We recently connected with Beatrice Buenaventura and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Beatrice thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you share a story with us from back when you were an intern or apprentice? Maybe it’s a story that illustrates an important lesson you learned or maybe it’s a just a story that makes you laugh (or cry)?

I realized that yoga wasn’t just something I enjoyed doing early on, that it was actually something I loved so much that I wanted to learn how to teach, and share it with others. I was very lucky to have found a reputable school for my very first teacher training. I have put in hundreds, arguably thousands, in training and continued education hours. It was in my first training that lead me to my forever teacher, mentor, and friend, Rich Logan. Though it wouldn’t be until a few years later, after my first teacher training, well into my practice, and actively teaching, that the opportunity to take on an ‘unofficial’ apprenticeship with Rich would present itself. I say ‘unofficial’ because this apprenticeship relationship/agreement was unconventional for the current times; very old school. Trainings in any field, these days and back then, require resources, and a lot of it, and rightfully so. During this time my main source of income came from working in the hospitality industry, that meant late nights and weekends, due to this, one could conclude that my schedule would never align with the typical schedules of a training or apprenticeship program. Even though the hospitality industry toots flexible schedule and hours, earnings depend on days of the week and times of the day I worked; this also meant days missed/time-off meant…well no pay! A lot of my yoga practices, classes, learning would be during the weekday and some weekend mornings; if I was lucky.
Feeling hopeless and equally frustrated I would never be able to join any apprenticeship programs due to my schedule, as well as being insecure to fund it, I approached Rich after one of his midday classes. I would always take his 12noon-2pm Mindful Movement classes during the week, as it was perfect for someone working until 2am the previous day, and most days
I would have to go into work around 430/5pm; it gave me time to reset and prepare me for my workday. I shared my dilemma and frustrations with Rich. I don’t remember specifically how much I offered him at the time, but it was definitely only a fraction of what the standard amount would be for an apprenticeship. I also offered to cook and clean, and as many sevās I had time for (sevā means service in Sanskrit; the concept of selfless service that is performed without any expectation or reward for performing it. Such services can be performed to benefit other human beings or society). I vividly remember the look in his eyes, it was a combination of concerned, touched, and confused; I for sure knew he would decline. He made two cups of tea, sat down, asked me a few questions, and just said “Beatrice, we will make it happen!”; and I just couldn’t believe it. I was shocked, grateful, excited, and ecstatic, my anxiousness melted, and this overwhelming joy took over me.
The reason why I teach yoga was and is because of Rich Logan. It is because of him that I teach, and it is because of this apprenticeship I teach well. Yes the apprenticeship was amazing, yes the apprenticeship was rich with knowledge and information, yes the apprenticeship was challenging, in the best of ways, and yes the apprenticeship continues on to this day, 9 years later. The invaluable lesson for me here, has always been: We don’t turn people away. You can find Rich teaching all over the world, his classes are always a suggested donation. If you have more you can give more, if you have less you can give less, if you have nothing you are still welcome to practice; we do not turn anyone away. THAT is yoga.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I got into my industry by complete accident. I grew up an athlete, and my guaranteed position on the senior varsity volleyball team was threatened by a school trip to Spain vs. a summer volleyball camp. Needless to say I had a very chill senior year, and my Spanish was muy bueno!
Not bogged down by an intense volleyball schedule that year, one could find me at the local gym, most days. One of the days, I had confused a Level 1 Vinyasa class for an Ironwoman orientation. I was 18 years old at the time so attention to detail wasn’t something that was fully realized for me yet. Too embarrassed to leave the room after recognizing my mistake; by the end of class I felt this natural high that I never had experienced before…”Ironwoman what?” and “Yoga teacher training here I come!”. Not too long after that first yoga class, I took yoga teacher trainings and learned the basic foundations of yoga. I was gifted an invaluable apprenticeship program with my main teacher, and after many years of community classes and donation classes; I found my teaching voice and teaching style that was uniquely my own.
I firmly believe in a strong personal practice, applying and observing the knowledge and teachings passed on to me in my day-to-day practice. Most of what I teach come from my own experiences, along with a keen awareness on different body journeys and his/herstories. I enjoy learning, experiencing, and providing students information on all the yoga paths: Raja Yoga, the science of the mind; Jnana Yoga, the yoga of knowledge; Karma Yoga, the yoga of action; Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion. The main intentions of my teachings have always been to help students achieve their goals; whether it’s gaining flexibility, solidifying balance, working on an injury, or strengthening their own practice. I curate sequences for individuals or small groups, as well as lead corporate workshops and wellness programs; in-person and online. What sets all of us apart is really just our own individual style and personality. What I tell any new and existing client is that this practice is for everybody and for every body. A bit of patience goes a long way, the teachings of yoga are a lifelong practices. Setting realistic goals and expectations is just one part of the whole, the rest is commitment and consistency. As the Sri K Pattabhi Jois saying goes “Yoga is 99% practice and 1% theory”. I would love talking about yoga, and get equally excited for anyone who finds time to bring yoga into their day-to-day lives.

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

Yoga means to yolk, it means union. Connecting has always been a successful component in my field, outside of training and knowledge. Connecting with students is part of it, but it doesn’t stop there. Connecting with people whether they are in or out of the immediate community, it also is a means to connect ourselves to our immediate environment and the world around us as a whole. I realize that this may come across “corny” to some (I love corn!), but it’s true! Every interaction we have is an opportunity to connect ourselves with one another. We may not always be successful, there will be days where we don’t want to connect in some occasions, and that’s ok! But when we can, if we can, the more we are able to make, create, and build connections with ourselves, each other, and our environment; the more we realize how similar we are than we are different. That we have the same needs: safety, food, shelter, love, companionship, liberty, freedom; and hopefully our words and actions are able to help create and provide the exact environments we would want for ourselves for all beings everywhere.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being myself. I remember years and years ago trying to be just like my teachers. I loved my teachers, and thought that being just like them was the only way to succeed. Not only was it unsustainable, I was doing myself a huge disservice by being inauthentic, not just to myself but to others as well. Finding my own voice, teaching style, and even ‘self’ took a lot of time. It took many many hours and community classes of being honest to myself, and putting myself out there, often in a vulnerable state. I grew up a very shy only child; volleyball taught me that I had a voice, the service industry fine tuned my attention to detail skills, and teaching taught me how to put all of those together.
One lesson gifted to me, by my teacher, was that not everyone is going to like me (Oh no!). My teaching style may not be everyones’ cup of tea, and that is ok! It WILL go both ways, and that is ok! What is constant is that we all find this practice. There are infinite ways to learn and teach, and even those ways will shift and change over time. I know it has for me, plenty.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.beatriceanneyoga.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-anne-b-97267aa0/