We tend to perceive aggressively what is unfamiliar or incomprehensible to us. So don't be offended by your old environment if they react negatively to your new activity. This is simply a result of their lack of understanding of what you are doing. 

Instead of taking it as a personal insult, accept it as a natural reaction to the new and unknown. In time, perhaps they will understand your path, and if they don't, it's just confirmation that you're moving in a different direction where their understanding is no longer as important.