Today we’d like to introduce you to Keegan Farrell.
Keegan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always been an artist/performer. Even my first words were in song! I grew up in Los Angeles and became a working actor in the Screen Actors’ Guild at 8 years old. My mother was an aerobics instructor, so I have always been active and started a personal yoga practice at 12 years old.
I got my start as a performer doing commercials on tv and radio spots, and eventually booked small roles on TV shows and films. My favorite was the opportunity to voice act for the animated film and video game Monsters, Inc. I continued on to do musical theater, and even acted in and directed Cal-Poly Pomona’s Vagina Monologues production while I was in high school. During that time, I was also fortunate enough to receive a photography mentorship through Art Center College of Design as well as a full scholarship to American Film Institute’s Film Camp for Girls. This laid the foundation for my experience in film photography and analog color/black and white printing processes and film-making workflows.
While in college at UC Santa Cruz, my singing talent was recognized by the director of Rainbow Theater and I was recruited into the jazz/funk band Kadence Keys as lead singer and songwriter. For two years we performed for many events on and off-campus, and were invited to perform at the Yahoo! campus two years in a row. That same year, I took my first pole dance class at my college and I was hooked!
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Community Studies with a focus in Public Health Social Justice and a Master of Fine Art Degree in Digital Arts and New Media with a focus in Socially Engaged Art. My thesis project Code-Switching was a video game project that won the Social Impact Award at the 2019 UCSC Games Showcase. In 2019, I moved to San Diego. While here, I participated in social activism, continued studying pole dance, and trained to become a yoga teacher in 2020. I continued to work as a teaching assistant for digital arts courses for a couple of years. I added to my repertoire as a digital artist by studying Virtual Production processes using Unreal Engine and Maya (this is something I am continuing to develop as a passion project). Currently, I teach Yin and Restorative Yoga in my garden, Pole Dance lessons, offer Photography Services, and continue to work as an on-camera and voice actor. Most recently, I have begun working as a model for life drawing classes.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve often struggled with balancing what many would call “practical” choices with the desires of my artistic spirit. My inner voice was often stifled growing up, and I carried that fear of expression into adulthood. I had to make the difficult choice to set aside pleasing others in order to allow my voice to thrive. While I have a lot of technical skills, I like to let my heart lead the way. It is important for me to approach my work with integrity, and I do my best to make a positive impact on the community.
Starting out as a yoga teacher was tough–there aren’t many opportunities for new teachers, and with covid restrictions, many had to resort to teaching online. This was something I abandoned for a while, as I wanted to find the right space to work that aligned with who I was as a person. Eventually, I no longer wanted to wait for an opportunity to be given to me, and decided to create my own. I started teaching yoga in my garden, and I am so grateful that I am able to share the grounding and healing benefits of yin yoga and restorative yoga in a special space that I’ve curated.
It was difficult for a while to continue working as an actress outside of Los Angeles. One positive aspect of covid restrictions was the increasingly common self-tape audition process. This has allowed me to submit for roles from the comfort of my home studio and travel to Los Angeles on an as-needed basis.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a yoga teacher, pole dance teacher, photographer, and performer providing services through my business Y’aura Creative Studio. My business centers on socially engaged art, education, and experiences that connect to the spirit and inner child.
It is my goal to help people get stronger physically and mentally through yoga and pole dance so that they may bravely face life’s challenges. What sets my pole dance classes apart is my dance style and teaching philosophy. I weave slow sensuality and raw desire with graceful tricks in a way that inspires a deep connection to the self. I encourage students to observe their own bodies’ natural movement inclinations to awaken their individual dance style.
I offer unique nature-based yin yoga classes in my garden. Yin yoga is a slow practice of yoga that increases mobility and improves emotional well-being. It is a practice of taking the time to listen to the needs of the body and spirit, offering support where necessary. Students relax into poses with the assistance of bolsters and props while listening to the gentle trickle of the goldfish pond and the birds chirping in the trees. I also offer private restorative yoga sessions for the ultimate in stress relief.
As a photographer, I specialize in portraiture, fashion, and fine art. I am known for my striking studio portraits of strong and skilled people. As a new media artist, I sometimes incorporate virtual worlds in my photography and video production, or build interactive games. I make art that is not just social commentary, but encourages conversation around intimate and difficult issues our communities face.
Lastly, I am a SAG actor specializing in voice acting, a pole performer, and a singer and songwriter spanning genres from jazz to metal.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My love for the craft! My varied passions bleed into one another in ways that I never expected. Yoga and Pole Dance keeps me healthy and full of fresh creative ideas for my visual art. My music often finds its way into my visual art and vice versa. Performing feeds me because of the deep emotional connection I feel as I share my creative energy with others. And finally, teaching keeps me devoted to my practice of dance and yoga, so my gratitude grows with every class I teach.
Pricing:
- -Group Yoga Classes in the Garden: $15 yin, $20 restorative per person
- -Private Yoga Classes : $75 yin, restorative, hatha, or trauma-informed
- -Private & Semi-Private Pole Classes: $50/$70
- -Corporate Yoga or Pole Classes/Retreats/Performances: Pricing dependent on Scope
- -Studio Photography Sessions: $75-$300 Depending on scope and number of looks Open to any and all other inquiries!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yaura-creative-studio.square.site
- Instagram: @dangerousblackwoman @yaura.yoga @yauracreativestudio
- Other: yaurayoga@gmail.com
Image Credits
Keegan Farrell, Andrea Stelten
