I definitely didn’t wake up one day and think I’m going to be a Yoga, Pilates and Barre fitness instructor. I wanted a career on the stage, performing in musical theatre. When I was 16 mum encouraged to get my first teaching qualification in Level 2 Exercise to music. I have always been confident, even at a young age and mum knew I would be able to lead a group of people in an exercise class. I found the practical easy, picking steps up quickly and choreographing my own routines, however I’m dyslectic and really struggled to complete the anatomy and physiology theory paper. On my 3rd attempt I was given a reader and at long last I PASSED! I just needed a little help. I then started collage and studied Musical Theatre. Whilst in college I started lifeguarding for a local sport centre where my dad taught swimming. I didn’t mind the job, but I knew it was not what I wanted for the rest of my life. Throughout collage teachers would say, “what is your goal Adriana, you need to prepare for uni” I knew in my heart Uni was not for me. I started to feel quite lost and experienced a knock in my confidence after an unhealthy relationship. I didn’t feel myself and was unsure who I was supposed to be. I took a break and went travelling. I worked 2 ski seasons in the French Alps. There’s something about the mountains that’s so peaceful and beautiful. I met some amazing people from all over the world, who are still in my life today. Between seasons I had my favourite adventure with my sister Charlotte. We travelled to Bali for a holiday of a lifetime. Bali is a very spiritual place with lovely people. We had so many incredible experiences including scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing, seeing wild dolphins, visiting temples and even meeting the locals for a cooking lesson. I felt happy and regained my confidence, I was once again, full of energy and felt blessed to have these opportunities and experiences. As part of the same summer, I went to Greece, which has a special place in my family’s hearts. We return to a little island named Poros every year. I feel I have spiritual connection with the island and the people. It was at the end of the summer, I decided to progress my teaching and get a Level 3 Pilates qualification. My mum had started her own business and I would be able to teach for her. I was able to start teaching Pilates straight after qualifying and then with my ETM and ballet training, I was able to start running barre classes for mum and other studios. I loved teaching and it was suggested I train as a Yoga teacher but I was not sure, it had never really interested me and the spiritual side scared me. In the summer of 2018 I started my Yoga journey. I learnt that Yoga is not a religion but a beautiful lifestyle, the spirt was nothing to be scared of but something to embrace and the physical practice (asana) was only one part of the practice created to help balance and understand the physical body. I felt as if light was shining down on me, filling me with purpose and guiding me into this new world of Yoga. I was ready to share the knowledge I had with the world and start working on my own practice. I started teaching more classes and found my lifeguarding shifts where clashing with my dream to teach full time. So decided to stop lifeguarding and to build a teaching career, this felt great. Doors started opening for me with other studios and I soon realised this is what I want to do full time. At the time, I didn’t have enough classes to earn a living and unless you know someone to introduce you, it’s not easy getting your name on the cover list to teach at new gyms or studios. I found out that the Fitness Industry is not always welcoming even-though we should be working together to build a network. I am currently teaching swimming, Yoga, Pilates and Barre Pilates, as well as managing a Yoga studio. I now earn enough to support myself.
I work every day although it does not feel like working! I still have time to improve my own practice and plan what I need for classes. I enjoy going to classes to continue to grow as a teacher and a person. I have an interest in crystals and wish to learn more about this Yogi world.
What have I learnt so far? That everything happens for a reason even if at the time you don’t see it and with each experience we become stronger and wiser. We are all on a path and the universe will guide us if we let it. Do the things that make you happy and stay connected with the people you love.
My next trip is to Thailand. I look forward to sharing my travelling journey with you.
Breath and Balance Fitness 