We recently connected with Christine Perez-Gray and have shared our conversation below.
Christine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
Some of the biggest trends I am seeing presently is obsoleting the spiritual segments of the yoga practice, making it solely a workout. My concern is that the beauty yoga brings along with the spiritual transformation received from giving oneself to the practice will not be experienced nor made available.
I began to notice this trend as I practiced in the more corporate style power yoga studios. I landed a job in a nationwide company that prohibited the facilitators from speaking in Sanskrit and/or utilizing spiritual music of any kind. Mind-blowing!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I found yoga in 2005 during a pivotal time in my life. I was on the journey inward and my mother passed unexpectedly. I became lost and depressed finding it difficult to stay on my path of sobriety. A friend took me to an Yoga Ashram in NW Florida and my life was forever changed. After abandoning myself and my yoga, I came back around in 2010. My relationship with the Mat and God changed significantly. I was reborn. I ventured deeper and obtained my certification, making it my life’s mission to show others the power of yoga.
As a recovering addict, I know first hand the process of transformation and this has helped me lead numerous people towards stepping into their power. I created The Yoga Direction as a safe space for others to grow, heal, meet like minded people, feel supported, be noticed and live inspired in love. The Yoga Direction is a way to honor oneself, face fears and evolve. The Yoga Direction host retreat through out the USA and offers incredible yoga classes and trainings at the local Shala in West Pembroke Pines, Florida.
How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?
I maintain contact with all of my clients as they typically become friends and/or family. They have all impacted my life and process in one way or the other and I always want them to know how important their love is.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I started my business completely on blind faith. I obtained a credit card and made it work. Little by slowly things started to change and here I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theyogadirection.com
- Instagram: theyogadirection
- Facebook: the yoga direction
- Linkedin: the yoga direction
- Youtube: the yoga direction
- Yelp: the yoga direction
Image Credits
Brendan Eldom at ShadeLife.Co Moises David Studios