Meet Juanita Rivas-Raymer of Glendora

Today we’d like to introduce you to Juanita Rivas-Raymer.

Juanita, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up watching my dad practice yoga at the park. He would often talk about yoga philosophy, which I didn’t understand at the time, but must have planted a seed in my brain. After my children were born, I became a lactation educator for the W.I.C. program (women, infants and children), and later a Birth Doula. My father’s example along with my mother’s (who always seemed to be involved with helping those around her) inspired me as I worked with women that had little or no support while trying to manage their lives through extremely stressful circumstances. I felt like my job was to find ways of keeping them relaxed and I naturally gravitated to techniques like breathing and meditation that are a big part of yoga. I also noticed that women who practiced yoga had an easier time getting through the process of labor. I later became a prenatal yoga teacher and felt that this was a way for me to reach more women and teach them techniques that would help them stay balanced. During that time, I also became very interested in gardening as a way to eat more locally and healthy. I joined a group called “Food Not Lawns” that focused on not only growing food but building community through converting lawns to edible gardens. I was so inspired by this group and learned so much about everything having to do with food production, including how some communities don’t have the same access to fresh local produce depending on the affluence of the neighborhood. This lead me to search for ways to educate the community on growing food and building their own “community.” I managed a community garden for five years and during that time became a master gardener. The Master Gardener’s program mission is to help communities and schools install gardens and teach them about growing food in a sustainable way.

I am currently working for a company called Farm to Fork that works with developers to plan housing with edible gardens included in these condo communities. I help with maintaining the garden beds and educating the residents on gardening. My yoga practice is going strong too. I teach Prenatal and Hatha Yoga in and around the Glendora area.

I feel like my contribution to the community is to help people find balance and reduce stress through yoga and gardening.

Has it been a smooth road?
I think my biggest obstacle was when I was working in a community garden that didn’t have a lot of support from the land owner or the community. At the end, I realized that there are other cities and or schools that would appreciate my help more and so I handed the land back to the owner. It was hard to walk away but maybe by giving them ownership of the garden they will feel more connected to it and want to take care of it.

As for my yoga classes and trying to make a living just teaching yoga is very difficult. I try and tune into what my students need and stay open to what the community needs. Fortunately for me, my income supplements my husband’s so I don’t have to completely support myself. It is a challenge though.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Juanita Rivas-Raymer – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I teach yoga and gardening in the San Gabriel Valley. I specialize in teaching prenatal yoga and find that I like focusing on breath and alignment. I like to help people find ways of reducing stress through yoga.

I like teaching kids especially about gardening because they get excited about it and love harvesting their veggies. I feel proud about the idea that by teaching them to grow food I’m helping them be more open to eating healthier.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
It is a huge benefit to be able to grow year around because of our mild climate. I also like the fact that we have the beaches and mountains within driving distance.

It would be nice if things were closer. I could do without the LA traffic.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.painterdoula.com
• Email: jrivasraymer@yahoo.com

   

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