LOVE SPOTLIGHT: BRWNSKIN YOGA

by Shari Vilchez-Blatt | May 4, 2023 | ARTICLES, Profiles

LOVE SPOTLIGHT: BRWNSKIN YOGA

PROFILES

To celebrate the release of our print issue themed LOVE, we reached out to our amazing community to share with us a few thoughts on love. This week we celebrate Shawandra Ford founder of Brwnskn Yoga and a Memphis and Whitehaven, TN native. Part of Brwnskn Yoga’s mission: “…a holistic space for wellness that operates in underserved schools and communities. Our mission is to make sure that Yoga is accessible for everyone regardless of their socioeconomic background. In addition to providing studio style sessions, BSY has been fortunate to be able to go out into the community and into inner city schools to introduce the practice of yoga and social emotional learning to children and adults of all ages. Most recently, we have expanded our teaching to those who are incarcerated and are seeking reform and rehabilitation.”

Share with us what you love about what you do:
What I love the most about teaching Yoga is watching my clients develop their own practice. Walking into a Yoga Studio for the first time can be intimidating but I am creating safe spaces not only inside of my studio but in underserved communities and schools where they feel comfortable and are allowing themselves to be vulnerable. Just watching them discover their own strength, the power of their breath, and finding stillness within themselves is very humbling. I love practicing with school age children as well. I believe in teaching them the entire 8 limbs of yoga and not just the yoga pose. My mission is to start teaching our childrenYoga at an early age in hopes to make a positive impact on the world.

Share with us what you have learned about LOVE:
Love can not be manufactured. Love is pure genuine authentic energy that flows naturally. There is no pretending. Babies feel it at birth, our pets feel it when we engage with them and when our plants feel nurtured they thrive. Love is also forgiving. There will be times where we fall short, we may have a bad day where our energy is a little off AND that is absolutely okay. We are all human but what matters the most is our intentions. That’s where love comes from, the energy that resides in our spirit.

What inspired you to support Yoga Love Magazine?
I am truly inspired by Yoga Love Magazine because it does not have a face; And because it does not have a face, it takes away all of the preconceived ideas of what people think yoga should look like. Yoga Love is transforming what has been commercialized for years and is acknowledging that Yoga is feasible for everyone regardless of their socio economic background. This magazine is creating space for diversity and for representation to be seen all over the world….AND THAT’S LOVE!

WEB SPOTLIGHT: KIA MILLER

by iana velez | May 1, 2023 | ARTICLES, Profiles

WEB SPOTLIGHT: KIA MILLER

PROFILES

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 September the Yoga Love Magazine team is heading west to Bhakti Fest taking place in Joshua Tree, CA who we are thrilled to partner with! You will be able to get complimentary copies of our magazine at this festival!

There is an amazing lineup of presenters at Bhakti Fest, including world renowned teacher Kia Miller. Kia describes herself as: “The creator of Radiant Body Yoga, a lifestyle brand, focused on sharing ancient yogic philosophy, and practices to those interested in self-inquiry, personal growth, the establishment of presence, and an ongoing commitment to expose and experience a deeper truth. I am known as a teacher who shares Kundalini Yoga in an accessible way. I blend modern vinyasa flow as a warm-up with Kundalini Yoga, giving a great all-around experience. I teach all over the world at conferences, festivals, retreat centers, online at @yogaglo, and on RBY Academy.”

To celebrate the theme of our current issue LOVE, we asked Kia to share a few thoughts on yoga, life and love.

How has your personal practice changed over the years?
My personal practice keeps deepening. It is an ongoing adventure that started with getting strong and flexible in my physical body through ashtanga, then activated in my energy through Kundalini and now in a process of refinement through pranayama and meditation. It is the most rewarding journey of my life. I am so grateful every day as I sit down to practice…

If you did not teach yoga, what do you think you would do for a living?
I’m not sure I would make a living at it haha…but I would like to devote my life to classical Indian singing!

What makes teaching at yoga festivals special?
The vibe, the community, the interactions with other teachers and practitioners, the creativity and fun! What I particularly love about Bhakti Fest is the theme of LOVE and DEVOTION and the talented kirtan artists who open the space for heart opening and deep healing through sound.

Share with us someone who has made an impact on your life and inspires you?
My sister, Rowan, for her unconditional love and support.

The theme of our issue is LOVE, what have you learned about love?
Love is within the very fabric of our existence. It is the source code of life. It is the force of creation. I have learned that when I feel separate from life and love I suffer. When I allow love to guide there is flow.

Come meet us at Bhakti Fest this Sept! Yoga Love Magazine readers can use the code yogalove when they check out for a 10% discount on ticket purchases

LOVE SPOTLIGHT: YOBK

by Shari Vilchez-Blatt | Apr 14, 2023 | ARTICLES, Profiles

LOVE SPOTLIGHT: YOBK

PROFILES

To celebrate the release of our print issue themed LOVE, we reached out to our amazing community to share with us a few thoughts on love. This week we celebrate YO BK Hot Yoga + Pilates studio in NYC and Miami and Kate Durand owner and teacher. Kate is also co-owner of Novela Cafe Social and U Omakase. Pick up your free copy of Yoga Love Magazine at YO BK Hot Yoga today!

Share with us what you love about what you do:
I opened YO BK in 2015 in Williamsburg, New York as a place for students to take refuge, go inwards and lean into community. I wanted to provide to others what yoga brought to me. Through fun, varied classes and the incredible students and teachers that came through our doors, the community boomed and within a couple of years, we were bursting at the seams. I opened our second location in Greenpoint in 2018 and was able to keep the studios afloat during the pandemic through the belief that students needed movement, breath and community more than ever. During that time, we offered outdoor, online and on-demand classes. We expanded to Wynwood, Miami in 2021. The reach of my work is so much bigger than I could have imagined, and my greatest passion is to bring people together through a wide variety of programming, from classes to workshops, from Teacher Trainings to retreats (I am writing now from our retreat in Amorgos, Greece). I also feel very fulfilled placing people in roles where they flourish, and am proud to have six full-time employees in New York and Miami.

Share with us what you have learned about LOVE:
Love is letting go of preconceived notions and meeting people where they are in all their glory. Love is learning from other ways of being; it is expanding consciousness. I struggled against this in my twenties as a young business owner and am now very grateful to work alongside people who bring different strengths to our community. Romantic and platonic love are compromise, clear communication and listening. We learn from love.

What inspired you to support Yoga Love Magazine?
I chose to support Yoga Love Magazine because of the support it has shown our community and teachers. I appreciate the celebration of teachers from all backgrounds and the topics covered. Yoga has been built into a glamorous, fashionable hobby by the media when really it goes so much deeper and should be accessible to all people of all backgrounds — Yoga Love Magazine is one of the few publications that celebrates this truth.