We were lucky to catch up with Ivory Howard recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ivory, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
As beginner yoga practitioner, I struggled to find examples of others who looked like me. I researched different poses and did not find anyone who looked like me or had my body type. Without this information, it was sometimes difficult to know how to get into a pose or what my body would look like in the pose. This lack of consideration for others continued into my teacher training as well with teaching methods and tools that only served a few.
Yoga is practiced by many different people with different body types and that diversity should be welcomed, visible and celebrated so that everyone feels welcome in this community.
Now, as a yoga teacher, I have an opportunity to provide what wasn’t available to me when I started practicing yoga and to help others who have ever been intimidated in “traditional” yoga classes with women who didn’t look like them. Women who aren’t skinny-skinny, who have big boobs, who have cellulite, and who have a bellies are all welcome and can now experience yoga in a safe and welcoming space.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m a yoga and Pilates instructor that makes it easier for busy, professional women to workout consistently and reclaim their health.
I’m on a mission to make sure that more women know that exercise and a plant-based diet can prevent many chronic lifestyle diseases and leading causes of death in the United States. I want to continue to make it easier for women to be active to help them avoid preventable chronic diseases like stroke, diabetes and cancer. And if you have a chronic disease, I want you to know that it’s not hopeless. You can live a long, healthy and active life.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me, one of the most important things in business has been my network. Although your friends and family love and support you, they may not be able to support you in the way that you need in your business. It’s important to build a network of supportive entrepreneurs in your corner who are rooting for you to succeed, referring clients to you, and open to collaborating with you. I did not always have that until I joined an inclusive community of entrepreneurs. This is the community that I was searching for early in my entrepreneurial endeavors but it did not yet exist. It makes the entrepreneurial pursuit much easier with this kind of support. Be sure to develop and nurture your network of other entrepreneurs.
How would you describe your ideal client?
I work with busy, professional women to help them workout consistently. Not being able to maintain a consistent fitness routine is a frustration that I hear often so I’ve developed science-backed programs to help my clients establish a consistent workout routine and get results. They’ll also learn how to show up for themselves consistently, create their own home studio, practice yoga and Pilates, and love their bodies.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.ivoryhoward.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbellypilates
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbellypilates
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/flatbelly
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flatbellypilates
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@flatbellypilates
Image Credits
Courtesy of Ivory Howard
