California 👉 Texas

Pasadena, CA — Sedona, AZ — Santa Rosa, NM — Killeen, TX — Houston, TX

There’s a beautiful saying in the Bhagavad Gita. I learned about it in my first yoga teacher training nearly 10 years ago and about a month ago I was reminded of it. (Funny how that works right? Advice and insight you learned about long ago always seems to resurface when you need it most.)

“It is better to fail at your own dharma than to succeed in someone else’s dharma.”

Dharma is our soul’s purpose. It is the very reason we are here. Much like sugar’s dharma is sweetness. Or fire’s dharma is heat. It is how we live our truth in harmony with the world, society, and oneself. Our true dharma path always leads to oneness with God, the universe of things, each other. And we know we are getting closer to following our dharma path when that quiet voice inside whispers go.

So. Here I am. Halfway across the country from the place that I’ve called home for 12 years, in pursuit of my dharma path. And now that I’m settled here in Texas, that quiet voice is humming. Loudly. There’s a softness blanketing over me as that hum simmers and the vibration becomes a full body experience. And I’m ready for it!

The journey here has been a long time coming. As many of you know, I love California with all my heart but LA has never felt like a resting place. It was a transitional place for me. It was a place that allowed me space to undo everything I thought I knew and discover what my personal truth really is. It was a place, to arrive, to undo the conditioning, to unravel my true purpose so my inner light could finally shine bold and bright. And I’ve learned that it’s trusting in that light of spirit to always guide us back to source as we find the kingdom of heaven within ourselves. A place of love, light, peace, contentment, deep compassion for ourselves and others. And that is what the path of yoga is. It’s about all of us, together, returning back to that one true source of light. This is our collective dharma.

The journey to Texas was a long 3 1/2 day trek. I drove my 2012 Rav 4 with my rabbit, Lotus, in the back seat and my parents drove a moving van. On January 31st we drove to our favorite place — Sedona, AZ. And I’m so happy we decided to take that route. Everytime I visit Sedona, that inner voice grows stronger. Reminding me that this is the path I am meant to be on. This “unconventional career path” that corporate america makes reallyyyyy difficult to thrive comfortably (financially) is exactly the path I’m supposed to be on. Because sharing these healing modalities and practices is one of the greatest joys I’ve ever experienced. And everytime I’m in Sedona, which is surrounded by vortex mountains, and is a hotspot for healing creatives like myself… I know that I’m on my right path and it’s just a matter of time before I am launched skyward into opportunities and possibilities I haven’t even imagined. Some may think, “Well, Chas, why didn’t you move to Sedona??” And don’t worry, the thought has crossed my mind a time or two. Sedona is beautiful, and magical. But it is also a deeply saturated spiritual place, similar to LA. Sedona doesn’t need another healer or another yoga teacher. The places and people that truly need these offerings are in the gritty, uncomfortable spaces.

So as we drove out of Sedona the next day, I was met with even more reassurance as I said goodbye to the red rock mountains in my rear view mirror.

On February 1st, our plan was to drive from Sedona, AZ all the way to Amarillo, TX. We probably would’ve made it but we got stuck on the 40 near Santa Rosa, NM for about 2 hours!! A huge 18-wheeler flipped over, which apparently happens a lot on the 40. (I hope everyone involved is okay!)

My parents and I were exhausted, hungry, and exhausted lol. So we decided to stop in Santa Rosa, NM for the night. The next morning we woke up at the crack of dawn because we had another 9+ drive all the way to Killeen, TX. This drive was an interesting one. We saw the sunrise as we drove out and immediately met with the most intense fog I’ve ever experienced. And I’m talking COLD fog too. It was freezing, my windshield was frosting over and I could barley see 6 feet in front of me. The speed limit was 75 and every car had slowed to about 20 miles an hour. After about 45 minutes the fog lifted and we were met with a wide open sky and farm land that went on for miles and miles and miles and miles. Oil rig after oil rig. Cow after cow. I thought we would never make it to my cousin’s house in Killeen. But we finally did, just in time for dinner!

The final day, we drove from Killeen to Houston, TX. I paid my first month’s rent at my new apartment (I would be moving in the next day) and my parents and I walked around. I couldn’t believe we had actually made it!

The next day was move-in day. I saw my unit for the first time and WOW at all the space!! This is the biggest apartment I’ve ever lived in and the nicest apartment complex I’ve ever lived in. AND the spaciousness and the newness of it all, costs significantly less than what I was paying for a tiny studio apartment in LA. Needless to say, I am over the moon! Space has always felt important to me. As a deeply rooted introvert (lol), I love being at home because home is where I practice. Home is where I decompress and can have everything exactly as I want it. It is my safe space. This is the first time in my adult life where my space has actually felt like my space. Whatever comes of my time in Texas, I know I will always feel immensely grateful because my home life finally feels peaceful and more intentional than ever. ❤️

So what now? Well, I’ve been teaching in schools and rebuilding my following here in Houston. I’m being very intentional about the studios and centers I am accepting offers from and practicing with. My dream is to have my own healing center one day, so my intention now is to make sure I don’t overload my schedule and fall into the same hum-drum routine I was in in California. Dreams need space to expand. So for now, I’m teaching a handful of classes at two studios (True North Yoga and Houston Yoga Club) while attending workshops and classes at The Center for Healing Arts and Sciences and The Space Between.

A lot of people asked me before I moved if I was nervous or afraid of failing. And maybe 5 years ago my answer would have been yes. But, instead, I looked at them, smiled, and said, “it is better to fail at my own dharma than to succeed in someone else’s.”

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu 🤍

-Chas