Hi Stacy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I guess you could say that I’m a serial entrepreneur! When my kids were growing up, I was a freelance graphic designer and co-owned a stationery business called Zuzu’s Petals in a Chicago suburb. Being able to work at home while my kids were in school was the perfect gig for me! But then, as my kids became more independent in high school, I felt the pull to do something different…something that was truly fulfilling. I took a GIANT leap in 2009, and decided to learn Thai Bodywork, and soon after, opened up a small space in a chiropractor’s office…from there, I decided to become a yoga teacher. I had been practicing regularly for about ten years, and I thought it would be a great addition to my Thai Bodywork practice.
After I became certified, I stumbled upon a space that was perfect for both a yoga studio and a place to practice Thai Bodywork. My studio’s focus was on building community and inclusion. We were one of the first studios in the country to offer yoga for larger bodies, something I am really proud of! When my youngest graduated from high school and moved to England, my husband and I decided to move to Tampa. I sold my studio, and traded in snow for sunshine! I decided not to open a studio in Tampa, and instead, built a private and corporate clientele, and have expanded my offerings to include mindfulness meditation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I like to think of the struggles as teachers. I’ve had many many teachers! I went through a difficult time when we first moved to Tampa. I was excited for the new adventure that awaited us, but being an “empty nester” was tough to get used to. I had been a work from home mom for 20 years…so it was a big change! Soon after we moved here, my mom passed away. It was so tough, but it was also a time when I discovered how powerful the practice of meditation could be. I upped my practice time, and took courses to be able to teach Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Search Inside Yourself (SIY).
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The first thing people usually say when I tell them that I’m a mindfulness meditation teacher is either, “I’ve tried it, and I can’t clear my mind” OR, “I KNOW I really need to meditate because I’m so stressed out”. I specialize in teaching to people who think they can’t meditate. I have ADHD, and know a thing or two about having an overactive mind! Not only is it possible for you, but it can be so helpful for anxiety, depression, and worry. Scientific studies about mindfulness meditation have shown that it can help anxiety, focus, and worry. I think that many people think that meditation is just a bunch of new-age woo-woo stuff. But, it isn’t! It has science to back it up! What sets me apart from others is that I’ve done the work. I’ve taken extensive courses on mindfulness from UMASS and Brown. I’ve attended numerous silent retreats, and have a long-standing personal meditation practice. I didn’t just take a weekend course to be a mindfulness teacher. This is part of my life in a big way!
My offerings: My most exciting offering is a retreat to Greece in November of 2021 called Where Wanderlust & Mindfulness Meet. I have a bad case of Wanderlust without being able to travel during the pandemic…and am looking forward to it! You can take a class with me…on Zoom! I offer private 1-1 meditations and private group meditations. I also offer Lunch & Learns for businesses. I also offer an 8-week intensive Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. It’s a wonderful way to create a mindfulness practice for yourself. I am a certified Search Inside Yourself (SIY), facilitator. SIY was originally developed at Google and teaches practical mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and leadership tools to unlock your full potential at work and in life. It’s a fantastic thing for businesses to offer their employees. I love seeing the benefits of the program within an organization!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think that mindfulness will become just as important as eating healthy and exercising. Even since I’ve started teaching, I have seen a huge surge in interest in it from people who don’t consider themselves “hippy-dippy”. I think that the practice of mindfulness will continue to grow, which I think is incredible. Imagine a world where people are in touch with their emotions, are more compassionate, and less reactive!
Contact Info:
- Email: stacy@lotusheartmindfulness.com
- Website: http://lotusheartmindfulness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lotusheartmindfulness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lotusheartmindfulness
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LHMindfulness
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4UEFO4BGwFU0qBUhmStFQA
- Other: https://truenaturetravels.com/retreats/yoga-greece-stacy-pamela/
Image Credits
Some photos from Andi Diamond Photography, Tanpa
