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

Ilona, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

That you are your own advocate in your personal and professional life. Create what you want and if you can’t in that current situation look for people or resources to connect you to what you want.

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.

Hello World!

I’m Ilona, a certified yoga instructor for adults and kids, certified paddle board instructor (super geeked as I love beachy things), a registered nurse, and an advocate for inner freedom.

I got into my business by learning things along the way in my own life. I have always wanted to have my own business, but didn’t know what it would be or look like (side note I am constantly shifting and changing my business as I continue to fine tune it). I remember during covid I asked my cousin “what could you see me doing?” She said ” a yoga instructor or a travel vlogger” as I would love to travel vlog it wasn’t “it” at the time. As my mental health went all over the place I felt like I could use the tools in yoga for myself and my patients when needed.

As I started my yoga business, I realized that sometimes people think yoga and think headstands or intense poses. Many saying “I’d do yoga, but I am not flexible.” With trial and error I wanted to create something that made sense to people and to help them find ways to include yoga in their everyday lives not just on a sat class or 30 mins x4 a week.

One of the things I realized as I held workshops, talked to people and hosted my first women’s retreat I learned we all struggle with stress, imposter syndrome, a sense of freedom and how to incorporate FUN.

Through yoga poses, journal prompts, meditation, mindfulness, workshops and experiences I have helped people feel in control of their bodies and minds again. That it’s just as productive to make time to get loose, laugh, relax and breathe, alone and with a community.

By not taking time to fill your cup it could lead to burnout, frustration, resistance, groundhog day/stuck feeling, resentment, lack of creative flow or illness.

Seriously imagine a life where you could have fun and feel in flow.

If anything a few takeaways when a client works with me 1 on 1, in a workshop, bridal/bachelorette session, corporate wellness or retreat is for me to help create an experience where they can capture a feeling and use tools to feel lighter, get in touch with their child like side, and be able to breathe and release tension and stress.

In the end, I am most proud that I can draw in a clientele that gets me. That they are go getters, love beachy things, don’t know what they are doing in life but want to find ways to be the best version of themselves. I love how I have found ways to balance and incorporate kids yoga and adult yoga in an adult class. Afterall, as some of us have gotten older we have lost touch with our playful side in exchange to be an “adult.” What is missing is that adults need to have fun too. Permission to be silly, but also relax.

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

2 things that I find helpful to succeed in my field is to find time to step away from social media and make time to connect with as many people as you can.

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. Limit your time on social, but when you get on social find ways to connect with people in your industry, but also outside of your industry. The more you talk to others you may start to realize that we are all in similar boats. Also, by talking to others you start to gain clarity in how you talk about your business, gain confidence in yourself/business and build connections through word of mouth. In the end, we are all trying to succeed and we all also struggle. I’ve also learned that I can only promote myself so much and building connections is nice as others can refer you. You can only do so much on your own. Keep in mind social media is social media.

second, I feel sometimes I cloud my own thoughts because I am constantly comparing myself. I feel that I get an idea and then want to run with it, but then think well no one else is doing it maybe I shouldn’t do it. Stepping away from social media gives yourself permission to create, align and be yourself.

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

Honestly, my whole yoga business journey lol. If you look back at my instagram you can see the pivots I have had over time. I’ve felt lost multiple times and cried multiple times. I have tried so many routes like online teaching, podcasting, Youtube, vendor shows, online courses, creating home made products, etsy, emini journals, yoga classes in the community, retreats, bridal/bachelorette sessions, free things to paid things.

I have had success, but also failures aka learning moments. I’ve had many yoga classes where no one showed up, but also had a retreat that had a houseful of soul aligned women. There has been sooooooo much behind the scenes trial and error periods more than I can count and although in the moment it sucks and sometimes feel like I should give up it has allowed me to grow as a person and not be afraid to try multiple things. How am I supposed to know how I want my business to be if I don’t find the things that don’t work or things I dislike? Seriously trial and error does create resilience.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jalapenofilipino/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/yogawithilonavianca
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsavibe-yogawithilonavian3154/videos