My name is Beth Cosi: a teacher's tale.
Updated: Jun 20, 2022
Hello, I'd like to introduce myself.

photo cred: alice keeney for Lululemon
Beth Auden Cosi, it wasn't the name given to me at birth. My adopted parents named me Elizabeth (Beth) Ann Williams. I changed my name to Beth Auden Cosi during my divorce in 2009. I have personal reasons why "Auden" and "Cosi" but mostly because it pleased me so much. I chose my name and it felt right..
It was the start of a whole new way of being- fully myself.
Moving, working, movement:
Spring, I moved my very young family, Paloma and Highland, to Park Circle, from our home in Meggett- a big yellow house on 3 acres we had built and loved. It was very hard on them. Park Circle was affordable, with big yards, reminded me of my hometown (midtown memphis) and was close to my new 2d job at EVO Pizza. And we've lived in this neighborhood ever since. I had been working at Community Montessori as a TA where my children were in Primary and Lower El classrooms. During the divorce, I added catering on the weekends my kids were gone and hustled craft beers and pizza, weeknights at EVO. September of 2009 I did something for ME- i enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training program at Blue Turtle. I had no designs to become a teacher outside the montessori classroom; I had no idea how it would change the trajectory of my life forever. I was one of two teachers chosen from our graduating class to teach the Sunday Community class downtown on Wentworth--for free. I was SO honored and scared as shit!! Soon, I began subbing 6am classes and eventually, the lunch hours, after-work hour and Saturday morning Hot Vinyasa in Mt Pleasant. Class sizes were 10-40. My teaching schedule was filling up- I was learning from my students and the incredible diverse talent of tenured teachers at Blue Turtle- truly some of the BEST teachers Charleston has ever seen. I was in a very sweet spot as a new and dedicated teacher and student. I had stopped working at the school and slowly began to build my teaching business. I didn't force or make big plans or vision boards. I just taught and took and taught. I was steady and slow.
{One of the biggest mistakes I see new Yoga teachers making is not allowing their teacher's practice and vibe to take shape organically. The Universe WILL PROVIDE--the students, the style, the right path and the opportunities will come...with TIME and PRACTICE.}
An entrepreneur is born:
I worked in a couple studios and 4 days a week in corporate offices at noon. I was leading classes in a brewery, Holy City, on Monday nights when they were closed to the public. Beers followed practice, as did conversation, community building and eventually a logo and the #yogaandbeer. When Bendy Brewski Yoga began to take clearer shape and capture the hearts of SO many plus, the notice of Lululemon-they chose me as an Ambassador in 2013- I was financially able to slowly quit my F&B job at EVO and devote myself more to building a Yoga career. In 2015 i added a side business in the direct-to-consumer market with Rodan + Fields Skincare. I still shake my head..I can't believe I took such a leap. But it was and still is today, a good source of monthly income, (I bought a new car...my first ever), offered a supportive community of other entrepreneurial women and a daily self-care check in. (My skin looks GOOD ya'll!) I slowly transitioned out of studio teaching, and later, working for anyone but myself.
I started getting very steady private client work, lots of small private groups and Bendy Brewski was soaring. At one point- 5 full classes a week at different breweries and distilleries. I was able to hire teachers and take a day off.
My family, my mantra:
My beautiful children: HIghland and Paloma for many years hung out in "Kids Care," the studio lobby, the brewery, and many times at home alone while I worked in the service of others. It was a long hard road. I am so grateful for the support I received from my friends and community and to my amazing, patient and responsible kids. I look back and think "WTF was I thinking?!" And I wasn't... between hustling all over this city -so many bridges- to teach upwards of 18-20 classes a week, be as present as possible to my kids and juggle a painful -humiliating- relationship with a boy-man breaking my heart regularly, I definitely was NOT thinking. I was just doing. Definitely NOT living my Practice. I needed to let go, slow down and allow the universe to help me. My daily mantra became and is, "Money flows to me easily; I am grateful for my easeful and purposeful work."
BOOM! 2020
How grateful I am for the end of a road -an abrupt halt- that was leading me away from my best self and true purpose. I had done it- I was a successful Yoga teacher with more work than i could say yes to, a nice savings account, vacations, days off, an incredible community. But I was burnt out and ready to...what? How? 2020 pumped the brakes and forced me to stop the grind and get creative and purposeful again. Yes, there were months of 15 hour days planning, educating myself, executing, failing..repeat.
And then, there is now... I created and am running an online platform called Dwell. A beautiful virtual Yoga studio that serves so many all over! I still get goosebumps. My Yoga retreat business is overflowing with reservations, rsvp's, travel opportunities and meaningful experience for guests. (Costa Rica, Hendersonville, Tuscany, and of course Charleston!!) Bendy Brewski celebrated its 10th year of business in October 2021 with a bang-up party! I joined another direct sales business, Scout and Cellar Wines, because it brings me JOY, service and amazing wine!
My children are grown (just about). Almost 18 and 21, beautiful and kind and independent. I guess I didn't break them after all.
I see you.
Thank you for being here, for being present all these years, or just now. You matter to me. I wouldn't be in this teacher seat without you and it just wouldn't be the same. I see you. My final words here: Connection and happiness is yours to create. Find your people, commit to the work and DREAM DEEP. xo b
Let's get on the mat together! New classes are scheduled both online & in-person!