Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Valdez.
Monica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My story began eight years ago when I decided to re-enter the workforce after 19 years of being a stay at home mom. I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I knew too many years had passed for me to re-enter the medical field. In 1995 I graduated first in my class as an LVN, but looking back, I didn’t have much passion for it.
Raising four kids left me with little time for myself, and it wasn’t until they were all in school full-time that I discovered my passion for health and wellness. I started with running, and I eventually completed nine full marathons and several half marathons. I loved the sense of strength and self-empowerment I got from running. However, all that running was really hard on my body, so I took up yoga because I heard it was good for recovery.
Not only did yoga help me recover from my running injuries, but I began to notice a significant improvement in my mental health. I realized that I loved yoga much more than running, and this led me to getting my teaching certification in 2011. Teaching yoga added so much to my life, more than I even knew was missing. Yoga was doing wonders for me physically, but it also opened my eyes to the beauty of forming human relationships outside of the security of my family. Eventually I enrolled in LMU’s Yoga Therapy RX program in LA. I earned two advanced certifications in yoga therapy and moved closer to my goal of making yoga as accessible as possible for those who need it.
I definitely struggled along the way. In the span of four years, we lost several family members to cancer, my husband lost his job, my kids were going through some intense growing pains, and I was a diagnosed with thyroid disease. This pushed me to seek out alternative ways of healing, which led me to Ayurveda, an ancient system of holistic healing.
Nowadays I do my best to show gratitude for all that I have, to be present, and to trust in the workings of the universe. I try not to worry about the future too much. The lessons I’ve learned in my life have given me the confidence and empathy necessary to help others who are starting out on their own yoga journey.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Going back to school after being a stay at home mom for so long was really difficult. I hadn’t had the time to keep up with technology, and studying, writing, and completing assignments was stressful – I often had to ask my kids for help. Gaining the trust of yoga students as a new teacher was also difficult. It was through much persistence and practice that I finally found my groove, and today my workshops are well known in my community.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a yoga therapist. I specialize in using yoga and all its aspects – postures, breath work, meditation, Ayurveda, and listening skills – to help those struggling with pre-existing conditions. I design individualized, comprehensive programs for my clients, and I guide them through their practice in one-on-one sessions at home or in-studio. The programs I design are tailored for lower back pain, shoulder pain, autoimmune disorders, cancer rehabilitation, anxiety, and depression.
I also teach group workshops, like my Yoga Therapy Ball Workshop, my Happy Hips/Lower Back workshop, my Introduction to Ayurveda workshop, and other wellness workshops. All my workshops are purposeful and inclusive, requiring little to no yoga experience – this is what I am most proud of. I gained a lot of patience from my time as a stay at home mom.
Any shout-outs? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’ve received a lot of help and guidance from many people along the way. I’d like to thank my husband for supporting me in my personal journey; not only was he one of my first students, but he helps me carry all my yoga props! He tells me I’m his favorite teacher.
I’d like to give a huge shout out to my mentor, Bonnie Knight. Bonnie was my first yoga instructor and helped me become certified. Her guidance and encouragement helped me reach my goal of becoming a yoga therapist.
My children (who are all young adults now) have been there for the entire process and helped me along the way. It means a lot when my children tell me they’re proud of me.
My parents and close friends have been my cheerleaders since day one and have offered lots of needed advice and support.
Contact Info:
- Website: monicavaldezyogatherapy.com
- Instagram: monicavaldezyogatherapy
- Facebook: monicavaldezyogatherapy
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Image Credit:
Danny Diaz, Purple Yoga
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