Stayce

A self-proclaimed gym rat, I have spent most of my mornings over the past 11 years teaching spin class, swimming, running and weight training. I weighed myself every morning, took measures of myself, counted every calorie. I ran the Tough Mudder, the Spartan and a few other races. I was constantly pushing myself to be thinner, fitter and stronger. No matter how much I did I was never satisfied, never happy with my progress. I needed a change.

On March 25, 2013, my favorite person in the entire world, my Grandmom Honey, died. She was the loveliest and most caring person in the world. If I had a bad day or felt sick, I would go visit her. Just being in her house, sitting at her kitchen table or sharing a dessert she made, always helped to make things so much better. Being with her was like being under a big umbrella protecting you from the terrible storms that you were going through.

Through the first year, I thought about getting a tattoo to honor her. I found the quote from Vivian Greene “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.” Whatever stresses, battles or difficulties, I was dealing with, the best decision is to smile, to dance in the rain and to jump in puddles with both feet. I decided to create my own tattoo. It is an umbrella with 5 panels, each panel has a letter to spell out HONEY and the handle of the umbrella is made of the words “Dancing in the Rain.”

I have always been intrigued by yoga. This past September, I started going into the aerobics room at my gym on my mornings off to do yoga with the assistance of YouTube. I was in love. I wanted to learn more and do more. I started researching and talking to friends who were taking yoga about different yoga studios. Nourishing Storm was right in Hatboro, my hometown since birth, so I was excited to check out the website.

While viewing the gratitude page, I noticed several pictures of students in front of the “quote” wall. I did a double take, enlarged the picture on my computer screen because I have 45-year-old eyes. There was my quote, right in the middle of the studio.

This is where I belonged. There are signs everywhere that point you to your path and my path was to Nourishing Storm. My Grandmother knew it.

Nourishing Storm is more than a yoga studio, it is a home. I have found old friends and made new ones but most importantly I have found myself. There are days that I just need to get there, just be in that space just like when I just needed to sit at my Grandmother’s kitchen table.

Since I joined the studio in February, I have discovered my heart’s desire, illuminated my path with strength, cultivated courage and allowed myself to be happy. Thank you, Kristin and Megan, for creating this welcoming and inspiring community. I am exactly where I need to be.

Whatever storms life has in store for you, smile, dance in the rain and most importantly jump in those puddles with both feet! You got this!