1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Hi! I am Chelsea. I have lived in Florida my entire life, although I am a city girl at heart. I have a sassy miniature pinscher as my sidekick. My favorite thing to do is international travel and eat through the cities I’m visiting. I have a degree in journalism and I am a hairstylist. I have worked backstage at New York Fashion Week for the last three years. I also have a lifestyle blog, where include travel guides and fashion. You can find me on Instagram @belleinblack and on my website www.belleinblack.comI am a singer and music is one of my greatest passions. I love to encourage people towards realizing their potential and worth. I want to see everyone win.

2. Have you done other styles of Yoga other than Thavma Yoga?

I had been to a few drop -n classes of yoga in the past, and always felt discombobulated. I never had attempted hot yoga before.

3. What made you decide to take your first yoga class?

I was having the worst weekend, and after waking up on Sunday feeling horrible about a certain situation in my life, I needed a friend. One of my friends had invited me the night before, and I politely declined as I had been doing for several months. (I was convinced there was no way I would ever go to a hot yoga class, I HATE the FL heat). I wanted to do something good for myself and didn’t want to be alone in my thoughts so I told her I was going, and made the class by only 5 minutes. And thank God, because I loved it.

4. What made you choose Thavma Yoga Lakewood Ranch as a Studio?

It is close to my house, and I realized that anyone I ever knew who had done hot yoga and raves about it, had been to Thavma LRW

5. What was your first Yoga experience at Thavma Premium Hot Yoga like?

I jumped right in and was determined to conquer something that was in my control and do it well. I was amazed at how well I did, that I didn’t die, and how invigorated I felt.

6. What makes you come back?

It’s a full body experience. It strengthens me physically and mentally, I have to concentrate on my body and not what distracts me in everyday life, I am ridding myself of things my body has absorbed that is not good for me, I feel refreshed, and It’s an opportunity to challenge myself, heal myself, know myself…every time. I also love seeing my body bend into beautiful poses. It makes me feel proud.

7. How long have you been practicing?

Almost a full year.

8. What changes have you seen since you began the practice?

I breathe deeper. Or even just remember to breathe. I also am less likely to fall off the wagon with what I eat or drink because exercise in a bra/leggings in front of a giant mirror, is accountability in itself.

9. Where have you seen that yoga helps you in your day to day life?

In my mind and in conquering my anxiety. I will never forget hearing “anything you’re feeling is ok. Recognize it, acknowledge it, breathe and let it pass.” I feel that is so powerful and applicable to so many situations in life.

10. What is your favorite pose?

I have a few feel good poses..tree and fixed fern. I have really come to love rabbit also, the stretch feels so amazing.

11. What is your least favorite pose?

If you asked me 6 months ago, I would have said camel! I have a love/hate relationship with standing bow and floor bow. They are just challenging and take so much energy to master, and repeat in even the same class. Not to mention, I feel sore from them the next day!

12. What do you like most about Thavma Yoga Lakewood Ranch?

I LOVE the instructors and how passionate everyone is about the culture.

13. Tell us anything else interesting that you feel you have gained or learned since starting yoga with us?

Yoga is not just exercise, if you truly immerse yourself properly. A lot of is mental and about standing tall and letting go, and that rolls over into so many areas of life.