I have some BIG News for The Yoga Institute - Houston!
It's been 19 years since I bought The Yoga Institute in Houston from its founder, my dear friend and mentor, Lex Gillan ... 19 years of being the studio owner, teaching classes, offering and hosting workshops, retreats and events, and 19 years of having so many of you in my care, as members of my family, my community and my dear friends.
As of today - although I will remain on staff as a teacher - I will no longer be the owner of The Yoga Institute - Houston studio.
I've been making announcements in all of the classes in Houston this week, so I could speak to as many of you in person as possible, and now it is time for me to reach out to all of you in this forum.
I want you to know, that this has been the most rewarding, fulfilling and inspiring two decades of my life. Being the owner of the Houston studio has given me so many wonderful opportunities, and has brought so many beautiful, sweet and dear people into my life and into my heart. I have changed and grown in ways that are unimaginable. Certainly, there have been challenges and trying times, moments of deep sadness and grief - when I lost people who were closest and dearest to me and who were also intricately involved with the studio and in my life. It was hard for me, but all of you kept me going ... you were what kept me believing and hoping ... and loving and living my life. And the truth is, I wouldn't change a single moment. This has been a most precious gift and one that I will carry in my heart forever.
As I look back, I can't even begin to imagine what my life would have been like, who I would have been, or where in the world I would be - without all of you ... without this experience ...
About 6 months ago, I had a vision of the Houston studio, brimming with people and full of life. Everyone was so excited and happy ... the energy in my vision was palpable, it felt totally new and different ... every hair was standing on end! - And then ... I realized, I wasn't the person sitting at the desk.
For the first time in 19 years, (23 if you count the Clear Lake studio) I allowed myself to imagine and to ask, what would it be like for me to
not be the owner of this studio? What would it be like for me to be able to focus on and do what I am most passionate about and love most (which is to teach!) - without the managerial, administrative and financial responsibilities? And what would it be like to place this studio in someone else's care? And WHO would that be???
I got glimmers and flashes of a bright new incarnation of The Yoga Institute - Houston ... and I got glimmers of opportunities for me ... and memories of things that I had long ago set aside and forgotten.
In an instant I
knew ... it was literally like someone had flipped the switch and turned on the light.
And so it began. I approached a few people that I knew and trusted, and then I met with Lex. He sent out an email to everyone in his data base, saying that a studio owner had approached him and asked him to help her find someone to buy and take over her studio ... and within week we had an overwhelming number of people interested! I knew in that moment that I would be able to find
and
choose the "perfect person!" So we sent out 3 questions to help narrow the search. From the responses, there were a number of viable candidates that I personally met with and interviewed ... and then there were 6, and then 3, and then 2 and then ... there was - THE ONE!
I am so excited to announce that the new owner of The Yoga Institute - Houston is Alexandra ("Alex") Merkowitsch! Alex is a long time, well established teacher with a strong Anusara background and is very "connected" in the Houston yoga community. She really checked off every single one of my boxes, as "THE ONE"... the perfect person I was looking for! Alex has amazing energy and a great vision for our studio. I am so eager to see The Yoga Institute - Houston studio coming into a new era, with a bright new future!
Please join me in welcoming Alex into her new role, and her new home. With total trust and confidence, I am placing all of you and The Yoga Institute - Houston into her loving care.
Words cannot begin to express the love, and gratitude in my heart ... Thank you.
With Great Love,
Namaste'
Raye Lynn
Raye Lynn Rath
The Yoga Institute
