We recently connected with Kendra Blackett-Dibinga and have shared our conversation below.
Kendra , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
After years of running track and weight training, I developed chronic knee pain, which led to surgery in 2010. Bikram Yoga helped to strengthen and heal my knees. It also helps me manage stress and the demands of a very busy, but rewarding life. Bikram Yoga changed my life. It was the one opportunity that I had to focus completely on myself without the distractions of life. When I introduced Bikram Yoga to my husband, who was suffering from chronic groin pain and residual basketball injuries, it changed his life too. This experience led me down the pathway to joining BikramYoga Teacher Training. After teaching at a number of local BikramYoga studios in the D.C. area I decided in 2014 to open my first studio in Riverdale Park, MD.
Kendra , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My previous profession before I established BikramYogaWorks stemmed from a social scientist background. I knew there was a gap to be filled in my community in the wellness space. Observing the lack of diverse wellness modalities in my community led to a series of innovations to improve practitioners’ health and breed a higher sense of awareness that has completely changed our members’ lives. At BikramYogaWorks we offer the practitioner a “whole person” wellness model that can produce an immediate healing effect to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and reduce stress levels. We’re all about living a balanced lifestyle.
Our staff members are highly trained in the following modalities:
BikramYoga
DRIP’T (Dynamic Resistance Interval Performance Training)
FLEX’T (Life stretch fascia release class)
Hot Pilates
Yin Yoga
Hot Vinyasa
Cryotherapy
PEMF therapy
Fascia Stretch therapy
Soft Stretch Release therapy
Vitamin IV therapy
Physical therapy
It is my greatest aspiration to increase my company’s global footprint. I think we are on the right track.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The most challenging experience I have gone through was during the beginning stages of pandemic. Every business was impacted by COVID. We were strategically placed in a position where my staff and family had to make tough decisions, but in essence it helped save my business from folding as I witnessed hundreds of associates I’ve known for over 10 years were forced to permanently close down their yoga studios. The best decision that saved our business was creating a virtual Zoom room production studio to livestream our teachers for members to continue their practice despite being stymied inside their homes. I think our community bond became stronger because of the catastrophic events that occurred during COVID. Keep in mind, practitioners had their own personal challenges going on and they found solace in BYW. I am forever grateful that I have the opportunity to continue to build with my community and I know for certain that they will continue to support BYW.
Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?
I have grown so much over the years, I wouldn’t change anything about my experiences. My experiences have created the wholeness I now enjoy with such immense satisfaction!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bikramyogaworks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bikramyogaworks/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BikramYogaWorks/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-blackett-dibinga-b909987
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BikramYogaWorks
- Youtube: · https://www.youtube.com/c/BikramYogaWorks
- Other: TikTok: @bikramyogaworksdmv
Image Credits
Kendra’s Headshot: Studio 52, Drew Xeron Studio and class photos: since1984collective