I like the idea of composting but I’ll admit I find it daunting. If there were bins closer to where I live, I’d have no problem with it.
Well for those of you that don’t mind the composting bins or carrying it around with you until you find a bin, here’s an infographic to let you know what to include and what to avoid.
Brought to you by Hometown Dumpster Rental and the Trash Talk Dumpster Rental Blog
Yirser in a mean scorpion pose
Yirser Ra Hotep considers himself to be a Yoga Practitioner who just happens to be a teacher and an entrepreneur. Not only is he the most senior instructor of Kemetic Yoga in the U.S. but he also created a new style called YogaSkills Method (YSM), which ventures away from the traditional Indian teachings of Yoga. Both styles have roots in ancient Egypt and combine movement with breath control.
After practicing and teaching yoga for over 30 years, Hotep decided one of his life’s missions was to influence others and bring Kemetic Yoga and YSM to the mainstream. He is well on his way to achieving that goal, as he has produced various Yoga products, such as CDs, videos, and training retreats. His intention is to have an international organization with certified instructors teaching and promoting his unique brand of Yoga.
Hotep shares with BlackEnterprise.com his motivations and strategies that will make his vision come to fruition.
What was the impetus behind venturing into the health and fitness industry as an entrepreneur?
My main motivation for making health and wellness my business is [knowing] that what I have to offer is sorely needed. My business evolved from teaching daily Yoga classes to taking on private students for one-on-one stress management to owning a studio. As time went on, I decided that I wanted to travel and increase brand awareness for the style of Yoga I teach which is called Kemetic Yoga and the YogaSkills Method. Initially, I traveled giving lectures, workshops and master classes. I’ve recently added teacher training and certification to the mix, which is a major part of my business. We currently have over 300 certified instructors nationally and internationally.
How has business been going for you?
Business is going very well for YogaSkills right now. Even though we are in a recession, people are actually seeking out training and certification in Yoga as a means of enhancing their personal well-being , as well as an avenue for income. As part of the my YogaSkills Teacher Training and Certification course, we offer training in business development and innovative ways to use your Yoga Skills for the benefit your clients and as a source of income. Our teacher training courses are conducted throughout the United States in major cities such as New York, Atlanta, Washington DC metro, Chicago, Los Angeles and others. We also offer exotic trainings and retreats in Jamaica that are focused on healing. We actually take our students to out of the way locations to practice Yoga in the rainforests and then to recharge in waterfalls and mineral baths. We offer activity packages that no one else offers in order to add value to our services and to separate us from the competition.
What resources did you use to start and grow your business?
The first thing I invested was my time and effort into becoming an expert in Yoga and expanding my knowledge of anatomy, physiology, psychology, wholistic health and later, business principles. I hired a speech coach to improve my public speaking and obtained professional photos for business cards, brochures and websites. You need to look the part and also be able to articulate your message effectively and communicate with a broad spectrum of potential customers.
In order to help establish my brand, I created posters with various images of me performing Yoga postures and I had a show on cable that reached over 1 million households in Chicago. I positioned myself to be a guest on various radio shows and after a while, I was featured in Ebony Magazine and appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
The main expense I encountered was in creating my first website. I invested several thousand dollars, which was most of a modest pension I had earned while working for the state of Illinois as a child welfare administrator.
What are some of the challenges you face being an African-American Man in the Yoga space?
It is not expected that a black man would practice Yoga, let alone teach it as an expert or master. The stereotype is that petite women teach Yoga and only women are flexible enough to be good at it. So, people are surprised to see a 6 foot, 2 inch, 215 lb., bearded Black dude come up to teach a class. I’ve also found out the male Yoga teachers are expected to be gay, which I am not.
Even though I meet well-known white Yoga instructors from around the country, I have never been invited to the major Yoga conferences. Though I haven’t received a lot of play in the mainstream Yoga world, I have strong bonds in the African American community as well as the diaspora and I have requests [to teach] from people of color in South Africa, Ethiopia and New Zealand.
Read Part 2 here
As mentioned in a previous post, I’m really getting into fitness fashion. And as I get deeper into my yoga practice, I’m also becoming more aware of what I’m donning while downward dogging. (corny -I know but it’s 12:25 am and I’m loopy)
So here are some wish-list items from various yoga gear companies:
I love the name and you would think that the clothes would be really funky. Well, not so much but I do like different patters and designs that standout from the usual black stretch pants. These are not only cobalt blue but have iridescent glitter.
I found their ad in Origins magazine. Love the unique colorful patterns.Can you believe these pants were made from plastic bottles?
An unfortunate URL but great designs, nonetheless. Found them in the same Origins issue. I’m digging the simplicity of these yoga pants.
Well if this isn’t a case for Veganism, I have no idea what is. Factory farming is a horrible way this country attempts to make as much money as possible. I’ll let the clever video do the taking but I will say that I will no longer eat poultry or eggs that are not free-range and hormones-free. Meat eaters will want to make sure the their meat is grass-fed.
The treatment of the animals and the chemicals used to combat the diseases that they wouldn’t have if they weren’t living in such horrendous conditions, is too much for me to tolerate both ethically and health-wise. If you don’t have an affinity for animals at least have awareness for your self. What these animals eat and how they live/die end up in your body. Be Conscious.
If you follow the Yoga world, it is likely you have seen Faith Hunter. She’s been on the covers of Yoga Journal and Om Magazine, for Origins magazine and appears at various conferences all over the world. Yoga has made a powerful and lasting impact on her life, as it was instrumental in helping her deal with the untimely passing of her older brother from AIDS. Through her practice, she summoned the courage to live life more fully and feels it is her mission to spread the message of practicing a healthy and positive lifestyle.
In addition to owning the popular Embrace Yoga Studio in DC, Hunter is also a writer, yoga podcaster, model, and Director of Faith Hunter Yoga:Embrace Your Flow Yoga Teacher Training Program. She not only brings a passion to her brand but also a strong business acumen, ensuring success every step of the way.
This winning mix of business savvy and heart is why we chose Hunter to be a part of BlackEnterprise.com’s Yogapreneur series celebrating National Yoga Month.
What was the impetus behind venturing into the health and fitness industry as an entrepreneur?
I’ve been practicing for 20 years since I was in my 20s. I had been working in the non-profit industry for years and it was stressing me out. I asked myself “What is keeping me here?” Things were hectic and I thought “What is it that I love the most; what do I enjoy doing?” This practice has given me so much so why not be able to share the tools, techniques and experience. Yoga gave me so much. It’ s helped me to find balance and serenity. So, I needed to give back.
How has business been going for you?
My Yoga business has been growing tremendously, which is directly connected to the growth of Yoga. It was still kind of new when I started but now we have more people in the mainstream who are craving a shift in their lives. They see their friends much happier and much more connected and think “Maybe I need to do something less traumatic on my body.” As it expands to the general public, it expands to by business as well. I love to see people walking down the street with their suit on and their Yoga mat in tow.
How do you deal with running a business during difficult economical times?
I make sure that I offer really great deals to people. I also make sure that my financial plan is intact and I have enough reserve money to ensure that if there is an (economic issue), that I can use the reserve to cover the expenses. If I’m struggling, then I know the clients are struggling but they can still get their Yoga in if I throw out a couple of deals. I also offer deals to people in the non-profit sector as wells as students. There is also a weekly class that is free to the community.
What are some of the challenges you face being an African-American Woman in the Yoga space?
I’m not one to pull the race card but there is a certain perception within the Yoga industry amongst people that own businesses or run conferences. They sometimes feel that they can’t take a risk on a Black person because it’s not their target audience. The thing I like about Yoga Journal is that they take a chance on that market. There are people of color practicing and they make sure that their magazine shows that.
One of my teachers is Hispanic and she said to me “I’m excited about teaching here because when I walk in the room, it’s multi-cultural.” I’ve seen Muslim women who are wearing headdresses practicing Yoga. I also hire other people of color, which doesn’t happen that often and I pride myself on multi-cultural hiring practices.
Read part 2 here
I really wish I could remember where I found this cereal but the word “superfood” is what caught my attention. Then, the 3 ingredients proudly displayed on the front of the package – CHIA, BUCKWHEAT and HEMP. Chia and hemp are two of my favorite healthy foods so I had to give it a try.
Pronounced Kee-ah, the cereal is a slim 130 calories (without the milk) and plenty of protein, omegas and fiber. I chose the apple cinnamon flavor and couldn’t wait to pour cold hemp milk over it and stir in some agave.
Here’s where the excitement starts to dissipate. The directions say only use 2 tablespoons with 4-5 tablespoons of milk. As you may know chia seeds absorb liquid so after 5 minutes or so, you have a gritty, “porridgy” type cereal, which comes out to about 1/2 cup of food. That is so not enough food for breakfast.
Also, the buckwheat never really gets soft so it comes across like you are eating Grapenuts (remember that cereal)
While it was tasty, I felt that it was a little too hard which made me feel like I wasn’t exactly eating something edible. That taste is exactly what “non healthy” eaters fear. This is one for the treehuggers like me.
We all like to smell good but do you now what’s in the fragrance products you are putting on your skin? Are you aware that the skin absorbs whatever is placed on it and processes it in the body? If you are placing products with toxic chemicals on your skin, the toxins can be absorbed, stored and can possibly contribute to illnesses. The fragrances in lotions, body washes and perfumes include Benzel Acetate, Camphor, Ethanol, Acetone and Benzaldehyde. Don’t know what they are? That’s all the more reason to use natural products.
This doesn’t mean that you have to eliminate your signature scent. Just use essential oil – And yes, they can be designer. Do a Google or Bing search for “designer perfume oils” and you’ll find a number of links to companies that provide your favorite fragrances in a chemical-free form. I frequent a place on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn that also sells the containers like roll-ons and spray bottles. Add them to your unscented lotion, body washes and even fabric softener.
This makes sense in so many ways:
The only problem you may have is waiting until the perfumes have been on the market for a while. I’ve been waiting for the new Prada perfume to become available ever since I got the Elle magazine with the sample years ago months ago.
Create even more of a signature scent, by mixing essential oils of your choice that you can get in abundance at any heath food store. There are also locations like the Body Shop that feature essential oils that you can mix and sample. Don’t forget to periodically take a whiff of coffee beans. Most fragrance stores usually have them to clear out the nasal passage.
Now you can smell lovely without the chemicals and the cost.
What started as a way to achieve parental acceptance, has blossomed into yogapreneur, Dianne Bondy’s successful business, Dianne Bondy Yoga. Having struggled with body image for years, the East Side Yoga Studio founder has learned self-acceptance through the discipline of Yoga, inadvertently inspiring countless others to practice. After practicing for over 25 years, she’s developed a propensity for infusing spirituality into each pose.In addition to running the studio, Bondy manages to find time to pen a column for the Elephant Journal, organize yoga retreats and train future Yoga teachers. When she says she wants to “help raise the vibration of the world,” we believe she is doing just that, making her an ideal pick for Blackenterprise.com’ s Yogaprenuer Series.
What was the impetus behind venturing into the health and fitness industry as an entrepreneur?
I always loved being physical and my parents really encouraged it as we were growing up. As a person with a weight issue, I needed to move. I quickly found that I was not alone in my feelings about my body image so I decided to share movement by teaching fitness. I was a group fitness instructor and personal trainer before finding my true love, Yoga.
How has business been going for you?
Very well, but I work extremely hard at it. It’s not without effort but the effort makes it very worthwhile and stimulating. I love sharing Yoga with my students. I also enjoy the business of marketing and getting to know the best ways to encourage people to invest in their health.
What resources did you use to start and grow your business?
I started very small. I ran combined fitness and Yoga classes in my church basement. I used my own savings to start my business. I started with 12 students and 3 classes and grew slowly. I do have a university degree and some training in business, which helped. I have since gone on to study with Yoga professionals on both teaching Yoga and building your Yoga business.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during difficult economic times?
Of course, attrition is always a problem in any service-based industry. I do keep my pricing competitive. I also offer help and incentives for those who need financial aid.
How has yoga changed your life?
It has made me so strong; strong in my spirituality, stronger in making connections with others and myself. It has also made me more observant, more focused, more compassionate, more loving and more aware of the flavors of life. Yoga has changed the way I look at the world. It has taught me how to find happiness.
What are some of the challenges you face being an African-Canadian in the Yoga space?
My largest hurdle is the media stereotype of Yoga, which currently is young, slim, flexible and white. I am youngish, big and black. People of color are underrepresented in Yoga. I would love to see more people of color, men and larger bodies on the mat. The problem is in attracting more diversity to Yoga.
Read part 2 of the interview here.
Empanadas (I remember when they were called pastelillos) are just so cute that sometimes, I don’t even want to eat them. I have to remember that they taste even better than they look, are very filling and are usually pretty cheap. They come in an endless variety of flavors and are the perfect Meatless Monday lunch options.
They can be filled with black bean, pinto beans, vegetables, vegan cheese, soy meat and a variety of sauces that can render Mexican, Colombian, Indian or even Italian flavors.
Lunch trucks are all the rage lately and there’s bound to be an empanada truck near you. Here are a couple of lunch trucks across the US.
Florida
Washington DC
http://foodtruckfiesta.com/dc-empanadas-food-truck/
Chicago
New York
San Francisco
http://roaminghunger.com/mamas-empanadas
I recently completed a content series for Black Enterprise called Yogapreneurs. Yup it’s exactly what it sounds like- Yoga Entrepreneurs. Anyhoo, these dynamic business owners were very inspirational on so many levels. Read for yourself and get motivated!
Leslie Salmon Jones is equal parts passion and Zen. That dichotomy is present not only in her personality but in her yoga business, Afro-Flow Yoga – a fusion of enthusiastic live drums African dance and calming yoga. Salmon Jones has been in the yoga game since her days training as a dancer at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she experienced the connection between the two forms of movement.
Originally from Toronto, the Boston-based yogi travels across the globe teaching one-on-one as well as group classes. Her training in wellness coaching, public speaking and personal training have enhanced her brand, making her a perfect fit for BlackEnterprise.com’s Yogapreneur feature.
What was the impetus behind venturing into the health and fitness industry as an entrepreneur?
This is a question of which some first comes first: the chicken or the egg. My father was a surgeon who worked with the morbidly obese and when I was a kid I worked in his office and notice how obesity is a life-changer for a lot of people. As Canada’s first black Chief of Surgery and an orphan, he instilled the entrepreneurial spirit in me. My mom was a nurse and was very involved in the community and a civil rights activist. She planted the seed to be an agent of change. I learned very early on that you can transform your circumstances.
I got into yoga when I was training as a professional dancer with Alvin Ailey. There, it was a requirement. I soon knew there was more I could offer. It taught me that your body is your instrument and I found a natural segue to start teaching people that (principle). I opened a studio once I got my certification and added my personal touch to it. So yoga and dance have never been separate.
I came to this whole idea of Afro Flow Yoga when my husband I traveled to West Africa after my father died. It was a way to connect to ancestry. Wanted to find out more about my roots. I began doing a lot of healing work and was invited to teach dance and yoga at the Raw Spirit Festival at Sedona. During meditation, I realized dance and yoga were fused instead of separate. I later found some drummers to add to the practice and it was epic and magical! I thought “this feels natural” and I started doing research and found that Yoga has a base in Africa.
What resources did you use to start and grow your business?
Initially it was all word of mouth, which was the most powerful marketing tool. It made me accountable to walking the talk. I used social media and my DVDs also helped (in promoting my business). I also do a lot of speaking engagements and workshops. I also had to do some free classes to get it out there
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced during difficult economical times?
My business didn’t slow down too much but I couldn’t raise my prices. I had to keep things as they were. People were nervous about [spending money on Yoga]. Being a dancer in NYC was good training for economic challenges. So I tried not to have fear around it. I stayed very confident and supported my clients.
I found that it was also an opportunity to create more services. I usually do one-on-one sessions but I offered small group classes where people would split the cost but still have personal attention. I also had the AfroFlow Core Power and Core Strength DVDs so if someone couldn’t afford the one-on-one, they could do the DVD.
Read part 2 here.
