Growing Pains (Part 2 of 6)

“There will be pain, there will be doubt, there will be beauty, there will be the unknown… But most importantly, there will be you.” – Maya Angelou

My story continues with the next expansion after moving into my single family home where my studio was in the basement. Things picked up in my home studio and I felt at peace with the work I was doing. I was blessed by the presence of wonderful students who were experiencing transformation through the practice. I was teaching more classes and students were bringing loved ones to share the experience. I believed this was it. I was honoring my calling and sharing this practice in the safety of my home. 

As class numbers grew I realized I could not accommodate many more students. With no additional space to move into the only option was to restrict class sizes. This saddened me because I never wanted to turn away anyone who was drawn to practice, yet I had no other solution. 

As if the Divine was waiting for me to open to change, something happened that pushed me quickly from a fixed mentality into a growth mentality. A neighbor across the street and down the block, not even next door, became curious about the flow of people coming in and out. My students were respectful and parked where they did not disturb anyone, so this curiosity was not about a problem. It was simply curiosity. 

She stopped one of my students on her way into class and asked what was going on. My student happily shared information about classes and encouraged her to join. She never joined us on the mat, but she did report me to the Homeowner’s Association for running a business out of my home. I soon received a letter giving me 10 days to close down or face escalation. 

Anger, fear, and a sense of defeat rose in me like never before. There was no way I could shut down and leave my students hanging. I searched for options and looked at spaces I could rent temporarily, but nothing worked out. I felt stuck. 

Even as I sat in defeat there was something else rising too, a sense of determination. I was not going to give up. It was bigger than me and I had to continue no matter what. I took a drive around my neighborhood to find clarity and as I traveled down Brooke Lane my eyes landed on a small, somewhat creepy looking house with a cinderblock garage and a nice amount of land. It was for sale by owner and in that moment something sparked. I could purchase that property and move my studio there. In my eyes it was a diamond in the rough with great potential.

In early 2008 I began the process of acquiring and building on what became “The Dojo.” The journey was nothing like the process of purchasing my second home. The recession hit and my loan was pulled not once, not twice, but three times. I was told I had to come up with a substantial down payment in a short period of time or lose the deal along with my good faith deposit. A series of what I can only call miracles unfolded. I received support through donations from my community and an angel investor who helped with the remaining balance. At the last minute the funding came together. The paperwork was signed and finalized on August 18, 2008. 

The process taught me about faith, perseverance, the strength of community, and the power of speaking things into existence. Renovation brought its share of twists and turns, but nothing compared to the journey to reach that point. I believed I had finally arrived and this time it was for real.

Or so I thought. After six years of comfort in the Dojo, that familiar nudge resurfaced, calling me to embrace growth once again.

Read Part 3: Leaving the Comfort Zone

With love and gratitude,
Dana Andrea

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