Story & Lesson Highlights with Leah Zaccaria of Venice

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Leah Zaccaria. Check out our conversation below.

Leah , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Yes I am definitely walking a path. My path changed 16 years ago, leaving corporate America to open yoga studios and I have been on my path of purpose ever since.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am an accountant turned yoga entrepreneur. I was a
CPA working in Corporate America for 15 years with a Masters in Taxation. I went through a personal transformation and in that process found yoga. I opened my first studio hauteyoga Queen Anne in 2009, second studio shefayoga Roosevelt in 2013 in Seattle, WA, and third yoga studio, shefayoga Venice in 2020 in Venice, California. I plan to open more studios through personal ownership and boutique franchising.

The core values of shefayoga are community, abundance, harmony, courage and freedom. I inspire people to live their truth and to be who they are truly meant to be. I lead from the mindset of abundance. My passion is building community, bringing together people through yoga.

I also created Sendatsu Evolution which holds teacher and leadership training. I lead international yoga retreats across the world. I also authored a book titled “Seen: a memoir” that was published and released October 2018.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I was about 5 years old, My mother was in school studying to be an interior designer. One day, I went in her study and she told me to go away. I vividly remember putting my hands on my hips stating, “I can stay here if I want to, you can’t make me do anything.” This has carried through my whole life, standing in power, confidence and independence, especially as a leader. I

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During COVID, I opened my third studio shefayoga Venice on March 21, 2020, right when we went on lockdown. It was one of the scariest and most uncertain times of my life. I had just let two studios in Seattle to do the grand opening and I got locked in Venice. COVID took its toll on all three yoga studios. There were many times I questioned myself and if I should keep going. But every time that thought came, I would surrender to the unknown a little more and almost immediately, I was given the answers or resources I needed to keep going. Knowing my purpose truly helped me to forge forward, to stand for something, to lead with confidence and defy my fears all for the bigger mission of building community through yoga.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
1000%. I am who I am everywhere I go. Authenticity is something very important to me. Living honestly and congruently is what sets us free. Living authentically also inspires others to do the same.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I love this question because my honest answer is that I would not stop anything I am doing! This shows I am living fully and loving my life!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shefayogavenice.com
• Instagram: shefayogavenice