What is unique about being Latina in the wellness space?
Being a Latina in wellness is both an honor and a responsibility. I feel privileged to share yoga with my community, especially knowing how rare it can be to see ourselves reflected in these spaces. I created my classes through an accessible lens with the hope that students leave feeling empowered to begin their own yoga journey. It’s so important to create spaces where we feel seen and represented, because when our nervous system feels relaxed, we are more at ease, and that allows us to experience a deeper sense of calm.
What’s unique about being a Latina in wellness is the ability to bridge gaps. My lived experiences allow me to introduce yoga to communities that may not have traditionally felt included. Staying true to my mission has allowed me to create spaces where others can feel seen, welcomed, and empowered.
What inspired you to become a yoga teacher?
I began my meditation and yoga practice in my early 30s as a way to manage my anxiety. These practices brought a sense of balance and ease into my everyday life. In 2020, during the uncertainty of the pandemic, yoga and meditation became my anchor, grounding me when everything felt unstable.
It was during this time that I began sharing chair yoga and breathing practices with my grandmother over weekly calls. She had never practiced yoga before, and seeing how much these simple techniques positively impacted her well-being inspired me to share these practices more widely with my community. I wanted to create brave, nurturing spaces where people like my grandmother, who may not have seen themselves reflected in wellness spaces before, could access the benefits of yoga. This inspiration led to the birth of Pink Means Go, with a mission to bring wellness to people wherever they are, especially in underrepresented communities.
I strive to make yoga accessible to communities that are often underrepresented in wellness spaces, especially the Latinx community. Most of my offerings are in Spanish, free to the community, and led through a cultural and accessible lens to ensure that wellness practices resonate with and are inclusive of diverse backgrounds.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with organizations like Planned Parenthood, The City of Oxnard, Bell Arts Factory, Latino Outdoors, Family Services Agency, and the Port of Hueneme, bringing free, accessible wellness programs to their communities. These collaborations allow me to introduce practical tools for calm and balance while centering a cultural lens that resonates with the people I serve.
Ultimately, my drive comes from seeing the positive impact these practices have had on my grandmother and others like her. I want to continue creating spaces where people, especially from the Latinx community, can see themselves in wellness, feel empowered, and know that these practices are for them.
What is the best advice someone gave you when you started your business?
The most influential advice I got when I first started my business was: Start with what you have. If you feel the call or the desire to create something, it’s there for a reason. Often, we get caught up thinking we need to have all the certifications, the perfect plan, or all the resources before we begin, but the truth is, that can hold you back. In the beginning, I found myself stuck in this cycle, feeling like I had to have everything figured out before I could take the first step.
But the reality is, you don’t need everything to be perfect. You are unique, and your voice, your story, is worthy of being shared now—exactly as it is. Start with what you have in this moment, and trust that the rest will begin to unfold as you take those steps forward.
I keep a reminder on my desk that says, ‘There are people less qualified than you doing the things you want to do, simply because they decided to believe in themselves.’ This helps me push through moments of doubt, reminding me that progress comes from showing up and believing in what I have to offer. It’s not about waiting for everything to be perfect, but about trusting that you’re ready now.
What is the best advice you would give another person who wanted to start their own small business?
Knowing my ‘why’ has been incredibly instrumental in my journey. There have been ups and downs and many ‘no’s, but understanding the reason behind why I wanted to create and share wellness has been the fuel that has kept me going.
Your ‘why’ serves as your anchor when times get tough and doubt creeps in. It’s also a great way to ensure that the opportunities you say ‘yes’ to are aligned with your core values and vision. Having this clarity not only drives future endeavors but also helps you connect with others and tell your story in an authentic way.
My advice to anyone starting their own business is to really take the time to define your ‘why’—when the challenges arise, you’ll have something solid to lean on that will guide you through and keep you motivated.
Do you have a personal yoga/meditation practice? How has it helped you ?
My yoga practice is something I lean into daily. It not only helps me connect with my body and breath, but it has also played a crucial role in my healing process. After an accident that left me with a broken ankle in three different places, I know that without my yoga practice, my recovery would have looked very different. Yoga has sustained me physically through the challenges of recovery, but just as importantly, it supports me emotionally. It’s a space where I can process, release, and restore. My practice has become a source of balance, helping me navigate both the physical and emotional hurdles life presents.
This is why accessible yoga is so important to me. I believe that we can all benefit from a yoga practice, no matter our circumstances or physical abilities. Everyone deserves the opportunity to find healing, connection, and support through yoga.
Share your favorite yoga/wellness social media accounts that inspire you?
Accessible Yoga School: Wonderful resources for yoga
Karen James Yoga: Chair yoga
Tracee_Stanley: Yoga nidra
Octavia Raheem: Restful practices
What does the future of wellness look like?
My hope is that the next generation see themselves reflected in the wellness community. That my niece grows up in a world where is surrounded by other latinas meditating, practicing yoga and centering their wellbeing. That our elders have access to wellness practices that helps be independent, rest and move in a way that makes them feel empowered.
The theme of our current issue is JOY, how do you inspire joy in your life and those around you?
I find joy in being outdoors, paddleboarding, hiking, camping and spending intentional time in nature. I make sure to schedule joy into my month. I take one weekend a month where I intentionally cross off the weekend and schedule it in big bold letters JOY.
