I started BIJA Yoga as an act of service.

I’d already been teaching yoga for eighteen years. I had traveled the world doing this during the school holidays as I’m also a high school music teacher. Three years ago, I decided it was finally time to honour my dharma and open BIJA in the space formerly occupied by Lila, Penrith’s first purpose-built yoga studio.

I invested all the money I had and then some, to create a space that included sprung (ballet) floors, a minimalist aesthetic and a palette that reminded students of a blank canvas; a subliminal message to invoke the concept of one’s dormant potential.

I didn’t have a solid business plan. I was just determined to last more than six months! Why six months? Because people love to tell new business owners that most small businesses end within six months. This is not what I wanted for BIJA.

My perception of BIJA has developed tremendously over the past two years. I STILL see the primary purpose of BIJA as being of service to the community that patronises the space.  And as the community grows and defines itself, I see how important it is to keep it going and keep it growing. Many people come to class for a physical work out. And yes we definitely provide that. However, as a student’s practice develops, so does their relationship with their breath and their thoughts. In other words, BIJA represents not just potential, but SPACE, both physical and mental.

I have learned a great deal about myself since starting the studio. With Jo’s personalised coaching – and her book, The Entrepreneurial Clinician, serving as constant inspiration – I’ve learned to believe in myself a whole lot more. I’ve learned that to serve my growing community, I had to honour and look after myself as well. In fact the quality of that service is a direct reflection of how well I’m meeting my own needs, creatively, emotionally and financially.

 I’ve learned to put a stop to under-selling my beautiful studio (and myself for that matter). And I’ve learned that those who see value in what we have to offer (our studio members) become the absolute best advocates for our space and our community. We have no advertising budget so this has been absolutely priceless for the growth of BIJA.

I’ve learned that taking the time to get to know my students and my teachers is an investment worth making: to date BIJA has raised over $11, 000 for various non-profit organisations close to our collective hearts; including a Food For Life School for Girls in North India, Cure Cancer Australia, Westmead Children’s Hospital and The Hunger Project.

I’ve learned that running a business slowly, sustainably and ethically is, for me, the ONLY way to ensure the growth of a place and community for which a lot of investment has been made: I was working fulltime as a teacher when BIJA first opened. I then moved to 4 days and now I teach 3 very satisfying days of Music at my high school every week.

Although I’ve known it intellectually for quite some time, I now experience what it means to have – and also take care of – a really good team. Not just my teachers at BIJA, but my extended family, my business adviser (Carmen, who opened LILA ten years ago), and other people who want to see you succeed in every way. This includes Jo, who incidentally is one of BIJA Yoga’s members.

More than ANYTHING I am buoyed by the personal growth stories of each of the students at BIJA. This is what sustains me. I love when they share what they have learned, including all they have overcome as perceived obstacles in their physical bodies, mental as well as emotional states.

BIJA is Sanskrit for SEED. Almost two decades ago, when I first started teaching yoga, a seed was planted. I believe in the healing power of this practice and I believe in the potential of yoga to heal the disconnect between body, mind and breath. Most of all, after a good few years, I truly believe that with the right team behind you, anything absolutely worthwhile is one hundred per cent possible.

Who is Keith Kempis?

Keith Kempis was one of the first Certified Jivamukti Yoga teachers in Australia completing the initial training in New York under the tutelage of the method’s founders Sharon Gannon and David Life in 2007. He completed the 800hr Apprenticeship Program under Jessica Stickler in 2011 and became Advanced Certified in 2012.

 Keith has shared the Jivamukti Yoga method throughout SE Asia, the United States and Australia. He is now the Director of BIJA Yoga, established in the premises of Penrith’s first ever purpose-built yoga studio. And he continues to teach Music to the students of Xavier College.