In 2008, our founder, Stephanie Marie was interested in yoga and very intimidated by it.
“I didn’t know what type of yoga class to take, the poses looked intimidating, I was afraid I would hurt myself or embarrass myself. I had so many questions.”
In 2013, she pursued a work-life balance and her yoga journey began later that year. Her first yoga class was a gentle class and it was a great start for her. The class was at a slower pace and the poses were broken down in a way that made them less intimidating.
Yoga, pranayama (breath work) and meditation, are all aspects of yoga, changed my life.
For a few years, she felt called to enroll in yoga teacher training to study yoga at a deeper level, and found that what kept her from starting yoga years ago, was now keeping her from starting yoga teacher training (YTT).
Once she started YTT, she was immersed in all things yoga and her love for the practice deepened. Yet again, fear emerged.
She didn’t feel guided to teach right away; instead she meditated on her next steps. During that time, she noticed there is a growing amount of interest in yoga at the same time there is a lot of misrepresentation and false assumptions about it.
Our social feeds are filled with images of people, who may not look like us, in yoga poses that can and do intimidate us, which can keep people away from yoga. Even worse people can assume “yoga is not for me” or “yoga is not for my body/ body type”.
Yoga IS much more than asana (the physical pose). It also includes breath work, meditation, mantra and self study to name few. More importantly…
YOGA IS FOR EVERYBODY, BODY TYPE, RACE and ETHNICITY.
It is with that awareness and intention that SOMOS YOGA was born. SOMOS YOGA translated means “We Are Yoga”. It creates a safe space for anyone to practice yoga. If you are an experienced yogi, new to yoga or curious about it, you are welcome here.
“I love how Stephanie explains the benefits if each movement and how the stretches we hold, relate to how we experience life! The idea that we tend to hold our breath when we stretch and how it relates to how we hold our breath in life when things become stressful. Remembering to breathe through it is important in both! Or, how balancing becomes easier when we focus gently on a spot ahead and how in life we tend to lose balance just as easily when we drop our focus! Love the connections! Also, I love the Cactus Arms! This alternative to holding my arms gives me more strength and forces me to open my chest so I don’t feel inclined to scrunch my shoulders! Love it all! :)”
— Kirstin C., Somos Yoga Participant
Heartspace Circle 