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

Alright, Dominique thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

Now this one is something I think about often, as it’s a bit of a funny story that shows how there is a sort of divine timing to things and how you should be appreciative of the little things. Before I opened my yoga studio and created a degree of financial security, my family and I were living a less-than-luxurious life, and I would constantly find myself in a place of mental chaos worrying about money and how we’re going to pay the bills… and also wondering when it was going to get better! Little did I know, things were going to get better than I ever expected. I discovered my passion for yoga around the age of 25, and it was a few years after that I decided to take my yoga teacher training and possibly create a career out of my passion for yoga. Around the same time, it felt as if I was at the lowest point in my life financially and was barely scraping by. Long story short, I desperately needed a change. However, I kept high hopes on my yoga teacher dreams. I knew I wanted to open a studio, but I didn’t know how I would do so. Fast forward a little bit… I complete my yoga teacher training with ease and am on the hunt for opportunities. Not one month later, I visit a friend who happens to own multiple businesses within the town that I live in, and she hears of my story and allows me to use one of spaces… rent free… for a year. I was ecstatic, my dream had come true! And today, we are a thriving studio within the community. Moral of the story is, don’t give up on your dreams, no matter what your current situation looks like.

Dominique, 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?

My name is Dominique Tucci and I am an entrepreneur at heart, yoga studio owner & instructor, as well as a transcendental meditation teacher. Spirituality has always been a big thing in my life, but has become a huge factor after a near-tragic experience showed me how powerful your thoughts can be in changing the situations around you (don’t ever misuse your will or imagination!). Meditation & God are a huge part of my life, and I recommend meditation to everybody, not just people on the spiritual path. Meditation will help you still your mind and solve problems more effectively and with more ease, especially business-related problems! I first started taking meditation seriously after reading the famous Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. Since then, I’ve enrolled in Yogananda’s transcendental meditation school and have noticed and felt monumental shifts within my own practice.
Currently, I own the zen den yoga studio which is located in Mullins, SC as well as a virtual studio and 1:1 mentorship program the zenn diagram.
thezendenmullins.com
thezenndiagram.com
I take pride in using the traditional approach to yoga, where it is not just a workout but a way of understand the Self (or God) by means of stilling the mind. Yoga postures are not even the main part of true yoga, they are meant to be used as a way to prepare the body for meditation, which we take very seriously and do often in class.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I’ve had to unlearn, which is unfortunately embedded in the spiritual community in particular, is that making money is bad (especially making money by selling holistic items or services). Everyone needs to live! It’s important to respect your body enough that you’re willing to do what it takes to keep it comfortable and well fed, so that you’re able to focus on God with more ease.

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

In a heartbeat. Although, I never would have imagined that I’d be a yoga teacher growing up! I’ve always been afraid of public speaking, however I enjoy doing things that challenge me and I’m so glad I did.

Contact Info:

• Website: Thezenndiagram.com thezendenmullins.com
• Instagram: @thezendenmullins @thezenndiagram
• Other: TikTok: @thezenndiagram

Image Credits
James Scott Bullard