Today we’d like to introduce you to LeShan Zaffuto.
Hi LeShan, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my own yoga practice in 1997 at the University of Miami. Immediately, I knew that it was within me and that I would share it one day. I moved back to Tampa in 2004, somehow, I ended up with a studio, which survived for about four years. I felt as if it was time to try to move into the community and out of the safety of the four walls, I had been in. Life took me on an adventure that steered me away from teaching full time. I continued to teach and certify teachers around Tampa as my 2nd gig. The corporate stuff, I always saw as a means to an end. There was always something or someone drawing me back into sharing yoga, which I am so thankful for. I’ve taught my personal yoga certification program in four studios and have done private certifications for many since 2004. My son was born in 2013.
My husband and I decided that this would be the time that I would commit to honoring my passion. It was time to take the scary leap of leaving the security of a steady paycheck and a “secure” job. I had many doubting my decision and many discussing this with my husband asking him to make me reconsider. They had no idea that he is my biggest supporter and had been part of the decision. What was I thinking? We were new parents! I was thinking that I wanted to walk the walk, be a role model for my son. I was thinking that if I was to help him grow up knowing it’s ok to explore and share his gifts and truest self with the world, I needed to step out of the comfort zone and do it to the best of my abilities. I need him to understand it’s not always easy, the herds stuff is the important stuff and it priceless. In 2014 I was lucky enough to make it to an audition for Life Time Athletic and snag a yoga teacher position. I quickly started to build a yoga community with in the club. Since then, I had the honor of heading the yoga department in Tampa. I worked with and shared so many quality moments with such wonderful and talented people. I am talking both team members and members.
Due to COVID-19, my position was dissolved. With the ties of exclusivity being broken I was now granted the ability to get back to the community. This is where I am today. I am spring boarding off all the experiences, skills and growth I’ve had so far to tap deeper into what it means to understand and share my gifts with the world. It’s all about what I can do to do my part in making life a little more special for someone. It’s about the ripples of kindness, faith and strength I can help set forth. Today, I am teaching at Life Time Athletic Tampa and where ever else I am called. I am creating meaningful workshops that I hold on my own and at other studios when it helps to fill a need in their space. I am bringing people together through retreats and continuing to certify those that may want to go a little deeper. My husband and I are working on a brand called Free Yourself Yoga, LLC. It is not just a brand but a mindset, a way of life, a practice. It incorporates apparel, fund items, the retreats and trainings. Basically, I am here to serve humanity, especially during this time where so many are feeling lost and in the need of a little more love.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I was going through an unhealthy relationship. The studio was my sanctuary. It was hard to look at the day knowing I’d be teaching 5-8 classes a day and around town. Having to find a way to hold it together while putting my happenings aside to work with those that were trusting me in classes. I moved the studio into a location/business that had offered me the opportunity to grow the business, which seems a like a great idea right? One night, the owner met me in the space after the class to let me know that they were locking the doors b/c they were in legal battle with the original owner. I had to find other ways and places in which to honor the patrons that still had packages. I was able to connect with a studio fairly quickly that took me and my teacher training in. My son was born in January. I started reaching out to let people know I was interested in getting back in to teaching full time at that time. In February I began picking up classes. Teaching around town, driving north to south trying to keep some money coming in.
Mental doing gymnastics to strategically plan out how I would take a class or opportunity to sub and find a family member that was available to sit with my son for a couple hours if my husband was not available was tough. Having studios question my integrity of being a valuable teacher to their space because I had a new born, that was tough. Cutting my pay more than 85% to pursue a belief in myself, having people doubt that I was making a responsible decision. The 1/2 year of Life Time Athletic the GM at the time was very critical and harsh. It was obvious I was not held in high regards, there was favoritism. I was hanging by a string; some would say at one point. I held my head high even though I understood my place. I vowed to myself to blow their minds, because I knew I they had no idea what I was capable of, which I believed I did. Finally being comfortable in Life Time with position and finances, then having it all taken away. Now starting again, although not from scratch.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have heard so many times, “you’re intense” “that was intense.” I am about helping people find the grit and or grace they may be cheating themselves of. All of my work is to help people find strength, courage and compassion for themselves. I’d like to think I help them find a bit more belief in themselves to do what it is they need to do, to be honest with themselves. With this kind of work, it is intense. It can be a hard question I pose during a training or retreat or a tough sweaty yoga class. There is always some sort of sweetness, gratitude and encouragement that is filtered in along with some why’s. We mustn’t shy away from the things that are hard or uncomfortable, we must’ shy away from the pause when that is what is needed. We do need to observe ourselves and understand which of the two are our tendencies so we can work on infusing more of what we deny ourselves. My brand Free Yourself Yoga (apparel, retreats, trainings and more) is an extension of these ideas.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I love collaborations, I love helping people develop ideas and bring them to fruition. I love collaborating to benefit charities or community. Basically, reach out and let’s see what we can do!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: leshanzaffuto
- Facebook: Facebook.com/FYyogaBrand
- SoundCloud: anchor.fm/leshan9
