How to find your Dharma

Well, sounds "easy" right? For many finding our dharma is one thing but understanding is another. First let's define what dharma means. Dharma is the Sanskrit word for "life's purpose". We all have a purpose of being on this earth with the gifts we are given. Though finding what that purpose is a huge journey that has no road map and it's hard to navigate. There is much advice and opinions out there to provide guidance though it becomes too overwhelming. It can send you down the path that may not resonate or truly make you happy but make others happy.

As a child, you are learning who you are and all that encompass that. By the time you are 18 years old, you are supposed to have everything all "figured out". Talk about pressure... Honestly, I still was learning who I was and what I wanted to make of myself. When I thought I knew, life came by and smacked me in the face. In the end, I realized learning who I am is a lifetime journey because as humans we are always changing and evolving. As you age and life events occurring, it shapes you to a different person but the core of who you are, and your life's purpose or dharma doesn't change. What may change is how you share your gifts to the world.

Many have asked me how I found my dharma and why I choose the wellness space. Well, that's a long story... I will share the shorten version of my story. I found my dharma well before coming into the wellness space, but the original plan didn't pan out like I envision which I know many can relate.

Since I was young, I had a passion for teaching. I love teaching to everyone especially children, the knowledge and skills to guide them on their life journey. Naturally, I thought following in the footsteps of my aunts as elementary teachers was the path I was "supposed" to take. At 18, I went off to college to pursue my bachelor's in early childhood education with a minor in Special Education. Within in two years, I began to feel depleted. In this field, nothing I did was never enough to the parents, directors & board. My mental health began to take a turn for the worse and I knew something had to be done. During this time, I had been practicing yoga for about a year thanks to my mother-in-law, which provided me with a space to work on myself.

In the fall of 2019, I remembered attending my 6th yoga class in a week. The job I had at the time was very toxic and drain every last bit of my energy. As I walked into class that day, the thought of "what the hell am I supposed to do with my life" kept circling my mind like a song on repeat. By the end of class, the idea to become a yoga teacher hit me and I knew right away that was my true path.

With the help of yoga, all the life challenges strengthened me as a person and kept me grounded through many life-changing events. With my passion for yoga and teaching, it felt absolutely right to become a yoga instructor. I started my teacher training at Devanadi in October of 2020 and graduated in May of 2021. Not too long after, I began my Thai yoga bodywork training and started my own business, Be Free Be Yourself. Now working on my masters in Reiki through Jai Dee and certifications for Ayurveda, sound healing, & Yin Yoga. As a lifetime student, I continuously dive into different trainings to deepen my knowledge to apply into myself and clients' daily life.

Needless to say, continue to stay true to yourself and trust the process. There is the plan for you out there in order to live your purpose. At first, I really questioned the process, and I didn't want to think I was wasting my college degree. Though that thought is complete non-sense. Not everyone gets a job in the exact field they studied in college. Plus, you receive so much more than a degree when you attend college. In the end, what is important is learning and understanding who you are. When you do everything else falls into place. Your dharma and the path to share your purpose will come at the right time, but it involves a lot of work. If you are ready to take the leap of faith, fail, try again & prevail, you will become your best self. Know you are never alone; if you need guidance, don't be afraid or ashamed to ask for support. We all need it throughout our life!

Always remember be free be yourself because it’s the best person to be.

Much love,

Cristina