Bridging to the Future

Kimberly Groome first came to the Ashram in 2016 for a weekend course and knew that she wanted to return. She’s been back in the Young Adult Program since January 2017 and has plans to take the 2018 Yoga Development Course. An integral member of the kitchen team, she also takes photos for the karma yoga Instagram account @yasodharakarmayoga.

Karma Yoga has given me a sense of confidence. I’ve volunteered in other capacities in other places for years, but only after coming to Yasodhara Ashram have I had the courage to step into more leadership positions.

Before coming here I worked in a bakery and opened a small cake decorating business, which I loved. Yet when I had the opportunity to work in the kitchen at the Ashram I didn’t think I could do it. I remember making a Waldorf salad and thinking, This is going to be the worst Waldorf salad ever. People aren’t going to eat it. After the meal, Steve, the chef, said it was the best he’d ever tasted and that I have to come back and work in the kitchen. Everyone loved it and I still get asked to make it.

I’m a visual artist and had taken photography courses a few years ago. I wanted to go into food photography but didn’t think I was good enough. Now I’m taking pictures for the Ashram’s Karma Yoga Instagram account, especially food photos since I’m often in the kitchen. Instagram has rekindled my love of photography. I feel like it’s a puzzle piece that was missing. I have food and baking experience and an artistic eye for putting things together. I just needed a way to bridge them, and photography is the way.

Working in the kitchen has opened so many doors for me. I know this kind of work is what I want to do with my life. I used to feel like I was just grasping at straws, trying to create a future for myself. Now I actually have something that could become real. I’m also excited to do the YDC in January and to give back as a Yasodhara teacher.

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