We recently connected with Cherylynn Spence and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Cherylynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

My intention as a professional Yoga Instructor is to help students listen to their inner selves and find the courage to step out of their comfort zone. A lot of times many yogis of color are interested in yoga but do not know where to start and there isn’t many public spaces that are accompanied by yogis of color. So representation is everything when trying something new and seeing the potential one can possess by seeing others doing the same.

FreeBodyYoga is a wellness brand dedicated to creating a shared space amongst yogis of color. I thought why not create a space where yogis can practice overall wellness as a collective in different online challenges while having am opportunity to supporting, promoting or networking with other like minded individuals.

FreeBodyYoga challenges is a easygoing space to practice yoga with confidence while networking with other like minded individuals. Our passion is to help build more health awareness + wealth opportunities.

Cherylynn, 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 first explored Yoga when I was pregnant with my first son. At the time I was a fitness head enjoying much running and intense workouts. But, with my body changing and my movement somewhat restricted; I did not have same confidence in my body and knew something had to adjust. My first practice was with a lady on YouTube name EstarYoga and her slow movements, strength and sense of peace; I was drawn in and enjoyed seeing my body in a whole in light. Shortly, I was introduced to breathing exercises as I begin to noticed my breath .This was the start of a more personal journey within.
One of my favorite quotes that I don’t remember were I seen it, but it said ” Yoga opens doors within” I felt this in my entirety. This was 12 years ago and with diligent practice, joining many online yoga challenges, and my passion for growth. I wanted to share all that I have learned and all that I hope to explore with others who are seeking this peace, clarity and wholeness, yoga can offer.

When I noticed the lack of diversity in the yoga spaces online and in many of our local yoga communities as well as the amount of bias received due to the shape, size or difference in melanated practitioners and teachers alike.

I knew I wanted to create a community that would offer education, peace of mind and true connection.

FreeBodyYoga is here to empower myself and others alike; to fully embrace all of our natural features, from size, form, to scars; stretchmarks… one thing; we all experienced; having insecurities.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audiences through consistency and I say this because it was never one thing alone. It was a combination of many things and the journey has taken many twist and turns. My business was originally named Breathe n Yoga because my practices were all about breathing exercises and asking oneself core valued questions. Each day I would share my journey, my struggles, my challenges, my triumphs but there were also many times where I had to take myself away and recommit to what truly was fulfilling vs what people where use to seeing. I had to make a decision many times if I was doing what I did for audience or for myself. Ofcourse it always ended with me taking a step back and really diving deep into my core values and my why. But being relatable was my greatest feature.. I am not trying to be something I am not do many times I did not have the fancy environment, top notch camera or picture perfect poses or even make-up and good lighting. A lot of times I just shared my process as is and my joy of just doing what I love no matter how it looked. This deeply resonated with my audience and inspired them to “come as you are”. No one has the blueprint. You are the blueprint. Just keep doing YOU!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At this moment I am having to illustrate resilience. I recently have been experiencing some scatica pain and it has given me a whole new aim in my journey. Before I did many tutorials and classes on getting into beginner poses. But now I am a bit more focused on poses that helps benefits those with scatica pain. I have even taken a step back and revisiting my roots in yoga which is pranayama. I offer many classes on simply breathing correctly and understand the benefits and educating ones on the chakras and how they correlate with our yogapra Tice and wellness journey. Sharing different affirmations has also been heavily into FreeBodyYoga current practices because I realized first hand that our self talk is so key to living at our highest potential and learning how to get out of our own way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/FreeBodyYoga
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/freebodyyoga
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/freebodyyoga
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/freebodyyogi
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/freebodyyoga