Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristina Van Orden.
Hi Kristina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have been an active person all of my life, and deeply attracted to nature and athleticism. I grew up and lived the majority of my life in Brooklyn, NY, working in the fashion and beauty business. I started getting a little nudge inside about 8 years ago to change my direction and take all that I have learned and experience for myself, only promoting the things in life that I found vitally important – movement, wellness and connection.
So when Covid created a new work-from-home environment, like so many others I decided to start making changes and moved to Los Angeles with my then teenaged son. I left my corporate career a year later, began formalizing my recreational yoga practice into my full time life by studying and certifying and becoming a teacher. Through the past few years I have added on to my training with specializations including prenatal yoga and yin.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I literally laughed out loud when I read this; definitely not. It is a huge adjustment to leave a successful career of 25 years and start all over again without any safety net. And this is fine! We need the sticky stuff to help with our direction, discipline and all around character growth. Do I wish money would fall from the sky to make things easier? Sure but at the end of this journey I would like to feel accomplished as well as lucky.
To answer your second question aside from the financial stresses any of us small business owners face, for me the biggest struggle has been reconciling my love of yoga, fitness and athletics with marketing and the raw reality of the business world. The same concerns I had in corporate America permeate the wellness industry as well – business at the end of the day is business. I imagine it is the same experience an artist or musician has when they create something from deep inside and share it – you leave yourself open and vulnerable. But the yogi in me is working on embracing this too!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work is wellness. I am a certified and trained yoga instructor, who is known for blending elements of athletics, nature and instruments of healing into a holistic experience.
My regular weekly schedule has me teaching in various studios across the valley, personal training and seasonal events. Each summer my partner who is a full time Surf Coach and I host a half day retreat in the South Bay where we combine yoga and surfing (my other passion). This has been an incredible experience over the years; some folks have come to us never having done either activity, and in one case never even stepped in the ocean! To be a part of someone’s skill building, learning journey, and feel good memories is the reason why I wanted to switch career direction.
And nature is a really big deal for me – our interconnectivity is at the core of my teaching and respect for the world we share is paramount. I am also proud of a monthly event I host on a hilltop, blending a little hiking with yoga – Sunset Hike / Full Moon Yin Meditations has become a ritual. One of my signatures is inclusion of various healing tools, and reiki or sound baths generally accompany these events.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was the baby who couldn’t walk yet, but was found on top of the refrigerator. Always moving, and always wanting to be outside. I loved to play all sports, loved dancing – I was at one time in a breakdancing crew.
My fondest memories as a child are at the beach or in the country watching for wildlife and climbing trees. Somehow with so many falls I never broke a bone.
Pricing:
- Personal Training $125/ hour (packages available)
- Yoga + Surf Sessions $200 / person (group and package rates available)
- Monthly Events Free! (Donations appreciated)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yogalifecollective.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_life_collective/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575829080477
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinavanorden/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@yoga.life.collecti?_t=ZP-8yPcPiAMp6l&_r=1
