Tell us about who you are and what you do. 

Hi everyone my name is Paris and I am Your Yoga BFF. Your Yoga BFF is a community where people can come together to learn more about how to bring their minds and bodies into balance.  I currently offer a range of both online and in-person classes, as well as Mindfully Fit Lifestyle products to help you on your journey.  

Currently, I offer:  

1. Two E-books on how to get started with Yoga 

 2. 28 Day Beginner Yoga Program (Over 40 videos on the foundation of a Yoga practice)  

3. 28 Day Core Control Program (Over 80+ exercises to get those ABS and that core  strength!)  

4. Monthly Live Zoom Classes (5 classes a week on Zoom with Your Yoga BFF)  

5. Mindfully Fit Lifestyle products including PJ Yoga Mats/Blocks/Straps/Wheels/Massage  Balls, Foam Rollers, ABS Sliders, and Resistance Bands. They’re all available on my  @YourYogaBFF page  

6. I also have an Instagram Page @theparisjames, with a tonne of free resources and tutorials that you can check out. I also host challenges to get you started on your Yoga journey!  

Tell us how you created this brand and what was the sole idea behind it.

Three years ago, I moved back home to Trinidad, after pursuing a double major in Biochemistry and Neuroscience at the University of Toronto. I felt lost when I returned, not certain of what my path would be. I started ous staring into the tunnel of what my future held,  and I began questioning if I was really happy at that time in my life. I started scrolling through my IG feed and happened across photos of this beautiful girl practicing different yoga postures.  There was something about the way that she moved and radiated sunshine, that entranced me. I  thought to myself, “If I could do that same move, I’d probably feel the same way!” Needless to say, I tried to pop into that Wheel Pose, and it was ridiculously hard. I tried over and over again until my back was in pain the next day. I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t as easy as it looked. I  was convinced that my body would be capable of doing it too, so I did what I did best as an academic – I started studying it. I studied the movement, the postures, and everything I needed to be able to move like that. I slowly got addicted to it and before I knew it, I would be practicing every single yoga pose when I woke up, before I showered, before I got into bed, while I was in bed, and pretty much every possible place and time. I noticed that there was a growing yoga community online, so I started posting photos of myself practicing and before I knew it, I was welcomed into the community with open arms. The more I practiced, the more I improved, and soon, friends started asking me to teach them. It never crossed my mind to be a Yoga Instructor but the idea slowly started to grow on me. I did tons of research and eventually the stars aligned for me to complete my Yoga Teacher Training so that I could continue to do what I love, and inspire others as well.  

During COVID, my classes were all shut down due to the restrictions on the gyms. I had  a lot of free time at this point, so I decided to compile a list of questions that people usually ask  me with regards to starting a yoga practice. Eventually the idea came to me to write a book to  help others begin their at-home practice. “So You Want To Start Yoga, What Now?,” and “I’m  On My Mat, What Now?” were the first two Yoga E-books that were released on my website and  the response was amazing! I was so happy to help everyone find their way and start their practice  (something I believe everyone should do because the benefits of Yoga are LIFE CHANGING!).  When writing the book, I’d never forget that in the last line of the first paragraph I said “Don’t  think of me as some spiritual guru, think of me as Your Yoga BFF.” One night as I was sleeping,  those three words kept playing over and over in my mind and when I woke up I knew that Your  Yoga BFF was going to be the name I would use for the start of the brand. At this point in time,  the ideas that I had were endless! I wanted to create an online platform where people can get pre recorded courses, live classes and more! The more people that were interested in yoga in, the  more the demand grew for yoga equipment and before I knew it, things were lining up again for  me to create my very own brand down here to supply the demand for the cutest supply of yoga  accessories. I created the main brand Mindfully Fit Lifestyle LTD., which was designed to equip  you with everything you need to not just be Fit, but to be Mindfully Fit throughout your journey.

Go in detail and tell us about how your brand works. You may keep this from the  audience’s perspective. 

I want my brand to be the GO-TO brand for all things yoga. I found a deep love of this practice  and I know that starting yoga can be so intimidating for everyone, so I want to really be that  person people can come to with advice to live their best lives. The frontline marketing for the  brand is my Instagram @theparisjames, where I share tutorial, yoga pictures, transformations and  more. From here you can access my pre-recorded courses and my E-books. You can also book a  private class with me online and in person as well. In this session, we can go over all of your  goals and get you on the right path to align yourself. With regards to the products, the Mindfully  Fit Products are available to help you get deeper into your practice e.g. Blocks, Wheels and more.  

I want to be an inspiration to everyone on their yoga journey, encouraging them that it’s never  too late to start, you’re never too old, and there definitely isn’t a restriction to start yoga e.g. body  weight, age, size, flexibility etc.  

What is your giveaway idea through this interview? Highlight something that may  interest the readers on a one to one basis. 

Besides following your dreams, I think that I want everyone to realize how amazing a yoga  practice can be for you. It’s something I think that everyone should get involved with, no matter  how young or old. Yoga brings your life into balance in way that you’ve never imagined. – it  helps you align with your truest self. You will be able to have an outlet to clear your mind, bring  yourself into balance, and pave the way to accomplish your goals.  

If you’re feeling stressed, not sleeping well, or feel like something is missing from your life – then this should be your sign to start your yoga practice now!  

Explain the challenges you went through while you were working on brand creation.  What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis? 

Some of the challenges I went through revolve around self-doubt in the beginning. I thought – okay but there are a million yoga instructors, what makes me different? I debated whether I would be judged for sharing yoga online on my Instagram or doing things in a certain way. These fears disappeared because the moment I started doing what I love, everything fell into place. Other challenges I face would be how to branch off my yoga classes and products to an international level, and how to constantly encourage everyone to try yoga. In doing this, I realized that there  are a lot of misconceptions around yoga e.g. Males feel like it’s not something that they would  like to do, and other times, they think yoga is “just stretching.” It’s those blockages that I have to work around, that sometimes pose a challenge to the business. 

Another challenge that I sometimes face is having time to practice for myself – with all the hours of teaching and organizing, my own personal practice suffers at times, but I want to make sure that I put aside the time that I need to improve, and clear my mental space as well.  

6How do you manage your finances through the services you offer? Any funding etc. receive? 

The Mindfully Fit and Your Yoga BFF business are only one year old and so far, so external funding was received. I am at the stage where I re-invest everything in the business, and perhaps one day the stars will align for me to receive the funding that I need to expand and grow bigger.  At this point, I am grateful to be able to sustain the business on my own.  

Tell us your future vision about the brand. How far do you want to take it? What is your dream about taking it to the next level? 

My vision for the brand is to take it to the next level regionally and internationally.  1. I want to offer several more courses to help everyone get started with yoga.  

2. A YouTube Channel for free content on how to start your yoga practice, and how to bring your  mind and body into balance  

3. Regional and international workshops  

4. Expand my equipment regionally and internationally and have the Your Yoga BFF brand as the go-to brand for those wanting to start a yoga practice.  

5. I dream of teaching workshops in Bali and Thailand and having everyone be excited and happy when they come to / leave my class!  

6. Branch off into Yoga Therapy, where I will combine my knowledge of yoga and background in science to bring therapy to anyone who needs it.  

I would love to be everyone’s Yoga BFF, to be honest, ��I am hopeful that the COVID restrictions will end and that the world would soon be a safe place for interactions again. I plan on hosting workshops in the wider Caribbean and internationally, and eventually selling my Mindfully Fit  Lifestyle products throughout the region as well. I would also love my online classes and programs to be internationally recognized so that everyone can participate in the fun! I would dream of one day working with larger brands for brand sponsorships within my own practice, whilst making  Your Yoga BFF a beautiful friendship, and welcoming global brand to help everyone find their strength. I would also love to set up a Yoga Therapy practice, and eventually try to see how it can 

help in medical fields. P.S. Yoga is quickly becoming a form of prescribed medicine so who know  what the future holds? I’m here for it!  

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it? 

I would definitely say to everyone reading this, that if you have a dream or a desire, go for it. If  you are unhappy in your current job, or you’re doing it because that’s what society said was what  was the “right way,” then you will live your entire life unhappy, and always wondering “What  if?.” To me, life is so short – you can be gone before you know it, so what really is the purpose?  Do you want to spend your life working in a job or being in a situation that you hate, or do you  want to take your passion and turn it into a profit? My advice would be to take it one step at a  time and start planning what you want to do – if you like art, either start doing art classes, selling  your art, hosting virtual paint nights and so much more! The possibilities are endless, so all you  have to do is start! When you really look at it, our time here is short so let your passion lead you  to your purpose.  

Company name : Mindfully Fit Lifestyle – Your Yoga BFF  

Email Address : theparisjames@gmail.com 

Website: practice.theparisjames.com 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theparisjames/?hl=en

The post Paris James: Your Yoga BFF appeared first on CEO Medium.

She’s obsessed with constantly learning more and then sharing it with anyone who will listen through on her Instagram and YouTube channels. She combines her background in psychology, her love of nature, and her fascination with the human body with yoga to bring an integrated approach to this nebulous idea of being “healthy”. 

Adell’s entire ethos is built around the knowledge that every single one of us will someday die, and so we may as well enjoy our time here as much as possible. For Adell, being able to enjoy life is amplified when we live in a healthy body. The physical body is the tangible and visible part of us that can be a teacher for the more indistinguishable parts of life, so by beginning our understanding of ourselves and others with the body, we can take a pragmatic step towards becoming enlightened — which is way better than being rich, but can also make you rich (case in point: Eckhart Tolle). 

Back to Adell, she is on a mission to make the world better one mindful breath at a time. She’s big on supporting other yoga teachers and even created a free 2-hour workshop sharing all of her tips on teaching online with confidence (with her method for making money while you sleep by being an online yoga teacher). You can access that HERE: adellbridgeswellness.com/online-workshop-signup

Find out more about Adell on her channels below:

Company name: Adell Bridges Yoga Ltd

Website URL: adellbridgesyoga.com

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/adellbridges 

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/adellbridges

The post “What keeps Adell Bridges Creating (It’s Not Really About Her. It’s About YOU)” appeared first on CEO Medium.

Tell us about who you are and what you do.

I was born and raised in Hawaii, and I’m the youngest of 10 kids. Yes, 10 children, same parents, immigrants from the Philippines. There are 7 girls and 3 boys. I always share this part of my story because I grew up in a community, not only with deep spiritual teachings in the church, but also great discipline through the church choir, Catholic school, student council, and athletics. We were taught to be overachievers, maybe because we were first-generation, but also because my parents taught us to cultivate our God-given talents and share them with the world. The next part of my story is that after watching 9 other siblings go through life, chase after success, and fight for my parents’ approval and attention, I kind of became a rebel or someone who just went the non-conventional way. I didn’t instantly finish my college degree; nor rush into marriage, nor have any children, nor continue going to the Catholic church. I explored many religions, traveled a lot, worked a variety of jobs, and tried different relationships.  I fell in love with yoga in 2003, and somehow through finding my breath, I started to get all sorts of realizations of who I was, and who I was not. And one by one, I started dropping habits and people that didn’t feel authentic to me. And that’s been my practice ever since.

Tell us how you created this brand and what was the sole idea behind it.

My latest coaching program is called “Remover of Obstacles”. It’s an homage to Ganesh, the elephant god, and son of Shiva, who is known to remove obstacles and make clear the path for new and prosperous beginnings.  In my many years of learning about Ganesh, I’ve started to understand that removing obstacles is an inside job. It’s not always about bulldozing the thing that’s seemingly in your way. It’s usually about seeing that roadblock as a blessing or an opportunity to learn something new. It’s not always about changing the external circumstances; it’s usually about changing your perspective on the situation. This program combines group sessions, with more witnesses to your process, in addition to private coaching around what each person is struggling with, whether it be health, work, love, or money.

Go in detail and tell us about how your brand works.

I offer coaching, in addition to yoga classes, teacher training, and yoga retreats. All the things I love and all the things that can transform, heal, and inspire people!

What is your giveaway idea through this interview?

In all my years of supporting my siblings, my nieces/nephews, my students, my clients, and myself, I’ve learned that most people want to feel seen, heard, and loved. No one wants to feel alone or unwanted. Once someone feels this type of care, they get more motivation and clarity as to how to move forward in life. This is the kind of care I like to provide in my coaching and my yoga classes.

Explain the challenges you went through while you were working on brand creation. What are the challenges you go through on an everyday basis?

The challenges are that I am passionate about so many things and mediums. I want to create my tv show, run my retreat center, record a devotional music album, take care of my family, and spend a lot of time in prayer and solitude. It takes time management and rest to pursue all the things that matter to me.

How do you manage your finances through the services you offer. Any fundings etc received?

I earn my income from teaching and coaching, and I have raised some funds through Gofundme. I manage my money with love and service for others, and I trust the flow of currency. Money comes in, money goes out, and it’s all perfect. The main thing is that I spend with consciousness, supporting small and local businesses, and always give back to nonprofits and spiritual centers that are doing beautiful things for our world. 

Tell us your future vision about the brand. How far do you want to take it? What is your dream about taking it to the next level?

My dream is to have a high-quality tv show and podcast highlighting all things spiritual and wellness-related.  I also dream of having a retreat center with a cow sanctuary and a petting zoo. I’m all about bringing people back to nature and themselves. 

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

Get support. Find a community of like-minded folks. Do yoga and meditation. Find a mentor, coach, and therapist. Listen to Tony Robbins and all the amazing entrepreneurs out there on social media. Get out of your way and take small steps EVERYDAY. Have patience and faith, and believe in your purpose, no matter what, even when things feel difficult. Take a breath, take a bath, take a nap, and then get back on track. 

GloLoveYoga

Website: gloriabaraquio.com

Instagram: @gloloveyoga

The post It’s Not Just Yoga; It’s Being Yourself appeared first on CEO Medium.

Tell us about who you are and what you do.

My name is Kelly Watt, I am in my mid-twenties, my pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am based out of New England. I teach yoga independently as I adventure down my path in the robust and inspiring yoga world! Through my practice, I discover with certainty that at the root of all that I love about life there is a common thread of creating and holding space for humans to get connected to their authentic selves and the (human, earthly, and spiritual) life around them. I treasure the opportunities to help create and facilitate these spaces through the avenues of yoga, expressive arts, travel/nature, and conversation. 

I consider it my work to ensure that everyone is welcomed with unconditional love in the community spaces I create and to let my heart lead my practice (and life) always into a more progressive, ethical, sustainable, and accessible love for people and the planet. My educational and professional backgrounds are in expressive therapies, counseling, and community work so my practice focuses on the intersection of the magic of yoga, creativity through music and movement, and community building. Often in my classes (and always in my life) my dog, Ash, is by my side–our hearts and souls are truly cut from the same cloth, so we strive to live a life full of adventure in our time together. I always joke that Ash had a career change when he flunked his service dog test but, honestly, he low-key seems to be thriving in his new career as a yogi support dog & certified good boy (& bolster haha).

What brought you to start teaching yoga independently and what do you hope to offer?

In all corners of my life, I strive to create space for humans to connect with themselves and with others in a meaningful and authentic way- this is always at the heart of my practice. I consider it my work to set the stage for people to get there a little bit easier through offering them a loving space paired with the creative alignment of music, movement, and intention setting. In my own experience, when all of these ‘ingredients’ of yoga hit just right, the real magic of deep, meaningful, and authentic connection happens. For me, that’s the first goal- and then one step further, I explore how we can lean into that space a little more and tap into the amazing, authentic parts of ourselves that often lie dormant underneath heavy judgments or fears or other burdens that we carry daily which yoga has helped to peel off- even for a moment. It’s like if we have a great yoga class and feel great physically, spiritually, & emotionally afterward and then return to our lives off the mat and keep moving forward, that alone is amazing– it’s like catching a firefly in a jar and taking it around with us. However, I think it is a missed opportunity to let it end there- let’s say we capture that great feeling, that one firefly for ourselves, what would happen if we noticed all the other people around us in that class who also caught a firefly during class? What if we came together, even briefly, to lean in a little further and take advantage of that ‘best self’ space and let our fireflies free all at once. While awe-inspiring visual scene, I think the real beauty is in the authentic and connected community space that grows in this place- and I think that is a space we all need more of and the space I hope to elevate in our practice. 

Can you tell us more about how this all works?

For right now, my classes are all held via zoom to ensure that amid this pandemic all yogis can protect their peace and their safety and connect to their practice in their own spaces—all are always welcomed (whether it’s your first or your millionth time on the mat!!). 

Throughout the past few months, I have been collaborating with a variety of creative small businesses and artists in a Small Business Saturday Yoga Series where I spotlight a different business each class. For this series, yogis pay to sign up for each Saturday class and leave with a discount to the spotlighted small business, ideally sending them new orders and customers amid this particularly trying time for small business owners. For me, this series has been a really exciting new way to make my life and my practice more meaningful by elevating and spotlighting others who are out there making absolute magic, following their dreams & passions, and perpetuating goodness in this world. 

As an intentional space maker, I consider it my responsibility to ensure that all people have access and feel welcomed and protected in this community space. I believe in the foundational aspect of yoga, which is to be non-harming– this means that not only am I committed to not put harm onto others or myself, but I am also committed to being a fierce advocate for others when harm is put upon them. All are always welcomed with love and all classes are suggested donation-based; I believe yoga, self-care, and connecting to the community should never be closed off to a person because they cannot prioritize it financially. 

What is something you can offer readers of this interview?

In my small corner of the world, I hold collaboration and connection with so much love and care! I move forward in this passion project & business venture by letting each step forward be anchored to the words, “We are all just walking each other home.” And so when I have the opportunity to connect/collaborate with other people who are out there elevating goodness in the world- I consider it a huge honor to walk alongside them in this journey. I once had a professor who often said to grab ahold of the thoughts that we often let just float by…meaning, when a song pops into your head, if you are thinking of someone or get an urge to tell them something specific, or you think of something that feels random- it never is random. Everything has meaning and if it doesn’t make sense to you, it is great to get in the practice of saying those things out loud or acting on them because, most likely, it is something meaningful for that other person. I often let these kinds of signs or ‘pop up’ moments guide me to wherever it is that I may need to be– so if anything resonates with you while reading this interview or you feel like you/ someone you know may want to connect, I will always take that opportunity as an honor and never consider it to be weird or an inconvenience- so please reach out!!

What are some challenges you go through on an everyday basis in this work?

Something that I am still navigating is the complexity of monetizing something that holds your heart. In my perfect world, I would love to offer this space and this work for free because I think that everyone is deserving and it only will benefit us all. However, I am balancing knowing that to be able to expand my reach, serve more people, and continue down this path (and exist in this world) I do need to be paid and my time, service, and expertise is valuable. It is a tricky balance of knowing my worth and also ensuring that it never feels elite/exclusive and that money doesn’t taint the heart of my work. It is really important to me that this community is accessible to all people and that I never worry so much about the business/money end of this venture that I lose sight of why I want to share this work with the world in the first place. With every decision I make, I re-connect with the heart of my intentions so that I am always guided by my authentic internal compass. 

Tell us your future visions- what is your dream about taking it to the next level?

I am extremely excited to move this practice towards being an in-person practice once we eventually move through this pandemic and it is safe again to do so! I envision a loving group of humans coming together, under the warm sun, with fresh air on their skin, practicing side by side, and getting connected to the seat of their self and then sticking around after the physical practice to connect while going deeper through the avenues of art & creative expression. 

What message would you like to give to anybody who has a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?

Here is the same advice that I often have to remind myself; we are doing ourselves and the world around us a disservice by being small, hiding our gifts, and not going after our dreams. If something makes you radiate and feels like it truly gives you life because you love it so much, go after it and share it however you can. And why should that not be your work and your living? Life is way too fragile, and we spend way too much time working, to be unhappy at work or miserable over things that we can make choices about and control. Take hold of what lights you up and let it guide you to where you are supposed to be because you deserve to. <3

Follow Kelly Watt on Instagram: @kelwatt

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