Today we’d like to introduce you to Rita James.
Hi Rita, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Everything began with yoga, It was the gateway drug I needed after having put a drink down over 16 years ago. Yoga is a way of life for me and if not for this platform and being sober, I believe my path would look much different than what It does today.
Yoga has given me the privileges of expansion, growth and inspiration. It is truly a practice that keeps on giving and I am honored to have found it, and to share it with anyone that wants it! My classes have always been a practice from the heart, I hope that everyone feels moved, loved and nurtured after attending one of my classes. I began teaching in 2009 and my classes have become more of an experience than “just another yoga class.” Hence, “The restorative wellness experience”. It all started at four moons spa in Leucadia, I was teaching yoga every Friday morning to a group of friends and after each class I made sure they all had flowers to take home or some sort of offering from me to them. This practice of “offering” continued to grow all on its own. The women were moved and a noticeable shift was taking place from the time class began to class completion. They were rested, careless and free from worry. It wasn’t until the pandemic and civil unrest that I took to the interwebs along with every other yoga teacher out there and put myself on video! Fortunately for me, this didn’t resonate with because…..my classes are an experience.
During this time I was taking on bigger projects for myself and projecting my dreams into reality. I began taking my floral designing a little more seriously and walked through all the doors that were swinging open for me. Beyond floral arrangements, I began creating mandalas with florals as my medium. Combining my unique gift of soul-nurturing with a statement piece such as the mandala has proven to be healing. I provide a space for women to gather in circle. From celebration of loved ones, friendship circles, blessing ceremonies or even private sessions. I will support and create an experience uniquely tailored to you.
Upon reflection, I realize now that the little steps I took in the beginning of “offering” flowers turned into bigger “offerings!” In order to support the well being of our community here in Encinitas and beyond I had to evolve, trust and fly. I encourage everyone that I meet to do the same!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Hello, 2020? Personal level
Emotional level
Soul crushing level
Let’s leave that here.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a creator of transformational experiences that support you in finding your inner wisdom and regulating your nervous system. I use flowers as one of my mediums and intuition to guide, connect and support healing from old belief systems and conditioning that no longer aligns with you. I specialize in restorative yoga that is centered around trauma and nervous system regulation.
In my spare time you will find me designing eclectic flower bouquets and creating designs for all your celebratory and not so celebratory needs. Flower mandalas are designed by ritual because each ceremony and celebration are different! I believe what sets me apart is that I think of my clients as family, whether you’ve purchased one of my bouquets or we’ve met on the mat. My heart is always open and my arms are too, unless they’re full of flowers!
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I truly believe that we are all on this planet to do some form of soul work. And, no matter what experiences I have had, good, bad, indifferent they have all shaped me to be present to my next experience or season of life. If you see that as good luck/no luck/or bad luck/ let me know.
Contact Info:
- Email: mandalamija@gmail.com or ritayogawithin@gmail.com
- Instagram: @edgeofzen @mandalamija
Image Credits:
Leah Maureen @wildfemininephotography
