Thank you to the Orlando Voyager for a wonderful article publish October 19, 2021!
Today we’d like to introduce you to Yanet Ralls.
Hi Yanet, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always been active and enjoyed the journey of leading a healthful lifestyle. As a result, I made fitness part of my career and I am enjoying every minute of this journey. During college, I taught part-time fitness classes as a way to stay in shape and make a little bit of money. I realized early on that I was not just enjoying staying in shape but also the feeling I got when I helped the people that were participating in class. After a few years of teaching part-time, I decided to try and make this part of my career in hopes to teach others what I found was so enjoyable and help them get and stay healthy. Through the years, I taught wellness classes in a classroom setting at a community college in Miami, started a business within a health club and worked with personal clients. The fitness concentration was teaching clients the basics of wellness and it included functional exercise with weights, cardio and flexibility.
When I decided to start a family, I was asked by my doctors to stop all exercise because of the difficulty I was having with the process. I was participating in some vigorous exercise with some of my clients. This is where my current story begins when I found the practice of yoga. After decades of being so involved with fitness, the thought of stopping everything seemed overwhelming and unnatural for me. After being cleared to practice yoga. In 2003, I began to study and practice yoga with a dvd and books I borrowed from a friend. While pregnant, I felt so connected to my baby and so calm and at peace, I knew this would be part of my life for ever. In 2007, I took my first yoga teacher training and since then, I have acquired thousands of hours learning from amazing teachers. I developed my personal style of teaching and have enjoyed helping people of all ages and abilities through the practice and teaching of yoga. I consider myself a student and just share what I know works for me so that this can be accessible to every age and ability. When I teach, I love hosting participants of all ages and levels of practice within the class. One of my fondest memories of leading yoga practice is when I taught a class where I had younger students next to a gentleman practicing yoga on a chair and another blind gentleman sitting on his mat in the back of the studio. This to me is so inspiring and it brings me such joy. I always tell my students that I feel I learn more from them than they do from me and this work fills my soul so much. Yanet Yoga was inspired by a wonderful student during the quarantine.
In March of 2020 when the city closed down, I downloaded Zoom and began sharing my teachings from my bedroom with some of the students that were wanting to practice. I shared a physical practice, shared my tips to stay healthy with oils, etc and always tried to share a quote or affirmation we could connect to. Classes were averaging 30 participants. Some of the students were logging on from South Africa, Denver and Los Angeles because their friends, who were my students, were enjoying the classes weekly. The class were free of charge with the intent to build an amazing online community during such challenging times. In June of that year, I incorporated Yanet Yoga with the help of my student. She, to this day, helps me weekly. She is amazing with the stuff I am not good at and helps me so much. This business is supported by such a tribe of friends and I hope I can continue to grow it as a tribute to all of their support. I currently teach classes around town in different studios and rent space three times per week to lead class under Yanet Yoga. These classes are live and virtual and participants register on www.yanetyoga.com. I also have built and continue to build an online library of classes which participants can sign up to as members. I have over 150 classes raging in different abilities and focus to satisfy a diverse population. I am so very inspired with this new adventure and would love to do so much more to help our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I struggle with marketing. I am only marketing with my personal social media platform and word of mouth. I feel that is my biggest struggle now.
We’ve been impressed with Yanet Yoga, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is to teach yoga and wellness and make it accessible to everyone. I specialize in teaching yoga classes in group settings and also private clients that might want to get acquainted before moving into a bigger group. I teach the basics of a self-care practice this includes daily tips on how to stay healthy both mentally and physically. Within the yoga platform, I try and connect to the senses to create a full experience. I incorporate aromatic oils, music, visualization techniques and touch to name a few as a therapeutic component. I am most proud of the authenticity in the brand. I find this brand is suited for everyone regardless of age or physical ability. There is something your everybody. I would love for the readers to come experience one of the services Yanet Yoga offers. Whether they come to a live class, private session or a virtual class on demand or streamed, I feel they will find something that they can enjoy and if they don’t, I would love the feedback so that I can correct it.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I have had so much growth since the pandemic. Professionally, I feel I have matured in confidence because it opened my business. Personally, I have been able to hone in on what truly matters in our lives and that is taking good care of ourselves and others.
Contact Info:
Email: info@yanetyoga.com
Website: www.yanetyoga.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanetyoga/
Facebook: @YanetYogaLLC · Community
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe6iDMZkPD0QKCExDIseYdg/
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