Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Madhuri Davidson.
Molly Madhuri, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m the co-founder of YOGA108, located in downtown Long Beach, CA.
I started doing yoga at 19 in Newport Beach, CA while pursuing a degree in Dance Performance at UCI- to deal with crippling anxiety.
In the following eight years, I moved to NYC where I would complete four teacher trainings, teach yoga, and take a life-changing trip to India. After India, I dove deeper into mantra meditation and Bhakti yoga. I returned to California, this time settling in Long Beach and living in an ashram for two years, in order to dive deeper into mantra and spirituality.
In 2017, I opened Yoga108 with my business partner, Theresa, where we strive to blend strong vinyasa yoga, bhakti philosophy, and mantra meditation.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
No! Lol. I’m not sure that figuring out who you truly are is ever a smooth road.
Pursuing a spiritual path in life means struggle, and is not for the faint of heart. But it’s also the most rewarding thing you can do, and the foundation of happiness.
Going deeper into yoga or spirituality means being willing to grow and evolve, which always requires us to take a cold, hard look into the dark corners of ourselves. Parts that are wounded & need help; mistakes made or experiences that still need to be fully processed…
Ever time the “Universe” pushes me to grow, I struggle. It’s an ongoing process ….but I wouldn’t have it any other way. After each push I feel happier, lighter, and more connected to what’s truly meaningful in this life.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business partner, Theresa, and I wanted to create a space where you could take an amazing, sweaty vinyasa yoga class AND hear wisdom from the bhakti yoga tradition. It’s actually hard to find both in one place: you either find only spirituality and no physicality, OR you get physical yoga that’s watered-down/devoid of meaning. We wondered: “can we just get both in one place?” Why not?! So we created that place.
Both Theresa and I have really benefitted in our lives from sacred spaces: places to find other people who are pursuing truth + integrity, hear deep wisdom from the yoga tradition, and encounter sincere guides + teachers. We wanted to create such a space, try to give back a little, and pass on the wisdom that has completely changed both of our lives…
What were you like growing up?
I was an extroverted kid who became an introverted teenager. I was willful, stubborn, and curious. I got into classical ballet at 13 and that dominated the following ten years of my life. I gave my parents a run for their money! Sorry Mom and Dad, thanks for never giving up on me.
Contact Info:
- Address: Yoga108
242 E 3rd St
Long Beach, CA 90802 - Website: www.yoga108studio.com
- Phone: 5629800444
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @yoga108studio
- Facebook: @yoga108studio
Image Credit:
Photographer: Sara Beckman
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