One of my best friends, Jennifer Schrage of Entouch Yoga and Massage, recently gave up her corporate job to chase her dream of opening her own yoga and massage studio. She has a really cool story to tell and some tips for us on how we can incorporate some zen into our everyday life. Check out our interview below:
You took a big risk in leaving a secure job to pursue your passion. Tell us what you were doing before you opened Entouch, and what prompted you to leave the corporate world to do so.
I was working for a local homebuilder. I took care of many things including permits, scheduling and assisting the entire construction staff. It was very stressful at many times throughout the year, and although I was great at my job, it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I enjoyed my co-workers and work environment, but sitting at a desk all day was wearing on me. As a yoga practitioner, I was always stretching and doing some “chair” yoga at my desk. The body is not meant to sit for long periods of time.
On a more personal level, I was finishing up massage school and became a licensed massage therapist, and was going through many life changes. I ended up going through a divorce, not having a home, but just staying with friends and family, and a time where I was really trying to figure out who I was.
During all my life changes, I met an amazing person, my now husband, Scott. If you are one to believe in soulmates, I honestly believe that he is mine. Together, we decided to put our talents and goals in action to create a wellness studio to provide our services to the community. Once discussing our goals and what we wanted to create, it was an easy decision that this is what I needed to be doing. So, I left my job of 13 years to pursue our dreams.
How did you summon the courage to take the leap?
It was hard. I have been working with a steady paycheck since I’ve been 16 years old. So to take that away and then start a business from scratch and not knowing when money will start to come in was a huge risk. But sometimes you need to let your intuition guide you. I just knew it was the right choice. It’s where I was called to be. So I put my trust in the universe and everything I need has been provided. Sure, it would be nice to have that extra paycheck, or paid vacation time. But I am happy, healthy and helping other people get well and feel good about themselves. It’s a very rewarding job.
What advice would you give to other women who are considering leaving the corporate world?
Do what feels right. Follow what makes you happy. Ask yourself why you are doing the work you do. Trust that your needs will be met. It may not be an easy ride, but sometimes to get what you want, the journey can take us through some bumpy roads. Enjoy the journey, and appreciate what you can handle and overcome to find your true path.
Let’s talk about prenatal yoga. What pregnancy-related issues can it alleviate?
Yoga increases overall strength and flexibility which can help alleviate many common pregnancy related issues including nausea, low back pain, sciatica, and fatigue. Regular yoga practice can help reduce swelling and inflammation around the joints, promoting circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the entire body. The fluidity of movement in yoga supports healthy digestion and regularity. Aligning the body for poses opens the hips, tones the pelvic floor muscles, supports the spine, and prepares the body for labor and delivery. In addition to all of the physical benefits, a prenatal yoga practice will also help build confidence and trust between mama and baby, reduce stress, and group classes offer a supportive community.
Is it OK for a mama-to-be to participate if she has never done yoga before?
Absolutely! In fact, many women attend their first yoga class during pregnancy or postpartum. However, it is important to let the instructor know about any pregnancy related complications, so that she can give you modifications to keep mama and baby cared for!
Once the baby comes, many moms feel guilty leaving the baby to go take some time for themselves. What are your recommendations for post-partum yoga and self-care?
Self-care is so important. If you do not care for yourself, how can you care for others? It’s ok to take time away, even it’s only an hour a week. Take a yoga class, even if you spend the whole class in Shavasana to catch up on your sleep! Get a massage once a month, to help work out any tension. Go for a walk outside. Nature can provide a meditative state for many. Just 5 minutes a day of meditation can make a real difference.
You also offer reiki. Can you tell us what it is exactly and who is the best candidate for it?
Yes! So Reiki is an ancient Japanese energy healing. Practitioners channel the universal energy through their hands and onto the client. It’s hard to say what the client will feel. Everyone’s experience is different. Some experience heat or tingling, some may see colors or have an emotional release. Reiki can help reduce stress, promote relaxation and encourages healing. A session can aid in supporting the body to facilitate an environment for healing on all levels – physically, mentally, and emotionally. It also helps balance the body’s charka system. Chakras are our energy centers in the body. Each one is linked to different emotions, and endocrine glands throughout the body. Reiki is a subtle and effective form of energy work.
Can you share some yoga and massage techniques that all women can do at home?
It’s good to remember, that all yoga is not physical. While it’s great to move the body there are lots of ways to do yoga. Take a few minutes and breathe. Deep breathes in and out through the nose. Meditate. There are tons of guided mediations online if that’s something you’ve never tried. Read a book on yoga. There’s so much information out there. Or, do some physical yoga. Take 10 minutes and do some sun salutations, or an online class. Lay on the floor and put your legs up the wall to help release the lower back and hips.
While practicing yoga is a great way to release tensions in the body, nothing really compares to getting a massage. But, you can try foam rollers or tennis balls as well. There are many different sizes, shapes and firmness to foam rollers, so make sure to get the right one for your body. I like to have one with a little give, so it’s not painful for the body. You never want to cause yourself pain, as that will add more tension to the body rather than release. Or, you can always try to persuade your partner to give you a little back rub 🙂
Are you a yoga buff or yoga newbie? Share your zen like experience below in the comments!
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