The Musings of a Gypsy Yogini

I’m moving 1000 miles away in a few weeks. Big Big decision… and it’s happening.

I knew this August was going to be a turning point- but I didn’t know which way the turn was going to go until about 6 weeks ago.

I’ve been all itchy and squirmy for about a year or so- I’ve needed something brand new. At first I thought it was college. I’m in love with holistic nutrition and wellness. I found a great program at Maharishi University that seemed to fit me exactly, AND it is only about 2 hours away from where I currently live. Lets see… 4 years of college- going into amazing amounts of debt with a degree that qualifies me to intern for free. At a gut level it wasn’t “just right“. But almost…

I’ve got a verrrryyyy long and beautiful story concerning the “how” I picked my current destination…but it’s novel length, and I’d love to share it sometime, but for now I’ll just reveal the destination: Atlanta, GA.

I had a specific list of “musts” for my next city:

(Not in any particular order)

No more winters

A state I’ve never lived in

A city with room for more yoga teachers

I must know at least ONE person

A city where I can continue my yoga education and study Thai Massage

Good farmers markets/ Whole Foods- Trader Joe’s

Good music/ Art scene

There are a few others, but Atlanta, GA absolutely hit the mark on every count.

I’ve been to ATL several times in the last few years, so I know my way around enough to feel pretty comfortable being there.

The dominoes have all fallen into place regarding my decision: got my downtown condo leased. The 6 month lease on my current apartment is up just in time to move into the sweet little cottage in Atlanta I fell in love with 3 years ago. It’s always timing, right?

I wanted to move to Atlanta 20 years ago because I was madly in love with a man that lived there- (he still does- and we are good friends). At the time I was 18 years old and such a punk kid with no idea what I was doing. (Love does that to a girl!)… Now I have my head on perfectly straight and I’m finally going to make it to Georgia.

I don’t have a job, but I have no doubt I’ll make that happen quickly… I did it in New York City, why not Atlanta? I plan to get a job teaching at the Aveda Institute and have a private practice for yoga students. (PERK: the cottage I’ll be living in was once used as a yoga studio– perfect!) I’ve got some big ideas for my future in Atlanta, but I’ll hold onto them and report back later on my progress…

August 1,2009 I will be living in Atlanta!

I’m incredibly excited/thrilled/scared/positive/confident/and sad all at the same time. I’m going to miss my mom so much. I’ve lived close to her for the last 6 years, and we’ve become even closer than ever. I just know it’s time for me to go…

I’ve known for quite awhile I have no intention to make Des Moines my long term home. Knowing that means I can’t “dig-in”- I avoid relationships & I put a cap on my business success… all because I’ve been living in a state of “waiting to leave”. I can’t live like that anymore. I need to be in a city where I plan to stick around long term- I’m ready to “dig in”. I will always want to travel and continue my gypsy ways, but I want a home base where I can build a successful business and form relationships….

Plus it has a sweet airport!