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November 9, 2017A Day in the Life of a Yoga Instructor and Business Owner
To give you “a day in my life” would be difficult as I wear many hats and every day is different, but I can try to take you through a typical day of mine.
Like many people, I juggle a lot! Being that I am a yoga instructor, health blogger and CEO of Cuccio Somatology, a yoga brand that offers an array of yoga products such as yoga mat cleaners, essential oils, milk baths, and more. I find it important to find balance and time to breathe in between the everyday hustle and bustle of life.
I have been a full-time yoga instructor for about five years, but that all changed about a year and a half ago. If you teach yoga or if you do a lot of freelance work, you know it can be hard to make a living. Clients cancel, you have no paid time off, and absolutely no health benefits, besides the benefits of being physically active all day, every day.
I was lucky enough to be able to make it work for me during those five years, but as time went on I began thinking about wanting a family—the pressure started to creep up on me. That’s when I thought, about the entrepreneurial side of me, so I made the plunge and started my own company.
Students would continuously ask me questions about how to clean their yoga mats and what oil I was using to massage their shoulders while in different yoga asanas. That’s when Cuccio Somatology was born.
Before yoga, I also had a background in the beauty industry as a licensed esthetician. I really believed that living a holistic and healthy lifestyle was the answer to true beauty. I’d be giving facials and I knew it was never just a quick fix; it was the whole lifestyle of healthy living, that's when yoga came into play.
So now that you know what I do for a living, let's get right into my typical day!
7:20 a.m. – Wake Up
I usually wake up around 7:20 a.m. every day. To say that getting out of bed is a struggle, is an understatement. The first thing I do is roll over to sneak a peak at my pug, Toby and boxer, Beatrice snuggling beside me. They make it extremely difficult!
7:30 a.m. – Get Ready
Around 7:30 a.m. is when I start getting ready! The first thing I do is brush my teeth, then I wash my face, apply a little mascara, and get dressed for the day. Depending on what I’ve got going on that day I typically wear office-ready attire or yoga apparel. However, there are time when I have a private yoga client before heading to the office, so I pack for both.
7:45 a.m. – Let the Dogs Out
I let my dogs outside once I’m dressed and ready, usually while I’m toasting a piece of ezekiel bread with almond butter. Before I eat, I always have my shot of apple cider vinegar with my daily vitamins. I’m currently taking Garden of Life’s daily multi-vitamin, probiotics, and vitamin B!
As I’m doing all of this, I usually feed my dogs all while posting an Instagram story—sending my friends and followers positive vibes for the day ahead.
Follow Danielle on Instagram: @daniellecuccio.
8:00 a.m. – Meditate
I try my best to meditate for at least five minutes in the morning, but if I’m being honest, some days I just don’t have the time. It’s always a bummer when I don’t get around to it because I know my days will be better when I do find the time.
8:15–9:00 a.m. – Drive to the Office
Now that I manage my own company, I drive to the office and warehouse location which is about 40 minutes from my house. This is always the best time for me to gather my thoughts for the day and plan what needs to get done. Sometimes on my way into the office, I listen to my favorite podcasts that get me fired up for the day.
Podcast recommendations: Tim Ferris, Marie Forleo, John Lee Dumas, and Yoga Girl's Rachel Brathen.
9:00–12:00 p.m. – Work
I get to my office and usually print out all of the Cuccio Somatology orders that came in the day before. Since my brand is relatively new, I have a lot of random tasks each day.
I’m also a micromanager, so I like to oversee everything just to be sure it’s being done correctly. I pack most of our orders as well—or at least the small customer-to-customer ones. I usually have a meeting or phone call scheduled after that then I try to get through emails that I haven’t answered.
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12:00 p.m. – Lunch Time
I like to make sure I eat around noon as I feel that spreading out my meals makes a difference in my energy level and mood. I also like packing and planning out meals as it prevents me from picking up food from the nearest lunch hotspot, which would most likely be unhealthy.
What I have for lunch: Avocado toast or a turkey sandwich on ezekiel or gluten free bread with an apple.
1:00 p.m. – Meetings and Follow-Ups
I usually have a meeting around 1 p.m. after I’ve gotten through my most important emails. I will also start contacting more yoga studios and yoga ambassadors during this time. I'm spending the most time working on our yoga mat cleaner which is a best seller at many yoga studios all over the world. And bonus! Cuccio Somatology has fitness equipment wipes coming out at the end of the year too.
2:00 p.m. – Product Testing
With my yoga brand, Cuccio Somatology, growing fast, we are constantly developing new yoga and wellness products. We recently launched a yoga bath product that will work wonders on your skin.
Hint: It involves milk and Epsom salts! Check it out here.
2:30 p.m. – Drop off Shipments
I usually leave my office to pack orders in our warehouse then I will drop off orders I have that are ready to ship.
4:00 p.m. – Snack Time
I’ll usually have a snack around 3 p.m., knowing that I’ll teach a class later or workout, I know I will need the energy. I love having either a nutrition bar or a banana with almond butter—basically something light that will keep me feeling full.
5:00 p.m. – Visit Private Yoga Client
I usually have a private yoga client around this time. All of my private clients are not far from where I live, so I love being able to bring yoga and relaxation to their homes.
6:30 p.m. – Teach a Group Class
I usually teach my group corporate classes at night—businesses such as Tinder and AOL are some of my favorite places to lead classes. I also teach group Power Flow Yoga class and another class called Yoga Booty Ballet, which is basically a dance cardio class.
8:00 p.m. – Dinner with Hubby
I am so lucky that my husband, Tyler, is an amazing cook and makes us home cooked meals. We like to try and keep it healthy, so we eat at home more than we do out at restaurants.
9:00 p.m. – Time to Zone Out
I shower and watch one of my many favorite TV shows. I have a lot of favorite shows and I see nothing wrong with that! It’s my time to zone out after all the running around I do during the day.
10:15 p.m. – Off to Bed
Tyler and I are usually are in bed by 10:15, which is when I either read a book or watch a short television show in bed. I love having that little time at night with my family—it may be short, but it’s sweet.
So, how do you balance out your days? Do you try to eat healthy even when you’re busy? I'd love to know how you deal with your crazy days and any tips that you think might be helpful for someone who is struggling to balance random tasks.
For more, visit Danielle on Instagram, Cuccio Somatology or her blog, www.TheBeautyBlender.com
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