Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Hernandez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ana. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
It started back in 2012, I was looking for meaning to life. I was working a great job had a good lifestyle and relationship yet something didn’t feel right anymore. I felt I was living a life expected of me and not fully what I desired. It then came to me that I never really knew what I wanted for myself. What kind of life do I wish to create versus what I should do?
I also suffered emotional anxiety and reactivity which sometimes brought me into depression and emotional outburst. I wanted to change! I didn’t like how this affected my relationships and myself. I wanted to dedicate my life to something more, something that would contribute to the betterment of the world and that would come from my heart. I was also filled with questions of the meaning of life and who we are.
I began researching philosophy, different spiritual practices and alternative health modalities such as meditation, reiki, crystal healing. I found they helped immensely with my anxieties and was healing from my past distresses. I then looked into more ways to deepen my meditation and for tools to help me take control of my anxieties. I heard yoga was good for the breath in meditation so I signed up for a class at Yogaworks and fell in love.
I started attending practice regularly than was encouraged to teach. I signed up for the Yogaworks teacher training program and began teaching. I started teaching friends to practice then got my first studio job at Muscle Beach Yoga in Venice, CA. I had to work part-time jobs on the side since I no longer had my corporate client I had worked with for 12 years. I had to start all over again.
After a year of teaching I started getting more opportunities to teach with other studios and private clients then I got in Yogaworks substitute list. Then finally my first class and now I teach yoga full time. I teach privately through my business as well as through studios: Yogaworks, Omkar108 Yoga & Laughing Frog Yoga in Los Angeles area.
What I love about yoga is that it empowers me to take control of the helm of my life, to write my own story and to look beyond what we’ve been told. It helps me be brave enough to question everything and strong enough to stand through the storms of life. This practice transforms you if you allow it. It guides you to discover your inner “Guru” (teacher.) It cultivates strength, courage and deep presence so that you can look to your heart for your divine encounter.
Through my personal practices, the tools, knowledge, and experiences I have learned so much about myself and have learned to accept myself through my struggles, faults, as well as my strengths and truth. I’ve learned to love myself so that I may love others unconditionally. I’ve learned to see underneath my emotions, thoughts and not allow them to control me or throw me off center.
I’ve found a purpose for the world and for my spiritual growth. The more I learn about myself and life the more I realize there’s an infinite amount we have yet to learn. I’m grateful for what my practices teach and continue to teach me. It’s these tools I wish to share with the world in hopes that it’ll guide people to inner peace, healing and divine love.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was challenging getting teaching jobs at first since I didn’t have as much experience as other applicants for jobs. The corporate client I had done work for 11 yrs no longer needed my services.
I had a dramatic decline in income and had to take on part-time jobs and essentially start over. My whole world had changed, I lost my last long term relationship, moved into a new home, lost old career, friends, money… I felt I was stuck in a hole with no way out.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a yoga teacher and holistic health therapist. I specifically work with Reiki and crystal energy for restoring balance to the human system. I teach yoga to guide people into the inner journey inner peace. It makes me proud to work in a field that helps contribute to the betterment of mankind.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Kindness, gratitude, love, and authenticity.
Contact Info:
- Website: AnaHernandezYoga.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: Ana.Hernandez.Oneness
- Facebook: AnaHernandezYoga
- Twitter: AnahernandezLA
Image Credit:
CharlesGrauke.com, Claire Pinchuad Photography, Ivan Nicolau Photography, Kevinhahnphoto.com, Yogaworks Inc.
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