Exploring Life & Business with Chasity Ramsey of Chasity Ramsey Yoga & Nomadic Rabbits

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chasity Ramsey

Hi Chasity, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey to yoga, actually started with a career as a professional dancer. From a young age I was accepted (and lived) at the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) where I trained rigorously in ballet, pointe, and modern dance. The summer before my first year at ASFA, I trained with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in a summer intensive. That summer I took my very first yoga class at 12 years old. Throughout my middle school and high school years at ASFA and training with ABT, and other rigorous summer dance intensives, yoga was a part of my weekly schedule. Now, I can’t say that at a young age I necessarily “liked” my yoga classes but I knew they were an integral part of my training to become a professional dancer. After graduating from ASFA, I attended the American Musical Dramatic Academy (AMDA) of Performing Arts in Hollywood, CA and my rigorous training schedule elevated times 10! With twelve hour dance days followed by rehearsals in the evening, I barely had time to think about anything other than dance. AMDA offered yoga classes in the mornings/evenings and I would periodically find myself in class but it was by no means a weekly ritual. Upon graduation with a BFA from AMDA, I went on to choreograph for Highways Performance Space, Peter Strauss Ranch, Hollywood Fringe Festival, and more. I danced in music videos, with independent artists, and professional dance companies performing roles like Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in the Nutcracker. I also danced for a Bollywood dance company and we performed for many venues, festivals, and Bollywood tv shows! Somewhere along the way, I stumbled into a yoga studio in West Hollywood and the course of my life drastically changed. I went from taking a yoga class a few times a year to a few times a week. I was learning new ways to appreciate and celebrate my body, defy gravity, and the spiritual aspect of yoga absolutely blew my mind. I was very blessed to have trained under excellent teachers like Benjamin Gettinger, Dana Kraft, and Jennifer Smith while at the beginning stages of my yoga journey. Their guidance truly shaped the teacher and person I have become today and I still reference their advice/guidance during my own personal practice. In 2018 I became a certified 200hr yoga teacher while still upholding my rigorous dance training. I won’t go into details here but my yoga journey slowly started to take precedence and my dance career slowly started to fade. I will always be immensely grateful for my dance journey and all the ups and downs that came with it, because I truly believe that yoga would not hold such meaning over my life it it wasn’t for my dance journey. Since 2018, I’ve gone on to become 200hr E-RYT, 100hr CMT (certified meditation teacher), 20 hr Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, 30hr Prenatal Yoga Training, and a Reiki Healer Practitioner. Six years into my career as a Yoga teacher, I know that God (spirit) has been guiding my journey every step of the way ever since I took that first yoga class at 12 years old. And through my teachings, I inspire and empower others to feel the radiance of spirit within themselves and around so together we can celebrate this beautiful and joyous life.

Alright, 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?
The journey to become a yoga teacher was not always easy. There were a lot of people in my life who kept telling me that yoga was just a hobby and I couldn’t make a sustainable career out of it. Add that on top of anxiety, and mental health struggles, I felt defeated time and time again. However, once I became a certified yoga teacher, I taught classes at YMCA and a couple of yoga studios. My teaching schedule was growing which meant my bank account was too! I was able to pay my rent and felt stable enough as a young 20 something year old living 3000 miles away from home. Two years in, the 2020 pandemic hit and everywhere closed down. As we all can relate – it was TOUGH! However, growing up as a professional dancer I learned the value of resilience. So from 2020-2022, I found teaching jobs for corporate offices, I learned to navigate zoom classes, and started my own business as a private yoga teacher. Towards the tail end of 2022, I moved out on my own again and my teaching schedule blossomed once again. Now, I teach full-time in Pasadena at studios and elementary schools! And I’m even helping guide my first 200hr yoga teacher training at One Life Yoga! If you’re in the Pasadena area, definitely check this studio out! They have become a home away from home for me over the last 3 years!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
So currently, I do a lot of work for myself! I offer workshops, and private yoga and reiki healing sessions on a weekly basis in the Pasadena area! Reiki is an energy healing art form that is used to promote mental, emotional, physical, and psychological well-being. In my private sessions I offer the use of sound healing & aromatherapy techniques. If you’re interested head to chasityramsey.com!
I’m also a published author-illustrator!! I have a poetry book for adults on Amazon called Non Linear Poems for a Non Linear World. I also have a children’s book series on Amazon called The Adventure of Marlz.
I also have a business for my exotic pets called Nomadic Rabbits. I have two rabbits and a tortoise and take them on adventures. You can follow along on social media at @nomadicrabbits

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck can be interpreted into a lot of things. Luck can also be translated to spirit, God, the Universe, your higher self guiding you, nature, ect. In that sense, “luck” has been with me every step of the way. I wouldn’t have met all the people who’ve guided me and inspired me along this spiritual path without knowing God in my heart. There’s something to be said for relaxing into the ebb and flow of life and taking the path of least resistance. Often times, I think we can get into our own way and create our own obstacles that we have to overcome. If yoga has taught me anything, it’s that God is always guiding us towards our purpose and the universe is always conspiring in our favor. We just need to slow down, take a deep breath, and believe in ourselves a little bit more.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @_lifeofchas_
• Other: TikTok: @nomadicrabbits