Introducing Videris friend and founder of Auckland movement studio, SALA, Sarah Lindsay. A business owner, yoga teacher, new mother, and wearer of many hats, Sarah talks to us about how she combats the feeling of overwhelm, taking time for herself and holding space for others.
Hi Sarah!
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am a yoga teacher, movement lover, storyteller, red wine drinker, day dreamer, music lover. My favourite colour is yellow because it reminds me regardless of the situation, tomorrow the sun will rise again.
What have you been doing lately?
Last weekend I finished teaching our 200hr yoga teacher training, which is so many contrasting things all at once; laborious, intense and delicious. Holding that space for 18 curious minds as they embark on a new path is such a gift, but also really very emotionally demanding. This one was running alongside the opening of SALA 2.0, so it’s been a busy couple of months to say the least.
Describe yourself in 3 words
Curious, fearless and fun-loving. Say yes to life is my eternal motto.
How do you know you're heading towards burnout and what do you do to prevent it?
I become uninspired and quite irritable when I’m at the end of my capacity, unfortunately it’s usually my husband who catches this before I do. Last year I made a conscious commitment to work on my input - output relationship. I began by cutting down on alcohol and late nights, to work in alignment with my natural rhythm which is definitely early rising. I really consider what goes into my body, and eat nutritious food which supports the energy demanded of me. I’m not a great cook so I use a food delivery service which makes making healthy meals easy. I think when you try and change everything at once the enormity of it all can feel overwhelming, so I try to make small incremental changes over time instead. I hope one day I’ll be able to say I don’t experience burnout at all anymore and have found that sweet elusive balance, but until then I’m building a pretty good toolkit. I suppose in some ways burnout is inevitable when you’re a business owner and a mother, no matter how hard you try.
Do you have a quick technique you use when you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed?
Moving my body has always been a powerful way to get me out of my over-thinking, planning mind and back into the anchor of my body.
What's something someone has said to you that resonated?
Sometimes your boat doesn’t come in and you have to swim out to it.
What are three things you do just for yourself?
Moving my body - I love all types of movement, but yoga has always been particularly powerful for me. Listening to music - I love walking aimlessly with my headphones. In the evenings I play records. I like the process of changing a record. Music is a big part of my life. Reading (baby permitting) - I’m currently rereading The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov which I got from the local mini library on my street.
What's something not many people know about you?
My dream job is to be a therapist and I often toy with going back to university to complete my masters. Never say never.