christine burke is an inspiration. i have been a student at liberation yoga since i moved into the neighborhood near the studio, located on la brea and 1st. it has been voted best yoga studio in la the past several years for a reason: not only is the instruction amazing, but the message the owners, staff, and teachers put out through how they approach life is a constant inspiration. earlier this year, a flood ruined the beautiful hardwood floors of the indoor studio. instead of closing down or succumbing to despair as most of us would, christine and all of liberation chose to teach in the midst of this strangely warped floor as alternatives were explored. a large mound in the center of the floorboards evolved into a mountain the teacher could demonstrate on. the messages in the newsletter became more and more amusing with references to an insurance assessor who had never seen such a thing happen to wood before. it got to the point where i was even rather sad when it was time to for the new flat floor to come in.
a great example that life is what happens when we're making other plans. thankfully, we have examples like christine, who show us how to weather the bumps in the road gracefully. what follows are her answers to some questions she was kind enough to let me ask about starting a business and how she fell in love with yoga.
enjoy, and thanks christine, and liberation for all your hard work and great vibes!
image: whole life times.
Caroline Donahue: When did you first begin practicing yoga?
Christine Burke: I first began practicing yoga in New York in 1994 at Jivamukti.
CD: When did you decide to begin teaching?
CB: I didn't really choose teaching, it kind of snuck up on me. After
practicing for many years, I began dreaming about it and thinking about
themes, sequences, inspirations all the time. It just kept coming to me
unbidden. Then I was thrown into a few substitute positions when teachers
wouldn't show up at the studio where I was the general manager at the
time. I fell in love with it and that led to a teacher training program
and then many teaching opportunities presented themselves.
CD: How did your relationship to yoga evolve to the point of
wanting to open Liberation?
CB: That is a rather long and complicated story actually. It involves the
demise of the studio where I was (along with my husband) the General
Manager. It was undergoing some difficulties and the owner was looking to
sell it. We were saddened to think of this historical institution that
was a landmark as being an INDEPENDENT studio turn into a chain studio
(Yoga Works was very interested in buying it as part of their strategy to
swallow up small studios as they become THE only yoga choice in Southern
California) so we did our best to try to buy the studio ourselves. For
reasons that I won't go into it became a very messy and unjust situation
and we decided to start fresh and create a studio that stood for what we
believe in - authenticity, freedom, diversity and independence. So
Liberation Yoga was born as an answer for those who want to choose
something unique and not run in a corporate manner.
CD: How has your relationship to your practice changed as a result of
owning/running/teaching at the studio?
CB: My practice is less about the physical aspects of yoga as a result and
more about the philosophy and spirit of the practice being incorporated
into what we do for our community through Liberation on a daily basis. I
still love the physical practice but I would say it has expanded my vision
in a good way about what yoga as a lifestyle truly is.
CD: What was the most challenging thing about getting started? What
piece of advice would you give yourself if you could travel back in
time to the beginning of the process?
CB: The most challenging thing was raising money and learning how to be a
business person in a very intense short period of time while handling
lawyers, investors, contracts and realtors and keeping my integrity and
passion for the end goal alive. I would tell myself to trust more and
panic less.
CD: What do you do to maintain balance in your life while being a
business owner? Tips for taking care of yourself while living as a
successful entrepreneur?
CB: This is an ongoing process for me - to learn when to stop working and how
to have free time. As an entrepeneur you are never "off the clock" and at
the end of the day every detail comes down to you. So just recognizing
that I will never get it all done and I still have to "punch out". I try
to treat myself in little ways and remember to celebrate the little
triumphs and stand back and see the big picture frequently so the details
don't weigh me down. I take true joy in seeing people benefit so much and
feel so at home in the studio and feeling that we make a difference in
people's lives is a huge driving force. Sleep is key and good food as
well as keeping up my own yoga practice!
CD:What has been the most wonderful part of starting Liberation? Do
you have any favorite memories or moments?
CB: The most wonderful part of Liberation is really a sum of all parts. The
community is so strong and especially the community of teachers and staff.
It feels like an extended family and to see that we can create that sort
of health environment as a workplace is really heartening in this day and
age. Also just the physical accomplishment on a daily basis of
manifesting something for the good of the whole and then tending it and
seeing it grow.
Favorite moments are MANY but I think that one that stands out as truly
unbelievable was our 2 year anniversary party. (we throw one for everyone
each year) - at this one there was a big scavenger hunt surprise that the
students and staff arranged for us - it culminated in a collection that
had been taken up to give us a vacation or some needed time off - they
gathered $1,200 on our behalf! it was so unexpected and moving and we
ended up buying the garden studio a heater with that money so everyone
got a gift! One other was the film we made for the 3 year anniversary
where we interviewed people and their passion about what yoga and
Liberation gives the was deeply moving.
CD: What piece of advice/suggestions would you have for someone ready
to make a transition towards their dream work?
CB: Don't think it's easier!!! It is NOT easier but it is fueled by love and
that makes all the difference.
CD: What are your dreams and plans currently? What do the next few
years hold for you and Liberation?
CB: Our dreams and hopes are to expand to the top of the building and add
another room that will double as a theater which is our original calling.
We had our own theater for 4 years and we have longed to bring that
together with yoga. In addition we would add a small cafe and have this
be a true center for art, personal growth,community, health and dreams to
be realized!
CD: Anything else you'd like to add that I have forgotten to ask?
CB:Don't let fear keep you from your goals - it's a disservice to everyone. Thank you so much for your interest and for being part of Liberation~
Inspiring! Liberating!
Posted by: ann | 28 May 2008 at 15:08