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

Jo, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

My very first teaching job was right after completing my 200-hour yoga certification course. I was living and working in Port Arthur, TX and I simply asked the apartment complex management if they would be open to allowing me to offer yoga classes in the common area for the community. They agreed and I started teaching a small group of residents and coworkers. This endeavor was short lived as I was soon transferred back to California with the company I was working with full time. It did, however, provide a stepping stone and built my confidence for what was to come next.
I landed back in Northern California and upon exploring my new area; I discovered a small urban winery. This hidden gem also had an event space with a full wall of windows overlooking San Pablo Bay. On that lovely Spring Day, I met and connected with three of the owners and signed up for their newsletter. I continued to visit and introduce friends to the winery and build a relationship with the owners. Fast forward to the Fall; I received their newsletter announcing that they were searching for a yoga teacher. I applied immediately. The interview was set with the fourth owner whom I had not met. I was informed she was also a yoga teacher. We connected right away, and the interview turned into breakfast and conversation. We arranged a start date for classes that aligned with the winery’s upcoming anniversary, and I began offering weekly classes and had a space to hold private lessons.
Fast forward a year and the winery owner/yoga teacher, now my friend, invites me to her Touch for Health group meeting where they are hosting a speaker presenting a talk on Esoteric Healing. I was intrigued with the information presented and scheduled my first session to explore more about this energy healing modality. I discovered that I resonated deeply with Esoteric Healing and signed up for the Part 1 course. I am now a Certified Practitioner of Esoteric Healing and incorporate this modality into my yoga sessions when appropriate and hold sessions for clients.
Although my teaching time ended with the winery after six years, I was able to establish a client base, study and complete my Esoterica Healing certification. If it had not been for the connections I made there and being invited to that meeting; I may not have discovered Esoteric Healing and been able to add this modality to my healing tool kit. I am forever grateful for the people I met, connections that were made and the experience of sharing yoga in such a beautiful space. It is amazing how life leads us along the path one step at a time to where we are meant to be if we can be open and present. I am currently teaching yoga to small groups and individuals privately and offering Esoteric Healing sessions remotely.
breathe. be. begin.
Jo

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

I have always been interested in holistic healing, energy and nature. My Great Aunt would tell me as a child that I had healing hands. Over the years, I studied essential oils, applied kinesiology, the healing properties of crystals and gemstones, flower essences, yoga, meditation, reiki, and esoteric healing. My practice has evolved overtime to incorporate these fields of study to blend them into my healing business. I am passionate about helping people discover their path to balance and healing. I am an energy healing facilitator and certified yoga teacher who brings years of practice and study to my sessions. I have developed my unique blend of energy healing to incorporate yoga, breath work, flower essences, reiki, applied kinesiology and essential oils and combine skill and intuition to create a safe, warm space for clients. NAEH Certified, 2022; RYT200 2010. My yoga teachings are based in the Viniyoga tradition, focusing on the breath, and moving within one’s own range of motion. Yoga is for everyone, not every yoga asana is for everyone. It is important to allow for modifications that support students in their individual practice. I have taught classes where I have had a full range of students, some requiring a chair modification to advanced students working with the outer edge of the asanas. In addition to my study and healing work, I am employed full time as a project manager in the telecommunications industry. I feel this combination of holistic and corporate knowledge brings another level of experience to my healing work. I live and breathe in both arenas, the holistic and corporate bridging the span between magic and practical or as they say, “the magical and the muggle ”.
I have developed a business alignment protocol to support business owners with their goals and clear energetic blocks that may be impeding their vision. I enjoy collaborating with groups or individuals to facilitate their healing intentions, tailoring the sessions more specifically.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson that I have had to unlearn is self-doubt. Not trusting my intuition and second guessing myself has been a stumbling block in this out of the box energy healing journey. I am not sure there is a specific backstory for this other than yoga and energy healing not being “mainstream” in my immediate family. I seemed to always attract mentors who held space for me to express this side of myself and that helped. Also, age and experience helps build the intuition and confidence muscles and decrease self-doubt.

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

While I was enrolled in my yoga certification, I got transferred out of state with my full time job. Moving from California to Texas. I still had three in person sessions to complete my training, Zoom or remote class was not an option at that time. I travelled back to California to complete the program instead of postponing or stopping short of completion. I also continue to take Esoteric Healing continuing education courses and completed my year long certification program while working full time and moved right before the final exams.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://smileymoonyoga.com/
• Instagram: https://smiley.moon.yoga
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smileymoonyoga?mibextid=LQQJ4d