Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Zollicoffer.
Hi Michael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have worked in the construction industry for over 30 years. Heavy lifting, climbing ladders, and dangerous situation were regular parts of my experience. Lifting heavy objects, carrying ladders, loading material, these and many other physical activities cause strains all over my body. Aches and pains were just part of the job. I was approaching my 50s and it didn’t look like my body was going to make it another 10.
I discovered yoga practice at a local fitness center. My 1st yoga session was on July 17, 2018 and the session was called “Surrender.” This was a Yin Yoga style session, meaning the postures would be held for 3-5 minutes each. My muscles and tendons were so tight that I could barely perform a forward fold, seated or standing, and I was gasping for air so much it felt like I was running a marathon. The instructor would name each posture, describe how to get into it, what props might help, and provide a demo for more complicated poses. By the final savasana, I was drenched in sweat, exhausted, and in total disbelief at some of the thing I did and most of the things I couldn’t do. Having done gymnastics in high school, I was familiar with some of the mechanics but my body was definitely not in the condition of my late teens and early 20s.
I enjoyed the session so much I stayed for the Flow session after. It was a different instructor and completely different format. Much more movement, with each posture flowing to the next along with the flow of our breath. Matching inhales and exhales with body movement was a fascinating exercise in tuning in to my body and how it felt to move, twist, stretch, and bend every which way. Again by the final savasana I was completely exhausted, out of breath, but felt incredibly energized. This I would discover was one of the positive benefits of the practice. I enjoyed both sessions so much that I became a regular. I attended 2-3 sessions a week for about a year or so and began to see more and more positive benefits. My flexibility was increasing, my balance was improving, and I was at least attempting to make better choices in what foods I consumed. I was not a full on yoga fanatic yet, I still used the studio mats and props, I did not attend yoga sessions anywhere else, and I did not know about any of the philosophy of yoga. For me, it was a great workout and a time to disconnect from the outside world. It was great until the world went wacky.
Once 2020 rolled around, COVID protocols caused all the gyms and studios to close. I tried to transition to a YouTube practice but it was much more difficult to find the space at home to set out a mat and follow along as I was still very new and couldn’t remember all the postures and transitions without guidance. While my physical yoga practice began to slide, I was introduced to meditation and breath-work in September 2020. This was another revelatory experience.
Meditation was very difficult for me as I am very physical and move around a lot. I also have a very active imagination that doesn’t stop looking for problems to solve and ideas to explore. Meditation helped me to pause more, take a breath, and allow my feelings to dissipate and the clarity of the present moment to converge. I began meditating and journaling my thoughts daily to record the insights and reflections I had during these sessions. I began a walking and calisthenics routine in the mornings while the gyms were closed listening to various audio books, podcast, and training modules all focused on expanding my mind with new concepts, philosophies, and ideas. I maintained this routine for 2 years. By then it had run its course and I was looking for something different.
After COVID wrecked havoc on the world, I found myself without a steady means of income and more bills than I had the funds to cover. My electrical contracting company had come to a standstill. My 20 year old cargo van was falling apart, requiring a quart of power steering fluid every few days, all the front suspension needed repair, and the mismatched cash tires were yet again nearly bald. Most of the clients I had were either not planning any new projects or no longer in business. And the State of Texas unemployment benefits for self-employed individuals that had been a blessing during the height of the pandemic ended on June 26, 2021 after Texas lawmakers decided no longer recognized the Federal pandemic unemployment protocols. I was in a stressful situation looking for anything to lift the burdens from my mind and take my mind somewhere else.
My Body – worn, stiff, and achy from years of poor diet, little exercise, and hard manual labor
My Mind – Emotional suppression created internal anger furnace leading to digestive issues and random angry outbursts triggered by simple everyday challenges.
Spirit – disconnected from any higher consciousness, having left a church community of over 20 yrs I felt disheartened and overworked by organized religion. I felt a strong desire to simplify and return to a basic appreciation of life’s adventures and gratitude for every opportunity that came my way.
The gyms were open again and I found a local yoga studio and started attending in November of 2021. It had been a long time since I practiced yoga and my current routine of the last two years involved lots of push-ups and squats. This had created tension in my shoulders and hips and I was back to square one with my yoga practice. My flexibility was low, my balance was shaky, and my breathing was a struggle. My business had slowed since COVID, so I began supporting my family with gig-work by shopping and driving. Since I was all over town, I started attending yoga sessions at studios all over Dallas. When I would travel outside of Dallas, I would always look for a yoga studio near my destination and schedule a session. I enjoyed the variety of styles and creativity each instructor brought to their sessions.
I was attending a yoga session at a local gym in September 2022 when I saw a flier for instructor training. I inquired with the front desk and they encouraged me to sign-up and check it out. I paid the fee the day after my birthday and attended the class the following weekend. It was a great class and I enjoyed it very much. They said all I needed was a certification and I could teach classes. I couldn’t believe it. I searched the internet and found a Yin Yoga certification class and took the next 3-4 weeks to complete it in between gigs, yoga sessions, and my other family and business obligations. I auditioned in late October 2022 and was hired to teach classes.
I taught my first class on December 10, 2022. It was a sub class for another instructor and it was an outstanding way to start my career as a yoga instructor. I became the go to sub for our area and was teaching more classes than I could keep up with. I took another teaching position at a local yoga studio and began teaching 2-3 sessions a day for about 6 month. In April 2023, my contracting company was awarded a large project and I had to end my yoga teaching in May 2023.
I continued to attend yoga sessions when and where I could, but my personal practice became my main means of keeping my mind and body in balance during a very stressful and challenging project. We completed the 1st phase of the project around October 2023. I decided to sign up for my Yoga Teacher Training in October 2023 and began in January 2024. I attended weekend sessions on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 5 PM for 12 weeks and learned 200 hours worth of knowledge on the subject. I attended classes as an observer to study the techniques and sequencing of other instructors. I attended extra workshops to learn how to better prepare a practice that will challenge and empower students while providing them the space to learn and grow at their own pace.
In February of 2024 I discovered there was a 2nd floor office space with a patio on the lake available for rent. I immediately called, toured, and signed the lease for what would later become Third Eye Mind Yoga, Meditation, and Sound Therapy Center. After applying for our permit and completing the needed steps for approval, we were awarded our Certificate of Occupancy in March of 2024. Yoga, meditation, and sound therapy have been such a massive benefit to me over the last few years. I wanted to bring my knowledge and experience from a wide variety of styles and modalities to the Rowlett, Sachse, Rockwall, and surrounding areas.
Third Eye Mind offers a peaceful, welcoming space with views of Lake Ray Hubbard and gorgeous sunsets across the lake. Our sessions range from beginner yoga, slow flow, balance, power flow, and breathing. We have sound therapy sessions using crystal and metal singing bowls, rain sticks, ocean drums, and other instruments of frequency modulation during monthly full moons and some weekly sunsets. Each class is limited to six (6) participant which provides for more personal attention and guidance during each session. At Third Eye Mind we encourage students to turn down their reactivity and tune into their intuition. We have no mirrors in the studio, encouraging our students to tune into how their body feels and the signals it is sending them rather than looking at their body position and trying to achieve the “perfect” posture. Third Eye Mind promotes the idea that all things are connected and as we do our part to better ourselves we in turn better our neighborhoods, communities, and surroundings. Facing our challenges with grace and determination leads to peace and progress. Breathing can calm the storms of our mind or stoke the fires of our internal furnace. Moving our body with mindful purpose can bring strength and flexibility. Combining sounds, movement, and meditation for a practice that promotes self reflection, empowerment, and self love.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were many challenges along the way. While taking my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training I had to rearrange my schedule to free up my weekends for classes. My family was experiencing many difficulties that had to be managed. Managing my business during the week was more difficult with the added time needed to study. My relationships with family and friends were strained during this time as I had little time or energy for social engagements or socializing. When I applied for the Certificate of Occupancy I had to navigate the city permits and inspections and fulfill their code requirements and objections. I had car troubles, house troubles, family troubles, and more. One of our 1st events at the studio was on the April 8, 2024 Eclipse. That night the storm blew everything off our patio, smashed our storage bin, and broke glass all over the patio floor. No one was hurt but it was a crazy way to open our studio. My contracting company began phase 2 of the project we started in May of 2024. I had to pause the studio for a few month until the project was completed in September of 2024. When we opened the studio back up in September, my father was rushed to the ER with kidney and liver complications in November 2024. I had to shut the studio down again for the remainder of 2024 to assist in his recovery. With every challenge overcome we have continued to move forward and keep our momentum.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Third Eye Mind offers a peaceful, welcoming space with views of Lake Ray Hubbard and gorgeous sunsets across the lake. Our sessions range from beginner yoga, slow flow, balance, power flow, and breathing. We have sound therapy sessions using crystal and metal singing bowls, rain sticks, ocean drums, and other instruments of frequency modulation during monthly full moons and some weekly sunsets. Each class is limited to six (6) participant which provides for more personal attention and guidance during each session. At Third Eye Mind we encourage students to turn down their reactivity and turn on their intuition. We have no mirrors in the studio, encouraging our students to tune into how their body feels and the signals it is sending them rather than looking at their body position and trying to achieve the “perfect” posture. Third Eye Mind promotes the idea that all things are connected and as we do our part to better ourselves we in turn better our neighborhoods, communities, and surroundings. Facing our challenges with grace and determination leads to peace and progress. Breathing can calm the storms of our mind or stoke the fires of our internal furnace. Moving our body with mindful purpose can bring strength and flexibility. Combining sounds, movement, and meditation for a practice that promotes self reflection, empowerment, and self love.
What matters most to you?
It matters to me to provide a welcoming space for others to feel comfortable exploring their inner self and letting their intuition guide their practice. I believe everyone deserves a safe place to move, meditate, and breath without concern of judgment or expectations. Yoga can be a very personal practice. I hope to provide a space where personal growth and revelation are a natural byproduct of time spent here emersed in the natural surroundings and energies. It matters because there is too much negative in this world. As many places of positive energy and experience as possible to balance the world.
Pricing:
- $30 yoga sessions
- $50 sound sessions
- Donation based beginner yoga sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.3rdi.space/
- Instagram: @3rdi.space
- Youtube: @thepurplesage523
- Other: Spotify – The Indecisive Podcast
