We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabrielle Veasy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Gabrielle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the best advice you ever gave to a client? How did they benefit / what was the result? (Please note this response is for education/entertainment purposes only and shouldn’t be construed as advice for the reader)

Remember you had a purpose before anyone had an opinion!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I started practicing yoga about 5 years ago. I moved to Phoenix from Illinois in 2014, and was set on a journey of self discovery. Being away from everything I had known my entire life made it possible to see myself clearly. In doing so I began to realize that I didn’t truly care for the person I was mentally, emotionally, physically, and financially. So I began to slowly change the things that I didn’t care for. It started with being mindful of my eating, and adding in more physical activity… that snowballed into journaling… that snowballed into therapy, and before I knew it I looked up and 5 years had past. I was 150lbs lighter. My mind was clear, my heart was open, and I had found peace..

This issue was body ached so much after losing all the weight. So a friend of mine suggested that I start going to Hot Yoga to help soothe some of the aches and help with the loss of mobility I was experiencing in my body. I was fell in love with the practice instantly. The problem was I would go into these spaces and not see a single soul in sight that looks like me. There were no black instructors, and definitely, none that were considered “plus-size.”
I would have so much anxiety about being in these spaces but loved the practice so much that I would make myself go anyway. Finally, my late cousin, Bud suggested I get my cannabis card.

He went on to explain all the medical benefits it would have on the limitations I was experiencing in my body and went on to explain how much it would help ease my anxiety and depression. amongst other things. So I met with my doctor who referred me to a medical facility to get my cannabis card, and as they say, the rest is history……(haha I’ve always wanted to say that)
I quickly realized that there had to be so many other black/brown people that feel this way. There must be another woman uncomfortable with her body and needs to see a reflection of herself. I set off on a journey to learn everything I can about yoga, and the benefits of cannabis. I began studying yoga at a local school where I completed my program in 2020, and I attended a 100hour Ganja Yoga Teacher Training that I also completed in 2020, and on May 31, 2020 I taught my first Elevated Yoga class.

My business is unique because not only do we teach a cannabis-based class, but we have taken on the value of Yoga for every BODY! I’ve achieved this by offering a wide variety of classes for children and adults. Almost all of our classes are co-ed, and all classes focus on the beginner.

We have curated classes that focus on the empowerment of women in environments that are safe, and free from the expectations that society has placed upon us such as our quarterly clothing optional class.

We’ve started this journey wanting to remove the stigma associated with cannabis, black. and brown people by holding a space for Stoni Yogi’s ONLY that promotes the medical benefits of cannabis and yoga as a paired combo.
We believe that the youth are our future, and if we give them the tools of mindfulness, breathwork, and self-care early they will have a much easier time navigating the pressures of the world.

Each one, teach one – I went to a local school in the valley to receive my yoga education. I felt singled out as a black woman, I was shamed by some of the staff for wanting to do cannabis yoga and often felt like there was a lack of support for me because my style of yoga was/is so taboo.

So I created my own 200hr Yoga Teacher Training. The objective is to truly focus on yoga being inclusive., and strictly following the criteria guidelines laid out by Yoga Alliance. I teach the basics of yoga couples with the anatomy of the fascia system, yoga business, and marketing. My yoga teacher training program is unique because I start the program focusing on the journey of the student and slowly add in the yoga teacher portion as the program rolls on.

The program is currently in the process of becoming eligible for FASFA, but currently has in-house financing, and accepts PayPal credit.

I’m most the most proud when I see the smiles of the yogis coming into the space when I see the tribes that these classes have created for the yogis that attend on the regular outside of the space we share together. The pride that my students have coming into their yoga studio.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

If I could go back and do this all over again….. I would not only choose yoga again, and again but I definitely would have began my journey years prior.

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

Consistency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is no way I would have been able to get to the space I am right now without being consistent. Even when it was hard, when I was broke, when things didn’t go as planned I always show up, and i never switched up.

If there’s a class of 40 or 2 I show up. I give the same energy, and I always will!

Stay consistent Yogi’s! You got this!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.YOURFAVORITEHIPPIE.com
• Instagram: YourFavoriteHippie__
• Facebook: Your Favorite Hippie
• Youtube: Your Favorite Hippie

Image Credits
Omar Photographer