Hot Spot Preston

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Words are power. They can be healing balms of love and positivity, or weapons to inflict pain and misery. I discovered just how acute the power of words can be within the context of teaching, and communications in my private domain. When I have thoughts and scenarios in my head, it is only real for me. The moment these thoughts pass into forms of communication like speech and writing, they become real.

I did my absolute best for the studio 2020 - 2022, and for the first time in my life, my best was not enough. My will to endure was not strong enough to overpower personal trauma associate with the studio. I made a decision early 2022, and my entire life since has been ripples radiating until now.

Mayumi has been managing the studio for the longest time in my absence. As of 1 July 2023, she will inherit Hot Spot Preston and the top-tier community. I held off the announcement for as long as I could. Once this post is up, it becomes real. In my position, reality has been hard to accept.

I reflect back with truck-loads of pride, bittersweetness - my heart is full. It took a village of good people for the studio to be what it has been, is now, and will be through the guidance of Mayumi and her vision. I know with confidence all of you are in good hands - as a new mummy, there is a newfound fierceness and resolve in Mayumi that I have never seen before. Excited for the good times ahead for us Hot Spotters!

It doesn't matter which hot room I am in, which podium I stand on...as long as I am teaching, I will always be in "boss-mode". This is something ingrained - teaching mode is a part of who I am. Yet, as official studio owner, I have 2 weeks with you Hot Spotters.

Sunday 18 June, Wednesday 21 June, Saturday 24 June and Wednesday 28 June. I hope to see your "smiling happy face" on the mat. "British bulldog determination and Bengal tiger strength" - will you be joining me to sweat?

Bikram Yoga Preston rebranded as Hot Spot Preston. An insane amount of blood, sweat and tears - literally - went into the fitout of the studio. I can only lay claim to being the 3rd top person who knows the skeleton of our new site inside out. Our April 2017 Grand Opening held so much promise and renewed vitality. A fresh business concept grounded in our Bikram Hot Yoga roots, and in partnership with Inferno Hot Pilates party vibes.

I ran the studio like it was my own home, teachers my family - shoes off at the door, practice with respect, understand how to share space, yoga with discipline and awareness, and HIIT like a night club every single class! If anyone had asked me pre-2020 how I was, my answer is "happy"! I was on cloud nine. Everything I worked so hard for, the pay-off and life satisfaction was incredible. Hot Spot Preston had SWAG! We all contributed energy and vibrancy. In our hot room, singularity became "one".

You all know I love my imagery and analogies...I have always considered myself to be a good driver, assertive yes, plus always checking traffic conditions ahead, behind, all the whilst headbanging to loud EDM music. 2020/2021 hit me like a freight train. Beyond COVID and lockdowns that we all had to persevere through, on every other level, my life crumpled, and I fell apart.

To date, my best and worst memories were lived within those studio walls. I had been on the highest of highs, then I had to learn just how far I could fall...and all the things I say to you in HIIT, to repeat those motivations to myself like a mantra, every morning & night, so that I could scrape myself off the floor every day since 2020.

Throughout 2021-2022, I did the best I could to contain personal heartbreak associated with 120 Regent St and poured mental focus on getting the studio back up and running. The studio was my livelihood, source of self confidence/worth & a sanctuary to a community shellshocked by prolonged Melbourne lockdowns.

The maxed out class when Mayumi had to practice just under the podium, cat yoga, the laughter in the hallway, chatter in the changerooms, and me yelling from the reception "no chatting under the showers!" - I still remember them...do you?

Not many people know this, in 2015/2016 - I almost gave it all up. The studio was extremely successful, however factors outside of my control created immense psychological and financial strain. I seriously contemplated walking away - yet I was really lucky to have tremendous support. So I took the plunge and soldiered on.

By then, the studio became my life's purpose - gather and welcome the best teachers, learn from incredible business mentors like Shaan, Michael and Susan, create an environment for students to progress and learn. The most rewarding part is 100% job satisfaction, and being able to touch the lives of people from all walks of life. I made friends, some who continue to support me on a personal level.

10 years of photos, 10 years of memories. Laughter and tears. I'm due for long service! Lugging packs of bottled water up those stairs when we were on High Street helped to prepare me for glute exercises in Inferno Hot Pilates!

10+ years of unfailing support from my family, teachers and the community. Some students became teachers and peers. Some of you moved away. Some had life changes. Some left, and then returned. All throughout, I held space and protected the hot room with pride - as much for my own sanity, as it was to give back to all of you who came to practice and sweat together.

Where has the time gone? Are you all well? Sweating, moving and staying healthy somewhere, somehow, out there in the world?

Bikram Yoga Preston opened in late February 2012. The intention was to set up a studio where teachers and students alike would enjoy teaching and practising at, and to see where my drive would take me in the world of yoga & small business ownership.

Luckily, I had the support of a core group of amazing teachers I had taught together in the Bikram world with from 2009 - 2012. These now considered "old-time" troopers supported my vision, and helped me shape important fundamental principals that because the backbone to my studio and business.

Gradually, one by one, you came. And more joined. Until our community swelled and thrived.

Those were the days when the 6am troopers would turn up, and ended up doing silent guided classes with me. When we all practiced unfazed through Sarah's Bikram class in the midst of an earthquake. When we celebrated Earth Day with candlelight classes and did our best not to burn the studio down. Those were the young and bright days of our studio and community as we slowly discovered what it meant to sweat together and open ourselves to the possibilities Bikram yoga brought into the hot room, and in our own private lives.

We had good times right?

Like attracts like. Kindness doesn't cost anything other than time and effort. I hope Hot Spotters continue to vibe together, and gift each other kindness.

I'm sure all owners who live and breathe their business can relate 😂 we take pride and joy in what we create. I've been lucky enough to have the best peeps accompany me along the way.

Some of my happiest and saddest moments have both been lived in the hot room. But that's life. So keep it simple. Breathe. Move. Sweat. Love the energy we create together 💪

Those moments, before or after class, what is happening in your mind? Only you will ever truly know.

And to know, for 60 or 90 minutes, your mind can relax, you can recharge and share time with other fabulous peeps, perhaps this is ultimately why we love the hot room so much? 💕