A few months ago there was a major shift in my life journey that brought me back to Sardinia, a place I grew up visiting and one that I called home for 4 years over 10 years ago. In the blink of an eye – or so it seemed, I went from teaching French in Canada to teaching yoga in Costa Smeralda!
In my youth I was consumed by wanderlust, living day by day and enjoying every random and unplanned event in my life. Ten years and two kids later, I had grown content and comfortable in my life as a teacher, wife, and mother, living back home in Canada. Since my return to Canada I have spent every summer in Sardinia, and could never imagine not spending them in this beautiful tourist destination. Needless to say, when the opportunity arose to move back to Sardinia I was both excited and anxious. It took everything in my type-A brain to push aside my worries, anxiety, and fear of the unknown. People would describe me as a planner and a perfectionist, so one could imagine that the simple thought of ‘not knowing’ is genuinely difficult for someone like me to accept.
As if the preparation for our big move wasn’t enough stress, I had also decided to finally take that yoga instructor course I had been contemplating over the past few years. Completely coincidental, and in retrospect, completely timely. The ideals and concepts that are the foundation of yoga and mindfulness are the exact ones that prepared me for my big move. Every time I questioned my decision, every time I was consumed by ‘what if’s?’, I reminded myself about the importance of being in the present and living each day to its fullest. At first, I forced myself to think this way. Let’s be honest, a yoga teacher must practice what they preach! To my surprise, over time my change in mindset became more innate and automatic and ultimately it was my saving grace at a time when I would have normally succumbed to my stress. I’m still that perfectionist and planner, but I’ve learned to trust the universe and to leave some room for spontaneity in my life. It’s a constant battle, and sometimes the yogi in me loses but I’ve come to terms with it. It’s all part of the journey.
Summer is over and our habitual end of summer return will not happen this year. School has started back home, and I’m not there to welcome my students. But that’s okay. I am here in sunny Sardinia, and I feel blessed and grateful that I have been given the opportunity to put my yoga theory into practice. I’m still a teacher, but for now a yoga teacher! For the last 3 months I have been teaching yoga lessons at Tenuta Pilastru, a stunning rural hotel nestled in the Sardinian countryside. Not too shabby I’d say! Albeit the yoga community is still not as diffused and popular as it is in North America, I’m hopeful that the open-minded women that I am teaching are only the first of a long line of future yogis living in the area. There is always room for spiritual growth and mindfulness. I cannot foresee the future. I’ve always known that yet I’ve always attempted to challenge fate. So for now, I reside in sunny Sardinia teaching yoga lessons in a beautiful location, reminding myself every single day to trust the journey and un-become everything that doesn’t serve me.
Looks like you moved to an amazing area to do amazing things. This is inspiring me to try yoga. Enjoy the moment!
How wonderful Lisa! So glad you are settled and doing yoga! Lovely photos!
Thanks Kate! How about you? Have you started teaching?
My goodness, what an incredibly beautiful place to not only practice, but teach yoga. I’ve been practicing yoga for a number of years now and the mental peace it’s given me has been priceless. Certainly, there is still stress and anxiety in my every days, but now I’m far better able to handle it. x
I agree! I will always be that type A person, but doing yoga every day grounds me and helps me immensely!
Great article. Love it. “Unbecoming”. So happy for you and all the positive changes you have made for yourself.
Thanks for stopping by Son! It means a lot. I have come a long way, but I still have so far to go 😉
Oh my goodness, this is so cool! You have surely relocated to a lovely place. I’m so happy too that you took the big step to do such! I wish nothing but the best for you Lisa 😀
Thank you Aileen!
I have practiced yoga for many years and find so much peace in it, not to mention how much better I feel overall. I’m a bit jealous and wish I could live out my dreams like you. What a lovely, amazing place!
What a major change, and a neat experience! Your home is so gorgeous, definitely a peaceful place to teach yoga. I love your message about following your journey and letting go of the things that don’t really better your life.
Thank you…it’s a work in progress! It’s hard to let go of everything you know, especially home! Day by day…
That looks like a lovely place to visit or move as it may be. I would love to see the area for myself someday and we never know where life may take us but it is always nice when it takes us to such a beautiful location, so great! Thanks for sharing your story!
I have been on a journey myself, and it has exploded with such growth and newness. I appreciate this article. It was very refreshing. I am truly happy for your direction. You sound truly amazing!
Thank you! It was also refreshing for me to share a more personal story than usual!
Wow, that place looks beautiful. Makes me want to move there. I do want to master yoga one of this days. But first, gotta start with a few moves, I’m getting less and less flexible as I age.
Tell me about it! I’ve never been flexible, but doing yoga every single really helps!
Never a dull moment in your life Lisa Codina! You wouldn’t be the amazing person you are though if it weren’t for all these life experience ❤️
I know, lol! Thanks so much Jody!
Girl…you have no idea how much I needed to read this. I haven’t told many people this as yet, but I am considering moving myself. I am at a crossroads in my life right now, stuck on what road to take. Hoping that the answer comes sooner rather than later.
Tami, I had no idea! I’m so glad this post resonated with you. People like to think it is (maybe those who would never take the leap) that it’s so easy, but it’s not all the time. If I hadn’t (and wasn’t still) telling myself to trust the journey every single day, if would be even more difficult!! I hope you find your answer soon…and if you need any support, I’m here for you 😉
I have never been into Yoga but I think I could enjoy this yoga. What a peaceful surrounding while you are meditating. I am so proud of your decisions and how you are living out your dream. We all need to do this.
Thank you Censie…it seems like it should be, but it’s not that easy! Whenever you make these kind of life decisions, you also leave people behind!
It’s always hard to give up what we know best, but when we do we are granted with little gifts of life that open our mind and soul. You’re brave and courageous. Good for you for taking a leap of faith. Om. 🙂
Thank you so much Jennifer! It’s hard to be brave when there’s fear. But then again, if we don’t face our fears we won’t learn anything about life, will we?!
I don’t think I would have had to contemplate that decision too long and would have jumped at the opportunity to relocate to such an amazing area. I guess when you add kiddos and hubbie to the mixture, it is a rather difficult decision. Enjoy your time there to the fullest!
Thank you! The grass is not always greener…although this ‘grass’ looks much prettier than the grass at home 😉
Livin the dream!
You know it! You helped me with it all 😉
An amazing read to start my Monday.
What a great lesson you have passed on to all of us!
Thank you and I will follow your lead!
Angela
Awe, thanks Angela! I’m glad to hear that my story can inspire others to take the plunge 😉