Today we’d like to introduce you to Rina Jakubowicz.
Rina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in college, 18 years ago, when my ex-boyfriend suggested I go to yoga, but I was way too much of a type-A personality and thought it would be too boring. One day, my mom saw in the newspaper that Swami Bua was going to be teaching in Miami. I said “well, what better way to start yoga than with a 115-year-old swami?” So, my mom and I went to class and these two people helped him walk in, he sat in a chair and he was basically a drill sergeant. It was really intense and fast and I could do none of it. I was totally challenged and loved it. I liked it so much I went the next day and then, I committed to doing yoga three hours every day for six months. I would take two classes back to back every day. It was kind of my way of jumping into this, and after that, I did teacher training.
I got certified in 2003 from the first training and I started teaching very slowly, in little places here and there, trying to build up my teaching skills. I was trying it out and seeing how it went, using my marketing mind to find places to teach and ways to promote mostly through word of mouth. Then, obviously, I fell in love with yoga, it just kept growing and at the end of 2005, I opened my first studio, Rina Yoga. I grew to eventually have three yoga studios in Miami. I dedicated every ounce of my learning and growing to develop myself as a student and as a teacher. I was hungry for knowledge so that bred more growth, personally and professionally. I now have had the pleasure of traveling to many countries to teach yoga including teaching training of my own for ten years. I’m very driven and find solutions to most challenges, so anytime I had an idea pop into my head, I would figure out the best way of executing my vision. It’s like a game for me that I enjoy playing. I don’t always win the game, but I consider just playing it a win for me!
Has it been a smooth road?
Not always of course, but stay true to your vision. Be very clear as to what your path is. Be authentic and passionate about what you’re doing and it will all fall into place as long as you are taking actions. Set goals for yourself and write a step by step plan as to how to get to that goal. Work backward instead of forwards. See what you want to get within a certain time frame like let’s say a year. Then consider what you need to get done by the 10th month to get to the goal in a year. What do you need to be get done by the 8th month, 6th month, and keep working backward until you get to today and then know what step you have to take today to get there in a year. There’s always struggles because we have surprises and we aren’t as knowledgeable and objective as we need to be sometimes. It’s a process and be patient with yourself. Be kind and compassionate. You’re growing and learning. If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life! Have fun!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Rina Yoga – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My second book just launched May 1, 2018, and it became a #1 Best Seller in yoga on Amazon. It’s called The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice! I’m super excited to be doing a book launch in Miami July 26 at 6:30 pm at Books and Books in Coral Gables!
I am very excited to be offering a Life Training program with husband and master teacher Eric Paskel for the weekend of Sept. 21-24. It’s a priceless life-changer for sure! We are also offering a full 200-hour training starting Sept. 21 which runs for a minimum of 6 months. In addition, I’m offering a Spanish Yoga Training Immersion Weekend in Los Angeles in 2019 where yoga students and teachers can learn more about how to practice and teach in Spanish. Something VERY needed in our community and country! We need more Spanglish Yoga in Los Angeles! 🙂
Rina Jakubowicz, the founder of Rina Yoga, is known for her vibrant and uplifting approach to yoga by bringing movement, philosophy, and fun to all, including Latinos and children. She is an international bilingual yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, motivational speaker, and author. Her new book, The Yoga Mind: 52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen Your Practice, a #1 Best Seller on Amazon! She has been a teacher of teachers for since 2002, presenting at Kripalu Center, Wanderlusts, Himalayan Institute, Omega Institute, Yogaville, Yoga Journal Conferences, Telluride Yoga Festival, Mammoth Yoga Festival, as well as in countries across the globe such as Chile, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bulgaria, and Andorra. Rina’s yoga videos are found in Gaia TV, Shri TV, Yogisanonymous and Udaya Online. She’s the yoga expert on Univision’s Tu Desayuno Alegre, and a regular contributor for Yoga Journal Online and MindBodyGreen. She has been on Yoga Journal’s cover a couple times both in the US and in Spain and featured in Yoga Journal Russia. You can see Rina in Origin Magazine, Mantra Magazine, Glam Belleza Latina, Revista Mujer, among other publications worldwide. Rina moved to Los Angeles in 2016 although her hometown is Miami, FL. She was selected as one of South Florida’s Business Leaders Movers and Shakers in 2011. She also created the yoga app, Snooze Yoga, and a pioneering yoga curriculum for children and teens, Super Yogis’ Schoolhouse.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the weather and the focus on health and a higher lifestyle. I’ve made some solid friends and with so many activities to do, we are never bored. 🙂 I’ll be basic in saying that I don’t love how far apart everyone is in LA and the traffic which doesn’t let you get closer to people who live far away. I love gathering cool, real people together but LA isn’t the easiest for making that happen.
Pricing:
- The Yoga Mind Book $17.99 on Amazon
- Life Training with Eric Paskel and Rina Jakubowicz Sept. 21-24: $999 on Eventbrite
- Teacher Training with Eric Paskel and Rina Jakubowicz: 6-Mo program starts Sept. 21: $2600 on Eventbrite
- Spanish Yoga Training Weekend Immersion: $750
Contact Info:
- Address: Teaching at Electric Soul Yoga
12408 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604 - Website: www.rinayoga.com
- Phone: 305-856-9642
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @rinayoga
- Facebook: @rinayoga
- Twitter: @rinayoga
Image Credit:
Jeff Skierik
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
