Toni Grates (n): domesticated nomad; multi-tasking maniac; creative free spirit unconcerned with societal norms.
For me, yoga is about being authentic. I didn’t create this blog to be anti-yoga. I created it to use my own life experiences to empower others to be open and honest. And funny. Open and honest and funny.
‘Cause humour makes everything better.
Namaste Bitches,
Toni Grates
www.tonigrates.com
I love you. Started reading your blog again as i’m following your fb posts. how did you manage to write a book in 3 months with a little baby????? you are my hero…:-)
I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage…”what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger” or something like that. Mistakes are part of life…it’s what you do with what you learned from that ungodly debacle that builds character. Much better for your karma if you don’t act like a loser after losing. we ALL have moments of extreme stupidity, moronic behavior, hormonal episodes, cliche hissy fits…whatever. they are part of life.
So continue on your path to enlightenment. i love the idea of yoga and a studio, but there’s also necessity to have what works and gives you joy. I am 57 years old. i constantly question what it is i want to do when i “grow up”. what was right for me at 30, certainly isn’t where i am today. that idea of me as a grown up has evolved many, many times…and i still don’t know, but almost like i’ve decided not to try to fit in a box…there is age to consider, after all. I’ve been journalling for a few years…i regret not doing it in my 20s and 30s. i would like to talk to you about blogging; i’ve never done it, but you’ve inspired me because i’ve always felt like i should write some kind of memoir with a twist because i’ve had a somewhat “twisted” life….neither good nor bad twisted! I have beautiful earrings on right now and i’m sitting in my library/office listening to that hot tomato adam levine sing about movin like jagger (altho adam levine has it all over jagger and is sooo hot to boot). got the moOOOoves like jagger. alright i’m getting stupid now.
Just wanted to say i’m following your blog, registered, signed up yadda,, yaddaa… namaste oldbitches
Love you, too, Cea! You’re one of the funniest people I know. I’d be happy to talk to you about blogging. In the meantime, head to wordpress.com and pick a template. It’s super easy. xo
Best of luck on your new adventure
I was a partner in a yoga studio soon after finishing my teacher training and ended the partnership one year later, which turned out to be one of the ugliest experiences of my life. I miss teaching and think about getting back out there, but then the marketing side of my brain wants to “help” the studio I’m teaching at and it all goes downhill from there!
I like “open and honest and funny” – sounds like an excellent way to live! Can’t wait to read more of your blog. I currently have a dog blog (www.thedailydogblog.com) where I get to ramble on and on about my fur kids and aspire to teach yoga studio owners to think more like business people. I must be crazy!
Thanks for connecting, Julie! Your blog is great!
Thanks Toni for your refreshing words. I was instantly drawn in by the title of your blog alone. As a Recovering Yoga Studio Owner, I can completely relate. Can’t wait to read what’s to come! I’d share my blog with you, but pretty sure you’d be completley appalled by how incredibly un-yogic-like my mothering truly is. And yet once I lead large groups of students, I mean yogis, or some shit like that. Nasmaste fellow Bitch (you can’t see it now but I am bowing humbly to you and while sipping my wine).
Julie and Audra, I feel your pain! Would love to read your blog, Audra!
Yours in Studio Recovery,
Toni
Toni thank you for your honesty and putting it out there, not may people would me-thinks. I too am a “Recovering Studio Owner” and was also in ‘yoga hell’ for nearly two years. It nearly killed me (figuratively) and my love of yoga (literally). I still teach, but leave all pretense and platitudes at the door, and teach strictly poses and breathing. I have become a better and effective instructor for it (that’s right…I said instructor, I am no guru, after all).
I no longer fit in with my yoga friends, so it is refreshing to find you and know that I am not alone.
Good luck with your new project,
Anne
Anne, you are definitely not alone! You wouldn’t believe how many e-mails and messages I’ve received from recovering and struggling yoga studio owners. There are lots of us out there and so why not be honest about it, right? Thanks so much for connecting. All the best!