Today we’d like to introduce you to Alessandra D’Orazio.
Alessandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started out as a shy girl who just met someone who thought I would be a good yoga instructor because I was so calm. Then before I knew it, the supervisor of the campus gym was emailing me to get set up with a yoga mentor. It took 4 months and a one fitness certification later, but I was teaching yoga at 18 years old. When I moved to San Diego a year later, I made my yoga teaching official and obtained a 200 hour vinyasa training certification. Teaching yoga really brought me out of my shell and I’m so happy to say that I’m an outgoing person now. With that shy layer broken, I then had the courage to start teaching fitness as well. I love where I am in life and keep on growing.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, especially in the yoga world. I have been undermined and harassed because of simply being a woman. I have also been shunned by many yoga practitioners because I do not adhere to the old traditions of yoga, I’m not vegan and I don’t believe chakras are part of yoga. It takes time to really be comfortable with you, as a teacher, let alone an actual human being. And you have to be willing to step up and say no, or I don’t agree. There’s a lot of nonsense in the world to be quite frank, and you really just have to go with your gut and what feels right.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Yoga By You – what should we know?
I specialize in fast paced, fun yoga and/or fitness workouts. I am a big fan of building strength with and without weights. If you happen to take my vinyasa class, we’ll move and groove and you won’t even feel the time pass by. If you check out my bootcamp class, you’ll leave feeling sweaty and accomplished. I love to empower people to step into the choices they make, so in all of my classes you’ll hear me say to do what feels good and only that. I am very proud of myself for having the courage to launch an ebook. I don’t give myself enough credit for what I do and I was so embarrassed and worried about releasing my ebook. I thought no one would like it because I did not see myself as an expert. But after 6+ years of teaching and learning, I found my confidence and finally started realizing that I am indeed in expert in my field, and finally started marketing my ebook.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Just ask! People are willing to help (most of the time). Find someone you admire and respect and just ask them in person or shoot them an email.
Contact Info:
- Website: alexadorazio.wixsite.com/alexa
- Email: yogabyalexa@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexadreaming/
Image Credit:
John Salamat, Will Alarcon
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