Anniversary Reflection
September 1, 2014 marked the 9th Anniversary of my studio’s birth. I would like to take a moment to reflect upon this crossing…
I opened my studio on this tiny sand bar when I was 24 years old. I was in love with the practice and the lifestyle the practice encompasses. There was very little yoga when I started teaching on the Outer Banks, so I knew that if I wanted a community, I had to create it.
I often hear yoga teachers say, “I really need to practice” or “I wish I had more time to practice,” etc. I have to admit that for me teaching was a way I could support my lifestyle as a practitioner. It is all about practicing.
It is difficult to work certain jobs and maintain a disciplined yoga practice and the clean lifestyle that supports it. Daily practice sustains me, like food. It is necessary to live a wholesome life. I wanted to create a safe, sacred space in the world to support these practices and help sustain this lifestyle, not just for myself, but for others also.
There is something beautiful about a community of people who are working to improve themselves and live a pure happy life. I felt the ocean supported and inspired this spiritual growth.
For some reason, I always knew that spiritual growth is something that happens in intervals over time. I never felt the process should be rushed. Patience is key.
Therefore, my intention behind the creation of the space was to support this growth and nourishment long term and to work in conjunction with the energy of the water which surrounds the island.
For years, Mysore classes were very small. The practice is difficult and students often drift in and out. As a teacher, I knew I had to remain steady and continually be there for my students through thick and thin.
Dedication pays off. Eventually, the practice seeps into one’s life. My community has grown a lot in the past nine years. I have a wonderful group of students, many of which have been practicing almost the entire time I have been open.
The Outer Banks is a close knit community in general. We are faced with natural disasters every year, so we pull together as a community to survive. This closeness is felt among my students in my studio. It warms my heart.
Not only do I have a wonderful local community, but our community grew globally when I began to host senior teachers in the lineage. David Williams came to teach in 2010 followed by David Garrigues in 2011 and Tim Miller in 2013. The Outer Banks is the perfect destination venue for creating events and gatherings.
I value all the connections I have made through the years, and I appreciate everyone’s support. Being a part of the lineage is such a gift. I have cultivated and maintained long term, fulfilling relationships with friends, students, colleagues, and teachers that will last a lifetime.
I look forward to our continued growth as a community both locally and globally. It is fulfilling to have all of you in my home.
To celebrate this crossing, I will be teaching a FREE multi-level yoga class on Saturday, September 27 at 10 am.
With Blessings to All Beings,
Michelle Dorer
Owner, Director, Teacher – Ashtanga Yoga Center, Outer Banks, NC