We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hope Farmby. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hope below.
Alright, Hope thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Thanks for the opportunity to share my story.
Yogi Hope Wellness Center mission is to introduce BIPOC, elderly and injured to the self-care practice of yoga in a safe and welcoming space.
This mission is important to me because I started my yoga journey over 15 years ago, and quite often was the only person of color in the room. Unfortunately, yoga in the western world, is often a white space that doesn’t feel inclusive or welcoming.
After my first class, I can say yoga saved my life. At the time, I was a stay at home mom of 2 children under two and was very excited to get some much needed alone time. The class was challenging, new, interesting and wonderful. After the class, I knew I had to take another one.
Over the next few years, I would practice as often as I could, trying different studios, teachers and growing my practice. After returning to the workforce, with school age children, I still found time for yoga and desired to learn more but never really went deeper due to life. Then the world stopped.
In 2020, after 7 weeks of quarantine, full time telework and distance learning; I decided a yoga teacher training was the way I would survive. I found a program that was a welcoming safe space and decided to enroll in a yoga teacher training course. Once again yoga saved my life. I am so grateful for the opportunity to practice with others during such an uncertain time. Honored to have met some extraordinary yogis who have assisted in my growth. Overjoyed to become a yoga alliance registered 200 yoga teacher in October 2020.
After my training, I created a virtual yoga studio where, I was able to practice teaching, expose those who were home to the self-care practice of yoga. During this time, I encountered a lot of family and friends who had mobility concerns and injuries but a desire to begin a healthy lifestyle. It was also during this time, my love of restorative yoga was renewed. It is my passion and purpose to share these principles of yoga with others through teaching.
Hope, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I would say I’m a mom and a yogi. My practice has also helped in being a full time working mom. My desire was simply to improve my asana practice when I started yoga teacher training. But, I soon realized yoga was not just my passion but purpose.
After starting my virtual studio in 2020. In January 2021, I launched “Yogi Hope in the Park” this is a donation based community yoga class held every Sunday in a local park. The class is offered early morning in the park to get close to the sun and nature. In May 2022, I started teaching yoga at LA Fitness. In Sept 2022, I started Yoga Therapy certification at Loyola Marymount University.
After learning the tools of Yoga to help promote overall health and wellbeing, I rebranded and moved my studio to in person and virtual. That’s when Yogi Hope Wellness Center was born. We offer a full range of yoga classes, workshops and retreats that nourish the body, mind and spirit. Focusing on offering inclusive classes and teaching yoga principles. Yoga styles offered are Hatha, Vinyasa and Restorative yoga. Offering private mini retreats and Yoga therapy available as well.
Having the opportunity to help people develop a regular practice has been fulfilling and challenging and only fueled my desire to learn yoga therapy, nutrition and herbalist and mindfulness mediation. I love to share my passion for yoga with others.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
So wow! There’s a few. Concerning my personal yoga practice, the book The Yamas and the NiYamas by Deborah Adele. Restorative yoga for Ethic and Race based stress and trauma by Dr. Gail Parker her work on restorative yoga aiding in relieving stress and trauma is extraordinary.
Your Yoga Business by Ava Taylor was a game changer for me. This wealth of knowledge and practical templates helped to shape my business focus, direction and really helped me grow my business.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I try to keep in touch in various ways, first is the YHWC monthly newsletter which provides information for all activities and events for the month along with an inspirational message and update regarding the prior month.
Students and Clients also receive holiday emails, weekly class reminder emails and check in text messages as well.
Also, any time a student or client emails or texts I try to return the message within 24 hours.
Finally, I invite all students and clients to community events and foster community service through donations to local service organizations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogihope.com
- Instagram: @yogi.hope_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogihope
- Youtube: www.facebook.com/@yogihope
- Other: email address: [email protected]
Image Credits
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