Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Asha Edouard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Asha , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

As a woman that is spiritually in tune with herself and community, I knew that if I were to open a practice, it would have to reflect how I live on a daily basis, spirit included. In the early days of In Grace Yoga Therapy, I started out this work as a Social Worker. I had a strong burning desire to introduce members of my community to alternative and ancestral ways to heal. I began by teaching yoga and meditation for trauma relief and that mission has since grown to offering trauma informed services for WOC navigating women’s and reproductive health concerns, those seeking spiritual and energetic balancing and women navigating birth. The biggest challenge was capitol and funding. Looking back, I would have applied for grants to serve the community and/or create a savings plan that would allow me to transition into this work full-time. In the beginning, I was offering services and using revenue to fund the business. If I had any advice, it would be to create a thorough financial plan before starting that way you have the leverage to bring some of your ideas to light without the pressure.

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 received my Social Work training at Howard University in 2015. After working in multiple sectors of the profession; from hospital and ICU settings, schools, rapid rehousing and homelessness, therapy, etc, I felt unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Although highly successful in my field, I was struggling to find a sense of meaning and identity. So much of my world involved helping others, and I often neglected myself and my own needs. Shortly after, I completed a Yoga Teacher Training in DC and fell in love with the integration of mind, body, soul and spirit. Unlike my clinical training, the yoga philosophy highlighted spiritual wellness of all parts of self, and I appreciated that. I used my therapeutic experience in addition with my newfound yoga love to offer my community, trauma-informed yoga interventions for anxiety, spiritual wellness and self-care. This practice deepened my desire to know more about life beyond the physical and mental body and to study the energy body (Reiki). I became a Reiki Master and found so much pleasure in integrating Energy Therapy with mental health coaching and trauma-informed care. I now support my community as a Spiritual Social Worker for WOC offering interventions for women health/womb wellness, energy balancing and spiritual wellness. I also serve my community as a full spectrum doula.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I truly believe in treating people well. My clients have been so helpful in growing my clientele. They effortlessly recommend and refer people who they believe would be a great fit for me, my style and my practice. This warm connection also makes it easy to connect with new clients. In addition to that, Social Media has been amazing in connecting me with new people. As I show up authentically on that platform/space, I find that people who resonate with my message, my style of healing, my approach and my attitude, become clients quickly. I also believe my “no nonsense, authentic, authentic” approach allows women to feel safe, cared for and loved.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

If I could go back, I think I would choose to become an OBGYN. I have such a passion for Womb Health, womens wellness, reproductive health and vaginal wellness. Although I am not a OBGYN, I serve my community as a womens health advocate, womb healer, herbalist and womb reiki practitioner. I feel that these studies make my work wonderful as it allows me to see one issue from many different viewpoints. Not an OBGYN, but close enough for me lol.

Contact Info:

• Website: ingraceyogatherapy.com
• Instagram: InGraceYoga
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashafromingraceyogatherapy4738?si=-FEYat9hYrcF70AI