We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ivory Howard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ivory below.

Ivory, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

One of my students shared the reason she traveled from another city for a class with me was because she didn’t think she, as a person of color, fit in at yoga studios in her area.

It breaks my heart to hear this because yoga is practiced by many different people with different body types and that diversity should be welcomed, visible and celebrated so that everyone feels welcome in this community.

A lack of diversity in the wellness industry (plus limited access to classes and expensive activewear and class passes) can gatekeep people from enjoying yoga and decides who experiences health through yoga. These unintentional acts are harmful and have far-reaching consequences.

As a yoga instructor, my community classes are diverse and full of students of color. I make an effort to ensure that reach diverse group of people.

I have an opportunity to provide what wasn’t available to me when I started practicing yoga and to help others who have ever been intimidated in “traditional” yoga classes with women who didn’t look like them. Women who aren’t skinny-skinny, who have big boobs, who have cellulite, and who have bellies are all welcome and can now experience yoga in a safe and welcoming space.

My private studio is thoughtfully designed for women who want to feel stronger, more flexible, and more energized. My goal is to create an environment that fits your life and helps you build a sustainable movement practice. I love to welcoming women into this studio and to support them in creating a movement practice that works for their lives. Whether you’re new to yoga and Pilates or have been practicing for years, this is a space where you can feel at home. Come as you are, and move at your pace.

Ivory, 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?

Most of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States are directly linked to a lack of physical activity. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, only 53.3% of adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for aerobic physical activity and only 23.2% of adults meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity. Regular exercise is key to avoid preventable chronic diseases.

I’m on a mission to make sure that more women know that exercise and a plant-based diet can prevent many chronic lifestyle diseases and leading causes of death in the United States. I want to continue to make it easier for women to be active to help them avoid preventable chronic diseases like stroke, diabetes and cancer. And if you have a chronic disease, I want you to know that it’s not hopeless. You can live a long, healthy and active life.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A year ago, I traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico for a conference but I almost didn’t make it. With an illness, airline mixup, winter weather, delayed flights, and finally a cancelled flight, it seemed like it just wasn’t in the cards. 

But I remembered the only way I would make it was if I tried so I decided I would try. I rebooked my cancelled flight for a direct flight to San Juan the next morning. I would miss a scheduled tour but I would make it to the conference. 

Truly, it all worked out for the best because it gave me a chance to reset. I got to spend one more night in my own bed and rest peacefully. 

The energy was different the next day and thankfully it was smooth sailing. I didn’t feel rushed. I arrived at my hotel in Old San Juan and they immediately offered me a rum punch drink and I knew everything was going to be okay. And it was all okay!

I made it to the conference on time and taught a yoga class for desk workers.

What seemed like a setback really allowed for me to reset and move forward with great ease.

Sometimes, you just need to reset and rest. Rest is essential.

Society has told you to achieve your goals you must hustle and grind. Hustling is not the only way to achieve your goals. You may find that rest allows you to be more productive.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Community classes. When I decided to offer a series of free community classes, I challenged myself to do more free marketing and decided to create a series of free yoga classes to build my email list, develop brand awareness, and market my services. But I didn’t stop there. I challenged myself to do it all for free! I got the venue for free. I printed the flyers for free. I partnered with other businesses to offer prizes and promote the event series. Through these events, I’ve been able to double my email list, improve search ranking, put myself out there in new ways so that I can reach my ideal client, and make more money in my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.ivoryhoward.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbellypilates/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbellypilates
• Twitter: https://x.com/flatbelly
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flatbellypilates/videos
• Other: https://bsky.app/profile/flatbellypilates.bsky.social
  https://www.threads.com/@flatbellypilates
  https://www.tiktok.com/@flatbellypilates

Image Credits

RaShun of Focus Minded Photo