Today we’d like to introduce you to Freddy Ross.
Hi Freddy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into yoga really began at one of the darkest times in my life. I had woken up in what I thought was my dream life and felt like hell. I knew that I needed a complete 180 in my life and that first decision came with the knowing that if I wanted to feel good again, I had to stop drinking. I made that decision on October 4, 2018 and have remained alcohol free to this day . That’s when I found Kundalini Yoga—and honestly, it changed everything. What started as just showing up to a class became a lifeline, a way to reconnect to myself, to feel again, and to find a sense of purpose I didn’t even know I was missing.
I honestly took only a few Kundalini Yoga classes before I knew that I had to go deeper and find out what the teachers knew. I googled “Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training” and it took me here…to Yoga Village, in Clearwater. I was living in South Beach, Miami at the time and would come up during teaching weekends. Eventually I left Miami and became a full time Tampa Bay/Clearwater Resident. I went on to do my Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training with my teacher Sunder Kaur (Jamie Luber) who was also the previous owner of Yoga Village. She’s an incredible light who built such a safe, and powerfully heart-centered community here. I never intended to teach I only wanted to go deeper, and I surely never dreamed of one day becoming the owner of this sacred space; but life has a funny way of guiding you where you’re meant to be. When the opportunity came to take over Yoga Village, it felt less like a business move and more like a calling—to carry forward what she started and to help rebirth this space into the Aquarian Age.
Now, as the owner, my mission is to honor the roots of Yoga Village while continuing to evolve it—bringing new energy, new offerings, and new ways for people to experience transformation. Yoga Village has really become a sanctuary for growth, healing, and community. It’s really a place for so much more than “just yoga”. It’s a community where people can sweat, release, heal, challenge, connect, and rediscover who they really are.
During my teacher training, I received my spiritual name, Devjeet Atma Singh, which means “The Fearless Lion of God whose angelic soul empowers him to overcome every one of life’s challenges.” That name is a reminder to me every day that even our hardest moments can be the doorway to our greatest purpose and highest truth.
Through Yoga Village, I’ve found mine—to inspire and empower others to change their story, ignite their inner power, and remember that transformation is always possible, one breath and one class at a time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Well..it’s been smooth with a lot of beautiful moguls hidden along the path.lol I have never really been a business owner before so I had a lot of learning to do…quickly. Taxes . Fees. Basically, all of the costs associated with running a business were some of my first life lessons. Still a challenging lesson to learn in this current economic climate, but every day it feels like it’s becoming more under control. The struggles though have definitely been some of my greatest teachers. When I first took over we were still coming out of the Covid era as well. Getting people comfortable coming back into shared space, finding balance between in-studio and online offerings, and just keeping the energy alive. When I took over the business I was in about the 4th year of my sobriety, so while the business was growing, so was I. Owning a studio asks you to show up in all of the ways. I’m holding this sacred space for community and transformation, but I also am paying the bills, fixing the air conditioning, and managing a team. It’s definitely a dance. But, I’m having fun as I fail, succeed, and learn along the way. There are sometimes days when it feels overwhelming, but that’s where my practice, faith, and this amazing community come in.. Kundalini Yoga taught me how to stay calm in chaos, to breathe through the storms, and to trust that everything is unfolding exactly as it’s meant to and at exactly the right time and pace. I know that every struggle has brought me closer to living my highest truth, and has also made the studio stronger, more resilient, and even more authentic in its mission
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Yoga Village is more than just a “yoga studio.” It’s Yoga with a capital Y. It’s a beautiful and vibrant community of humans of all ages, shapes, sizes. Our goal is to create a space where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to grow. We offer a wide range of classes, the most of any studio that I know. From Hot 26/2 (Bikram) and Power Yoga to Yin, Restorative, and Kundalini. Yoga Village is also the home to “Mysore Tampa Bay” Every class, every workshop, every training is designed to help people reconnect to themselves and to something greater and feel good again.
What really sets Yoga Village apart, though, is the energy and our students. There’s something intangible that people feel when they walk through the doors. There is a deep sense of peace, connection, and belonging. We’ve been told it feels like “coming home,” and I think that’s the biggest compliment we could ever receive. We honor the roots of yoga, but we’re not afraid to evolve. We bridge tradition and modern living, offering both in-studio and online classes, teacher trainings, sound healings, and community events that speak to the times we’re living in now.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of how authentic our growth has been. We’ve never tried to be like anyone else. Everything we do comes from a genuine desire to uplift and serve; from our teachers to our trainings to our nonprofit initiative, the Bhakti Outreach Bridge (BOB), which helps make yoga and wellness accessible to everyone. Through BOB, we’re able to offer financial assistance for classes and bring yoga, breathwork, and sound healing to underserved communities…a true bridge of love and service.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that Yoga Village isn’t just about flexibility or fitness; it’s about feeling safe to feel good again, awaken your spirit, and have fun. Whether someone’s stepping into their first class or deepening their lifelong practice, this is a place where transformation and connection happens, one breath and one moment at a time.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve been playing a game that was inspired in me after reading “The Surrender Experiment” I just always said “Yes” and saw where the universe led me. And, I really believe the right mentors find you when you’re ready. It’s not always about chasing people or networking in the traditional sense, I think. it’s about showing up authentically and being open to learning. When I started my yoga journey, I wasn’t looking for a mentor; I was looking for healing and to feel like myself again. And then I met my teacher, Sunder Kaur (Jamie Luber), who completely changed the direction of my life. That relationship wasn’t built on ambition—it was built on sincerity, devotion, and trust.
My best advice is to follow what genuinely inspires you and let connection grow from there. When you’re living your truth and doing what lights you up, you naturally attract people who are aligned with that energy. Mentorship doesn’t always have to be so structured either…sometimes it’s a teacher, a friend, or even a student who reflects something powerful back to you.
And honestly, staying a student is key. I meet so many amazing new people this way. Keep learning, keep listening, and stay humble enough to let others guide you. The right teachers and connections will always appear when you’re aligned with your purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ayogavillage.com
- Instagram: @ayogavillage
- Facebook: ayogavillage
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