Today we’d like to introduce you to Xenia Guido.
Xenia, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I recently returned from Iceland where my partner and I traveled around the country and led a yoga retreat with an amazing group of people. This is my life. I travel, I teach yoga, and I am in love.
Life has not always been this smooth though. I’ve been heartbroken, over-worked, and I have felt very alone, as a business owner, as an immigrant, and as a woman.
I was born and raised in Costa Rica. My family didn’t have much, but my mom worked hard to make sure I had everything I needed. During my second year of college, I was granted a Fulbright scholarship to finish my Journalism degree in California. This opportunity changed my life forever. I was placed with a family in Chico, and here I learned the power of relationship. No one in my family had ever exemplified a relationship I would want to emulate. This couple did. They loved each other, complemented each other, made each other laugh, and supported each other. From that moment on I knew this was possible for me as well.
Fast forward a few years later, I started working in Web Development for the State of California. It was here that I began teaching yoga to my co-workers during our lunch break. This quickly became my favorite thing about work –the one thing I was doing for free.
After ten years with the State, I made a bold move and left Sacramento for San Diego. This seemed like a good place for me to open a yoga studio.
Starting a small business by myself –without any previous experience, in a city where I didn’t know anyone, was either the bravest or the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. But I powered through it. We’ve been open for almost seven years now. And, I could not have done it without my friends. Although far away, I’ve called them many times with questions, ideas, and sometimes, probably most of the times, just to vent.
The community has been a constant in my life. After her husband died my mom in Chico once said to me “I am the kind of person who wants to share her life with someone.” I am that kind of person too. And I want more people to share. My yoga studio is a place for people to connect with one another. A place to make eye contact with another human being, to start a lifelong friendship or something in between.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been smooth? No. Not at all. The two biggest challenges have been: feeling very alone –I can’t talk to my employees or clients about my struggles. And, knowing when and where to set boundaries so that I am not working 24/7.
How do I find balance?
I put an incredible amount of time and energy into my business when I first opened. I taught 17 classes a week, cleaned the floors, manage the front desk, distributed flyers around town, sent emails, purchased merchandise, made phone calls, paid bills, etc. Then I started to gradually delegate and hire help before I burned out. This was crucial.
Nowadays I teach only three weekly classes. I have enough time and energy to delve deeper into yoga through workshops, special events, teacher training, and retreats. I travel, sometimes, just for pleasure. And from time to time I try to pick up something non-yoga related just to keep things interesting.
What should we know about Pura Vida Yoga? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I opened Pura Vida Yoga in 2012. I was inspired by my teacher in San Francisco and my studio in Sacramento to create a place for the community to gather. From the beginning, my dream has been to facilitate a space where people who are interested in being healthy –in body and mind, and interested in being happy, can connect with other like-minded people.
Our studio offers nearly 40 classes a week. Styles? We have vinyasa for people who are looking for a sweat and a workout. Gentle yoga for people who might be limited in their range of motion, or simply need to move at a slower pace. And yin yoga for anyone looking to stretch in a very meditative and passive type of practice. Whichever the class, our practice is rooted in the philosophical principles of yoga. Yoga is more than just poses. Ancient sages taught us that yoga is a lifestyle — one in which we practice compassion, honesty, connection, non-greed, contentment, and love.
Although we emphasize proper alignment in our classes, we understand that each body comes with its own very unique anatomy. Therefore the poses and transitions will look and feel different from one person to the next. Our teachers are trained to offer options so that everyone in class is challenged while staying within their edge.
My teaching style is simple. Some might say intense. I prefer to call it focused and breath-driven. I consider yoga to be a very personal practice and I welcome the challenge of teaching group classes. Besides awareness of the physical body I enjoy weaving yoga philosophy and mythology into my classes.
For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
We’re well positioned to help, support and build each other up, instead of competing, being jealous or distrusting. We’re at the perfect time to teach young girls that they can try and fail, and try again. They do not have to be perfect.
Pricing:
- New Client Special for Locals is Two Weeks of Unlimited Yoga for $29
- Unlimited Monthly Yoga Membership starts at $59
Contact Info:
- Address: Pura Vida Yoga Center
302 Island Avenue, Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92101 - Website: https://puravidayogacenter.com/
- Phone: 619 338 9090
- Email: admin@puravidayogacenter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puravida.yoga/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/puravidayogacenter/
Image Credit:
Nan-C Baldon
Suneil Patel
Jordan Cohen
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.
