Meet Trailblazer Enchante B

Today we’d like to introduce you to Enchante B.

Enchante, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My first experience with yoga wasn’t an aha moment. I don’t think that I had never been challenged in that way, physically or mentally. Between trying to breathe and putting my body in unfamiliar positions, all in a heated room full of strangers was very uncomfortable. I didn’t think that I would ever return.

Fast forward to a couple of months later. I was bored and I was looking for something, as to what it was, I didn’t know at the time. At the time, I thought teacher training was a way for me to deepen my practice, so I signed up not knowing anything. 14 weeks later, I was a certified instructor. I didn’t have the intention of teaching, but an opportunity knocked and I started teaching at a gym. I did a few more trainings, became a CPT had a few classes at a studio, and that was that for about four years.

A lot of things shifted once I took my 300hr Intensive this past summer. I started realizing the lack of support in the yoga community for people like me. From the outside looking in, the yoga community has somewhat has become this exclusive club. Filled with gimmicks to make you appear authentic (expensive drop ins, overpriced yoga clothes, wearing mala beads as a fashion statement, etc.)

Not only was this lack of representation showing up in the physical practice (teachers not asking for permission to touch, not offering modifications, etc.) but the language as well. Life isn’t all glitter and rainbows, but a lot of time is yoga classes you hear along the lines of “manifest your destiny”, “with light and love” or “good vibes only”. Spiritual bypassing. People tend to wash over the fact that real life is messy and that in order to be practicing yoga, most of the work is off the mat. How can I take this feeling of bliss that I feel on my mat and apply it into my everyday world? What happens when I step off my mat? I believe that is when I realized the why behind why I do what I do.

As Maya Angelou once said “develop enough courage to stand up for yourself and then stand up for somebody else”. And through my teaching, I hope I can at least help people start that journey.

Has it been a smooth road?
Taking up space and owning it has been a challenge throughout the years. I felt that I was always trying to put myself in spaces that weren’t meant for me, or I doubted myself. When you don’t know the reason behind what you’re doing, it is easy to get lost.

My why has transformed over the years. At first, my practice was mine. How can I get stronger, more flexible? It was all ego-driven. But the more I started to pay attention, I realized that there is a bigger community that isn’t represented in the studios around Denver that could truly benefit not only from the physical postures but the tools we gain with this practice. Marginalized people; women and men of color, different body types, abilities, financial situations, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.

The question I started asking myself is how can I show up for people who may not feel represented when they step into a yoga studio? How can I hold space for those who feel that there is nowhere for them to go? What kind of support would I have liked when I started my journey? Most studios, especially in Denver, caters to a certain demographic, whether they are aware of it or not, and that needs to change.

The only advice I have for people starting their journey is to find comfort in the discomfort. That is where we grow. When things get hard, continue to show up and do the work, but still be forgiving and compassionate to yourself. Once you find your why and commit, everything tends to fall into place.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
BhavanaKids: I never thought I would be working with kids, but this company is awesome. Ran by two phenomenal women, this program implements yoga and mindfulness to youth throughout schools in the Denver metro area, Using mindfulness practices combined with yoga, BKids framework helps cultivate a sense of body awareness, compassion, and tools for managing anxiety and stress. Check out bhavanakids.com!

Bodhi Movement: I subclasses here every once in a while. Again, run by two amazing women who are passionate about sharing their knowledge. An all-inclusive yoga studio located in Boulder, CO. This studio is DONATION BASED!!! They believe in paying what you can and coming as you are. They host a variety of classes and workshops. One of the cool things they do is they give back to a charity in India called Tom and Jerry. Tom and Jerry is a school for children with severe special needs who aren’t able to be apart of a traditional school due to the lack of extra time/care for these children. Bodhi Movement funds their equipment, infrastructure, uniforms, and tuition for those children. Check out BodhiBoulder.com for more information.

Nasm CPT/CES. Aside from yoga, I am also a certified personal trainer. My intention is to bridge the gap between movement and mindfulness. I truly believe that anybody can move within the body they occupy with intention and a workout geared towards their special needs. Not everybody works the same,

So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well positioned for?
There are a lot of opportunities that have been opening up for women. I think one of the biggest opportunity for women that we can take advantage of is uplifting one another. We aren’t in competition with one another. In order to shine, we don’t have to dim somebody else’s light.

Contact Info:

• Email: enchanteb89@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enchantedpsyche
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TataLalici0us

Image Credit:
Brandon Bruce

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