More Than That "Yoga Thing"

I Wear Many Hats

Yesterday my friend Marvin asked me how he should describe me in an introduction email he was writing for me and I was tongue tied. Does anybody else have a hard time describing themselves? I told him I would send him a draft and after over thinking about who I am for several hours I did, and here it is:

“Penny Shure is the creator of Million Dollar Bones, a program offered online and in-person that helps people build stronger bones and better balance through gentle, alignment-based movement, smart nutrition, mindfulness, and simple habit shifts. She’s also a writer with two books and a popular newsletter on bone health and mindful living, and many of her clients see her as a trusted life coach.”

It’s my mini-bio and I hope it helps describe who I am and what I do because I always have a hard time describing myself. I hate meetings that begin with everyone giving a brief introduction. And yet, just yesterday, Lisa M. let me know that she had been describing me and my uniques class in detail to a bone health specialist recently who said to her, "It's not that complicated, all people need is her class!" 

For years I have aced the elevator pitch that describes Million Dollar Bones. “A program dedicated to the prevention and management of osteoporosis at the time in life when it has the biggest impact.” But when people ask, “So what do you do?” I fumble the answer. It's not because of imposter syndrome. I know what I do. I know I do my job well. It is the act of making the description short and simple that has my tongue twisted. I will have to ask Randi Braun if there is an over-achiever syndrome that also includes the fear of sounding confused when you know you are not but simply wear many hats.  

Oh, how I wish when someone asks me what I do I can just give a short sentence as a response. I imagine myself saying, “I am an accountant.” I do take everything into account in life and in work and I research and analyze each person's individual needs to know how to orchestrate their sessions. I am working on making it sound catchy. (Time spent with Shure is worth every Penny!)

The interesting thing that has happened over the years is that when I take the time to explain to people what I do and the healing nature of my work and then I run into them again, they inevitably ask me how the yoga thing I do is going. Or they ask if I am still doing that yoga thing. My life's work that has included decades of academic and anatomic studies and being an expert advisor for many medical professionals, and is full of several life saving anecdotes gets trivialized into a hobby. I politely respond, “I don’t practice yoga, but yes, I still work.”

Up until now, I have seriously failed to explain to people who I am with enough authority. Why? I don't know, maybe it is my old instinct to stand in the back of the room. Or maybe it is the result of years of being chosen last in gym class. 

If they could see me now.

After several re-reads for Marv, I decided to try writing it in the first person because I don’t have a great elevator speech describing me and now it goes something like this: “I help people protect their bones and find balance with gentle, alignment‑based movement, smart nutrition, mindfulness, and small habit shifts—so they have less pain, better posture and mobility, more energy, less stress, and a more positive mindset. I’m also a writer, and many of my clients see me as their life coach.”

Like you, I wear many hats. I am a Jewish woman and a mother of two adult sons. I am an intuitive empath, and I work the room to connect with my students and give them the best I can so that after an experience with me they feel powerful and gain strength. I lead with gratitude and I focus on what is working to bring about more of what will work. I like making lists.

Last week I made a quick list of what I have done over the past twelve months here in Syracuse. I had no idea of what I had accomplished because when I am still, I feel like I am not doing enough so I berate myself. There were 51 items on my list! I AM A ROCKSTAR. I invite you to make a list of your own because you may realize like I did that I am enough just as I am, even without a mini bio to spell it all out. And by the way, sometimes getting out of bed is what makes you a rockstar. Showing up in life for yourself is enough.

I do many things, sometimes it feels like a grand distraction but most of the time it feels like the greatest gift. When all is said and done, maybe the question “What do you do?” is like the question “How are you?” People that ask are often just being polite. Not me because I truly want to know but in general – it is a courtesy question. So, for now, since chances are they will think I teach yoga anyway, my answer will be: “I’m an accountant, and a damn good one.”

Have a great week everyone. I am in Tel Aviv this week and after 64 years of reciting prayers that say, next year in Jerusalem, I am praying in Israel, my indigenous homeland.

Shana Tova – wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year filled with love and light and the sweetness of apples and honey!