Purple Yoga: How did you first get into yoga?

Bella: When I was 13, I took a movement class for actors. In it, we learned to use breathwork and yoga poses to help memorize our lines. I fell in love with the practice and how it related to acting.

Purple Yoga: What was your path to teacher training?

Bella: In high school, I took a yoga class and had to teach an hour-long class as my final. I found Purple Yoga in 2022 as a college freshman and began taking classes with Gina and Danny. Danny asked if I was interested in Yoga Teacher Training, which I was. I joined the scholarship program and worked at the front desk as part of it. During training and immediately afterward, I began teaching friends and practicing in parks. Then I completed the Purple Protégé mentorship program and applied to teach at the studio.

Purple Yoga: What has your teaching journey looked like?

Bella: I started with small groups, subbed classes at a jiu jitsu studio, taught 6:00 a.m. classes and said yes to as many teaching opportunities as I could. It moved quickly from small groups to big crowds.

Purple Yoga: How has teaching yoga impacted your career?

Bella: Yoga has taught me that I’m a lot stronger than I think I am. The practice teaches you to keep going in uncomfortable situations and to test your strength mentally and physically. Teaching has shown me how to lead, care for other people and be of service. That is such a meaningful thing to learn in my twenties because community, caring for each other and caring for your health matter so much.

Purple Yoga: How do you see yoga playing a part in your career moving forward?

Bella: As I get older, I want to teach the best classes I can and prioritize quality over quantity. I want to teach for the rest of my life, so balance matters. It is important to keep my own practice first and stay authentic to myself because that translates into my classes.

Purple Yoga: What were your favorite parts of Teacher Training?

Bella: I needed it more than I even knew. I felt lost in many ways and disconnected from my body. I did not realize how much it would impact my physical and mental health. I have a better relationship with my diet. Having Alex as a mentor inspired me to become the best version of myself, and I am so grateful for that. Being around so many inspiring people at Purple Yoga made me want to grow alongside them.

Purple Yoga: What is your favorite part of teaching yoga?

Bella: When you explain a pose to someone and it clicks for them. When you see them truly experience the posture. To unlock something in someone that they never knew was in them.