Today we’d like to introduce you to Carmen Aka Carmita Pomales Aka Smiles.
Hi Carmen aka Carmita, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My yoga journey started long ago as I ebbed and flowed in life. My mom was an aerobics instructor, so my sisters and I grew up in the gym. When I got older, I attended yoga classes with my mom when she wasn’t teaching aerobics. I also worked at a recreation center. There was something that always stood out about the yoga instructors that i was drawn toward… though as time went on, I started a pet care business in Columbus, OH. I grew up with animals and watched pets of family members and friends, so at that time it was no brainer that I wanted to do that daily.
Outside of pet sitting, I hosted dog friendly socials, hikes, and dog yoga (DOGA) classes that encouraged bonding through quality time between clients and their pets. Then, the pandemic hit. Businesses closed, people spent time at home, and self-care and wellness started coming into view. I changed focus from guiding dog friendly yoga classes to human classes.
People were stressed, burned out, and anxious. All I could think about was “How can I be of service?” I completed yoga teacher trainings, used my marketing skills and knowledge from the pet care business and social media to promote yoga classes, and began holding classes outdoors. I already had a solid presence in the area and taught in parks and spaces where people could spread out, enjoy nature, and welcome some calm, stretch, and relaxation into their lives.
Yoga has grown from a business to a way of life. I study, breathe, and live yoga because one does not only practice on the mat, but “off the mat”. This means living by the way of the 8-Limbs of yoga or in good virtue. The 8-Limbs teaches a way of being. Almost like a guide on how to become aware, learn about making conscious choices, and treating others and the earth with kindness, love, and respect. This method helps me to continuously learn about myself, live actively in the present, and be a better teacher. Guiding students and practitioners through physical movements known as asanas, helps them to live in the present and prepare the body for meditation. This promotes connection of mind and body, along with an overwhelming sense of calm and peace.
Yoga, just like life, is what one makes of it! It can look and feel different every day. As a teacher, I look to support those who decide to travel the wellness road of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness to help them connect to their inner light and shine bight.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This road has been full of bumps, potholes, and surprises. It has guided me on a journey literally on the road. Mainly, teaching at various community events and outdoor festivals across the U.S. and Canada. Every event I meet new people, build new networks, and make new friends from all walks of life. We learn about one another and the communities we gather in. This has taught me how to build fire pits, set up tents, learn about wild animals and humans co-existing in nature, and even that ticks aren’t as scary as they look! (One just has to remember bug repellent and to check for them before going to sleep outdoors.)
Traveling to various events all over North America isn’t all glitz and glamour either. Sometimes, it means I’m sleeping in the car at a roadside stop. Other times, it means I don’t have access to a shower until after teaching at a festival 3-5 days. Would I trade it for a different life? Nope! It’s all in the name of sharing yoga with whomever feels called to walk the path.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Being a Yoga Teacher promotes health and wellness through spiritual practice. Through this spiritual practice one may happen to gain flexibility, lose weight, and strengthen their muscles, but these are benefits of the practice, not the main reason for it. These benefits occur from yoga asanas (movements) and stretches which prepare the body for meditation. The practice of meditation helps one connect to the present, calm the mind, release fear and anxiety, and connect to something outside of Self (Nature, Earth, Source, God, etc.) This is the greater reason for the practice. To then gain a larger understanding of oneself and others, heal from ailments, and to live a life of meaning, truth, and presence.
It’s an honor to guide others on this journey
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
During my time running the pet care business, I was on social platforms like Alignable, LinkedIn, and Nextdoor. They taught best business practices and allowed me to connect to other entrepreneurs and businesses owners with questions about taxes, marketing, social media trends, or other general practices. Yoga on the other hand, leads down a different road for every person. Some get certified, become teachers, and open a studio. Some enjoy more westernized yoga just use it as a physical workout, while others connect deeply with meditation and don’t practice asanas. Then, there are some like me, who live on the road guiding classes wherever feeling called or embrace the world as a classroom. Thus, taking in all the sights, sounds, and lessons offered. It’s about paying attention to the body, mind, and Higher Self (aka Higher Consciousness) and responding to the call.
Pricing:
- Donation-Based
- Sliding Scale
- Price specials for retreats and workshops
- Keep it affordable but at a living wage
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carmitasmiles.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/carmitasmiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmilesYogaWellnessandMeditation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/carmitasmiles
