Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mikkala Marilyn Kissi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mikkala, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.
Living Yolates works to solve various global problems that affect us on an individual and community level. In a culture of overthinking, fear, pressure, and imbalanced masculine energy, Living Yolates brings balance to the body, mind, and spirit.
An imbalance of the masculine looks like spending too much time in our head, obsessing over control, working to do what we “should” do, and living our life constantly doing with little to no time for being. Does it feel like you’re successful by society’s standards but you feel constrained to a box? Does it feel like you’re trying to keep up with “everyone else” and it never feels good enough? This is an imbalance of the masculine, and we’re ready to contribute to a paradigm shift.
It’s human nature to want to feel accepted and liked. We crave and require connection, and many times in order to be accepted or liked, we mold ourselves into something that’s not representative of our essence. We live from a place of duty, responsibility, and fitting into boxes in order to be successful, liked, accepted from external sources. But, what do we give up when we’re constantly striving for external acceptance?
The further we get from our essence, the more we need to sustain ourselves – we need more money, more things, more acceptance, more attention, and this is a never-ending, masculine-driven cycle that we’re here to break. Humans overtime have gone from localized communities, living in harmony with the earth and her resources, to an industrial, globalized rat race to become more powerful, more successful, more efficient and effective – more, more, more continues to be worse, worse, worse. Not only is this unsustainable individually, it’s unsustainable for the planet. Sustainability’s not the goal here, regeneration is.
The new paradigm requires that we encourage each individual to come back to themselves and their innate wisdom – their heart’s intelligence. The closer one is to their essence and truth, the more content, at peace, and sustainable one’s life is. It’s time we redefine success, bring it into balance, and this begins by accepting ourselves, by writing our own definitions of success.
We do this by opting out of this race to the bottom, opting out of the cultural expectations that bring stress, pressure, and anxiety. We do this by opting into what matters, what’s important to us, living in connection, and aligning to your core values. Living Yolates offers tools for you to step into the driver’s seat of your life instead of hanging on for the ride, we bring presence, consciousness, and connection to the forefront.
It’s important that we realize that this is our responsibility, that no one else will do this for us, that actually so much in life is working against us in reclaiming this power for ourselves. Though the first steps may contain fear, worry, and anxiety, the gifts you receive when you take responsibility for your inner joy, health, and energy are immense and long-lasting. All it takes is one step, and Living Yolates equips you with the confidence to do so.
In a world of disempowerment, inequality, war, hate, and disconnection, Living Yolates is here to support individuals on their journey back to the source of who you are. This is the solution for global change, this is what’s required to make a paradigm shift from masculine into the feminine. With the feminine leading the way, we offer hope, rest, restoration, regeneration, creativity, peace and diplomacy, nourishment, and nurturing for all. This does not mean that women exclusively need to be the leaders, but that balanced individuals of all genders take the brave step to the top.
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.
THE PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy and lifestyle of Living Yolates is actually quite simple. Living Yolates is a loving pathway back to yourself. Through self-discovery, movement, mindfulness, and intention, the Living Yolates philosophy offers lasting expansion wherever it goes, connecting you to your body, mind, and spirit. Living Yolates truly has an essence of its own and I am so grateful to be a conduit for its beauty and expression to evolve and expand into the world.
Living Yolates is inspired by the fundamentals of Traditional Chinese Medicine, ancient Yoga philosophy and teachings, the study of breathwork, deep energy work, modern Pilates principles, both classical and intuitive dance, and many more holistic movement and healing modalities. The philosophy is also born from a deep respect and intense gratitude for the wisdom and power of nature, reminding us to embrace the beauty of who we are, inspiring us to blossom with radiance and vitality. The diversity of teachings and holistic nature of Living Yolates gives you the opportunity to balance and thrive based on your changing needs day after day, throughout each month, across the seasons and years of your life.
In a world that moves us away from ourselves, from our nature and from the natural world, my wish is that Living Yolates teaches you to strengthen your uniqueness, your essence, what makes you, you and to live with trust that you are the ultimate creator of your own life. Knowing that the energy you choose to support will define your reality, you are encouraged to hone the power of knowing who you are, what you dream of, and what is holding you back, in order to grow into a life that is vital, rich, and abundant. Living Yolates inspires you to embody the highest vibrations of love and trust, centering you in a place to attract more love and more trust into your life.
The Living Yolates Philosophy is inclusive, is for everyone. There are ways to access its deep and lasting transformation regardless of who you are, where you are, or how you’re living in this moment. Living Yolates teaches you to listen to your body and its ancient, innate wisdom, trusting your intuition to guide you. If you’re seeking balance, joy, strength, peace, calm – some or all of these – you’re in the right place and we welcome you to stand strong in your power, in body, mind, and spirit. When you feel good, love yourself, enjoy the moment, and have confidence in your journey, the doors open for you with new opportunities and fantastic experiences. We want this for everyone and we know this is what the world needs now more than ever, it’s our responsibility! Living in greater alignment with ourselves and taking responsibility for our own energy and health helps to reconnect us back to the wisdom within our bodies and to limit the stress and overwhelm that arises when we look outside of ourselves for healing, knowledge, and alignment.
What you dare to believe, you will receive. Only your mind can limit you, so make room for new thoughts, lean into the feeling of confidence, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be in this moment.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I was enrolled at a big exercise gym and this was the only thing that was keeping me sane at a hard time in life. My favourite instructor, a Pilates teacher, had amazing energy and had a beautiful way of moving and flowing and I felt inspired. I loved her classes and loved being connected to my body again. Then, out of nowhere she asked me to teach.
A last minute conflict meant she couldn’t teach her class, she knew I had dance training and had done Pilates all my life but I certainly was not trained to teach. This was a big ask and I was shocked. I told her “I can’t teach a traditional class but I can teach what I know.” For some reason, she trusted me with her clients and before I knew it I was up there teaching for the first time in a room full of people who did what I prompted, and moved the way I moved.
Teaching was a whole new experience for me. I never wanted to be a teacher, never thought of being a teacher. I was a performer, an artist, not a teacher — it seemed boring to me for so long. As I thought more and more, and began to prepare for my first session, it came so naturally, it felt so exciting to support and guide others to connect with their bodies in a way that feels good for them, that supports their spirit and nourishes their body and mind too. It felt like second nature and I realized this was the big change I had been waiting for.
It started with the playlist, crafting a beautiful and fun flow to take them on a ride through the movements I knew and love, trusting my body to do what it knows how to do, and to let the music take me away and invite my class to follow. I knew I had to walk in like I had something to share, to own the room, to take up my space. I couldn’t apologize for being a substitute teacher, I couldn’t walk in saying “this is my first time,” there would be no excuses – all passion, purpose, and heart.
I walked through the huge fitness center with ellipticals, treadmills, weights, and equipment, mediocre club music pumping, with my intention to bring wellness into fitness during my very first class as a non-teacher, teacher. My room was full as the regular teacher was very popular, so I introduced myself, I went for it, and I did it big — I went all in! The shift in me was monumental after this first class. There was a click, a feeling of “hell yes,” a realization that this is what I’m meant to do – Yoga Pilates Fusion was what my first class was called, but it was so much more.
I saw a transformation in my class right before my eyes. I saw joy and opening, letting go and discovery, I saw people find the connection that I longed for so many times before. People’s faces after class were bright and full of life, with big smiles, less stressed, and with more energy. I heard “what is this?”, “Where can I get more of this?”, “This is so different!” and so many other compliments and gratitudes. It was so special and the only answer I could give was that “I shared what felt good for me.”
Pilates on its own was too dry and controlled, yoga was too serious and rigid for me and needed to be brought into our modern time, classical dance and routines felt too limiting. I needed something that could change with me day by day, based on how I was feeling, based on my intuition, based on what felt good in my body and spirit, what felt meaningful and worth doing. This was that.
The money on the other hand was not abundant. I was grossly underpaid teaching at the fitness center, and there were so many high-quality teachers there that it really shocked me the lack of investment they made in us. I knew I had to do my own thing as I had wait lists for my classes. I found a studio space to rent and invited all my clients, friends, and their friends and so it began!
Two classes a week and then 5 classes a week, teaching at companies during their office breaks — clothing designers, corporations, architects, government buildings, accountants, law firms, and so many others. I was biking all over Copenhagen, sometimes teaching at 14 or 15 locations each week. I was on my own, in charge of my schedule and my passion. I was earning a living, paying my bills, living the life I wanted and was feeling fantastic inside and out. I too was transforming, I was finding my expression of self-love, I was building my confidence, and going with the flow of life. I wanted to know more and wanted to learn more. I wanted to share more of this lifestyle and my brand of wellness with the people I was teaching.
I studied what I was interested in and at my own pace. I learned about nutrition, kinesiology, energy work, I took a yoga teacher training and a pilates training, I learned various body therapies, and signed up for different courses, workshops, and more. There is so much wisdom out there and I knew I wanted whatever I was creating to be something holistic to support a fully embodied lifestyle – something to “live by” more than something “to do.” Inspired by Japan (a deep love of my Mum’s), mindfulness, and Moshi Moshi Mind (still one of my favourite conscious companies here in Denmark) Miki Miki Yolates was born which over time has turned into Living Yolates.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Most recently, Kirsten Stendevad’s 21st Century Leadership course and complementary book, “The Future is Feminine: 7 Pillars of 21st Century Leadership that take you and your company from great to extraordinary” have been absolutely vital to my expansion and growth as a leader, for my personal life, and for my business.
https://www.kirstenstendevad.com/the-future-is-feminine/
Contact Info:
- Website: www.livingyolates.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingyolates/
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/livingyolates
- Linkedin: https://dk.linkedin.com/in/mikkala-marilyn-kissi-b212b525
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LivingYolates
- Other: https://livingyolatescircle.com/
Image Credits
Sarah Shine