Meet Katie Felt of Riverside, Ca.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Felt.

Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my yoga teacher training in 2017 after feeling like something was missing from my life. I wanted to teach childbirth and I felt that yoga was such a beautiful support for the transition into motherhood. I also believe I was desiring more substance, and more purpose.. I’ll never forget our first teacher training weekend together and how we closed the session with mantra practice. As a life long choir kid, the idea of singing in yoga was so amazing to me. I loved the way that it felt to have all of us lifting our voices in praise to the divine. The room filled with vibration, it was truly magical.

During this time, I came to know myself in very deep and meaningful ways. I explored physical asana practice, meditation, breath work and more. I rediscovered my own inner child light, and began an ongoing healing process as I came to terms with the wounds and scars of my own traumas. It was through my experiences at yoga teacher training that I began to see myself as a survivor, rather than a victim.

I began to want to help others come to know themselves in this way. I saw the world in a different light. I knew that with an open heart, and intentional practices, true healing could happen. I wanted to shout it out from the rooftops and bring everyone to yoga, to spirituality, and to their highest layers of consciousness. I studied, I tried things out on myself, and I stayed open to experience knowing that this work would lead me to more peace and unconditional love. Currently my practices have become more centered around myself and reconnecting to the heart of it all. Keeping safe and sacred those things that are most important to me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The journey to becoming a yogi businesswoman has had its ups and downs. From feeling like I needed to choose a specific niche, to wanting to explore every topic in depth, or to cultivating my creativity it’s been easy to feel pulled in multiple directions. I often find myself in a bit of a tug of war between knowing my worth, offering fair pricing, and never denying a client due to a lack of funds. There is a balance to be held as a yogi, as yoga is a practice of ethics, first and foremost.

I have had opportunities fall through, faced confusion and adversity, have had periods of feast and famine, and have had proverbial doors closed. I’ve sought out safe and sacred places to facilitate from, and have at times had to create my own, by building the foundation from scratch. Not to mention that the yoga industry is very competitive and sometimes it can be all about who we know and who is in our corner. Navigating the yoga community has been both a blessing and a challenge, filled with lifelong connections and life lessons 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?
I am a 500 hour Yogini, intuitive oracle reader, sound healer, and reiki practitioner. At 42 years old I learned to play my first instrument, the harmonium, and I fell in love with the way the sound of the instrument melded with my voice, almost becoming as one. I began to study mantra and developed a great understanding of how mantras, when paired with hastha mudras, can become a transformational support during meditation. I learned about energy exchange, and the way that all energy is based on how we give of ourselves, and how we receive. This foundational understanding became the basis of my personal practices, my own self study, my ability to intuit energy, and recognize the energetic expression of myself and others.

Through my own self expression and creativity, I have brought others to this understanding as well. Using sound healing, mantra, pranayama, and meditation I have helped many break through the barriers of limitation allowing them to step into the limitless potential that exists all around us. I feel most proud of my ability to bring groups of women together in sacred circles to experience the feeling of being in a supportive community. To cultivate collective healing in ways that feel validating, expressive, and meaningful. To witness others on their journeys, to offer them sound guidance, and receive the mutual love and blessings that exist all around us.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
My wish for the spiritual, wellness, and yoga community going forward is that these services will become even more accessible to others. I have a personal belief that I will never turn away a person in need. That if I cannot help them on my own then I will find someone who can. I believe that the future of yoga is more rooted in community and collaboration. That along with facilitators being paid appropriately for their craft, there might also be programs, grants, or scholarships that will allow teachers to continue earning a living wage while members of the public can receive these services without compromise. My wish is to see mindfulness, meditation and breath work facilitation within the education system. That these practices will become a part of everyday life and that our younger generations will be gifted with the tools they may need in order to navigate an increasingly challenging world.

Pricing:

• Private sessions based on group size and offerings (starting at $100-$200)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://devasolyoga.com
• Instagram: @devasolyoga