We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Adi Devta Kaur a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Adi Devta, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
When I first started practicing yoga I didn’t see myself owning a studio nor did I see myself starting my own teacher training program accredited with the National Yoga Alliance but through the help and support of thousands of people around the world it was made possible.
In 2023 I started a $20,000 gofundme asking for donations to remodel a garage unit in hopes of turning it into a yoga studio one day. The only means of advertisement I had were word of mouth and social media.
Everyday I would go on social media to campaign for this mission that was so near and dear to my heart.
We finally reached our goal and my husband was the contractor for the project.
Watching him selflessly work on the studio day in and day out as the donations came in gave me so much strength and willpower to see the project to the end.
The economy isn’t where it used to be but so many people gave what they could so that we could establish Inglenook Yoga Studio November 21st 2023.
We even invited the Mayor of Birmingham out to our grand opening along with many of our friends and family who traveled from all over the southeast region just for that special day.
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 am Adi. I am a community activist, a yoga teacher and a soon to be mother of a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth Ivy in February 2026.
I got into yoga because it was something that made me feel good, I stayed because it was something that required discipline, strength, and integrity to endure.
Yoga has been a benevolent friend in times of need. I can always hit my mat, even during my pregnancy yoga has been a way to connect to my unborn child in ways that I couldn’t even have dreamed of.
I am grateful for the tools and the opportunity to share the tools of healing and resilience with my family and with folks who are looking to start practicing with me.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Showing up really helped me build my reputation. I started offering free yoga classes for the community in the East Lake Park for a full summer – we called it Sunday Funday. It was a huge movement that brought out people from all walks of life.
I am reliable. When I say that I am going to do something I actually follow through with my word. I think that is a big part of becoming the heavyweight that I am in my field.
I have worked with folks in wheelchairs, children with disabilities, pregnant women, and everything in between. I think the level of diversity in my craft has also prepared me for this position I am in today. I have never been afraid of a challenge or what seemed to be a challenge. I meet adversities with breath and ease.
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 would say I would most certainly choose this profession however, I might have done things differently. I think I would have enjoyed having a nonprofit organization to start with versus being the sole proprietor of this business. I lean on my community, advisors, and elders to be successful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theblkyogitribe.org
- Instagram: theblkoygitribe
- Facebook: Inglenook Yoga Studio
- Youtube: Inglenook Yoga Studio
Image Credits
Matt Houge Photography at Inglenook Yoga Studio