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

Virgilia, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents were both at service of people, my mom was generous, kind and protective.
My father was a nature lover and hard worker, he loved learning, he taught himself how to read, never went to school because he lost his parents at a young age, he took farming as an artistic expression and when he worked for someone he did what he was asked to do and a little extra. From them I learned to be generous with my time and presence, love sharing food that I or my family prepares, I’m truly care for the wellbeing of others as much as my own. And as my dad did, I do that little unexpected extra that leaves people feeling so grateful.

Virgilia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got my diploma of elementary teacher in my native country Guatemala but as soon as I graduated, I left. So I came to this country very young and got my first job in 1991 in a kids daycare center, I love children, they are the purest expression of innocence, curiosity, honesty and creativity, I enjoy seeing the world trough their eyes. Then later I worked for some amazing families caring for their children. Then fell in love and decided to get married and when I had my own kids I felt like the doors of heaven had been open for me! Being a mother has been one of my most sacred and biggest blessing. In 2008 I started practicing yoga, while caring for my kids and doing nanny part time, and one day I saw and advertisement from Yogaworks offering a teacher training and in 2010 took my first training and started teaching yoga right away to a kindergarten teacher, then my husband prepared me a garage/room to teach there, and started teaching to my sisters and some clients. Then in 2013 took a second training with Yogaworks as well and started teaching for them until they closed their studios during the pandemic, Then became the hard years as most of humanity did 2020, I lost my job, no income, and I had to get creative and some of wonderful students told me about zoom and I could teach them online and so I did. I also used that pandemic time to take a certicate program in integrative somatic trauma therapy and another one in polyvagal theory in therapeutic yoga. So once things started to open up, one of my sisters got me a temporary job caring for baby a girl that was only in LA for a month and that brought me so much joy and made me remember how I feel when I’m around kids. Then I decided to continue working for children again but this time adding all my knowledge and incorporating yoga. So at this time I’m offering family yoga, yoga for kids and yoga for adults. With kids I’m creative and fun, with adults I help them relax, relieve stress, release trauma trough yoga movements.
I’m currently working for FitformomLA teaching a mommy and me yoga and West Adams Pilates and Yoga teaching family Yoga, gentle flow, restorative and hatha yoga. Also offering privates classes where I come to the comfort of your home offering yoga, kids projects and games. And yoga for adults.

If you could go back in time, do you think you would have chosen a different profession or specialty?

I absolutely would choose the same career path all over again, everything I have done and gone through have me at this moment where I am now! Living and loving so passionately what I do! Helping and caring for people and bringing joy.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

For succeeding in the yoga field and working with children I think there are some essential qualities that one must have, for example: empathy, active listening, because people regardless of their age, need to be seen, understood and validated.
Authenticity, embracing who you are, people love transparency.
Reliability and trust, students and clients are counting on you.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Virgilia_yoga
• Facebook: Virgilia Barrera
• Linkedin: Virgilia Barrera
• Other: [email protected]