We recently connected with Darrell McDonald and have shared our conversation below.

Darrell, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear stories from your time in school/training/etc.

It was an eye opener for me, I was not familar with any type of biological science. When I started it was like forgien language. I was surprisingling interrested and understood the importance of learning about the human body. When I got to the human anatomy and physiology sections a light bulb went off and I realized all of the yoga I have been doing as a hobby can turn into a business of teaching people how to better themselves through yoga coupled with the knowledge of the human body. That incourage me to go get my yoga teacher certficaion.

Darrell, 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 a devoted practitioner and teacher of Kemetic Yoga. An Certified Yoga Teacher in the Yoga Skills Method (YSM) at the School of Kemetic Yoga, a registered school with the Yoga Alliance. I have completed courses at Art of Living Foundation and learned the Sudharshan Kriya (SKY) Meditation Technique. I am dedicated to sharing the healing practices of yoga and stress management with others.

I Graduated from Central High School in the inner city of Kansas City, Missouri, and life was surrounded by violence, drugs, and alcohol. I was accepted into Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where I studied business management. It was there that his life changed forever. I met a Yogi that started teaching me the art and science of Yoga. I immediately noticed changes in my body, mental acuity, and outlook. I was able to deal with temporary obstacles and childhood trauma with patience. Yoga encouraged me to eat a healthy diet in order to gain the maximum benefits of doing breathing techniques, movements and postures.

In 2016, I enrolled in one of the top Chiropractic Colleges in the country Cleveland University-Kansas City. There, I gained an Associates of Arts in Biological Science. After graduatiing, I continued studies and earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology, and graduated top of the class Magna Cum Laude and Valedictorian. In addition, I completed courses in Black Child and Youth Development and Stress Management for Health and Wellness.

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

No I wouldn’t choose a different profession. I would do this same profession again, but I would start a lot quicker than I first did. I didn’t realize how much wisdom and knowledge I was gaining through my practice during the years I was doing yoga as a hobby. I started doing yoga in 1997/1998. It wasn’t until I enrolled in school in 2016 I started to put together the knowledge I knew about yoga and its application to Human Biology.

I would say I didn’t choose this profession, it chose me. When I was doing yoga as a hobby I never thought I would be teaching it as a profession, and it would become my specialty.

I remember asking myself why am I so intrigued by this practice. It just incourage me too go deeper by learning about the health benefits, the history, and the culture of yoga. I really got in a zone for some years doing yoga every day twice a day until it became second nature of me doing my yoga practice.

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

Listening and talking to people that have experience in my field. Being honest with people and getting to know them. Allowing myself to get known and available for those that need help or assistance with their health and wellness.

Contact Info:

• Website: Divine Wellness71.com
• Instagram: Divinewellness71
• Facebook: Divinewellness71
• Youtube: Divine Wellness71

Image Credits
Alexis Lee, Kelly Clay and Darrell Mcdonald