PHOTOS: FIZKES/ISTOCKPHOTO.COMIS IT CLICHÉD TO SAY an impressive job
title and income can’t necessarily buy
happiness? Possibly – but truth remains
in its sentiment. What good is a
six-figure salary if your heart isn’t
invested? A sedentary, screen-gazing
cycle of endless targets and deadlines
can make human beings feel like
burned-out human ‘doings’. Many do
flourish wholeheartedly in the corporate
world; but it isn’t everyone’s source
of fulfillment. Do you thrive in
nine-to-five, or wistfully survive?
“I think there is growing
disillusionment with life in the
corporate sector. People are realising
they need work-life balance and to
reduce stress, so take up yoga or go on
a wellness retreat. Once they experience
the benefits, they commit to a regular
practice; in some cases, this can
develop into seeking a career as a
teacher or at a wellness centre,”
says founder of Byron Yoga Centre,
John Ogilvie.
“I guess what motivates most people
is desire to live a meaningful life, to find
work they are passionate about and
share benefits of yoga with others.”Seeking balance
A significant portion of life is spent
working, so we should ideally love what
we do – right? Less than half of the
4,800 Australians recently questioned by
SEEK Learning were reportedly content
with how they earn their crust. Climbing
corporate ladders may have merits, but
can be challenging – particularly for
women seeking flexibility to care for
young children.
“Many women find the stress of
juggling a career, family and lifestyle
balance too much for their physical,
emotional and spiritual well-being.
Although the workplace is changing and
saying they are becoming more flexible
for women and mothers’ needs, the
reality is very different. The result is that
women just leave,” says president of
International Yoga Teachers Association
(IYTA), Mary-Louise Parkinson.
A recent survey revealed over 50 per
cent of IYTA members teaching yoga
professionally transitioned from
corporate jobs. Parkinson jumped ship
after two decades in the IT industry.
Reducing to part-time in 1995 following
the birth of her daughter, demandsDITCHING
the nine-to-five
If you daydream of demonstrating
downward dog during barefoot board
meetings before closing with an ‘OM’; there
are constructive ways to carve a new path
aligned with your purpose and passions.
64
january 2018yogajournal.com.auBy Diana Timmins
remained high; motivating Parkinson to
take time off and complete IYTA’s
esteemed training. Becoming president
of the non-profit organisation in 2011
perfectly merged her skills and passion
in a supportive environment.
Shyamala Benakovic can relate, as a
qualified yoga teacher and CEO of yoga’s
national peak body, Yoga Australia.
Acutely aware that part-time in her cor-
porate job essentially meant less time
and income to complete her workload,
Benakovic moved on in 2005 to nurture
her young family.
“I loved my work as a management
consultant, but felt the commitment
required to be successful in the corporate
environment did not allow time for
anything else; to be a wife, mother,
friend, sister,” says Benakovic, who
taught yoga full-time for three years after
completing teacher training in 2008.
“Becoming a teacher gave me
flexibility to work and manage other
roles in my life; allowed me to be
successful in all things that mattered to
me. I was able to define my working
hours and financially contribute to the
household.”