Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Pelosi.
Rose, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
There are some things in life that you experience and simply move on. There are other things that move you profoundly. For me, this was yoga, a way to balance my frustrations with my joys and to accept exactly who I am, have been, and will be. Since I began teaching in 2012 I have always enjoyed and made a point to offer free yoga where donations are accepted, but never obligated. The most important thing to me is that more people are utilizing this ancient practice as a way to connect more fully with themselves, and therefore to the world around them. When I moved to Venice it was my goal to teach on the beach, a perfect platform for a relaxed state of mind, the wind literally blowing your worries away. I knew no one and moved to Venice solo with my dog Oso as my best friend and my vision as my motivation. To be honest, as things got going, there were many days when I sat by myself on the sand, no one showing up to play. Yes, it was discouraging. I kept showing up. My flag and I, an offering. Now going on the 3rd season, Body Love Yoga has become part of the popular Venice Beach activities and draws both natives and visitors from around the world. At Body Love Yoga people come for the right reasons. With the beautiful Pacific Ocean as our backdrop, any intimidation of a studio setting is lost and there is no choice but to take a truly deep, refreshing breath in.
I started with a simple intention to share what I had learned, let go of, and experienced through not only practicing, but playing yoga. With lots of love and a patient persistence, Body Love Yoga came to life and continues to grow with the loveliest souls as its supporters.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel blessed to have had the support I received and continue to receive from my family and close friends. It truly kept me going. Unfortunately, doubt can still easily creep its way in at times and leave you questioning it all.
My biggest struggle has been comparing myself to others, physically, financially, and statistically. In a world where yoga has popped up on nearly every street corner, it was challenging to feel that I too had a place. There were absolutely times when I felt I was not enough and never will be, comparing the size of my class, or the popularity of my offering to others. To trust the Universe in the timing it has planned for you is a skill I have been gifted through the discomfort of these challenging moments.
What I have come realized, and what I want everyone to remember, is that we all have something unique to offer, and therefore we all certainly have a place to share it. The more you trust, the more you let go, oddly enough, the more things flow.
Even as Body Love Yoga grows, personal doubt continues to be the biggest challenge I face as well as one of my biggest inspirations for teaching others yoga. This doubt is a gift, a reminder to tap into the strength and clarity that is available through a calm, focused mind and body. One of my favorite mottos when it does come to these overwhelming moments is, “Just keep swimming”,-Dori, finding Nemo.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I teach Vinyasa yoga, Vi meaning order, and Nyasa meaning conscious placement. I specialize in the organization of specific movements into a sequence that effectively moves and refreshes energy in your body, while focusing the mind in a way that it can clear itself of unnecessary thinking. While doing this, my main goal is to make you feel comfortable and welcome, even during moments of physical challenge.
At Body Love Yoga I am proud to offer a space where money, nor skill level, age, origin or outfit is a factor in making your body feel good. It’s not about what you can do, but more so how you feel when you do it. Body Love Yoga caters to all levels with love and acceptance. Yoga is meant to meet you where you are, not make you feel like you aren’t where you should be, so at Body Love Yoga we want you to know you have a place both to learn and to grow in your practice.
Body Love Yoga is different than many other classes in that it is donation based, and of course takes place on the sand, in front of the ocean, and during the summer sunsets. It is nearly impossible to not feel even a little more relaxed with nature’s natural setting around you. With this, you are inevitably more connected to the planet, and therefor to your own natural state.
This ocean front “studio” gives space to take a truly, big, refreshing breath in, while you watch the beautiful Venice Beach sun set over the water.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Yes, Los Angeles, like many of us know, is a city full of opportunities and in my opinion, an amazing place to learn. The inspiration from others is endless and the events or workshops are plentiful. I believe learning is growing, so it’s a great place to do just that. As I mentioned, the hardest part is resisting the urge to compare yourself to others, and where they are in the timing of their own personal progression. If you can remember your worth, and why you started in the first place, you’ll be just fine planting the seed of your idea or offering in this wild place.
Contact Info:
- Address: Thornton Ave + Ocean Front Walk
(look for the Body Love Yoga flag) - Website: www.bodyloveyoga.org
- Phone: 7074992616
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @bodyloveyoga
- Facebook: @bodyloveyogavenice
- Twitter: @rosepelosi
- Yelp: Body Love Yoga
Image Credit:
Petey Pete
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.
