The Power of Pivot: Finding Presence, Perspective, and Hope with Power Yoga Canada
Power Yoga Canada was founded in 2009 by Kinndli McCollum and Pauline Caballero. Since its establishment, PYC has expanded and opened 13 studios across Ontario, with the newest facilities in Guelph, Collingwood, and Toronto West.
Every PYC studio cultivates a close-knit community that feels like a home away from home. The studio owners, teachers, and Energy Exchange team provide a red-carpet experience for fellow yogis to “come as they are”.
PYC also offers a variety of Teacher Training programs and self-development workshops to inspire personal transformation and leadership. Through practices such as meditation, deep flow, and power yoga, PYC utilizes the tools of patience, presence, and acceptance. One of the most important strategies to navigate life is through the power of “pivot”.
Pauline published a book called “Pivot: Change isn’t Coming, it’s Here”. The book is separated into five sections: Perspective, Intuition, Vision, Obstacles, and Tactics. Pauline describes the act of pivoting as “being present with where you are. For me, pivoting isn’t so much about changing but it’s about being awake and engaged.
It is having a mindset that is completely free of any inner dialogue”. Kinndli also weighs in on the mindset she keeps. “I can get caught up in a spiral really quickly when I think something is failing in front of me. Taking a step back and realizing it is not a huge deal in the grand scheme of things really helps me to pivot powerfully. Perspective keeps us unstuck”.
Every PYC studio owner practices all that they preach. Sarah Sheaves, owner of PYC City Centre, understands the value of pivoting and having a growth-oriented mindset. “Pivoting means recognizing when there is a necessary means for redirection. For us, we had to shift our operations to serve our community due to circumstances. It makes us shift the way we do things”.
Instead of anticipating dramatic change, the growth mindset creates space to be open to tweaking any element of our plans. Sarah explains “A growth mindset is recognizing that there is more than one way to do the same thing. The pandemic slowed things down, but we were never stuck. There are always opportunities, always possibilities”.
In the wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic, PYC, as well as all fitness facilities across the country, were forced to shut their doors and practice social distancing. Pauline reflects on this moment in March of 2020. “When we had to pivot with our business, there was no opportunity for inner dialogue or questioning. You have to be fully present in order to move forward”.
Pauline and Kinndli occupy most of their time to the original PYC location in Oakville, ON. However, different rules and regulations were assigned by the government depending on the region. Being in Peele, PYC City Centre closed and reopened twice before the province-wide lock down was initiated on December 26th. Nonetheless, Sarah stayed committed to pivoting with the rest of the PYC team and provided resources for her community. “When we decided to shut down all of our studios, we launched free yoga the next day across all the social media platforms.
There was no pause. First, it was on social media. After a month, we pivoted again to the Zoom Platform because we could not keep doing free yoga. Having an open mindset kept us ready to change again. Of course, the Oakville studio had different rules and regulations than we did. But a fixed mindset is not able to change”.
Throughout the challenges PYC has had to face in the last eleven years, Kinndli, Pauline, and Sarah remain focused on the opportunities that setbacks present. They view every situation as something that is happening for them, not to them. Kinndli reflects on remaining mentally strong in the face of adversity. “Keeping my dristi (focus) on the big picture really helps me.
It is easy to get caught up in the smaller moments that are overwhelming. Pauline and I are constantly creating the next thing to put our dristi on, which creates the space to not get stuck. There is so much we can still be doing. So, we are always looking for opportunity, instead of getting caught up in the victim mentality”. Sarah also acknowledges the potential for transformation by empowering herself. “I definitely do not let myself become a victim. When you put yourself in a victim narrative, you become powerless. You don’t utilize your creativity”.
On a professional level, the pandemic forced PYC’s services online, which was something Kinndli and Pauline were planning for many years. Kinndli explains, “This was the best “kick in the butt”. We’ve been talking about moving online for 10 years, and it only happened because of the pandemic. Now we’re reaching people from Middle East, the UK. So, we’ve been a part of the global conversation”. This necessary pivot enriched Pauline’s perspective as she utilized the tools she already has. “It taught us to do more with less, and the difference between consuming things vs. breathing and being intentional. The Universe provided the necessary resources”.
PYC is committed to serving their community and remaining a beacon of hope. When asked how she remains hopeful for her family and community, Pauline answered “It’s been really challenging. We had a death in the community recently, so we’ve had our low points. But our why is two simple things: I’m seeing the benefits in investing in each other and in relationships.
I really believe in the power of human connection. So, the why to continue to be a beacon of light is because people, including our kids, are watching”. Kinndli adds, “I’ve been providing 15-minute yoga and meditation every morning via Instagram. I need that just as much as those who are watching me. If I positively impact only one person that day, then I achieved what I set out to do”.
Having completed and led multiple Teacher Training programs, Sarah’s conscious choice to remain optimistic makes her a beacon of hope and a good leader. “Being optimistic is not foolish or ignorant. It is leadership, which is possible through presence. PYC creates good leaders in all areas of life with yoga and mindfulness. This keeps us pivoting and moving forward”.
Power Yoga Canada offers a variety of classes and workshops through their mobile app and social media. For more information, visit https://poweryogacanada.com/
Author: Vanessa Butera, Content Writer, The Onside Media, Toronto, Canada. If you have stories to share kindly email: – vanessa.butera@theonside.com
