We were lucky to catch up with Sri Ali recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sri, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Being the only one in the room, or one of very few, is something I have almost always experienced in school and in workspaces. Growing up, it wasn’t as “negatively” noticeable as it today but something always felt different. As I made my way into corporate as a woman of color, how I was treated in comparison to others became much more apparent. From the comments people would direct towards me “I love your hair! Is it real?”, “wow you smell like coconut oil”, “is this idea cultural appropriation?” to the simply fact of not being as recognized, appreciated, or seen and because of it having to work that much harder than anyone else in my position. I wondered, why were these very specific comments, questions, and behaviors directed towards me? Simply because I am a woman, and especially because I am a Black and Puerto Rican woman. My effectiveness and success comes from a place of focus and knowing my value. I focus on the tasks at hand, I focus on my growth and development, and I don’t worry about what others think or feel in me doing so or bother to concern myself with what they’re doing. I know and understand my value when it comes to working hard, showing up on time, completing a task beyond expectations, and simply doing my best every single day. When I am able to show up as my true and authentic self, this energy ripples through my environment and eventually, I am seen and understood by others. Although I don’t do it for the validation or acknowledgement, I do it because this is my work ethic and this is who I am.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a full time Yoga Instructor & Sound Healing Facilitator for my business Connect Yoga. Over a decade ago I took my first yoga class and felt… indifferent. It was a very challenging class mentally and physically. I didn’t know any of the poses, I was falling over, and it left me feeling discouraged. I told myself in this moment, this is not for me and I knew I wouldn’t practice again. However, something continued to call me back to the practice every Tuesday at 6pm when my mom and I would take a community class. It became our thing which was why I did it. Up until one day I realized these classes were serving a bigger purpose in my life. I had a tough day at work one day and said to myself “well at least I’m going to yoga tonight”. Wait, what? Why was that such a relieving moment for me? What was this practice becoming for me? From then on I knew this practice was special so I wanted to explore it even further. Not long after, I was asked to join an intimate group of dedicated yoga and wellness practitioners whom were all of color. This felt like I was earning my badge of honor and in the moment was surprised that they wanted me. Me? Why me? Shortly after I participated in a 200-hour yoga teacher training program with them and was officially certified to teach.
It took me about 6 months to actually start teaching because I lacked confidence in using my voice to guide people in this way. But eventually I took a chance and led a free class at my apartment complex. Technically this wasn’t the first class I taught. The job I was working at at the time, Apple, asked if I would lead the team in a yoga class as they knew I practiced often, this was before I was certified. I let them know I’d be happy to but just know I’ve never done it before. They were okay with that. So the following week I led 20 people in yoga at the park and something inside me was born. I continued weekly donation-based classes at my apartment for about 2 years. Eventually I moved out of the state, twice, and have taught at local yoga studios in each state. This has contributed greatly to my development as a teacher and quite frankly, as a student.
In October 2022 I decided it was time to launch my own yoga business. I had so many goals and offerings I wanted to share with the community and knew starting my own business would be the way to go. In February of 2023, I left my corporate job of 6 years to teach full time. It wasn’t a hard decision at all. At the time, months went by where I was severely unhappy, unappreciated yet overworked by the upper management of my team. As a manager, leaving my team was hard but putting my happiness first and making this decision for myself was not. Since then, I have poured so much love, passion, and dedication into my business to ensure its success in spreading wellness practices to the community. I have also spent time furthering my knowledge in yoga and adopting a new wellness tool, sound healing. Since 2019 I’ve attended sound healing baths and have been deeply moved by the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual energy it creates for me. I knew it was time to integrate sound healing not only as a personal practice but also as a business offering.
Through my business, Connect Yoga, I offer private 1:1 classes to focus on individual needs, group sessions, corporate sessions, and virtual and in-person experiences all for yoga and sound healing. As a yoga teacher of 7 years, my mission is deeply rooted in spreading this practice to those who look like me as I believe when it comes to healing and overall well-being, we need it most. We often don’t feel welcomed in wellness spaces and are seen as the odd one out, when really these ancient practices are rooted from our ancestors so they belong to us just as they do anyone else.
I look forward to all the ways my business and personal development will continue to expand, all the lives I will touch, and all the transformations I will have the honor and pleasure to be a part of.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
One of the biggest qualities that have impacted my journey is the quality of being my true and authentic self. I have always and will always show up as Sri. This is non-negotiable. I know if I can’t, then I don’t belong and I will either discover a space where I do belong or create one. In being my authentic self, I have been able to proudly share my enthusiasm, happiness, and care for all those I come in contact with. This has also allowed me to cultivate spaces where I attract like-minded individuals and in-turn form solid, reliable, and supportive communities.
Another impactful quality I’ve maintained is courage. The courage to try something new, be bold, be creative, and take the risks. I am a risk taking animal and while I haven’t always been so calculated and intentional about it, I am now so that my risks help me, not harm me. Without my courage who knows where I’d be in my business, wellness journey, or even in life.
Lastly, what I believe to be my greatest skill is my passion for people. I crave human interaction as well as learning, creating, and evolving with people from all backgrounds and walks of life. We are social creatures and need connection more than we think. Having the ability to connect with almost anyone is such a great skill to have and I am grateful that this comes so organically for me.
Ways you, yes you the reader, can develop these skills are by:
- 1. Knowing yourself – ask yourself who am I? What’s my passion in life? What makes me unique? Through these questions you gain a better understanding of self and you can ensure you remain on your path no matter what obstacles may stand in your way.
- Obtaining courage and bravery is like wearing armor. It’s your shield. When you take a chance on yourself by trying something new or doing something you’ve always wanted to but didn’t know how, just know all you need is an intention and the first step of action. The rest will unfold and from there the Universe, God, or the Spirit (whatever your beliefs are) will carry you along the way. You will be so glad you did it.
- Along with your passion, get a better understanding of what drives you, what motivates you to get up and do what you love doing every single day. And if you’re not doing it yet, envision it. Live it, breathe it, feel it and move in that spirit. Perhaps it’s not being a people person like me, but what’s your why? Embody that in everything you do.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
If you are a woman, person of color, or someone looking to incorporate more wellness practices into their life, community, or corporate space, my offerings are for you. As previously mentioned, my mission is deeply rooted in serving people who look like me but also align with my value of prioritizing and maintaining an abundance of wellness mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
If this speaks to you, I want to work with you! Even if you feel you are unsure where to start, how my offerings align with your life, or even how yoga or sound healing can help you or your team, I can guarantee the impact of the wellness practices and program offerings I share with you will cultivate a positive impact in your life.
My services include specially curated programs or experiences for your needs. Whether you are an individual looking to improve your overall health, manage a physical ailment, or incorporate more grounding relaxation into your routine or a group/corporate team looking to promote unity, camaraderie, and a shared commitment to health, Connect Yoga is here for you!
You can view my offerings in detail at www.sriamirah.com or connect with me by email at hellomyconnection@gmail.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sriamirah.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_connectyoga
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sri-ali
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@connect_yoga
- Other: https://linktr.ee/sriamirah
Image Credits
Chelsa and her business is Crowned Photography
