We recently connected with Jasmin McGee and have shared our conversation below.

Jasmin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

From an early age, my mother was integral in teaching a very important lesson that I’ve carried through my whole life. And this lesson is to hold deep compassion and care for others whilst being in service to others. She taught me that everyone I encounter may be having a good day or a challenging day. She showed us how to show respect to all people. She taught us to show common courtesy towards everyone… to be helpful and kind.

When we were little and our family was invited to be a guest at someone’s home, we helped clean up the dishes from the table, wash the dishes, and pack the food away. My mother exemplified this by offering the host or hostess her services to help and encouraged us to help with her.

When we were in a store, my mother always encouraged us to hold the door open for others to allow them to enter ahead of us or exit before we entered.

We were taught to pay special attention to mothers who were wrestling their small children or to the elderly.

When we walked into a store, we always greeted those who worked behind the counter. When we were in a restaurant, we were always kind to the person who served us, to say thank you for any item brought to us, and we made sure to neatly stack our plates so the server can remove them with ease.

My father instilled in me a strong work ethic and to take pride in doing a job well done. He was also a very charitable, service oriented man who gave of himself to help those who found themselves in hard times, without a place to live, or food on the table. My father helped build businesses and gave money toward the care of children in orphanages. He found joy in seeing others thrive and make a good life for themselves.

I realize that many of these things are logical, common courtesy actions to take; however, a “Thank you…” or a show of kindness is hard to come by these days. I am so glad for the manners and compassion I was taught to have toward ALL people.

I watched my mother and father care for others. And I saw how this care and compassion was received by the individuals they came into contact with.

I have carried these lessons of love, compassion, hard work, respect, courtesy, understanding, and empathy my entire life. And as I guide amazing human beings in my Yoga class, I offer them this same level of love. As I hold space for the incredible human beings I serve as a Death Doula, I bring to the table my empathy, compassion, and service heart.

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 fell in love with Yoga whilst recovering from major surgery. A local studio near my home opened, and I attended a weekly class offered by the teacher and now good friend, Tessara. I mentioned to her that I was considering becoming a Yoga teacher and she connected me with Ashe Yoga School in Houston. I completed both my 200-hour and 300-hour bridge Yoga Teacher Training programs through Ashe Yoga School.

After my training ended. Tessara and I, along with a few other amazing human beings, began Interconnected Private Wellness Practice in the Houston area. We are a collective of individuals who all bring holistic services to community.

The lesson I learned from my mother at an early age – how to be in service to with compassion, empathy, and genuine care – has been the cornerstone to what I bring to community whether guiding a Yoga class or offering my services as a Death Doula.

I am proud of all the hard work I’ve put into my training and education. I am proud of the lessons I’ve learned and the trials I’ve gone through to stand in my power and find my voice. I am proud of the work I put in to prepare for my classes in order to hold sacred space for the amazing people who entrust me to guide them.

Peace is the cornerstone and foundation of my business, Snow Poppy Yoga. Being in service to community and offering peace to the amazing people I hold space for as either a Death Doula or when I guide a Yoga class humbles me to my core. I arrive at each new day with a grateful heart, mind, and soul.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I have learned that the greatest skill I bring to the table whether guiding a Yoga class or serving as a Death Doula is knowing how to hold a trauma-informed space for the individuals entrusting me with their time and energy. I work very hard at creating a sacred container where individuals in my care can feel empowered to do their own work, healing, and processing of whatever is going in their lives. I offer them the time and stillness where they can go inward and have the experience that they need in that particular day.

Guiding a Restorative Yoga class and offering Yoga Nidra is especially humbling to me.  It is a joy and a blessing to offer this to community. Holding space for others whilst they experience deep rest is incredible. Rest is something that can feel hard to come by in this busy, hectic world. My intention by guiding a fully supported Restorative Yoga class is to curate an environment where the practitioner feels encouraged to surrender to rest. And when the practitioners come away from the experience feeling refreshed and with smiles on their faces, my heart is elated for them.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of my teachers once told me in my training that your people will find you. The people who need your way of guiding them and holding space for them will be drawn to you. And I feel that for the most part this is true.

I come to each class or meeting with the amazing human beings I serve as my true, authentic self. I have learned to find my “voice”. I bring my true self to each class or meeting and if I am having a hard day and I need to take a breath to settle my nerves or anxiety, I invite those in my class to join me.

We are all people going through something – processing and healing from our own traumas. No one is immune to suffering. So, I offer the amazing people I am blessed to interact with and guide my compassion, my empathy, peace, and grace.

So, I find that word of mouth is an effective tool to grow my class and clientele. Authentically showing people who I am and offering them my service from a place of deep compassion has brought the ones who need my guidance to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.snowpoppyyoga.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snow.poppy.yoga/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@snowpoppyyoga
• Other: Interconnected Private Wellness Practice website: https://sites.google.com/view/interconnectedwellnesstx/home?fbclid=PAAaaboUdE-I-vG4SZnDhdKXd9JCEiqnx1gZNbprpsGvH3Cc7lf-2u1Zeu0sw