Cool Careers - Yoga Instructor

Interview with Donna Wilding: Recent Career Change from Art Producer to Yoga Instructor, Toronto, ON

"Having made the change and being in the midst of building my new business I know that there is nothing to fear. I am in control of what I do and have many places to go for support when I need it."

1. How would you describe what you do?
I bring the offering of yoga and relaxation into the workplace, as well as into people's homes. I teach a Hatha yoga class that offers a life affirming theme at the beginning. The theme plays a big role in the relaxation that happens during the class - it helps people focus on something positive while performing the postures.

For example, I might focus on opening the chest area in a class and throughout the class I'll talk about what emotional effects opening the chest has on opening our hearts.

The hour of yoga becomes an "Oasis hour", where stress and tension take the side stage and positivity, relaxation and fun take front stage. The health benefits of that are amazing.

Did you know that 73% of Canadians in 2010 considered themselves to be "stressed?" And to be honest, I was one of them in 2010, too. I know from experience, that yoga helps to relieve stress. And with less stress, our health levels are boosted.

I am also working on an offering that will combine Yoga and Nutrition counseling and Yoga and meditation offerings for workplaces.

2. How did you know you wanted to change careers?
Before being an Art Director, I was an Account Supervisor and, at that time, I had started questioning my career path. I felt like the job I had was not rewarding me in a way that was personally meaningful.

When a Producer role became available I took it in order to recapture a feeling of excitement and accomplishment in my job. However, after a short time my sense of dissatisfaction returned.

I realized that I needed a bigger change than shifting roles within the advertising industry. I wanted the focus of my work to be more directly related to helping people and knew that I was talented and passionate about yoga and wellness. I built my career change plans around this foundation.  

3. How did you change careers?
I started teaching yoga to people in my office at lunch time. In part, I started the classes as a way to start doing something each week that I loved. In part, I wanted to test the market to see if there would be demand for workplace Yoga and to work out some of the details of how I might build a business around these classes.

4. How long did it take before you resigned?
It took about a year and half. During that time, I explored what else I might want to do but I found that it was not an easy quest. I didn’t know the full breadth of opportunities; what I could offer and what I should seriously consider. Once I realized I wanted to do Yoga I was uncertain if it would be accepted in a corporate environment. However, once I saw how it would work, it took a few more months to get set up and then I was ready to step away.

5. What is the most rewarding part of your change? The most rewarding part of the decision
Hands down, knowing I am following my passion. It doesn’t feel like work anymore.  

6. What has surprised you the most?
I have been surprised by the support that people offer when they learn that you are doing something that you truly want to do. I was also surprised by the number of people who also wanted to change their career. Once I started telling people that I had resigned, many friends and colleagues started expressing similar thoughts.

Everyone wants to hear how I made the decision and if I have any regrets.

7. What advice would you provide other career changers?
If you are doing what you love, the struggles are worth it. Expect it to be hard and a lot of work, but know that it will be a challenge that you are up for.  

8. What do you wish you had known before you started the business?
In my case, I left a successful, steady career to pursue a new business in an unproven area. Before I resigned people expressed a lot of concern. However, once I had made the decision, the support I needed came. I wish I had known that I would have the backing of everyone.

When I was making the decision to resign, I must admit that I was fearful of what lay ahead in my future. However, having made the change and being in the midst of building my new business I know that there is nothing to fear. I am in control of what I do and have many places to go for support when I need it.

Congratulations on your career change, Donna. We look forward to watching your business continue to grow.

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