Today we’d like to introduce you to Smerlin Cespedes.
Hi Smerlin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Hi my name is Smerlin Cespedes. I am a Certified Yoga Instructor. I began my yoga journey back in 2012. At the time, I was pursuing my business degree and needed extra credits and I was curious about the practice and decided to take a class. For a few years, I practiced on and off, and around 2018 I decided to get certified to teach,
Yoga has been an important element in my wellness practice, but also something I have been able to share with my students in the classroom. As an elementary school teacher, I have been able to teach my students different breathing techniques and meditation to support them in regulating their emotions and helping them focus. I believe social-emotional learning is very important and yoga provides useful tools and resources that can support developing minds as well as adults.
Currently, I am wrapping up an adaptive yoga series for children with Autism at the Maitland Wellness Center and will be starting a Mommy and baby yoga series in the summer.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road hasn’t always been smooth. Time is our biggest thief. There have been many transitions in life, whether moving, changing jobs and now starting a family. There are always distractions and responsibilities. Which all take time. Yoga has always been a hobby that I have had to manage along with my career as a teacher.
Making our passions our 9-5 can be a challenge, especially when we have to manage our financial responsibilities. As the first college graduate in my family, having a career has always been my priority and still continues to be.
However, I still continue to dream and I am actively building my wellness brand where I am able to solely focus on bringing all things wellness whether yoga, meditation, or an amalgamation of these things to my community.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While running my Yoga business, I am also a certified Teacher in Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, and Montessori Ages 6-9. I was a classroom teacher for many years and for the past couple of years, I have been working with ESE students as an interventionist.
Mondays – Fridays I work with ESE students and on the weekends, I teach Yoga at Maitland Wellness Center.
How do you define success?
I would define success as doing what you love! Also being in control of your time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/dominiyogi
- Youtube: youtube.com/DominiYogi
