs, researching people on Facebook, talking to yoga students and teachers... And I read the 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. And I listened to teleseminars almost every day in the car, on being a radiant yoga teacher, on building my business, on feminine leadership, on spirituality and faith in finances... You name it, I have probably listened to something similar.
From all that I have done, here is what was absolutely necessary for me to step away from my full-time job and be my own boss. And a few things essential for the transition...
1. Money
Now let me tell you, I didn't have a lot of savings. But I had a bit, and I had a plan of action for at least the next six months. My plan included many back up plans including asking my family for support, working part-time, doing consulting projects on the side, teaching my butt off and starting to make profit with the business. I left Brandeis on January 23, 2012, so I am still in the midst of this six month plan and back up plan. And it hasn't been easy, but I am making it work so far. When you have to make it happen, we usually find a way. If you have to, sell your stuff, get public assistance, sell your car... (I haven't sold my car... yet)
2. Time
LOL. Time is a trap and a tease. It sucks you in, makes you think you have more than you do, requires way more to complete a project than you think it does, AND I did not move quickly through time when I first made the transition. I was completely drained when I was finally my own boss. Ultimately, time and transition are things that alter based on your own perspective and you need time to transition. So if you feel like time isn't on your side, or you are not supposed to be this tired after making a huge leap in your life, change your own damn mind about it. It will take more time than you think to transition, more time for each project and task at first, and more time to make money. It isn't you and you shouldn't judge yourself based on this transition or start-up phase. You just have to make it a part of your practice, to get back up and starting looking at your life as if you have all the time in the world. Because you do. When I became my own boss it took me about 3 months to realize that I don't have to be in the office for a certain time each day, I can take a nap when I need to, and most work doesn't take the same amount of time that working as an employee does. Who ever said it takes a 40 hour work week to get a sufficient amount of work done? Read more on this with Tim Ferriss.
3. Fear
I stepped away from a job because of the fear that I would never be anything bigger if I didn't leave. The fear that my ideas and creativity would perish if I didn't do it while I was young. The fear that if I waited to take risks in life, I would have kids and a house and need the security. We are conditioned to fear. And we don't have to. So my advice, do whatever you have to do to move past FEAR. Because it will shave years off your life and happiness off your experience. I started to overcome fear through the practice of yoga. But I added in huge doses of inspiration from thought leaders, support from family, friends, and people like my coach, Julia. This hasn't been a solo journey, each person along the way makes it a little bit easier.
4. Purpose
With out first finding my ultimate purpose, to transform lives through yoga, none of this would be possible. It drives me everyday... you must find this and pursue it. “It is better to strive in one’s own dharma than to succeed in the dharma of another." -Bhagavad Gita
This is just a glimpse. Have more questions? Ask me. audragrady@gmail.com
4.23.2012
Why do yoga during your work day??
This is what one of my regular students had to say about doing yoga during her regular work week. I had the great opportunity to work with her in a variety of ways, but most recently in my week day yoga class at Brandeis University.
"I was always trying to get more people to do more things with less resources at work. It is pretty chaotic. It creates an intense amount of stress... I get very tired, agitated, tense in my shoulders and lower back. I crave caffeine and sugar. I feel my self clenching my jaw all the time.
When I walk out of class on a Wednesday, I feel as good or better than how I felt Monday morning. I don't feel clenched up, more relaxed... and what ever is going to happen will happen, we will figure it out. I want more, I crave yoga during the week. I feel relaxed, centered, calm, focused - that is a very big deal for me. I notice what I don't get from doing weight training and cardio and it makes me want more yoga.
Because this in the middle of my work day, middle of my work week, it makes me feel like I can get through the rest of the week! I feel renewed. It definitely puts you back in touch with yourself. I do wonder what this would feel like if I did it everyday. I mean wow."
She also let us know that she:
sleeps better on days she does yoga
has more patience at work and with her family
stays clear, gets rid of the static in her mind
enjoys the physical stretching, twisting, and balancing
Judith has been practicing on a regular basis with Audra Grady at Brandeis University over the past 6 months.
3.29.2012
The official, official launch of Jaan Yoga!
Wow. The road of the entrepreneur is a long one. And people keep telling me I am driving fast on that road, but it seems that everything takes longer than you first expect it to. Regardless, the official launch of Jaan Yoga was sent out to 428 unique emails last week and we have our launch event coming up on April 7th. 
Whew! (Sigh of relief)
Check it out on Facebook. And send us a like at our Jaan Yoga page while your at it! We need you to be a part of the movement, help us grow!
A few lucky winners will be receiving free private yoga sessions for joining our event and our page! Maybe one will be you.
Love and namaste y'all. Stay tuned for rapid fire transformation as Jaan Yoga blossoms!
Check it out on Facebook. And send us a like at our Jaan Yoga page while your at it! We need you to be a part of the movement, help us grow!
A few lucky winners will be receiving free private yoga sessions for joining our event and our page! Maybe one will be you.
Love and namaste y'all. Stay tuned for rapid fire transformation as Jaan Yoga blossoms!
2.26.2012
class schedule | winter 2012
Wednesdays
12:30pm 60 min - Brandeis University
Abraham Shapiro Academic Center 204
and
7:30pm 75 min - Jen McWalters Pilates Studio
Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Thursdays
7:00 am 60 min - East Side YMCA, Providence, RI
Fridays
5:30pm 75 min - Jen McWalters Pilates Studio
Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Sundays
9:30am 75 min - East Side YMCA, Providence, RI
Private lessons and basics classes available upon request, in your home, mine, or a studio location.
Most classes are a moderate all-levels yoga practice with a flow of postures and emphasis on body awareness, alignment and coordination of breath and movement. Students are supported to practice at their own level finding balance between challenge and ease. Fridays at Jen's are more of a chill out hour with some restorative postures.
"Audra's yoga class relaxed the mind, while balancing and stretching the body, all in 1hr 15 minutes." -Daryl, Providence
Learn more about Kripalu Yoga at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health located in Lenox, MA
12:30pm 60 min - Brandeis University
Abraham Shapiro Academic Center 204
and
7:30pm 75 min - Jen McWalters Pilates Studio
Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Thursdays
7:00 am 60 min - East Side YMCA, Providence, RI
Fridays
5:30pm 75 min - Jen McWalters Pilates Studio
Hope Artiste Village, Pawtucket, RI
Sundays
9:30am 75 min - East Side YMCA, Providence, RI
Private lessons and basics classes available upon request, in your home, mine, or a studio location.
Most classes are a moderate all-levels yoga practice with a flow of postures and emphasis on body awareness, alignment and coordination of breath and movement. Students are supported to practice at their own level finding balance between challenge and ease. Fridays at Jen's are more of a chill out hour with some restorative postures.
"Audra's yoga class relaxed the mind, while balancing and stretching the body, all in 1hr 15 minutes." -Daryl, Providence
Learn more about Kripalu Yoga at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health located in Lenox, MA
1.31.2012
One week
Amazing how much can change in one week. In the past week I have...
Become a full-time business owner.
Applied to teach yoga at the YMCA.
Turned down another job to teach yoga at a gym (if you are interested, let me know).
Added new friends and acquaintances in the RI yoga community, and the Providence business community.
Finally had several home made meals within days or hours of each other.
Took long breaks, and a three day weekend because I wasn't feeling well and because I just wanted to.
Spent time dreaming about a 6-month mini retirement in the South Pacific, inspired by the 4-Hour Work Week.
Read Bossypants and almost peed my own pants (while in the Brown Bookstore... I really tried to keep it together for the sake of my studious neighbors).
Listened or participated in several telecasts and webinars to shape and grow my business.
Spent time with my two beautiful nieces who teach me how to think creatively about what to do with a 3 and 8 year old on a Thursday night.
Admired my handsome partner in crime and all of the amazing things he is doing in life.
I am sure there are more, but reflecting on a week gone by in which I felt like I didn't get much done just goes to show how much really happened. I have taken a step in faith, to live life fully and completely. Stepping into my own path has been in the works for a while, but man it is great when you finally get there. And I have only just gotten started...
Become a full-time business owner.
Applied to teach yoga at the YMCA.
Turned down another job to teach yoga at a gym (if you are interested, let me know).
Added new friends and acquaintances in the RI yoga community, and the Providence business community.
Finally had several home made meals within days or hours of each other.
Took long breaks, and a three day weekend because I wasn't feeling well and because I just wanted to.
Spent time dreaming about a 6-month mini retirement in the South Pacific, inspired by the 4-Hour Work Week.
Read Bossypants and almost peed my own pants (while in the Brown Bookstore... I really tried to keep it together for the sake of my studious neighbors).
Listened or participated in several telecasts and webinars to shape and grow my business.
Spent time with my two beautiful nieces who teach me how to think creatively about what to do with a 3 and 8 year old on a Thursday night.
Admired my handsome partner in crime and all of the amazing things he is doing in life.
I am sure there are more, but reflecting on a week gone by in which I felt like I didn't get much done just goes to show how much really happened. I have taken a step in faith, to live life fully and completely. Stepping into my own path has been in the works for a while, but man it is great when you finally get there. And I have only just gotten started...
1.03.2012
Notes from a weekend with Rolf
I am just settling in to my newly organized office space, aka my bedroom with a desk in it. After many months of dreaming, planning, organizing, I am embarking on a magnificent entrepreneurial journey inspired by yoga, supported by authors and entrepreneurs like Blake Mycoskie and Tim Ferriss, and truly infused by my practice and those that I learn from. I regularly take am yoga classes with Shannah Green at Eyes of the World. A wonderful way to maintain learning and zest for my practice. This weekend was an exquisite intensive drop-in with a leader and teacher, Rolf Gates. His ability to inspire personal transformation is something I aspire to, and his compassionate wisdom is what brought me strongly in to the new year. A few thoughts from my workshop this past weekend...
"We must cultivate and hold with a steady effort the vision we have for ourselves." -Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison, Meditations from the Mat
Yoga is deadly simple. It brings us from misunderstanding, to understanding.
Consider seeing life beyond dualism. Am I drawing a line here in thin air? And then placing myself and others above or below it?
Live skillfully. Thoughts are actions. Take responsibility.
Release stuck energy in the body, release the mind.
Intention organizes its own fulfillment. Have faith and courage in the process as your intention manifests.
I want to lead, coach, and advise others to live a full, thriving life through yoga. To be effortless in devotion, practice, and mindfulness. Step fully into my purpose.
"Like a trapeze artist, you must be willing to let go of one ring before you catch the next one." -Rolf Gates, Faith and Flow: A Vinyasa Yoga Intensive, Kripalu Center, January 1, 2012
"We must cultivate and hold with a steady effort the vision we have for ourselves." -Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison, Meditations from the Mat
Yoga is deadly simple. It brings us from misunderstanding, to understanding.
Consider seeing life beyond dualism. Am I drawing a line here in thin air? And then placing myself and others above or below it?
Live skillfully. Thoughts are actions. Take responsibility.
Release stuck energy in the body, release the mind.
Intention organizes its own fulfillment. Have faith and courage in the process as your intention manifests.
I want to lead, coach, and advise others to live a full, thriving life through yoga. To be effortless in devotion, practice, and mindfulness. Step fully into my purpose.
"Like a trapeze artist, you must be willing to let go of one ring before you catch the next one." -Rolf Gates, Faith and Flow: A Vinyasa Yoga Intensive, Kripalu Center, January 1, 2012
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