Meet Teal Grenney of Serenity & Sound-Waves in North Park

Today we’d like to introduce you to Teal Grenney.

Teal, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I took my first yoga class in Ocean beach San Diego. I remember walking into the studio it smelled like palo santo and sage. The environment felt healing and somewhat sacred. I borrowed a yoga mat from the instructor and laid out on my mat. As the teacher began to play music sound waves filled the space. She guided us through a series of breathing techniques and gave us permission to let go and be open to the gifts breathing in fresh oxygen.

As we began to move through a series of postures which seemed to flow together similar to dancing. My body began radiating heat, and my mind was in a space of focus. I was determined to see what all the excitement about “getting zen” was all about. I continued to challenge or bodies while focusing on breathing to each movement. Becoming aware of what a healing practice yoga is as we surrendered to our last posture of class.

I felt my body relax onto the ground as all my thoughts melted away. As I entered a state of meditation for the first time, it felt as if I was in a lucid dream in that space between conciseness and awareness. I laid there and let the stillness overcome my whole beings. I awoke with a new sense of selves and a determination to continue to learn more about myself through yoga.

After class, I began to practice yoga regularly an entire year. I began to study ancient Indian and Buddhist teachings and adapting them to my way of life. Learning new mantras and positive affirmations to share with myself in challengers or stressful situations. Yoga opened my eyes to how I approach my life. As my enjoyment for yoga grew, my friends and family took interest and would regularly ask me to help them practice yoga themselves.

Providing me with confidence that I may be fit to be a yoga teacher. I decided it would be would while to begin teaching some donation-based classes for people who have never done yoga. I established a donation based residency in Barrio Logan in early 2017. As the classes began more popular I had created a new space for a diverse group of people to do yoga.

In late 2017, I had saved up enough money through classes, and a successful go fund me page to take my 200-hour yoga teacher training. I enrolled in an immersion training located in Koh Phangan Thailand. I had never traveled out of the country and was overjoyed with excitement. After traveling on two planes, a train, a ferry and very small Thai boat I arrived on the most tropical island with crystal clear water ever.

When you get out the boat, you are instantly hit with the fact that you are not in the U.S. anymore. People flying by on motorbikes or in Tuk Tuk’s fisherman laughing in Thai and throwing fishing line all around the dock. I arrived at Ananda Yoga and Detox Center later that afternoon. I checked into my Thai style bungalow and was introduced to my classmates that I would be sharing this amazing experience with.

The next three weeks were filled with 2 90 min “hot” yoga classes in the morning. (Its always hot yoga in Thailand.) The afternoons involved studying either on the beach with coconut or snuggled up in my bungalow hammock listening to the sound of tropical storms. In the evening we had our communal dinners and Asana Clinic lectures where we would dive deep into the teaching and asanas (poses) of yoga.

As the last few days of training crept up on us, we cried laughed and reminisced about all the adventures we had shared in training and exploring the island together. I received my certification to an amazing backdrop of a Thai sunset on the beach. My mentor handed me my “diploma,” and just like that, I was a Registered Yoga Teacher. I returned to mid-2018 to assist my mentor in his current trainings as his Assistant Teacher.

I initially was suppose to go to 6 weeks and ended staying four months teaching yoga all over South East Asia. I had embarked on my first spiritual journey this time with my partner and my love Aaron AbJo Nash. AbJo is a Pisces a creative with endless gifts and talents, and we have been making music and creating together for four beautiful years.

He produces, plays many instruments and is a gift to San Diego’s music scene and community. He inspires local producers and has been traveling the world internationally as DJ and Producer for a lasting amount of time. While we were in Thailand, he produced and composed my newest body of work which has not yet been titled. We had many adventures in Thailand that fed our creative energy and allowed us a space to really reflect on our relationship and what beautiful memories and stories we have to tell through music.

Since I returned, I have interviewed at several local yoga studios, but something seemed to be lacking for me as far as diversity in the yoga community. I knew I needed to carve out a unique space help this vision flourish and be true my idea. I was approached by some creative collaborators called Loud Thoughts (Think Responsibly) Clothing co. They had invited me out to an event they were having at some luxury apartments.

I was introduced to the property manager who was extremely interested in adding yoga to their gym facilities. After meditating on my vision for my brand and how I wanted to represent my yoga classes in the community. I settled on called the events Serenity & Sound-Waves A Vinyl and Vinyasa yoga experience. A soulful yoga class curated to hip hop and healing binaural instrumentals.

Serenity & Sound-Waves has now grown to two Broadstone locations and three classes a week. Now offering classes in Makers Quarter and North Park I offer three different styles of yoga Yin, Restore and Hatha every week. As my spiritual influence is always rooted in music, I am just grateful and honored to be able to creative music and share my knowledge of yoga with others.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest obstacle and challenge has always been myself and overcoming my own self-doubt.

Please tell us about Serenity & Sound-Waves.
Serenity & Sound-Waves is a soulful and unique yoga experience. Step into the Tealideal experience and go on a cosmic journey with a unique blend of beats and yoga bliss. A class for all levels, Serenity & Sound waves will deepen your practice, build strength and calm your mind. Tealideal specializes in Yin and Hatha yoga.

The Goddess of Grooves is known for her unique choice of music and diverse yoga environment. I am most proud to be a young black female entrepreneur. To be a voice and inspiration to other yoga women to follow their passion. What sets us apart in our ethos and our ability to respect the ancient practice of yoga while indulging in yoga with a modern edge.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would believe in myself more and approach my business with more conviction. If I don’t believe in the vision no one else will.

Pricing:

• Surrender (BMQ Tuesdays 7 pm) $10
• Solitude (BMQ Thursdays 7 pm) $10
• Serenity & Sound-Waves
• Saturday Feb 16th 10 am FREE BroadStone North Park
• Thursday Feb. 21st. 7 pm FREE Broadstone Makers Quarter
• Thursday Feb. 28th 7 pm FREE also Broadstone Makers Quarter

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tealideal.com/
• Phone: 6195508750
• Email: tealthaideal@gmai.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tealideal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tealideal/

Image Credit:
Valentin Saqueton

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.