It was 2017, I was 28, a maiden, renting at Peregian Beach, busy planning for our wedding in 2018 in Italy, working full time in a corporate high stress job, teaching yoga across multiple studios in the evenings and trying to figure out why the hell each month my bleed would floor me. Amongst all of that, in my ‘main’ line of work (human resources business partner) I saw SO many people unwell. Mentally, physically, spiritually AND I often told people “if I didn’t have my yoga practice I would not be where I was.”
I was interested in a lot of topics, and really starting to lean into the philosophy or the ‘living’ side of yoga, off the mat after having taught yoga for around 4 years. I remember sitting in the spare room of the three bedroom house we had for just the two of us, and writing out a plan for an Online Wellness Hub. A place that I could share yoga videos in, but also one where I hosted discussions / talks on topics like mindset, values, wellness in the workplace, stress management using the breath, offering tools beyond just a shifting of energy through physical practice but also knowing that the physical practice must be there because it has a phenomenal way of allowing us to shift what’s stagnent or stuck.
So I began, I enlisted the help of a videographer to film some short classes, I started to write a list of topics and I put a placeholder page on my website www.kathardingyoga.com (still the same website today). The videos never came back, I got refunded from the videographer, life went on. We bought a townhouse, got stuck into renovations, still both working full time, still teaching my classes, went overseas to get married and honeymoon and then I came back pregnant and SICK. I redirected, I offered my time to teach for others again with the limited capacity I had. I created pre natal and post natal yoga videos for other online platforms, I taught in person and continued to study and be a mother full time. Every now and then I would get a request through some forum or another “hey can you come and film a video for us on ‘x’ topic'?” - sure can, but never did I do it for me. And well, 7 years later, here I am today.
This vision has been long held AND an edge for me. To share my voice online? To share my experiences / practices / the way I teach authentically online? Too hard, to scary, too big! To trust that I can personally step into running my own business, and that I am worthy of earning a payment for it - no way. It was seemingly easy to resist a new endeavour, too busy, kids, working for others. On top of that, when 2020 rolled around and it became so EASY to have an opinion, or to troll someone online I wasn’t even sure I would want to open my heart up to criticism and so I kept it and my energy close to home.
And yet, when everything came crumbling down in 2024, the message was loud and clear - SHARE WHAT YOU KNOW. Share it to people you know. Pass the linegage on. Share the wisdom you have gained. Reach further than just those who can afford to show up or be there in person. Teach yoga, do it now, step into your power. Finally do what you have been avoiding doing. And no, not by getting another in person class to share it in the safety of your home town (because those forums are never really yours to own either).
So, I did the thing. I gathered the tools and the tech I needed (although it’s still a work in progress) and now I present to you, my Online Studio!
A place that has been brewing for so long, that finally is yours to experience. A collection of online yoga practices, meditations, pranayama, talks and over time more, that comes directly from my heart.
It’s an edge for me you see, I am a Generator 4/1 - I LOVE collecting information and learning, and I love networking and connecting, feeding off the energy I am literally surrounded by.
In this online space I am sitting somewhere between those two ways of being and working on weaving them together. Moving my lounge chair away from the windows at home, leaning into my own energy, and already it seems, connecting with those of you near and far (hello Malta - I see you Jodie).
But it’s also an edge, because I have kids, limited time, my technology is slow (2015 Macbook Pro) and I have to have my external hard drive cord at just the right angle for it to stay on and not disconnect the download. I am not set up for this in many ways, but slowly with the help of wonderful friends I’m gaining knowledge, kid free quiet time and tech updates that have allowed this to be possible, for me, for you.
Big shout out to my friends, there as so many of you all around the world, who in some way or another have said GET IT GIRL and provided the wisdom, literally the equipment, the knowledge, the time, the gumption to get here. To Tobi, for both supporting me in this endeavour, for being my Projector Husband who knows that even when I don’t listen he is right and pushes me change locations for filming (he was was btw). To my little babes for reminding me that I am worthy of pursuing more than just motherhood and that these practices can create a more equanimous home environment, they are the products of that.
Lastly, if you want to bring yoga to your home, 3 minutes of conscious breathing, to guided and unguided meditations, physical practices from 8 minutes to 60 and so much more - join me. Every week there will be at least one new practice added to the studio, and it will continue to grow with both my offerings but also at some point, offerings from others too. I also encourage you to comment below and give me your requests - your wish is my command (as the Genie in Aladdin would say).
Whereever you are in the world, it is my hope that as this studio grows, we all grow together.
Lots of love to you all and thank you for reading and supporting this little patch of the internet of mine!
Kat x
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