Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen (Krissy) Rybicki.
Kristen, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
The path was certainly not straight for me! I’m not at all surprised at where I ended up – a dance teacher, yoga instructor, performer, choreographer, and soon to be special education teacher. But, it was an interesting road to get here.
Dance was my passion growing up, and though I studied Advertising at Loyola University Chicago for my undergrad, I was more involved with Dance there than anything else. I quit my Advertising job after 4 months to change careers and pursue a Master’s in Dance Education at NYU. Once I made that decision, I felt I had finally thrown in the towel on what “conventional” life and path I was supposed to take and followed the one I knew in my heart was right for me.
Graduate school took me to Uganda (literally, for a J-term course) and back. I studied with some amazing Dance pioneers and did a little performing, too. I ultimately landed back in Chicago to work for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Education Department, and from there ran a dance program at an all-girls private school. I also acquired my 200-hr yoga instructor certification and took interest in Adaptive Dance programming for kids.
I recently moved back to the Boston area and am applying to start a Master’s in Special Education in the Spring.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This is an interesting question because I can answer it in two totally different ways. On one hand, I have known that dance, community, education, teaching, and empowering others have always been paramount for me. Did I think it would take 3 degrees to get there? No. Do I mind doing it? Absolutely not. I love continuing to learn and make connections to further the boundaries of where movement and education can go.
On the other hand, it has brought sacrifices. I have missed family events and bachelorette parties because being a freelance dance and yoga teacher gives you no PTO. I have worked at least 2 jobs since graduation due to student loans, although I probably would do it all anyway! I am now getting into the Massachusetts public school system which I’m sure will present more challenges. I’m very excited about this, but it’s not lost on me that this is yet another sort of “career change”.
I have the bigger picture beautifully laid out in my mind, but I’m not sure people always understand why I do “so much” or why I have a few careers going on. I can get insecure about that on occasion. At the end of it, I know being an educator is my passion. I know that helping people of all ages succeed and live a full, happy life is my goal. I know that bringing equity to those that are differently-abled, financially burdened, or discriminated against is vital.
Whether that be in a public school classroom working on an English paper, in a dance studio with senior citizens trying to move their bodies as they once did, or on a yoga mat, doesn’t matter to me. It’s all important and all brings the same sense of fulfillment; I helped someone face a challenge, gave them the tools to rise to their potential, and they get a better sense of self and quality of life.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I don’t own a company, aside from private yoga and dance lessons that I teach, but I am a proud employee of many. Currently, I teach at North Shore Dance Academy of Danvers, Studio Poise of Lynnfield, the Beverly YMCA, and Manchester Athletic Club. I also am a special ed paraprofessional at a local high school. I go up to 3 different places a day to teach, and I work 6 days a week, but I don’t say this to glorify being “so busy” to prove to people that I max out every day. I do it because I choose to, just as I choose to wake up every day.
What makes me most proud is the variety of populations that I teach. In the era where anyone and everyone can be a fitness, yoga, or dance instructor, I find it important now more than ever to be really, really good. I want to be really knowledgeable, and a go-to person in my field. I’m constantly working on that, and always will be. I go to trainings and professional development and read publications and books so that I have as much knowledge as I can about what I’m teaching. I know the “why” behind every move I make, and I am able to adjust and cater to different bodies, ages, and abilities.
People deserve to be taught correctly in an environment that they are comfortable in, with a teacher they trust. I want to always be able to guarantee that whether I’m teaching three-year-old Creative Movement or restorative yoga at the Y, I know what I’m talking about and I can help every person in the room.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’m not sure I believe so much in luck as I do pursuit. Luck involves chance, and while I have taken many risks, they have always been in pursuit of something. I knew if I got it, it was because I worked for it; if I didn’t it was because I didn’t deserve it or it wasn’t right for me. I try to show up as a positive member of the dance/yoga/education world, and I share as much as I can. I have no insider secrets or shortcuts because I tell everyone about them!
In turn, that has given me a lot of opportunities and opened a lot of doors. All it takes is some humility, connection, keeping to my word, and cheering other people on. I wish more people realized that because it makes life so much more full. I am lucky, that’s for sure, but it isn’t because I’ve been passive.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kristenrybicki.com
- Phone: 508-843-7153
- Email: kristenrybicki@gmail.com
- Instagram: krisrybicki
Image Credit:
Regina Dominican High School. Cheryl Mann, Hanna Bricston
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