THIS was my best attempt at a holiday newsletter type update. please read for a little life update and I hope you enjoy.

Happy solstice, happy new year, winter has arrived. so, how are you? scroll down to Leave a comment! Now taking suggestions (as always) for blog topics and future discussions in 2023… blessings!

Greetings!

It is with deep thanks and eternal gratitude that I write to you this morning. Truth is, I have been writing like a maniac my whole life and in the pandemic it’s been the one thing I really love that somehow disappeared. Seems weird, right? Like plenty of time and space and inspiration for writing these days… For a while I told myself “oh, but you write all day, lesson plans, emails, content, etc etc” and so I would write poetry in my journal every once in a while or create an extra long caption to feed that little pull towards the writer within.

In my reflections of 2022 (and beyond) I’ve come to the exact same conclusion I’ve come to before. Write more. And so today’s entry is just that, reflections in hopes to give a clear platform for what this space will be as we roll into 2023. This is the blog space for Grateful Yoga. Grateful Yoga is an Ashtanga inspired *virtual* studio that practices yoga, hard work, loving kindness and gratitude for everything. To read our full mission statement click here. While we no longer inhabit a physical studio space there is a lot of learning and sharing that comes through that piece of writing.

I started yoga teacher training in 2012 with maybe a handful of yoga classes in my history and no clear reason “why”. In 2014 I opened a yoga studio with zero experience as a business owner and zero capital. Three years later I moved to the Dominican Republic without my friends, my family nor my business by my side. For 2 years I ran Grateful Yoga from a distance and worked behind the scenes managing a studio at an eco-conscious resort. At the end of 2019 I pulled the plug working for the retreat center, decided to put the studio for sale and dive in fully to my venture of yoga teacher trainings, consultation and retreats. This felt like a huge leap, a scary jump, a deep purge.

Less than 3 months later in March of 2020, after independently hosting the largest group for YTT to date here in the DR, the whole world shut down. Suddenly the “independence” I created felt more like “loneliness”, or even “a huge mistake”... Honestly I was sure what to do but put myself online immediately and just try to stay above water. I even started a *new* job as an independent travel agent to draw in some income from another source. I thought about quitting yoga as a profession all together, I actually still find myself checking job listings from time to time.

For me, 2022 was a make or break year, or maybe more accurately a make AND break year. Firstly, I’m not selling Grateful Yoga. I love this community so deeply and we have evolved into a loving space online, connecting with each other over Zoom, tuning in on Youtube and now reading the blog for information + teachings on the non-asana aspects of yoga. How Yoga with a big Y can start to manifest into a lifestyle, a state of mind and a practice of constant study + appreciation for both our inner and outer worlds.

In addition to continuing weekly online classes and a monthly blog update for my Grateful Yoga community, I’m continuing to run and now expand the Rise + Vibe school of yoga as a dba to my original business model. We’re offering yoga teacher trainings online and in-person (in VT, in DR and BEYOND in 2023), plus retreats and consultations. The consultations are mostly designed for yoga instructors and wellness professionals looking for professional/personal direction. Behind the scenes for my clients I’ve been constructing websites, working on SEO, creating social media campaigns, budgeting/planning retreats, creating business plans for new studios, and so much more!

** ALL PHOTOS in this post are from a wellness retreat where I was hired as the yoga teacher, hosted by a lovely group of women from Louisiana here in the Dominican Republic. I am SO GRATEFUL for the opportunities to share yoga and meet people from all around the world!
And a huge shout out to my husband Bibby @surfyogaretreatdr for the photos!

And yes, I’ve also taken on a job as an independent travel agent which I can do around my other jobs in pockets of time. Let me be clear, I did this because I need extra income, not because I want another job. Like many things in life, this new venture has blessed me not only with some extra income but also with some things I never imagined: new friends, incredible business/mindset coaching, marketing tools for entrepreneurs, knowledge about the world, a huge inspiration to learn more, travel more and continue forward on the personal journey of independence.

This is who I am today (professionally, at least, lol): a teacher, an advisor, a trainer, a creator, a writer and a travel agent. When they all roll together it’s pretty amazing. Do I get overwhelmed? ALL THE TIME! I feel like I’m the queen of feeling overwhelmed. Do I experience self-doubt? Probably DAILY! But the moments of doubt are also the exact opportunities to self-support, take a break or simply ask for help. Am I successful? Luckily, a long time ago, I redefined success in my own mind apart from money in this blog post from 2018. I’ve never had money, I’ve always had debt, and that felt hindering to the word success… As soon as I didn’t allow money to define my success I am super successful!!

Thanks for reading! Thanks for getting to know who I am today. And thanks for supporting me in my business ventures. They say don’t mix business with pleasure, I CALL BULLSHIT! Make your pleasure your business, prioritize it, even if just for a few minutes day: be barefoot, breathe deep, drink tea, slow down, write something, read a book, paint a picture, listen to your fave song, sing loudly, do a few sun salutations, look at a tree, hug a tree, talk to animals, smile in the mirror, talk to the person in the grocery line, paint your toenails, handstand!, clean the floor, cook a meal, tell someone (or everyone) you love them, hug yourself, put your feet up, should I keep going??… But really DO something!

And if you feel inspired, support me in my business ventures. Now, if you join the online community with Grateful Yoga you not only have access to yoga classes with me online, but there are also meditations and *BLOG* posts. Memberships start at just $30/month and each one of you who joins makes a HUGE difference in my regular daily life. Thank you! Retreats, teachers trainings and consultations can all be accessed thru Rise and Vibe, year long + ongoing! And for travel, reach out next time you or someone you know has a trip coming up, or book + browse right thru my site: chrissylefavour.inteletravel.com. If you can’t find what you’re looking for or are not sure what it means to be a travel agent, ask me! For those of you who love booking and planning your own trips like me, you might decide to become an agent for your own benefit.

Regardless of all of the above, you know I love you. I miss you. And we are ALL together. And regardless of form, GRATEFUL YOGA has been a backbone for me conceptually ever since I thought about it for the first time. To cut at the beginning of page 3, that’s it! Grateful Yoga is still a HUGE part of my identity and I’m stoked about that, Rise + Vibe has given me a platform to shine in leadership and now the travel industry is literally opening doors worldwide for me. Let’s stick together in hard work, loving kindness and gratitude for all things, today and all days!

THANK YOU for sticking around

THANK YOU for practicing gratitude

THANK YOU for joining me in reflection on 2022

And THANK YOU for being you.

Chrissy was amazing! She made my wellness retreat complete. She is knowledgeable, compassionate and patient, going above and beyond to accommodate us and our schedule. I highly recommend… Love her spirit and vibe!

BELOW you’ll find LINKS and avenues towards more information

Join our virtual studio: www.patreon.com/gratefulyoga

Check out our upcoming virtual YTT: https://www.riseandvibeyoga.com/teacher-training/2023online-intensive

Here’s my travel agent page where you can browse and book all things travel: chrissylefavour.inteletravel.com

I mentioned consulting adn creating websites, in addition to all my own pages, check out this page I’m finishing up for our friend Emmi. Another sample of my work: https://www.pureenergymassageandyoga.com/

Anythings else? PLEASE be encouraged to leave a comment below

..and feel free to send me an email anytime: chrissy@gratefulyogavt.com

Be Great. Live Full. Do Yoga.