Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ikeda.
Hi Lauren, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Looking back it was scary; to leave my stable job for the uncertainty of a new career path teaching yoga. Still, yet, that is exactly what I did almost 10 years ago. In the beginning, the imposter syndrome was overwhelming, but with further education, practice teaching, and overcoming my fears I am so proud of where I stand today.
Currently, I teach group classes at a couple of local studios, lead chair yoga and kids yoga classes for a non-profit that caters to low-income families and the elderly, offer private classes virtually and in-person, and am getting back to leading my yoga retreats again. After a two-year hiatus, I led my first domestic retreat in Paso Robles, CA in Spring 2022 and am getting ready to lead my first international retreat in Mallorca, Spain.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all. There have definitely been quite a few struggles along the way, but Covid was another beast. I think Covid hit the yoga industry so hard that everyone including myself resorted to trying to fit into the online studio space all at once, which was very difficult to do, especially if you don’t already have a huge online presence. That is exactly what I tried to do, even though that is not truly what I wanted to do. I forced myself to teach, create, edit, and post a ton of online content to my virtual studio. Eventually, I burned myself out and closed my virtual studio.
After feeling lost and considering changing careers, I found an opportunity to teach chair yoga and kids’ yoga for a non-profit that caters to low-income families and seniors. This later led to other opportunities, which I am so grateful for. Even though the world and the world of yoga have vastly changed since Covid, I am so glad to be doing what I love. I am even more grateful to have expanded my teaching to underserved communities that truly need yoga. Last week, one of my chair yoga students turned 99 years old, which was such a sweet moment. We even celebrated at the end of class with pizza and cake.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lauren Ikeda Yoga LLC.?
Since 2013, Lauren Ikeda Yoga LLC. has worked with a wide spectrum of students from beginners to professional athletes, ages 8 to 99. She emphasizes the importance of function over form as yoga is for everyone and everybody. She currently offers classes privately in-person, virtually, for corporations, and non-profits.
The owner, Lauren Ikeda is a 200 E-RYT and YACEP Yoga Teacher whose unique approach teaches the key philosophies of yoga to not just do yoga, but more importantly to live yoga. She moves beyond the commercialization of the practice to honor its lineage as a means to connect authentically to yourself and between yourself and others.
Whether working with kids, on a mat, or in a chair, she incorporates embodied movement practices such as yoga asana and mindful movement as well as meditation and breath work. She encourages her students to have fun, explore, and be present in their own experiences through a somatic (self-sensing) approach. Using those experiences as a starting point, we can learn how to live more skillfully.
Lauren was born and raised in Southern California and from a young age had the privilege of traveling the world, where she learned the importance of appreciating different cultures and perspectives.
Since 2017 she has led retreats all over the world, combining her love of culture, yoga & mindfulness, relationship building, and adventure.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Sometimes you may not be ready for the lesson, but eventually, you will and it will all make sense.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurenikeda.com
- Instagram: @laurenikeda
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenikedayogallc
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYolWuOmNDUyigemAj62SLg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lauren-ikeda-long-beach-3
Image Credits
Hana Asano
