Conversations with Prima Burney

Today we’d like to introduce you to Prima Burney.

Hi Prima, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey started with my return to the yoga mat in search peace, as my life anything but peaceful at the time. The local yoga studio was offering three weeks unlimited special and I took advantage of it. It took all three weeks for me to find quiet and peace on the mat. It was the first time that I realized quieting my mind was even possible. The door was open to my healing journey. I added meditation to my routine and found a combination that worked for where I was at in my journey. Kundalini yoga and private alternative healing sessions with my teacher Ali Smith was the pivotal moment that showed me I wasn’t in search of a new me but finding all the pieces of me that had been buried along the way. I completed Jaguar Path of Florida, which focused on utilizing shamanism to heal yourself and to assist others. During this training, I was introduced to Ayurveda, which is the sister science to yoga. Ayurveda was the component that I was looking for to bridge the past, my 15 years career as chef, and the future, a career based in spirituality helping my community.

I started Open Door Apothecary, now Open Door Wellness, in February 2020 with the intention of providing herbal allies, alternative healing sessions, and yoga. Herbal infusions (tea) were the most accessible way to open the door for others to incorporate the plants into their journey so that’s where the focus began. Ayurveda is traditionally passed down through a lineage so I decided to start with western herbalism. Incorporating Ayurveda as I continued to incorporate the principals into my own journey. I graduated October 2020 as a certified 200-hour yoga teacher. I consider myself a seeker and a forever student.

Alright, 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?
When I opened my business the focus was to utilize local markets to share our products with the community. We were able to participate in two markets before everything closed down due to the pandemic. This was definitely a setback and being a new business we haven’t been eligible for a lot of the financial assistance available. That being said there hasn’t been a day that hasn’t felt like I am walking in my purpose. The business is growing and the positive feedback from the community that chooses to connect with us has been increasing daily.

One of the biggest struggles has been reaching our community with these resources. There are the obvious barriers of finances, access, not to mention that many in the communities that need these resources are focused on survival, seeking out alternative resources falls into a luxury category. There is a deep connection to religion and the message has been anything not within those boundaries are not to be explored.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2005. Culinary was very much my passion and through that passion I exceled into management within a couple of years. The birth of my third and final child motivated a change to culinary in healthcare. In this industry my eyes were open to a lot of dysfunction in our ability to connect, our disconnection from our food, and the treat the symptoms not the source of illness. Once my own healing journey reached a level of awareness I recognized the loss of power I was losing everyday arriving to work. It took over a year from receiving the message to make the leap but January 2020 I turned in my resignation and pursued a career in herbalism and yoga. The message I received was “I had to walk through the door without knowing what it looked like on the other side.” This message is where “Open Door” in our name originates from.

I am most known for my hand crafted tea blends and leading slow mindful yoga classes geared toward every “BODY”. It brings great joy when someone refers to me as the “tea lady”. My background as a chef gives me another level of understanding in flavor profiles. Our teas are blended to be a plant ally and also to have an appealing taste. My personal journey has required I be intentional about my own healing which gives me insight and personal knowledge. I offer that which I personally practice.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Inside Out Yoga Studio and Jody Reece welcomed me with open arms. The ability to step into a space where I was the only POC and have access to connect with out barriers was instrumental. Through a class at the studio I met Ali Smith who has shined the light on this path of healing for myself and gaining skills to assist others to do the same. Kelly Andrews connected me with pranayama on deeper level introducing me to heart focused breathing and meditation. All three of the above ladies taught the yoga teacher training I attended and this is what I call synchronization.

David and Carol Walker have mentored me and held space for my spiritual growth. The next leg of my journey has me sharing my passion of cooking, energy healing and teaching yoga on retreats with their company.

My tribe of friends who have held space for me to work through the shadow and the light on this journey. Their support has been the glue that held things together when they were falling apart. The laughs have been the soul restoring place that I’ve landed when nothing else would do.

Claire Johnson and Shionta Jones for being the first examples of black girl magic in yoga that I saw. Shionta Jones operates Shaed of Health and awards scholarships to yoga teachers in training which I was awarded to assist with covering the cost of my certification.

I set an intention for partnerships in 2021 which has brought many opportunities to connect in community. Chonteau Mcelvin has been one of those new connections that you know from the moment the connection is made there is more to learn. I look forward to continue to learn from her wisdom.

Pricing:

• One on One Energy or Yoga Sessions $75
• Herbal Tea Blends $4-15

Contact Info:

• Email: opendoorapothecary@gmail.com
• Website: www.opendoorwell.com
• Instagram: opendoorwellness_wh
• Facebook: Open Door Wellness

Image Credits
Emily Rose Photography