We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kari Jaffe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Kari, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
My purpose found me. It’s said that doing your Dharma, or your life’s work, is a combination of your passion, your skill set and whether or not it’s beneficial to the world.
I stumbled into a Bikram Yoga class in Miami Beach back in 2009 because my personal trainer had insisted I try it. I immediately fell in love. The challenges were massive, but I could feel its magic working on my body and my mind. It took about two years or so, but one day I woke up with an epiphany “I want to teach this!”
So I signed up for Bikram Yoga teacher training March 2013 and nine weeks later I was certified and teaching full time. I knew immediately that teaching would be a lifelong journey for me. Shortly thereafter, I dove right into Yoga and the Healing Sciences, a 200 hour training at Loyola Marymount University. As I continued my growth as a student and a teacher, I began to contemplate what hosting wellness events would look like. I knew I had a deep love of yoga and sharing these practices. My knowledge was only getting stronger and more vast, and my interpersonal skills would allow me to create wellness experiences that would have a profound impact on my community. All of these pieces combined brought me to my purpose today, curating and producing wellness environments and activations all over the world.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I host international yoga retreats and wellness experiences and I teach other wellness entrepreneurs how to do the same. I love taking guests on culturally immersive adventures that are all encompassing human experience. Days are filled with yoga movement, self reflective workshops, exciting nature adventures, breathwork and meditation offerings and some of the best food you’ll ever eat.
It’s really special to create environments where people first meet as strangers but then leave as family. It brings me so much joy and pleasure to build these containers that are truly an opportunity to reset from day to day life and spend time getting closer to community and to self. When I see a guest have that ‘ah-ha’ moment, be it related to mental or physical, I know I have done my dharma.
My next retreat is called Cosmic Vacation, June 30th-July 3rd in Joshua Tree https://www.karijaffe.com/jun-2024-cosmic-vacation. I’m also headed to Bali for my annual Back to Bali retreat September 10th-18th. If you’ve never been on a retreat but have always been curious, this is your sign! Yoga retreats are for everyone and my retreats are for all levels! I always offer tons of options to make your practice yours while also encouraging you to explore new ways. Opportunities for both mental and physical challenge will constantly be at your fingertips.
As mentioned, I also mentor rising entrepreneurs in the wellness realm. There are quite a few ways to work with me. Whether you want some foundational support, consistent guidance, or even full on experience curation, design and marketing, I provide tools that impart wisdom on how to create nurturing spaces that act as vessels, allowing your guests to cultivate their spiritual and physical practices.
Through my guidance, I empower others to skillfully hold containers, fostering environments where participants can explore, grow and expand towards enhanced spirituality and mental wealth.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I like to think my existing natural skills of being a leader and a people person has allowed me to develop a rich community and a flourishing business. Being extremely organized is a huge benefit. I don’t have to work too hard to keep my focal points on tasks at hand or to build connections.
My main advice for wellness entrepreneurs is to take calculated risks. Map out your best, average and worst case scenarios either financially on a spreadsheet on just have it in your mind. Be prepared for anything to take a turn at any moment. Do not shy away in the face of adversity. It’s also worth noting that if you have to force anything, you’re probably doing too much. Whatever you’re offering started as your passion, so do not loose sight of why you love to share it. If you ever catch yourself in a slump, just circle back to why you started. Say out loud what you are grateful for in the journey to what got you to where you are.
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?
How Yoga Works by Geshe Michael Roach, has got to be one of the most impactful stories I’ve ever read. It’s required reading in any of my teacher trainings, and I recommend it to friends and students all the time. This book is a stunning parable that teaches the wisdom of yogic doctrines through a heartwarming story of a young female yoga teacher and the policemen who are holding her captive. One of the main takeaways is all about karmic cycles and planting seeds; how everything you do leads you to the next. It’s just lovely and so engaging that you’ll flip right through it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karijaffe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karijaffe/
Image Credits
@lolo_urbiztondo @katbenzova_rockphoto @theyogarina @emitepty @pogodavisuals @luismarianospindola
