We were lucky to catch up with Paris Barrowclough recently and have shared our conversation below.

Paris , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I was raised by my mother. She had me at the age of 42, with no shortage of resistance from friends and family. Her first batch of children were already grown, and my father wasn’t exactly the marriage type. Despite the complications, and what seemed like an irresponsible decision for a woman of her age, she chose to keep the life inside her that would become me. Although we haven’t discussed that decision at length, I’m sure it was a difficult one for her. After I was born my mom and dad were still together for a couple of years and at this time my mother went back to school, law school. She bartended, studied, and took care of me all at the same time.
College didn’t last long for my mom, what I assume to be home life complications cut it short. My father left, and it was just us. And it remained just us for the majority of my childhood and adolescence. During the 18 years I spent growing up with her I watched a lot of things change. Some things didn’t make sense to me at the time, but I get it now. My mother is a woman who works for what she wants and will leave a situation if it isn’t working. She also went back to school again, when I was in middle school, and this time she graduated. She now has a Master’s Degree in Psychology and works a full time job as well as having private clients on the side. She’s 80 by the calendar, but she’s unlike any 80 year-old I’ve ever seen.
My point is, that my mom taught me to go after what I want, and that it’s never to late to change your course. Sometimes we grieve the lives we thought we might have, at the same time trusting the universe and our souls to guide us. I am an accountant by career, and a yogi at heart. My passion is helping people using yoga philosophy, breath, movement, and meditation. I try not to worry that It’s not my full time job at the moment, because she taught me that all right things come in time.
My business continues to evolve, from studio classes to online, to workshops, and to one-on-one. Although each type of practice is useful, some speak to my heart more than others and I am able to choose because I was taught to feel worthy of choice. I also continue my education every chance I get. That doesn’t mean I can take every lengthy new online class that comes out (although I love learning and absolutely want to), but that I can continue to read, listen, and speak to people who have knowledge I do not, in the hopes of soaking some of it in.
My mom taught me that life is ever changing, like the wind on the sea, and only you are the captain of your ship. So pick a direction and go, and turn around if you need. Trust your true north and all will be well,

Paris , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am the owner of Wicked Kind Yoga. I am a 200hr RYT, with an emphasis on positive psychology. I am also enrolled in a Yoga Therapy program, helping me dive deeper into the personalized experience I like to offer people. I believe that like a hairstylist, therapist, trainer, or any other professional you pick to influence your life, your yoga guide should be just as personal. Like each person is unique, the energy we bring to the studio or practice space is unique. Students, or clients are the same. Finding a good fit to build a lasting relationship is important to me.

I currently am not teaching in a studio but am offering some upcoming workshops, and am available for one-on-one or personalized practice. Personalized practice is available in person, via zoom, or pre-recorded with communication for feedback, depending on the client’s needs. All options are listed on my website wickedkindyoga.com, or through messaging me on Instagram @wickedkindyoga.

What I want people to know about my style is that I really believe in kindness, hence the name Wicked Kind. I believe we need to be kind to ourselves and to others and we walk though this life. The principals of Yoga tradition offer a way to cultivate kindness and I just want to guide people toward these philosophies. Also, if a person has a specific physical goal, I like to help them work toward that goal in a way that is helpful not harmful both mentally and physically.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Participation. Seriously. You can’t (can but shouldn’t) go around telling other people to do this and that if you aren’t willing to to the same for yourself. Everyone’s practice can look different, but being conscious of what is best for me at each stage in my life allows me to see what other people might need as well.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Currently I feel I am at a space of resilience when it comes to my business. In the beginning of 2020 when Covid hit and my day job slowed down, life shifted. Suddenly I was home with my daughter, home cultivating my passions like jewelry making and cooking, and home building my brand, During this time my website was created, I started teaching Facebook live classes every morning, and I was growing my recognition in the field. Then, reality hit. I was ineligible for unemployment because I was still employed part time, and the bills were piling up. Although my business was growing, it wasn’t enough yet to support my family and when a full time accounting position presented itself I took it. It has been one of the most stressful and mentally exhausting positions I have ever held. Couple that with teenage boys and a daughter in elementary school from our living room, it all became too much and the brand I had built fell to the wayside. I continued to practice, and to educate myself but with much less dedication to my progress as a yoga guide.
The beginning of this year I decided enough is enough. I need to follow my passion of helping people using the tools that changed my life. So I am in a sense starting over, and I am excited. I have shifted my sails and I am ready. I have been working on new projects and collaborations, as well as finding the me in my practice. I will not be defeated by the “have tos” those will always exist, but they do not rule.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wickedkindyoga.com
• Instagram: @wickedkindyoga
• Facebook: Wicked Kind Yoga
• Youtube: Wicked Kind Yoga