We recently connected with Monica DeChaine and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, appreciate you joining us today. One of the most important things small businesses can do, in our view, is to serve underserved communities that are ignored by giant corporations who often are just creating mass-market, one-size-fits-all solutions. Talk to us about how you serve an underserved community.

When it comes to yoga classes, it’s clear that most spaces are filled with predominantly thin, young, able-bodied, educated, cis gendered, white women toting expensive gear. It seems they are the targeted demographic for most studios. But what about everyone else?

As a plus-size, queer, woman of color, I’m often the anomaly in the room. Even after receiving my yoga teacher certification, I desperately wanted to learn yoga from someone who looked more like me. I wanted to be in inclusive spaces with an accessible practice. Unable to find something of the sort in my city, I took it upon myself to create and facilitate yoga workshops for plus size folx seeking guidance on movement modifications that better served their bodies.

The workshop, called Love My Fat Asana, became an affinity space for those who felt “too big”, a healing space for those on their self-love journey, and a safe space for us to build community. The prop-heavy modified flow is laced with affirmations and journal prompts regarding self-care and body positivity.

Accessibility is key when it comes to serving the underserved. Not just physical, but financial as well.

Since January 2018, I’ve been working with a local organization, called Mindful Movement, to offer a yoga practice to children and adults living in the southside of St. Petersburg, Florida. Although there are many yoga studios in our city, none can be found in this part of town. So, we teach at recreation centers, community centers, and in K-8 schools.

Many students in title one schools are unfamiliar with yoga or meditation and find it difficult to get into the practice at first. However, that apprehension shifts once they start getting comfortable in their own skin, discovering what their bodies are capable of, or how calm they can feel after intentional breathing.

To me, it is the underserved who need this practice most. And I am proud to be of service.

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

I’m Monica DeChaine. I’m a small business owner, certified yoga instructor, licensed massage therapist, street art curator, award winning mixologist, and a proud resident of St. Petersburg, Florida. My business, Strength + Shanti, offers therapeutic bodywork, accessible yoga classes, self-love yoga workshops for plus size folx, and mural gazing bicycle tours.

I received my yoga teacher certification in Rishikesh, India in the (blazing hot) summer of 2015. At that time, I didn’t look like most yoga instructors, didn’t fit into any name brand yoga clothing, and lacked the confidence to teach. It wasn’t until three years later, after spending a semester teaching seventh grade girls who knew nothing about mindfulness, that I realized just how worthy I was to instruct.

Around that time I became more confident in my skills as a massage therapist as well. I studied medi-cupping, guasha, and Thai massage to enhance my skill set. Learning about the body fascinates me and so began to bridge yoga and massage in my mind. They really do go hand in hand.

As a heavy set woman, I found it difficult to relate to the teachings of yoga instructors in my city. I yearned for a class where fat folx could flow in solidarity, without the judgmental looks, where we could talk about the traumas we’ve faced in a safe container. None existed near me, so I created a workshop called Love My Fat Asana to do just that. This offering is what I’m most proud of.

In 2020, when Covid hit and the world shut down, I had no way of working (imagine a massage therapist social distancing), so I created a bicycle tour around the Grand Central District of St. Petersburg, FL to highlight my favorite murals. I grew up in St. Pete, so I know many of these artists and am proud to share their stories. Art curation isn’t something I’ve studied, but have always had a deep fondness for.

In 2021, my partner and I began hosting Community Movement classes to bring together yoga and active civic engagement. Her brand, Tri-Partisan Canvas, was founded during the mighty protests of 2020 after George Floyd’s death. Together, she and I aim to host spaces for healing and social justice.

If there’s one thing I want to emphasize about myself and my brand, it’s that accessibility is the most important component to what I do. I strive to offer classes, workshops, bike rides, and massages that are accessible to everyday people.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Word of mouth! It’s amazing how fast words travel. Much faster than any promos on instagram or ads on facebook. And, for me, recommendations/referrals are the best source for new clients.

I believe that when you’re authentic with yourself, your clients, and your work, then folx respond with great appreciation and are quick to recommend your services/products.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

A few months ago, I graduated from a program called Leadership St. Pete. If I’m honest, I didn’t really know I was a leader until I went through this program. Sure, I’m a business owner, but I always saw myself as a person doing the hands-on work and not necessarily the person running the business. It’s hard to wear both hats and being a business owner isn’t always as glamorous as it looks.

This program introduced me to a network of professionals who are leaders within their respective communities. Together, we worked on a giant project that required each of us to use our specialized skillset, and I’ll tell ya- it was remarkable. It’s one thing to lead, it’s quite another to be in a room amongst leaders working together.

Many cities have programs like this (Leadership Chicago, Leadership Nashville, etc), and I would highly recommend looking into your local Leadership program to see what you can gain.

Honestly, I initially only signed up for networking purposes, but I ended up falling in love with my cohort and making great friends out of the experience. I learned so much about myself, my leadership style, and how I may better serve my community.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @strength_and_shanti
• Facebook: Strength and Shanti
• Linkedin: Monica DeChaine

Image Credits
Image credits are for Ashley and Austin
Mural credits are for nomad and zulu.