Today we’d like to introduce you to Heather Gjerde.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a San Diego-based, 500-hour yoga teacher that specialized in Vinyasa yoga, Tantra Yoga, and guided meditation. My San Diego story began 5 1/2 years ago, when I first moved from chilly Wisconsin to sunny San Diego.
Although I had tried my friend Christine’s Rodney Yee yoga DVD and loved it, I didn’t really dive deep into my practice until I started practicing once a weekend with Steve Hubbard at the end of Law St. in Pacific Beach. I mean, yoga overlooking the ocean – what’s more inspiring than that?
I was starting a new life in America’s Finest City and yoga was a big piece of the puzzle. It kept me grounded through many ups and downs and eventually became a cornerstone of my lifestyle here by the beach.
Shortly after moving here, I started my blog, Dashworthy.com, and corresponding social network, where I share my perspective on how-to live life to the fullest. The concept behind it is that our lives are made up of two dates connected by a dash. “Dashworthy” means to make the most of everything in-between. This was inspired in part by a close friend of mine, Sarah, that I lost at the age of 20 in a drunk driving accident (we were born only 2 days apart the same year). Right around our birthdays, I was thinking of the great life she lived and how important it is to make the most of THIS MOMENT because we never know when it might be our last.
My yoga practice continued and deepened as I found it to be my favorite way to reduce stress from full-time marketing jobs (plus all the other life stuff). In 2016, I completed my first 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified Vinyasa yoga teacher certification at Bird Rock Yoga in Pacific Beach. That’s when I realized I had only been exposed to the tip of the iceberg that is yoga.
Since embarking on a deeper journey into my practice and teaching, yoga has infiltrated Dashworthy. Yoga has really become the best way I’ve found to live a fully balanced, happy and healthy life. Therefore, I’ve found creative ways to share practical tips with my community.
I also love to travel, which inspired me to combine two of my loves (yoga + travel) into one: yoga retreats. I co-led my first yoga retreat in 2016, alongside Jenny Degennaro, through Bird Rock in Ojai, California. The following year, Jenny and co-hosted a Cactus Moon Yoga Retreat in Joshua Tree. It was a magical experience in the desert and I’d love to take groups back in the future and look forward to planning future retreats.
Earlier this year, I completed a 300-hour Yoga Alliance certified Tantra yoga teacher training with Durga’s Tiger School in Tumbaco, Ecuador (just outside of Quito). This marked the completion of my 500-hour Yoga Alliance yoga teaching certification. The program combined the unique healing practices of (white) Tantra restorative yoga, Kundalini, meditation, Shamanism, and cosmovision. It was an incredible and deeply personal experience and has transformed my teaching into a more balanced yin/yang fueled by a Vinyasa and Tantra background.
I currently teach public and private yoga full-time, throughout the week around San Diego, CA. You can find me at Bird Rock Yoga (Pacific Beach), Grotto Climbing & Yoga and Paradise Point Resort & Spa (guests and public welcome). I’m also working on a new yoga-related project behind-the-scenes. Stay tuned! 😉
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?
Smooth? Not at all! I’ve tried so many things along the way that didn’t work. Now, I’m in a beautiful flow-state and feel blessed that I’m able to live my passion each and every day teaching yoga. Teaching yoga doesn’t feel like a “job” to me! I love to see the look of relief from a student who just reduced stress or discomfort thanks to my class.
Try different things and see what sticks. At one point, I also tried creating an online clothing and accessory business and held various marketing roles in different environments and industries. In my personal experience, I had to start down those paths to realize they weren’t for me. Meanwhile, the strides I have taken down the wellness path have always felt very natural and inspiring to me.
You may not know what your one “passion” is. But you know what you’re passionate about. Continue to pursue interests and the universe will give you signs. It shouldn’t be so hard! Follow what feels good in confidence and nothing can hold you back.
We’d love to hear more about Dashworthy personal blog (working on Vintantra yoga business bts).
I teach a variety of yoga styles and specialize in Vinyasa (breath-to-movement) yoga and (white) Tantra yoga. As a teacher, I try my best to be a channel of healing for whichever students I have the pleasure of guiding through their sacred practice of yoga. I strive for my classes to be dynamic, fun and an overall healing experience.
Vinyasa is a more energizing style of yoga that takes students on a full-body journey where you sync your asana (physical movements) to breathe and music. There is an emphasis on proper alignment and I provide adjustments to ensure students are moving safely through their practice.
Tantra yoga is a form of “white” Tantra, which invites students to move through a moving-meditation like restorative yoga flow that traditionally is taught over a three-hour window! Students move to the sound of their breath only with an emphasis on tapping into their own intuition and body throughout the practice. It is a set three-part series with a warming sequence, extended savasana series and ends with heart-openers.
I also guide meditations for individuals and groups in-person and virtually (via Skype or Facetime). This is a great way to explore what a personal meditation practice might look like. There are a variety of ways to practice with me, through my public yoga class offerings; by booking a private, personalized yoga experience; or online!
I share tips to incorporate yoga into your every day on life currently on my blog Dashworthy.com and its social channels (@Dashworthy on Instagram). I’m also working on a new business behind-the-scenes that will be the new home for yoga resources that help your life a fully balanced life.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
I feel like there are more opportunities than ever for women to shine! Be confident about the beautiful gifts you have to give the world and don’t be afraid to put your best foot forward. I think there are many unique opportunities to build a blog or business online that allows you to pursue more of what you’re passionate about, even if it’s on the side for now (like Dashworthy was for me for many years!). Eventually, perhaps one of your passions could turn into your career!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vintantra.com
- Phone: 414-520-8846
- Email: heather@vintantra.com
- Instagram: @Vintantra
- Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/vintantra/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
vintantra - YouTube: https://www.youtube.
com/vintantra
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
