We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Genevieve Harris a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Genevieve, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

One of the biggest risk I have taken, along with my husband, is opening the yoga studio and a second location before the pandemic. Several years prior to opening our first studio in 2017, our youngest son was diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome and suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting in 100 percent dependent care from family and aides. I stopped working the corporate life and our two income household of five, became a one income household abruptly. I found the practice of yoga in 2015 and it helped me cope with the heavy burdens and grief of being a special needs parent and the tremendous stress it can bring if self-care is not incorporated daily. The physical benefits of yoga helped me to envision the long term benefits of strength in order to care for my son since he needs to be transferred from a wheelchair to bed, car seats, couches, and bath chairs. My husband used his entire retirement check from a previous employer to open our first studio as he saw the benefits of how yoga changed my outlook on our new normal and he began to practice yoga in 2016. We wanted to share the mindfulness and community that yoga gifted to us.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My first yoga class was tough. It was a humbling experience since I thought it would not be as physically challenging as the gym routine I was accustomed to. I returned to yoga class regularly for one year before I signed up for my Yoga Teacher Training in 2016. I completed a 200 Hour Immersion and became more and more intrigued by the history and philosophy. The closest studio to my home was 20 miles away. I wanted to bring my experience closer to home. I began teaching in my home, then in shared spaces until we outgrew the spaces and realized that a studio would serve the needs of our members best.

Our studios are set apart from most because my husband and I, as owners, are persons of color. Most studios in our immediate area and across the states, are not BIPOC owned. We acknowledge the Eastern countries where yoga originated and the Vedic disciplines that it has originated from. Our studios are heavily involved in our community as we have raised our family, transitioned to special needs life and operate businesses in our county. We donate money and time to various causes, including individuals. As a result of our mission to educate and empower our students, we became a certified International Yoga School in 2022 under the Yoga Alliance.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Being flexible in thought, not just yoga poses, is helpful for success in any field. Individuals evolve through growth, maturation, experience and “systems” must evolve too. As a business owner, I am more empathetic than I was in my former roles as a corporate employee trying to climb the career ladder. My formal training from secondary school , degrees and MBA programs never could give me what I use the most in my life now, interpersonal skills. Communication and intuition are our magic, as a close friend of mine refers to when something good happens. My business thrives because of our relationships with members, students, visitors and local public figures. Maintaining relationships is work and requires intention. We must adapt to the needs of our fellow human beings.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am resilient because of God, and my spirit. Despite my pivot in life to special needs, the pandemic sinking our business finances and the rising costs of living as a result of the past couple years, I know that life is meant for freedom. My faith and my yoga practice has taught me that things “unseen” hold the greatest value in life. Relationships, connecting with like-minded people, having a good laugh, a vibrant music playlist blasting at the highest volume, love and my family outweigh the grief and struggle this world holds. Yoga teaches us that we are observers of this life, not participants, Even if you are not a yoga practitioner, step back and observe what goes on around you. The sun rises and sets, traffic persists on highways, text alerts go off, business conducts all around us, and the seconds tick on the clock. The world operates regardless of your participation so it eventually comes to light that we are part of a greater cause, a spiritual cause that is greater than this world. I observe and appreciate the opportunity to witness energy, life and be resilient in the midst of…..

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kimyb.com
• Instagram: @keepitmovingyogabarre
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepitmovingyogabarre
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/villaricayogatribe/ www.villaricayogatribe.com Instgram: @villaricayoga

Image Credits
https://simplyzeeimagery.com/ Outdoor photo: Kelly Dickinson