LATINX SPOTLIGHT: KLAUDIA PALETTA

by iana velez | Sep 1, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, LATINX IN WELLNESS

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: KLAUDIA PALETTA

By iana velez and ingrid baquero

PROFILES

Welcome to our series celebrating the Latinx healers, creators and wellness advocates making an impact in our communities. Wellness is multi-dimensional, as it consists beyond the physical, but also mental, spiritual, financial, environmental, and social aspects of our lives.

It is important to share the stories of Latinx individuals beyond Hispanic Heritage Month, as it inspires others to create their own narratives. This series consists of real stories of inspirational Latinx individuals creating safe spaces for connection, community, and self-care through the power of wellness. This week we celebrate Klaudia Paletta founder of Pink Means Go, a wellness company dedicated to bringing wellness to underrepresented communities especially the Latinx community by offering bilingual Yoga, mindfulness practices and Sound Bath Experiences.

Klaudia Paletta

First Generation Mexican American, My family is from the State of Jalisco, Mexico
Currently Resides: Ventura, CA
Founder: Pink Means Go

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.

HOW TO BECOME A YOGA INSTRUCTOR: FROM TRAINING & BEYOND

by Sponsored content from beYogi | Aug 29, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Yoga

HOW TO BECOME A YOGA INSTRUCTOR: FROM TRAINING & BEYOND

Sponsored content from our partners at beYogi

YOGA

Yes, yoga is huge — and its popularity is only growing! It really is a great time to become a yoga instructor.

The numbers don’t lie: Around 85,000 yoga teachers have been certified in the United States and a staggering 300 million worldwide, according to a 2019 report by Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance. Just as the number of teachers is growing, so are the number of students interested in this often life-changing practice. Another survey in 2019 by Yoga Alliance estimated around 38.4 million Americans alone practice yoga.

Once you get called to sit in the teacher’s seat, you may wonder how to become a yoga instructor. There are many steps to work through as you begin this journey, which will be both challenging and rewarding for you and all the students you lead throughout your time as a teacher.

1. Understanding the Role of a Yoga Instructor

Before I completed yoga teacher training, I honestly thought being a yoga instructor involved just getting people in postures. I had no idea! The reality is that yoga instructors not only cue students through physical movements, but they also hold space for their emotional, spiritual, and personal development.

That said, the main role of a yoga instructor is to provide a caring and supportive environment for students to investigate and strengthen the connections between their minds and bodies. You must offer a safe space, through mindful cueing, as well as compassion and kindness. I always want my students to feel successful, even after the most challenging classes.

Yoga instructors must have excellent communication and planning skills, and they must remain aware and mindful before, during, and after each class.

They also need to be knowledgeable in what they are teaching. There are many different kinds of yoga, from yin to hot vinyasa to stand-up paddleboard yoga to chair yoga and so many more. If you are drawn to one style, you may consider additional training after your 200-hour teacher training to specialize your career path.

2. Personal Preparation

Not everyone who has completed yoga teacher training wants to learn how to be a yoga instructor, and that’s fine if you don’t want to teach. You may just want to deepen your personal practice. Assess your motivations and commitment to sharing yoga with others before you plan to teach. When you know your “why,” you’ll be more likely to overcome any obstacles on your path to the teacher’s seat.

I personally practiced yoga for more than 10 years before becoming a teacher 13 years ago, but all you need is a strong personal practice and experience to be prepared. It’s also important to feel physically able as well as mentally able. If you’re struggling in your life, it might not be a good time to learn how to be a yoga teacher.

3. Choosing the Right Yoga Teacher Training Program

The biggest decision you’ll need to make is choosing the yoga teacher training program. I encourage you to choose an accredited certification program, like those partnered with Yoga Alliance. Everyone starts with a 200-hour course, although many committed teachers go on to pursue 300-hour and even 500-hour certifications.

As you begin your research, you’ll discover a wide variety of locations, styles, instructors, and costs. You may want to go to a destination and complete the training through an intensive three-week course, or your schedule may be better able to fit in a local course that stretches over 12 weeks or even a year. My advice is to not rush your training. Yoga teaching requires a lifetime of learning, and it can take time to integrate new concepts into your daily life and practice.

Learn more about the options with our Yoga Teacher Training Guide.

4. The Yoga Teacher Training Experience

I was right in that yoga teacher training would provide the practical steps instructors need to get students into safe postures, but that’s just the beginning of the experience. Topics in a good training program will include:

Anatomy
Spiritual philosophy, including reading texts like the Yoga Sutras and the Upanishads
Proper sequencing and structure of classes
Ethics
Professional business and marketing strategies

This material will take as many hours as the course states: 200, 300, or 500. But as I mentioned, these hours can be packed into a few weeks or spread out over a year. These hours don’t include homework, and there will be lots to study! If you’re like me, you’ll find great joy in learning about yoga.

Yoga teacher training also always includes practice teaching with feedback from your instructors. It can be challenging to receive criticism, but it will help you be a better yoga instructor. Make sure to build a supportive community and network with your fellow trainees to lean on when the training gets challenging.

5. Obtaining Certification

To receive your certification, you’ll need to complete the required hours of training with one accredited school. This will likely include a written exam as well as leading your first yoga practice for the rest of the class. It’s a big accomplishment to complete this process, and you should be proud when you do!

Next, you’ll likely want to register with Yoga Alliance or another certifying agency as a yoga instructor. This will let your future employers know that you’re a professional who will uphold proper ethics.

Once you start teaching, you may consider adding on additional certifications. These can include continuing education in general yoga teaching or specialties. For example, I am certified in teaching chair yoga and SUP yoga, and I’m considering a certification in yin yoga. Keep learning along whatever path brings you the most passion and excitement.

6. Get Yoga Teacher Insurance

Even before your first class, look into getting yoga teacher insurance. The last thing you want is for someone to injure themselves in one of your classes, but it happens. It’s better to be prepared and covered with professional liability insurance.

Check out beYogi’s insurance coverage, as it’s a popular option with yoga instructors. You can sign up online in just a matter of minutes. It’s easy to choose from a list of yoga styles you plan to teach and coverage limits for your financial situation. You can also get umbrella coverage for a variety of bodywork and beauty practices that many yoga instructors add to their resume.

Plus through YOGA♥ Magazine you can get $20 off a professional insurance membership when you use our affiliate link.

7. Building Your Yoga Teaching Career

Once you have completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training, are certified, and insured, you’re ready to find a class! One of the best ways to do this is to simply sign up for classes at the studios, gyms, community centers, and online platforms that interest you. Talk with the owners and ask about availability in their schedule.

Create a resume with your training and interests. With time, you will have a portfolio of classes and a strong network within your local yoga community to help you find better opportunities.

Popular yoga teachers also market themselves on social media, but that’s just the start. You need to have a website, a logo, and a consistent style for your advertisements. If you are insured through beYogi, you actually get a free website as an added benefit to help you market yourself professionally.

Always look for new avenues to expand your reach to new students. Eventually, you’ll have a class of people who resonate with your style. It may take time but keep persisting.

8. Continuing Education and Professional Development

Teaching yoga can be a hobby, or it can be a career. You get to decide! The best yoga instructors, though, invest in their skills through ongoing learning and professional development.

Look for workshops, retreats, and advanced training opportunities that interest you. Stay up to date with trends in the industry and new practices. When you keep a “beginner’s mind,” you make it easier for your students to do so, too.

But yoga isn’t like other careers; instructors must invest in their personal development as well. Yoga teachers need to maintain a regular personal practice and take care of their needs. This can range from getting enough sleep to eating well to working with a psychologist. The more centered and content you are, the better you’ll be as a teacher.

9. Challenges And How to Overcome Them

One time when I was teaching preschool yoga, one of my students accidently went to the bathroom on his mat. They don’t teach you what to do then in yoga teacher training!

You’ll discover many obstacles during your training and in the following years as a teacher. Here are a few challenges (and solutions!) that I’ve experienced or learned about from my fellow instructors.

Challenge: No one comes to your class!

Solution: Have faith that you will find your students with time. You’ll learn your market and the desires of potential students, and you can adjust when necessary. Stay flexible on and off the mat!

Challenge: A more popular yoga teacher scheduled a class at the same time as yours.

Solution: Instead of comparing yourself with more seasoned yoga teachers, engage them as mentors. Consider offering a completely different style of practice: If they teach hot vinyasa, offer a yin class.

Challenge: A student might say something hurtful. One time a student actually told me he hated me for offering so many chaturangas!

Solution: Smile. Their practice isn’t about you, even if they think it is. It’s about them. If they are mindless in their speech, demonstrate extra compassion.

Challenge: You’re burned out. You may have committed to too many classes a week.

Solution: It’s crucial to make time for self-care and know when you’ve taken on too much. If you’re having trouble staying motivated or inspired, go back to the basics: Talk to the yoga teachers who ran your training or another instructor you respect. Reach out for help.

Challenge: You love teaching, but you’re simply not making enough money to pay the bills.

Solution: Depending on your location, the popularity of your classes, and whether you’re teaching in a gym or a dedicated studio, your pay can vary dramatically. Don’t be afraid to talk with your employers about pay and be ready to change locations if you can earn more.

Think of each hurdle as a necessary learning opportunity, because that’s exactly what it is.

10. Beyond Teaching: Expanding Your Career

Finally, this article on how to become a yoga instructor wouldn’t be complete without discussing all the complementary ways that you can leverage your training to enhance your career. The best-paying opportunities are private classes, workshops, and hosting retreats. Once you are confident in your teaching, you can expand and earn more.

You can also expand your career through specialization, such as therapeutic or prenatal yoga. I earned a lot more working as a standup paddleboard yoga instructor than I did teaching a more traditional class at the local gym, in part because SUP yoga requires additional training. Consider specialization as an investment in your future as a yoga teacher.

You can also use your knowledge like I do, as a professional writer! Not only do I teach four classes a week in my community, but I also enjoy writing, blogging, and creating online content. Not only is it possible to make additional income, but you can also use your work to market your teaching to more students.

And that’s really just the beginning. As you gain experience, you may want to lead your own yoga teacher training program. Maybe you have an idea for yoga-themed products, such as journals, straps, clothing, or even aromatic sprays.

Once you become a yoga teacher, you’ll have many opportunities to grow as a professional — and as a person.

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: SOL HARMONY FEST

by iana velez | Aug 24, 2024 | ARTICLES, Festivals 2024, FRONT PAGE POSTS, Profiles

SPOTLIGHT FESTIVAL: SOL HARMONY FEST

FESTIVALS

Looking for something to do this Sept? We are thrilled yoga festivals are back and can’t wait to check out all the amazing events taking place around the world. This week we had a chance to connect with Kat Harmon the founder and festival director of Sol Harmony Fest in NC who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival!

What makes this year’s festival unique?
Sol Harmony Fest stands out for several reasons:

Holistic Healing Focus: The festival places a strong emphasis on holistic healing arts, offering a diverse range of experiences that cater to the mind, body, and spirit. This includes yoga, meditation, sound healing, and workshops on self-awareness and personal growth.

Community-Centered: The festival fosters a sense of community and connection, bringing together like-minded individuals who are passionate about wellness and personal transformation. It’s a space where people can feel supported and encouraged in their journey towards self-love and healing.

Unique Offerings: In addition to traditional wellness practices, Sol Harmony Fest embraces creativity and fun with activities that encourage participants to step outside their comfort zones. This could be through laughter yoga, dance, or other outside-the-box experiences that are both healing and joyful.

Founder’s Vision: Kat Harmon, the founder, brings her personal philosophy and extensive experience in teaching self-love and self-awareness to the festival. Her unique approach to healing, which includes nervous system support and rewriting self-defeating patterns, is woven into the fabric of the event.

Beautiful Setting: The festival takes place in Huntersville, NC, providing a serene and natural environment that enhances the overall experience. The location allows attendees to immerse themselves in nature, which complements the holistic healing practices offered at the event. 6

Inclusive Atmosphere: Sol Harmony Fest is designed to be welcoming and inclusive, creating a safe space for everyone, regardless of their background or level of experience in wellness practices.

Share with us what you LOVE about your festival location?
We love this location because it’s intertwined with Pine Trees and beautiful wide open spaces. So you can tuck away in the beautiful trails or lay out in the September sun.

The theme of our issue this year is JOY, how do yoga festivals inspire JOY?
Joy is what our event is all about! Sol Harmony Fest will inspire joy by bringing people together in a supportive, uplifting environment where they can reconnect with themselves and others. For me, the joy comes from creating a space where the community can experience shared laughter, movement, and connection. At Sol Harmony Fest, joy is found in the simple moments—dancing at sunrise, sharing a smile in yoga, or feeling the collective energy in a group meditation. We have also added an inner child parade this year, as well as a Creation Station, Community Stage, Variety Show, Kids Camp, Teen Meetup and more. These experiences not only lift spirits but also strengthen the sense of community, reminding everyone of the joy that comes from being together and fully present.

Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/solharmonyfest/

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: Rocio Munz

by iana velez | Aug 24, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, LATINX IN WELLNESS

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: Rocio Munz

By iana velez and ingrid baquero

PROFILES

Welcome to our series celebrating the Latinx healers, creators and wellness advocates making an impact in our communities. Wellness is multi-dimensional, as it consists beyond the physical, but also mental, spiritual, financial, environmental, and social aspects of our lives.

It is important to share the stories of Latinx individuals beyond Hispanic Heritage Month, as it inspires others to create their own narratives. This series consists of real stories of inspirational Latinx individuals creating safe spaces for connection, community, and self-care through the power of wellness. This week we celebrate Rocio Muñoz the founder of Antojitos Puros who we met a a local yoga event in Brooklyn where we had an opportunity to sample her delicious and healthy aguas frescas.

Rocio Muñoz
Founder: Antojitos Puros

She/Her
From: Brooklyn/Puebla,Mexico
Currently resides: Brooklyn, NY

IG: antojitos_puros

What is unique about being Latina in the wellness space?
Our essence makes us unique, seeing one another brings a sense of belonging that’s critical to the wellness space.

What inspired you to start your own business?
My inspiration for Antojitos Puros came from a need to access balanced snacks. Our reduced sugar aguas frescas were a way to introduce something familiar with a twist. There’s still a lot of trial and error and learning but I hope as our product matures we keep meeting our customers dietary needs.

What is the best advice someone gave you when you started your business?
Do it afraid! Upon meeting several inspiring Latina entrepreneurs I noticed that they all pushed past fear at different stages of their business. In the end, it’s always worth it.

What is the best advice you would give another person who wanted to start their own small business?
My advice would be to remember to “not let perfect be the enemy of the possible.” Getting out of my head was my biggest challenge, creating small actionable goals helped me gain momentum.

Do you have a personal yoga/meditation practice? How has it helped you?
I started practicing yoga daily about two years ago when a lot was changing in my life. It helped me navigate difficult emotions and continues to keep me grounded and present.

Share your favorite yoga/wellness social media/web accounts that inspire you?
I really enjoy wellness accounts that recreate Latine recipes showing us that foods we grew up with can be healthy. Aside from media/web accounts, I’ve really been loving health conscious Latin inspired products, here are a few:

I Love Chamoy: A sugar free chamoy with no artificial dyes, sweetened with monk fruit. This is always an option on the Antojitos Puros menu. Drizzle the sweet, tangy and spicy sauce on fruit or rim one of our aguas frescas with it.

De La Calle Tepache: Tepache is a fermented pineapple drink that has been enjoyed in Mexico for centuries, this is a take on that making it a modern Mexican soda. The prickly pear flavor is my fave.

Mezcla: The artwork on these plant based bars caught my eye at the supermarket (it’s illustrated by a Peruvian artist) but the Peruvian Cocoa Peanut Butter Mezcla Bar got me hooked.

What does the future of wellness look like?
I see us at the forefront! Latines make up 19% of the US population with a buying power of 2.7 trillion. We’re already taking up space in the wellness market and will only keep growing.

The theme of our current issue is JOY, how do you inspire joy in your life and those around you?
Energy is contagious, by supporting one another’s wins and creating space to connect we keep our community alive and thriving. To me, community is the ultimate joy.

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: MAGA VILLARREAL

by iana velez | Aug 22, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, LATINX IN WELLNESS

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: MAGA VILLARREAL

By iana velez and ingrid baquero

PROFILES

Welcome to our series celebrating the Latinx healers, creators and wellness advocates making an impact in our communities. Wellness is multi-dimensional, as it consists beyond the physical, but also mental, spiritual, financial, environmental, and social aspects of our lives.

It is important to share the stories of Latinx individuals beyond Hispanic Heritage Month, as it inspires others to create their own narratives. This series consists of real stories of inspirational Latinx individuals creating safe spaces for connection, community, and self-care through the power of wellness. This week we celebrate Maga Villarreal, founder of Antevasin, a bilingual space dedicated to exploring life through creative and transformational tools. Antevasin hosts impactful wellbeing events and retreats around the globe, fostering a sense of community and personal growth.

Maga Villarreal

where you/your family are originally from: Caracas, Venezuela
Where do you currently live: Brooklyn, NY
social media handles: @magavillarreal @soy_antevasin
Website: Antevasin

What is unique about being Latina in the wellness space?
One of the most unique aspects of being Latina in the wellness space is the sense of reflection and belonging that other Latinas often find in you. We share a deep connection with our roots, creating a space where our shared heritage brings us together, even when we’re far from home. I find this connection fosters a powerful sense of community and cultural resonance that enriches our wellness journey

What inspired you to start your own business?
I started my own business because I noticed a significant lack of representation in the wellness space. Community is everything to me, but in most classes and spaces I participated in, people were just in and out, with no real sense of togetherness, connection, or sharing. The absence of community was glaring, and that’s why I created Antevasin—to cultivate a space where genuine connection and a sense of belonging are at the heart of the wellness experience.

What is the best advice someone gave you when you started your business?
Try in Public” is a concept I’ve embraced, inspired by the beautiful advice from another community builder and creative, Lexi Merritt. It’s about letting the world see your process of building something. By trying in public, you not only overcome perfectionism, but you also gain a sense of freedom. It allows your community to find you, connecting with whatever you’re creating because they feel they’re right there with you, witnessing your journey and growth.

What is the best advice you would give another person who wanted to start their own small business?
An advice I would give to someone starting their business is this: You have what it takes—it’s as simple as that. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve it. Every person has the potential to turn their dreams into reality and bring their ideas to life. Trust in your abilities and keep pushing forward.

Do you have a personal yoga/meditation practice? How has it helped you?I maintain a personal yoga and meditation practice, and I also teach both because I’ve experienced firsthand how powerful they can be. These practices are essential tools for me to deepen self-awareness, stay grounded, and self-regulate when needed.

Share your favorite yoga/wellness social media/web accounts that inspire you?
Three Jewels NYC: my meditation and dharma sanctuary (also they’re IG is hilarious)
Nike Well Collective: one of the communities I’m part of, I love to see everyone sharing bits of wellbeing
Seres Magneticos: a social media account and podcast with lots of resources for wellbeing and personal growth

What does the future of wellness look like?
For me, the future of wellness is more inclusive, accessible, and approachable, with community as the foundation. Everything else becomes a byproduct of the collective work and support within that community.

The theme of our current issue is JOY, how do you inspire joy in your life and those around you?

When I see the word Joy I immediately think about River, my dog. Having her and bringing her everywhere naturally brings joy to those around me. But beyond that, I believe that being completely authentic in how you show up to the world is key to feeling joyful. When you embrace your true self, that joy becomes contagious.

Spotlight: YOGA MOXI

by iana velez | Jul 29, 2024 | ARTICLES, FRONT PAGE POSTS, TRAVEL

Spotlight: YOGA MOXI

By: iana velez

PROFILES

Did you know Yoga Love magazine is available for free at partner studios and festivals thanks to our amazing community and other small business owners like Michele Carrión Yopps founder of the Yoga Moxi app! We asked Michele to share more about starting a small business, her personal yoga/meditation practice and some thoughts on JOY.

What inspired you to start your own business?
The Yoga Moxi app was created based on how I felt when I was a newer yoga teacher ten years ago. There was so much information, knowledge and skills acquired, and an app that provided more of a “road map” on how to use and apply the information would have been immensely helpful.

What is the most popular feature on your app?
Currently, yoga teachers have provided the most feedback on the “Timers”. There are three different Timers that help keep a practice on track to not go over/under the specified class time. The Hatha Timer allows a yoga teacher to set up a class time, and also allows to set up smaller segments within a class. (i.e. Opening = 2 minutes, Centering = 5 minutes, Warm Up = 8 minutes, etc.) The Yin Timer is specific to a Yin Yoga class setup including class time, number of poses, and how much time to spend on each side. The Yoga Nidra Timer can be set up for any amount of time for your practice. The intention is to keep yoga teachers on time – with a Timer created for their specific needs.

What is the best advice someone gave you when you started your business?
The best advice came after the Yoga Moxi app was created…be sure to have solid legal agreements and get app insurance. Both are for more peace-of-mind, and to minimize potential financial loss.

What is the best advice you would give another person who wanted to start their own small business?
Be sure to have solid legal agreements and insurance (according to the designated business industry). Do not rely on generic anything from the internet. This applies to any business.

Do you have a personal yoga/meditation practice? How has it helped you?
For the past few years, I have focused on a morning meditation before starting the day. It allows me to connect with my breathing and focus on myself fully for a few minutes. My yoga practice has changed over the years, and currently I work on an at-home practice two times per week. (For about 20 minutes) The practice is more of a “freestyle” where I center prior to start, and allow the body to dictate how to move.

Share your favorite yoga/wellness social media/web accounts that inspire you?
The majority of accounts that provide inspiration involve positive “quotes” from famous and not-so-famous people. I also enjoy the Yoga Love Magazine account and all the reels regarding “Joy”. There are so many iterations, and the majority really do inspire joy and a smile. (Thank You!)

The theme of our current issue is JOY, how do you inspire joy in your life and those around you?
Hopefully I provide some joy to those around me by smiling when I greet them or interact with them. For my friends and family, the hope is to inspire joy by holding space when needed, and sharing something that makes them truly smile or laugh – like a good experience we shared.

LATINX SPOTLIGHT: KLAUDIA PALETTA