We were lucky to catch up with Michelina Payetta recently and have shared our conversation below.
Michelina , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
The simple answer to this question is that my generosity comes from my heart. I believe that our heart space is of the highest vibration and all qualities and decisions lead from the heart remain pure, honest, authentic, and of course – with love.
The practice of yoga has led me to tap into the depths of the heart space as in the practice we cultivate awareness. This awareness is an exploration of self as the inner yoga honors the heart, soul, and highest self. This is the space that I try my best to always come from – as this includes the piece of generosity.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the owner/founder of our cozy home yoga studio: My Yoga Canyon Country, and this entails many roles. However, within all these responsibilities, my truest intention is to share the love of yoga and alternate but related entities. It gives me great joy and honor to share practices of self-discovery, love, and acceptance. Our slogan is “Let Your Lotus Bloom,” and in stepping into our yoga studio there is the opportunity to allow for the blooming of each being. The lotus flower blooms so beautifully from the most dark and murky ponds. We all have the darker and challenging spaces – and with the support of yoga + community all can bloom from these places and into something extraordinary.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t recognize how blessed I am to be able to have a yoga studio and create + offer all the magic within the space. Yoga is a gift that I have been given – and know it is my purpose to share. We are able to offer a variety of classes and offerings to best serve our community. We have an array of yoga lineages on the regular schedule, and many workshop and event offerings that are yoga + connected practices to choose from in alignment for your path. As of 2024 we have some new class offerings coming in: Wonderful Wall Yoga, Healing Hatha, and Kool Kids Yoga as also we will be hosting space for Reiki Training: Levels 1-4. In 2025 we have intention to share a 200 hr Yoga Teacher Training.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
In lieu of being a business owner the three most important qualities entail: having a plan, being organized, and sharing from the heart.
Having a plan and being organized go hand in hand. In having a plan, it can allow for structure and clarity for self, the business, employees, and for the community. Another piece to having a plan is to have back up plans and know that change is constant – so take a breath, be flexible, re-access, and move forward in the best and most integral way possible. In the depths of planning find the best way to be organized. I have both an electronic and paper planner with schedules for classes, workshops, events, privates, due dates for bills & payroll, and deadlines for an array of backend workings. I also have to do lists for marketing & promotions, updates needed on the website, communication to staff, and more…
Beyond the technical points of running a business within these two qualities – share from your heart. The authenticity, mindfulness, and love from your heart & energy will shine through. I have found this to be equally important to the functional needs of business.
As far as advise – know that you will have times of being weary, exhausted, and overwhelmed. Owning a business and especially being a one-person show is a lot. This is not something to discount – but also remember to circle back to your intention and your heart + your organized plan. Furthermore, try to make windows and ideally at least one day for yourself and away from the business space. You may still end up doing some backend work (as my one day a week to self does include this), but it still can constitute as a day that you can receive for self. Try to choose one self-care entity for this day.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I feel it is very important to utilize your strengths – most definitely. However, I think it is equally important to be open to improving the areas you are not as strong in. In fact, I feel that situations that you are not as experienced in will come up in being a business owner.
A great example for this and myself is the techie side of things. Tech was/is not my strength, but this is a hefty component to running a business + a powerful connection. I have spent many hours behind the computer and mobile for marketing & website – and I will be honest in that this was/is not my favorite or my forte. However, I have learned so much as I had to remind myself that this is part of the business, and I am grateful for the resource. Furthermore, I have gained so much knowledge in the techie world of business and I am very proud of myself for being open to understanding more foreign concepts and even pieces of the business that are not as desirable. In turn, though the website and marketing in back end takes a lot of time – I do love creating and sharing in this way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://myyogacanyoncountry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_yoga_canyon_country/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myyogacanyoncountry
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/my-yoga-canyon-country-canyon-country
- Other: Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/My+Yoga+Canyon+Country/@34.4282787,-118.4476784,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x80c289ebe9ca9371:0x5c6973efda6a102f!8m2!3d34.4282787!4d-118.4451035!16s%2Fg%2F11nn32q5g3?entry=ttu
Wellness Living Reviews: https://www.wellnessliving.com/yoga/canyoncountry/myyogacanyoncountry/review/?id_mode=12#rs-microsite-content
