Interview:
Kym Patricia Coon, Yoga Practitioner and Social
and Community Entrepreneur - 20th April 2008
What
do you do on a day to day basis?
I care for my two young children aged 4 &
2. I teach Yoga most days and when I can, I take
them with me, where they are cared for in the
Centre’s Creche. Everyday I practice Yoga
outdoors and each night I meditate when the kids
have gone to sleep.
In
your own words, what is Yoga?
Yoga is a spiritual practice and a path to peace,
health and happiness.
What
was the major appeal of Yoga for you, and how
and when did you start to turn it into a career?
I enjoyed all the benefits of Yoga; feeling physically
fit, emotionally balanced, mentally refreshed
and spiritually aware.
My Ah-ha moment came at my first Yoga class in
2000. I knew then and there that Yoga would become
a major part of my life. I felt my inner light
had been switched on. So with great passion and
purpose I completed my Diploma of Yoga Teacher
Training a year later and have been teaching up
to 10 classes a week since.
I believe that if you do what you love you will
love what you do, and then anything is possible.
How
did the Foxtel deal with Yoga With Kym come about,
and how did this fit in with your Yoga with Kym
DVD?
My husband and I seen an ad on Foxtel's’
Aurora Channel
asking for submissions for it’s DIY TV series.
I sent in a copy of my Yoga DVD and they liked
it, in fact it’s still being played on Foxtel
today.
Tell
us about progress where you designed and created
your magical logo for your company and DVD?
I designed the logo with a friend who happens
to be a graphic artist. It was most important
to have the OM symbol – it represents the
whole of the universe merged into a single sound
– pronounced ‘AUM’. Also, to
me, the colours moving from red, to orange and
finally to yellow or gold symbolise moving through
your energy to reach your golden or enlightened
path.
What
media appearance have you made to date?
I have enjoyed good reviews in both local and
national papers and magazines.
Yoga with Kym has been playing on Foxtel since
January 2008.
How
does the internet assist you?
I have a website and you can purchase my Yoga
DVD online at www.yogawithkym.com.au
I find the internet is also a valuable tool to
network and keep up to date with what’s
happening in the industry.
What
is your definition of success?
Success is Knowing who you Truly are Living the
Life you are meant to live.
You've
been involved with some great community and humanitarian
projects. What can you tell us about Julian's
story?
My nephew Julian suffered a terrible accident
whilst playing in the family pool in country NSW
in January this year. I set about raising as much
funds as I could for the Julian and his family
– and I haven’t stopped yet!
With the communities help we have raised over
$25,000 for Julians Foundation.
I also hope to raise awareness to the potential
dangers associated with pool and spa filters.
Why
is people power so important, and what's some
projects you have been involved in when people
power worked miracles?
Both fundraising events, A Day in the Park and
Monster Auction for Julian, have proved successful
because of the people involved. I believe that
when you have compassion and love in the community,
you have strength and hope and with that combined
energy Miracles are possible.
What
mentors do you have, and who would you like to
meet and why?
My Mum is my Inspiration – she has always
been a positive instrument of unconditional love
and strength.
My
friend Elisabeth is a great source wisdom and
encouragement.
I
would like to meet many people but especially
Louise Hay, author, speaker, presenter and philanthropist.
She has overcome great obstacles in her life to
be all that she is today, a wonderful lady who
has changed many lives around the world for the
better.
What
charities and worthy causes are you involved with?
I am a member of Virgin
Unite who support many worthy causes the world
over. I am planning to do a 45k walk from Dubbo
to Wellington in July with some friends in support
of Julian. The date, awareness campaign and donation
details will be posted on the Virgin Unite website
in due course.
I
am a member of theelders.org
and have signed the Human Rights declaration –
Every
Human has Rights.
With
as much as you have achieved in life and business
to date, I understand you still have some goals
and aspirations to pursue. Tell me about these?
I feel like this is just the beginning as we are
constantly learning, growing and evolving. I intend
to release more material, including affirmation
cards, Meditation CD’s and I would like
to write a book one day.
What
makes health retreats so special to you?
It combines everything the soul needs in one harmonious
place.
What
expos have you exhibited at in the past and where
will you be appearing soon?
I exhibited at MindBodySpirit
Festival in November 2007. I plan another
exhibition in Sydney later in the year.
You
are in good shape and excellent health. What's
your diet, and how does this complement our yoga
routine?
Well, one of the 5 main principles of Yoga is
Proper Diet and this means eating pure, simple
and natural foods that are easily assimilated
and digested.
I follow this principle because it works for me,
I feel better inside and out and I have more energy
to do what I need to do.
Why
is "me time" so important for a work
/ life balance?
I really understood this when I became a mother.
It’s hard to constantly give when feeling
empty or pushed inside. ‘Me time’
is about giving back to yourself so that you can
give more of your best self. “Me time”
allows the body, mind & spirit to re- connect,
to re-charge, re-store and return to the natural
state of balance and harmony.
How
does yoga provide energy to the body and mind?
Yoga postures help to release physical and emotional
tensions and allow new energy to flow through
the body. Conscious breathing allows you to connect
to the infinite and abundant divine life force,
known as prana.
Other
than yoga, what else do you do to relax?
I really enjoy a relaxing massage or facial. Although
not always relaxing, I love taking my children
to feed ducks.
Your
currently based in Sydney's west at Dubbo. Where
else in Australia would you like to live or work?
After about 8 years in the country I feel the
ocean and forest calling. I would love to reside
in the majestic Tweed Valley area in northern
NSW.
What
parts of Australia / the world has yoga taken
you?
I was actually trained in England, and during
my course I travelled to the unique Osho Leela
Temple in Dorset. Yoga has also taken me to London,
to Hertfodrshire in England, also to Canberra,
Sydney, Byron Bay & Noosa.
What
companies or individuals have you really enjoyed
working with, and who else would you like to work
with if the opportunity presented itself?
Katy Appleton of appleyoga.com is a wonderful
lady and Yoga Instructor from England. I trained
under the guidance of the amazingly blissful Yoga
Master Narayani; Narayani is co-author and model
of the newly re-published best selling “Book
of Yoga” and is a senior disciple of Swami
Vishnu Devananda. I would like to work with more
teachers, mediums and healers.
What
are you currently reading?
Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman.
What's your favourite type of music?
I like a variety of music, but most of all I enjoy
Yoga music and chants. My favourite CD is Pure
Ganesh by Guru Ganesha Singh.
How
do you make a possible difference in the world?
Be your best self, display random acts of kindness,
smile more, laugh more, look at areas in your
local community that need help; schools, animal
shelters, old peoples homes. Ask yourself how
can I help? and take positive action - now.
What
are the biggest challenges you have ever overcome?
A great challenge for me was moving through the
post-natal depression I suffered after the birth
of my second child.
What's your motto?
Believe
in your self and ‘Let the golden light of
your soul radiate to the world’
How
do you motivate yourself, and how do you motivate
others?
I have always been quite self-motivated. I feel
inspired by life, by my children, by feeling good
and by contribution - this motivates me. I hope
I motivate others to look deeper into their own
lives, to awaken to who they truly are and to
what they came here to do.
Hidden
talents?
It makes no sense to hide ones talents.
Where will you be 5 years
from now?
I will have my own Retreat Centre somewhere between
the mountains and the ocean.
Editors
note: One can sense the genuine benefits of yoga
and Kym's positive energy. If your interested
in yoga Kym's television show and DVD are a must
watch.
Website
Yoga
With Kym
Profiles
Yoga
With Kym
Yoga
Julians
Story
Mind,
Body and Spirit
Aurora
Community Channel
Social
and Community Entrepreneurs
|