Today we’d like to introduce you to Flossie Park.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Flossie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born in Philadelphia, raised in South Jersey, as a young child I remember my sisters and myself dancing and singing around the house for hours. It is such a beautiful memory! To be able to express our joy without caring about how we were perceived as one of the greatest gifts of our childhood. We danced and sang for hours on end expressing ourselves as bundles of energy!
As I grew into a teen, I remember my parents wanting us to dance for the company or visiting friends. Suddenly the freedom of expression began to shrink, and I wanted to “please” my parents and the audience. I began to want to impress people and take in their comments.
Right after high school my sister and I joined a show band. This gave us tremendous opportunity to travel, meet people and indeed learn through the “school” of life. I still loved the joy of expression and was happiest when I was on stage. There was pressure though and realizing there was no balance, ten years on the road became exhausting. I remember waking up not knowing what town I was in; my life was always making sure I was good enough to warrant the applause.
I realized something was missing. I was living my life for others! Where was I in the equation? I began questioning everything and how we behaved in the world and why. Returning to the east coast brought a perceived opportunity that my life might now have some sort of normalcy. But what is normal? This inquiry process was an evolutionary catalyst for learning to open to who I am and not who society taught me to be. My path led me to eastern philosophy which included the practice of sound, meditation and yoga.
Yoga brought me back into the joy of movement but even more of the internal process of self-discovery and acknowledgment of who I am what I want to share with the world.
Suddenly I found myself as a single mom with two young children opening a yoga studio in Medford, NJ in the late 90’s. Back then, not too many people were talking about or interested in yoga. I was a pioneer! However, I learned to trust the process and go with my heart and began to realize how many people were regaining their connection with themselves through the practice.
My NJ studio was open for ten years! During that time my passion became even stronger to help others through this school we call life, to grow and evolve consciously instead of by default. I had the privilege of working with breast cancer survivors, teens, seniors, pregnant women and many other specific populations as well as the large community of people who attended classes each week. In 2001 I began my yoga teacher training and sound healings. There were many remarkable experiences including being invited to the United Nations building in NYC to facilitate a sound healing using Crystal Bowls.
Leading a retreat in Sedona in 2008, I met my beloved who is part native American. Together our journey has been about connecting with and supporting the earth. We created a business called “Soul Centered Creations” operating out of the NJ yoga studio. This involved weekly classes on living the life of a yogi as well as taking people on retreats and vision quests.
In the meantime, my sister had a similar path in California. She and her husband had also opened a yoga studio called The Soul of Yoga in Encinitas. The west coast vibe was so appealing! In 2011 we packed up and moved here to work at the Soul.
Having been at the Soul of Yoga ever since I am honored to continue to teach yoga classes and facilitate many trainings. The community, the staff, the students continually inspire me. My blessing has been to watch people transform themselves, reclaiming their passion and life potential. Currently, the small business that my sister Trish and her husband Tom Kelly founded 15 years ago is now an Institute for learning advanced studies in yoga, healing, sound and yoga therapy. It is an honor to be a part of such a team.
What I have learned is that the body is designed to process emotions and yet often we stuff them until they resurface uncomfortably. Yoga is the way to move the energies/emotions that are asking for processing so that we can truly discover our unique gifts. It has been an indescribable joy to support students in this process of self-discovery, to bring people home to themselves and to their gifts and unique way of expressing life.
After being in the business of yoga now for over thirty years, I am relishing the time with my husband Gary, children and grandchildren while still feeling as though each day is a precious gift. My favorite saying is, “what we do for ourselves, we do for the world.” Working to make the world a better place makes you feel purposeful and alive. This way of life can be called New Earth Living and I am excited to be a part of it!
Hatha Yoga
Gentle Yoga
Yoga Philosophy – Living the Life of a Yogi
Sound Healings & Trainings
Prenatal Yoga & Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training
Has it been a smooth road?
There are always struggles and challenges in life. Whether we become a victim or victor is up to us. My challenges included people telling me “be prepared to fail…” Especially when I was venturing into new areas of the wellness business such as gentle yoga. Even when ideas were slow to take off or the numbers in classes were low, it became important that I didn’t let setbacks define who I am.
Giving my power away to others whom we perceive to be better was a big stumbling block. It took me a long time to own my power and be comfortable within situations that were evolutionary catalysts.
Walking the talk is not always easy either. Raising my children, running a business and trying to live a balanced life was difficult. Many days I just thought about throwing my hands up in the air. But all it took was for me to be in the practice of yoga and the presence of a supportive community and I was back on track, especially when I teach. There is a shared magical experience.
Please tell us about your business.
At the Soul of Yoga, there is a very diverse population that practice for all sorts of reasons. We believe that yoga is for everybody and each one of us has an inner calling to open to our potential. What sets us apart from other studios is that we are a heart-based community allowing each person to be where they are on their journey.
Now an Institute, the Soul continues to grow in its offerings including Yoga Therapy Trainings, Sound Healing certifications, workshops, and many other events, certifications and types of training. Sometimes I feel as though I am a gardener watering the seeds, pulling the weeds and support people as they blossom. Each and every student feeds my soul as they discover themselves and their innate beauty. I am known in the yoga community as “mama Flossie.”
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
For the most part, Encinitas is a very upbeat community with many caring individuals who are willing to take responsibility for how they interact with one another and the planet. It has grown so much since I moved here sometimes I get frustrated with the density of the population.
Contact Info:
- Address: The Soul of Yoga
627 Encinitas Blvd
Encinitas, CA - Website: www.soulofyoga.com
- Phone: 760 943-7685
- Email: Flossie@soulofyoga.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesoulofyoga
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/soulofyoga
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/soul-of-yoga-encinitas-2
Image Credit:
Petula Pea Photography
Miranda Guzman Photography/goddess mirror project
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