Inspiring others to follow their inner guidance

Sarah Vassella is a talented young woman who is a local yoga teacher and creative business owner. When she is not designing and creating, she  facilitates classes, workshops and retreats in the community - centered around wellbeing, creativity and soulful living. Previously a  primary school teacher, Sarah took a risk when she decided to change her career path to focus on her creative pursuits but it was this change that helped her to realise her true passions in life. 

Sarah has kindly taken the time to share a little more about herself and what inspired her to delve more into the world of creativity and expression. 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BACKGROUND 

I grew up in Hamilton and Ohaupo. At 19, I took my first overseas adventure and went on a working holiday with my boyfriend (who is now my husband) to Canada. We’ve lived over in Europe for a short while too but New Zealand has definitely always felt like home. We now live in Cambridge and really love the small town feel.

BELOW ARE SOME QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO ANSWER!

Book or movie?

Hmm, I’d have to say books. Most of the books I own are either spirituality or self improvement books, I’m not really a novel person. Lots of them have switched on my inner light and reminded me who I came here to be. The last book I read and finished was Sophie Bashford’s book, You are a Goddess. Highly recommended. 

Comedy or drama?

Definitely more drawn to the lightness of a comedy.

Cat or dog?

I’d have to say cats because I’m literally at this moment, awkwardly trying to type this with one  lying on my chest! Plus, my green tea is going cold on the table beside me because it’s just out of reach.

Lake or sea?

Ohhh that’s a hard one because we live close to the stunning Lake Karapiro. You’ll often find me walking that track on a sunny day. But there’s nothing quite like the smell and sound of the sea. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVOURITE SPOTS TO VISIT IN THE WAIKATO REGION DURING YOUR FREE TIME?

There are so many amazing walking tracks around Cambridge (which we discovered during our recent quarantine time). The Blue Springs in Putaruru is also a favourite place to visit. 

YOU ARE A KNOWN ADVOCATE FOR WELLBEING AND EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN - WHAT STARTED THIS PASSION AND HOW DO YOU ACTION IT? 

Empowerment is a huge passion and drives many, many decisions that I make in my business and life. I feel like women are at an exciting place where we are starting to own our autonomy more. We are learning to trust ourselves more and take action based on what feels right for us, as opposed to what has been ‘the norm’ or what someone else thinks is right for us. 

In truth, we all have what it takes to thrive already ‘in built’. In my life, the more I’ve listened to and followed my inner guidance, the more life has opened up for me. Following my own guidance is something I try to demonstrate in my business and life, and inspire others to do as welI. I have branched into private mentoring and bringing together groups of women both online and in person to share, inspire and support each other to create lives and businesses that align with who they are and allow them to share their gifts with the world.

YOU TOOK A RISK WHEN YOU DECIDED TO CHANGE YOUR CAREER PATH. WHAT INSPIRED THIS DECISION AND YOUR ENSUING STEPS? 

Haha, perfect follow up to the last answer. In a nutshell, my soul was guiding me to leap and I finally plucked up the courage to follow the guidance.

In a nutshell, my soul was guiding me to leap and I finally plucked up the courage to follow the guidance.

I didn’t have a real ‘plan’ as such. I thought I would do some relief teaching while my business gained momentum and that was about it. Often, when you are following your inner guidance, you’re not given the whole pathway, just the next step, which can be really scary. I remember framing it as an ‘adventure’, to quell my fear and anxiety about the unknown. Developing my ability to trust myself and the unknown was an area of huge growth for me. But I got to that crucial tipping point where the excitement of what was possible became bigger than the fear of taking the leap.  

IF THERE WAS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT YOU COULD GIVE TO OTHER WOMEN LOOKING AT A CAREER CHANGE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 

My advice would be, whatever you are called to move towards, make sure it makes you feel more like yourself. In my case, I had so much creative energy in me that was ready to be expressed, which my current career didn’t allow me to share in the way I wanted. When I thought about making the change, I felt excited because I was moving towards a job/career where I was free to be all of me. If an opportunity comes up, always ask yourself, “does this feel like me?” Then trust that whatever allows you to be the fullest and truest expression of yourself, is the right path.

You can follow Sarah and her creative journeys on Facebook and Instagram: @sarahvassella.creative