Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Fortunato.
Hi Paula, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Yoga was introduced to me through my love of theatre arts at a young age. Throughout the years, I noticed how yoga had become a great technique in improving my body awareness, calming my mind from back stage jitters and teaching me an innate sense of the healing powers of the body-mind connection. My adventurous spirit brought me to several places around the world. Experimenting with various types of yoga practice and healing arts throughout different stages of life has fueled my passion of connecting with myself and others through movement. My practice has transformed many times over the last 20 years with guidance by amazing teachers along the way. I have always been interested in learning more and wanting to try new things. This has led me to become a certified Yoga Therapist from LMU in 2013, a certified Yoga Tune Up teacher founded by creator Jill Miller, and my latest yoga thrill in aerial yoga led me to certify as a teacher in Aireal Yoga founded by Carmen Curtis. I have led and co-led yoga retreats in fabulous international destinations as well as taught and assisted at yoga festivals and assisted in Yoga Teacher Trainings for Aireal Yoga.
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 recently came across a teacher (Alexa Silvaggio) talking about how oftentimes in the spiritual community when things come easy, we think it means that we are aligned. She went on to say that sometimes when something is difficult and filled with resistance it can be what brings us to our true potential. I would say the struggles I face are about taking the road less traveled for a career choice. Having a reliable paycheck and other benefits that come with a standard career are not guaranteed as a yoga teacher.
I consider myself fortunate to have had many opportunities along the way. Being open to trial and error with different offerings whether it be location, style, collaborative, digital media, and continued education, it is this journey that has helped smooth the road to where I am today.
What has also helped is to integrate training in Bodywork and Massage Therapy, this has been a great modality to weave into my understanding of the body. These two modalities work hand and hand with each other and have been a great way to expand my knowledge, my clientele, and my income.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I use the science of Yoga Therapy to tap into all levels of physical, emotional and spiritual wellness which can be the catalyst to whole health and well-being. I have been offering classes through Yoga World Heart, a virtual yoga studio, where I have many recorded classes in the content library and after taking a short break, I plan on coming back for pop-ups. Although I offer this practice through in person group, private, and online classes, I have also developed my own On Demand Therapeutic Yoga Platform, with the option of monthly one on one assessment sessions. These comprehensive videos unlock therapeutic postures and sequences using breath, conscious movement, yoga nidra, and self-massage techniques (Yoga Tune Up ®️) to recognize and correct movement patterns. I believe teaching how to facilitate injury recovery, relief from chronic pain, and reduce stress on one’s own time, in their own space is the best way to develop a personal healing practice. Typically those with chronic illness or injury can not access hard scheduled offerings due to honoring what they wake up with each day. I wanted to create something that would address this specific need. I am proud to report that I have developed a library of over 70 videos that encompass the many tools I have to offer. Along with my online offerings, I have had the opportunity to provide the excitement of traveling with small groups and practicing therapeutic yoga in safe yet fabulous destinations, and plan to continue doing so!
How do you think about luck?
I suppose luck can come in the way of opportunities presented to you. It really is on you to bring the “luck” into fruition. As a small-town prairie girl originally from the plains of Alberta, Canada, the plan of becoming a full-time yoga teacher (17 years ago) was not very realistic. As luck might have it, a job interview I had taken six months prior came through which brought me to working on a cruise ship in the Mediterranean. There, I met a fellow cruise ship employee my now husband, a musician from LA. When the time came to decide where to settle, we thought the LA area was our best shot at growing careers in Music and Yoga. Luck may come down to the people we have a chance to meet and how they might perceive us in that moment. I would say I am grateful to the many people I have grown to know and love throughout the yoga community over the years whether it be students or colleagues who have only enhanced my career.
Pricing:
- $15.00/month- On Demand unlimited subscription
- $49.00- 10 Pack On Demand Special
- $7.00 – Single On Demand Replay
- $15.00/class- In person Pop Ups within Ventura County
- $800 – 10 pack online private sessions
Contact Info:
- Email: paula@paulafortunatoyoga.com
- Website: https://paulafortunatoyoga.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortun8yogini/
- Other: https://www.union.fit/orgs/paula-fortunato-yoga/videos
