Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Asatryan.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started doing yoga when I was 5 years old, and I completely fell in love with it. I wanted to do yoga more and more. I would ask my mom when the next class was and refused to skip a yoga class. When I was about 9 years old I told my mom I wanted to be a yoga teacher, so for the next few years, she looked for schools that would certify me.
Everyone turned us down because they said that I was too young, but I said we just have to keep looking. When I was 12, my mom said she had found a teacher that would certify me. I took Shana Meyerson’s (YOGAthletica) a 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT) course with ten adults, took a very difficult test, then got my certificate and became the youngest female yoga instructor in America. I’m very grateful that I got such amazing training and that I have the opportunity to share my love for yoga with the world. All of my classes are donation based, so people can donate as much or as little as they want.
All the proceeds go to a charity called Unstoppable Foundation that I have partnered with to build a school in Kenya. I’m very passionate about children’s education. I know that I am very fortunate to live in a country where education is available to every child, and I feel that it is my responsibility to give to others who don’t have the same opportunities available to them. Children are the future and they all deserve an education so they can all have an equal chance at succeeding in life and contributing their gifts and talents to the world.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
People underestimate the power of children. I believe that there is no age limit for changing the world. I heard “no” a lot on my journey to become a yoga teacher, and I still do. I’ve become very comfortable with hearing “no” and I’ve learned to not let that stop me.
Natalie Asatryan – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a full-time middle school student who also participates in extracurricular activities, which include the fine arts. I’m also committed to expanding my knowledge of yoga. In addition to teaching yoga to adults, I’m also certified to teach kids. I want to share the benefits of yoga with anyone who is interested in practicing yoga.
One of my goals is to inspire kids to make a difference in the world through what they are passionate about and to not let their age stop them. I am now being invited to speak at events, which I am super excited about!
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
One of my accomplishments that I am most proud of is the impact I have already made by raising thousands of dollars for various charities, including The Red Cross, and I’m just getting started! I’m also grateful that I have inspired my friends to make a difference and that I have gotten to teach yoga to some people who probably wouldn’t have tried it otherwise. My goal is to work hard, have fun, and make a difference!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.NatalieAsatryan.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @natalieasatryan
- Facebook: @natalieasatryan
- Twitter: @natalieasatryan
Image Credit:
Robert Olin Studios, Robert Sturman
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