Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Rae Bose.
Nikki Rae, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, believe it or not, I worked in the Biotech industry for 5 years prior to starting reunify! The past couple years I was working as a Clinical Molecular Biologist full-time and just teaching yoga on the side.
It became more and more apparent to me that I wasn’t doing what I loved and I wasn’t walking the walk of my yoga teacher talk.
I decided to quit my day job and travel for 5 months — India, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Sri Lanka! I went to so many incredible places, but honestly Thabarwa Meditation Center in Myanmar changed my life forever.
I volunteered there for a week and gathered more incredible & eye-opening experiences that I had over 28 years on this Earth! This center is more like a village where EVERYONE is welcome. All poor, ill, homeless –anyone in need — can come live and eat for free. They’re simply asked to meditate daily and attend dharma talks.
During the short time I volunteered here, I thought about canceling the rest of my trip and staying because I had the realization that this is life’s purpose — helping other human beings.
I started reunify immediately after traveling because I wanted to continue this work as soon as possible. I’d like to think that yoga helps each individual have a deeper understanding of who they truly are — body image and mind chatter aside. According to my beliefs, our souls/beings (whatever you’d like to call it) are intertwined & interconnected, so the better understanding we have of ourselves, the more obvious it is that helping others is invigorating and empowering!
This is why reunify Yoga gives 30% of the class donations to Surfrider Foundation and Thabarwa. To give and to share is to put into practice the concept of oneness!
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?
Yup, smooth sailing.
Just kidding! That wouldn’t be very life-like, would it? Of course, there are some days where I show up at De Anza Cove to teach and 1 person comes to class, but I’m consistent and I put my heart into this no matter who or how many people show up. That’s still 1 person who leaves class breathing deeply, and treating others more kindly!
reunify Yoga – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
reunify Yoga is a donation-based traveling yoga class that includes yoga philosophy, breath work, and an asana (yoga pose) practice.
Is Yoga a saturated market here in San Diego? Perhaps. I’d like to think I show up very authentically in my teaching style which makes my classes approachable and fun. Yes, I have a lot of the traditional practice techniques because I did part of my training in India, but I have a way of conveying it that makes it accessible to everyone.
This traveling yoga class is only the beginning of reunify.
I am VERY proud to give 30% of my proceeds to different charities. Right now, those charities are Surfrider Foundation and Thabarwa Meditation Center (as I mentioned early).
Why is this so important to me? I think selfless service provides the bliss and joy that everyone seeks in the superficial deliciousness of temporary pleasures–chocolate, beer, sex, tv, etc.
I’m hoping as the reunify community grows, I can work to organize more volunteer opportunities for yogis so that people get firsthand experience with this fulfilling feeling!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Honestly, my proudest moment was quitting my old job and taking the leap to start this company. I left stability and society’s idea of a successful career… to pursue a dream that I know will help others. There are definitely people that think I’m crazy for giving that life up, but I made a decision from the heart and I’m determined to stick to it.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.reunifyyoga.com
- Phone: 773-391-6181
- Email: hello@reunifyyoga.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkiraebose/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikkiraeyoga/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/reunifyyoga
Image Credit:
Rooted Kava Bar
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.
