This blog feels long neglected. Worry not, I haven’t forgotten about you my loyal students, colleagues, and followers. As you may have noticed, Shining Light has undergone some transitions since mid-March. I’ll take you through the past few months and into an exciting and broader-scope future.
The Studio: The studio, along with the rest of the county, went into lockdown on March 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our last in-person day was the last day of our Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training. On May 31, 2020, we closed the doors to the studio in Millvale. Our lease was up, and given the uncertainty of the pandemic, it was fiscally prudent to shutter.
Group Yoga: All group prenatal yoga classes were canceled when the studio closed. There is currently a glut in the market for online, group yoga. The market won’t bear more online classes for the duration. Group yoga classes will be on hiatus for the foreseeable future.
Group Classes: When the studio closed, all of our group childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care classes went online, on Zoom. From the student feedback I received, students were pleased with how the information was delivered and the flexibility of the format. I ran our last online group class last Wednesday.
Going forward, at least until December, there will be no online group classes? (Say what?!?! But you’ve been running group classes for 10 years!) It’s true, for the moment. Group classes may return in the spring. Stay tuned!
Grad School: See, if you didn’t already know, I’m in graduate school. I’m working on my Masters in Public Health (MPH). Mid-August begins my second year of coursework at Pitt. My focus is on Behavioral and Community Health Sciences with a certificate in Program Evaluation. I intend to stay with in my field of maternal-child health, broadening my scope of practice to better affect systemic change for all birthing people and families. So, my focus is slowly evolving from on the ground work with pregnant folks to behind the scenes work. By moving into Public Health, I can support many more pregnant people in a deeper way.
Will you still teach? Please?
Private Coaching and Classes: Yes, I am still teaching. All of my work now through Shining Light is private. I work directly, one-on-one with my clients, online, to help them have a better birthing and parenting experience. I do love my private coaching. It lets me dig into the meat of what my clients need and allows for a customized class and better client satisfaction.
Doula Services: At this time, I’m flying solo. With my grad school obligations, I am only taking repeat doula clients. So, if you were a Shining Light doula client or if you took my childbirth classes in the past, I’m happy to work with you again. Under certain circumstances, will I take a new client. New client eligibility will be determined through a phone consult.
Professional Development: Professional development workshops can be had, if there are enough interested parties. Likely, the prenatal yoga training won’t happen again till summer 2021. That is highly dependent on the circumstances with the pandemic, however.
This pandemic has brought a sense of transition for many of us. Some of us are now solely working from home, others may be unemployed. Those of us with children are trying to navigate daycare and schooling. Our political climate is hostile, to say the least. The Black Lives Matter protests are still going strong and my heart is with them. Our country, and my little business, are evolving. I see brighter futures for all of us, but the road is long and the air is foggy. The only way through is together, supporting one another. The light only shines when there is someone to ignite it.
Yours, in service, always,
~Deena
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