We were lucky to catch up with Siva Taswell-Woods, LMSW, RYT recently and have shared our conversation below.
Siva, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic is profoundly influenced by the generations preceding me, particularly by my maternal grandparents and my mother. Originating from Costa Rica, my grandparents immigrated to New York in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their four children. Despite encountering significant hurdles and having limited educational opportunities, my grandfather rose from humble beginnings of toilet scrubbing to a distinguished career with the United Nations. Concurrently, my grandmother found employment in the hotel industry. This resilient spirit and dedication to hard work was passed down to my mother, who was born in Panama. Despite her educational journey of having only a high school education and some college, she climbed the corporate ladder to supervisory roles all while raising three children on her own.
I have had my own share of challenges in my life as well. However, their examples of hard work and perseverance have always motivated me to approach my work by having a servant’s heart, being dedicated, leading with integrity, and being committed to excellence. I carry their lessons with me every day, striving to honor their sacrifices by making the most of my opportunities and contributing positively to the world around me. In essence, my work ethics are not just a personal philosophy but a tribute to the generations before me who paved the way for my success.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am originally from Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Miami, FL. I have called San Antonio, TX home since 1995. My educational journey led me to Our Lady of the Lake University, where I proudly earned both Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work degrees. Since 2007, I have held the distinction of being a Licensed Master Social Worker, contributing my skills in medical and education environments. Presently, I serve as a high school social worker while also teaching virtually as an adjunct professor at a local university and working prn for a hospice agency.
My core beliefs revolve around aiding others, especially when it involves mental health awareness. The heart of my mission is to be committed to fostering inclusivity in service accessibility, striving to empower people towards well-being through self-care, fostering mental serenity, and self-reflection. I believe that yoga’s transformative power can play a vital role in this endeavor. Hence, I established Siva Kali LLC, operating as Devoted to Serve Wellness.
As Registered Yoga Instructor through the Yoga Alliance, I possess the expertise to teach a variety of yoga styles. However, my focus is primarily on gentle approaches such as yin yoga, restorative yoga, and chair yoga. These practices incorporate calming breathwork and gentle, flowing sequences, tailored to accommodate individuals of all abilities. Whether in my dedicated yoga space, the comfort of your own home, among friends, or within organizational settings, I am committed to delivering accessible yoga services to meet your needs. I am most excited about raising awareness among individuals that yoga is a practice open to all, regardless of appearance, body type, or level of flexibility. I am particularly passionate about dispelling the misconceptions about yoga being difficult. I firmly believe that everyone, regardless of their unique attributes, can benefit from yoga.
As a mother to a Texas A&M alum who earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree, I cherish family time and enjoy traveling, especially to beautiful beach destinations. Apart from yoga and my roles in the medical and educational fields, I find happiness in live music, interior design, event coordination, dancing, and volunteering in the community.
The most beneficial advice I can offer individuals on their journey of being a small business owner is to practice patience, avoid comparing yourself to others, maintain a strong work ethic, be intentional about your goals, make sure your circle supports your growth, remember self-care, and let your purpose surpass personal interests.
UPCOMING EVENT:
My sister circle and I will be facilitating an EmpowerMe Wellness Retreat happening September 19-21, 2024 in the beautiful hill country of Fredericksburg, Texas for women to have the opportunity to Relax, Relate, Revive. This retreat will be a harmonious blend of tranquility, meaningful connections, and personal revival. Registration is already open. Hope to see you there! Please feel free to contact me: [email protected]
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Grounded: As a small business owner, it is important to understand the challenges that may arise. In those moments of difficulties, when you may feel tempted to give up, recognize that your journey extends beyond personal trials and stay grounded. Consistently engaging in prayer and strengthening my faith have profoundly kept me grounded during my journey of being able to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Resiliency: In the face of adversity, it is important to be resilient. It will enable you to navigate obstacles, adapt to shifting circumstances, and emerge from setbacks with renewed strength. Despite enduring significant challenges in my personal life by navigating through a divorce and persevering through yoga school with a frozen shoulder, transitioning to virtual yoga amidst studio closures, and adapting to shifting preferences for yoga styles ALL during the pandemic – All I can say is BUT GOD!
Empowerment: Ensuring that individuals are empowered to reach their full potential is a crucial skill to develop. In my dual roles as a social worker and a yoga business owner, I strive to cultivate an environment of empowerment that promotes diversity and inclusion.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One of the best books that has played an important role in my development was: 15 Invalubale Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
A few nuggets of wisdom:
“When it comes to growth and success, immediate gratification is almost always the enemy of growth.”
“Facing difficulties is inevitable. Learning from them is optional.”
“The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: devotedtoservewellness
- Facebook: devotedtoservewellness
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Yoga Scheduling: https://devotedtoservewellness.as.me
