We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sasha Jarufe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sasha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

Best investment I made was my 200hr Yoga Training Certification in 2016) at Kaia Yoga in Greenwich, CT. I quit my 11 year career in the restaurant industry with no plan except I needed to get out and make a change. I took a job working the front desk at the yoga studio I had started practicing at couple years earlier. I had discovered a passion for hot yoga, and after the encouragement of friends and my instructors I decided to become a Yoga Teacher, something I could have never imagined I would do. I didn’t attach any pressure to my training, but it ended up being the inspiration and motivation I needed. I received my certification, and was given a community class to get my feet wet. I never looked back. Now I’m doing what I love, I’ve found my purpose helping and healing others. I learned to expect nothing, to follow your heart, and do what brings you joy.

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

I’m a 34 year old 1st generation US Citizen, proud child of immigrants and fluent in Spanish & English. I’ve had many dreams and expectations for my future as a child, but being a Yoga Instructor was never one of them! Yoga found me in my mid 20s while I was going through some sort of heartbreak and other twentysomethings angst. I had finally found something I could stick with consistently that benefitted my body, mind and spirit. I had tried it when I was younger several times, but never hot yoga. Something somewhere in the fire of that practice I discovered my fire. After practicing for a couple years, my instructors noticed something in me and suggested I should consider getting my training. I scoffed at the idea, how laughable, me? Teaching yoga? This curvy girl who’s never felt like she belonged, who’s got so much trauma and baggage…who would possibly want me to guide them? Who am I to tell them how to live or do anything at all?

I learned all bodies are yoga bodies, and all of our uniquely beautiful bodies can all do different things. Yoga has been marketed to Western culture as something only tall, white women, skinny, flexible like ballerinas can do. When it was invented originally by men and only for men in India many moons ago. The narrative now is Yoga is for every body, all ages, all disabilities, all body types, all sexes, religions, etc…Yoga can be modified and molded to fit you and your needs. And no, being flexible is not a requirement, it’s a result of your dedicated and disciplined practice.

I learned my trauma and experiences are what shaped me to be a great leader and instructor. It made me into who I was meant to be, a healer. It’s how I’m able to connect to my students, and the ability to create and hold a safe space for them.

I offer group and private sessions, I also put together events for our community in South Florida. I think what sets me apart is my genuine desire to help others. I’m the same person you meet in person versus on social media. I don’t pretend to be anything else than who I really am. A human just trying to figure it out and experiencing life just like you. I try to make the choices that align closest to my truest self, constantly working on myself and learning how to best use that information to guide others.

I’m most proud of the progress I see in my students practice and not only in their physical one, but it’s beautiful to see them evolve in their hearts and awareness. I’ve had students come to me asking for me to only focus on the physical work in their yoga practice, and by gently advising and giving them a safe space I allow them to come to me when they’re ready for spiritual and mental work. I’m proud of the opportunities I’ve created for myself by just being true to myself, coming from a place of love and my perception of how to walk on a more righteous path. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve seen darkness, I’ve been to rock bottom and hell combined, but I’ve learned from these experiences in order to make me a better and stronger guide. I’m proud for discovering my purpose, and that the universe entrusted me with this journey.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Honestly don’t have a formula for this one except being genuine and as real as you can be. I am not the most social media savvy individual, but as long as I follow that criteria I’m pleased with my results. Many yoga instructors are known to have a personal page and a yoga business page, and I completely understand why. I think it’s a great idea if that’s what works for them, and it does! But not this girl, I don’t have the patience or energy for more than one Instagram page, and what you see is what you get. I don’t advertise my personalities separately, I’m going to give you all of me in once accesible place. If you connect with me as a person, imagine as your yoga instructor? I built my audience by sharing my struggles and my triumphs. Social media can be a complete mirage, I want those who follow me to get reality and if that’s what they connect with then great! My advice is to stay true to who you are, and the rest will follow. That being said I do need help polishing up my brand, and expanding my presence with an official website amongst other things. I have a lot that I want to work on, and if you’re not constantly trying to improve and learn than you’re not being the best version of yourself you can be. All the hopes and dreams you have will never manifest into reality, if you’re not doing the work.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A short summary of my trials and tribulations: I’ve been arrested 3 times. I’ve been my worst enemy and tried to end my own life. I was psychologically, physically, and emotionally abused majority of my life. I was sexually assaulted at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. I’ve almost been homeless.

Listen, when we were given life we won the golden ticket. The universe has a design in mind, call it destiny call it what you will but there is a path laid out for you from the moment your soul was created. Nothing is by accident, everything is a part of this great design. And yet, we do not walk this path automatically or without thought. The universe will present you with choices daily, and it is up to you what choice to make. I’ve made choices I’m not proud of, but I’m proud of who I am as a result of those choices and what I learned. I’ve had life “happen” to me, and as awful as these experiences were, I didn’t let them define me. I used them instead to fuel my will to live, and to inspire others to live. And live for real.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashiyogini/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sasha.jarufe
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-jarufe-a052991b

Image Credits
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