Today we’d like to introduce you to Jada Harris
Hi Jada, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My creative journey started at a young age. I was a dancer. I started dancing at a local studio and in church at the age of 5. I later went to an arts school from 6th-12th grade. There I was able to explore just about every creative outlet. My major focus was dance, specially ballet and modern dance. Towards the end of my high school years I gained more interest in journalism and creative writing. I later continued my education at Cleveland State University, with a major in Child Psychology and a minor in Dance. My focus was Movement Therapy for children, the elderly community, and people with disabilities. In 2020, the world shut down, and like many others I was sent home due to Covid. Things started to shift in my home, after the passing of a loved one, and I hit, what felt like, rock bottom. I began to isolate myself. And in that iSOLation, is where i discovered SOL. I realized that in this season, i i was grieving more than the passing of my loved one, i was grieving my old self. I realized in solitude i was able to become my one true self. I was able to recreate myself. Later that year, i met up with some local creatives for a social distance photo shoot. That is where i discovered modeling. I collaborated with Tylar Young, of Muddy Visions Photography for a shoot and we were published in a magazine 4 months later. And i never looked back. Although modeling was fun, there was still something missing. Movement. I started exploring local studios and that’s where I found yoga, and it changed my life. I decided to become an instructor really to gain more personal awareness of the practice. That’s when i had the realization that there are many people that could benefit from this practice. I think the disconnect is people don’t know where to start a journey like that, they don’t see a lot people like them participating in these types of spaces, or they believe you have to be of a certain religious practice to participate. That is where i wanted to step in. I wanted to take yoga into communities where its not normalized. So i started my own yoga business, Body and Sol. My teaching journey startedat Solace Health, Wellness, and Injustice Center. I later found a second location at 419 Creative Agency. Being in both spaces helped me to see that all my worlds are connected. And i began to bring art and creativity in to the health and wellness world. The owners of Solace, were birth workers. One a midwife and the other a lactation specialist. That’s where my birth work journey began. In 2023, i became a birthing and postpartum doula. And in the same month, i became the first Arts Journalist and Creative Director for the Stalwart Magazine, where i was able to shine a light on and bring awareness all things creative in the Toledo area. At the end of 2023, I left 419 Creatives Agency and started teaching night yoga classes at Callisto Terra Candle Shop. I knew i wanted to get more into the community. I discovered an organization called 1983 the brand, they are a media and music agency. Every year they throw a black tie gala event called the BLAK Gala. And all the goal is to raise money and awareness to a nonprofit in the city. I instantly jumped on board and became the PR Manager for 1983 The Brand. I became surrounded by so many different communities i had no choice but to grown in my own business. I started a merch line for my business, called FOR THE SOL. And our first product is handmade soy candles. I also extended my education and i am a certified Stretch Therapist.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. I don’t believe there’s any such thing. I think the biggest struggles I had were confidence and consistency. It was easy for my friends and family to support me, but I knew i would go very far if I didn’t step outside of my comfort zone and reach for a bigger audience. There were many times where i doubted my worth. I asked myself things like “ what makes you think you can break the stigma?”. And there were times where I didn’t have anyone come to my classes, and those doubts felt real. i wanted to give up constantly, i would get into head, and stop being consistent. Yet i never stopped. I would take breaks, reorganize and come back. And I didn’t realize until i was able to sit down and reflect, that every time i showed up again, i grew. I had to rediscover grace. i know that there has to be some level of pain to receive change. Life isn’t smooth sailing, if it was there would be no lessons to learn and we would never grow.
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?
Outside of all the many things i do, I manage a gym facility. I was promoted from a childcare worker to an operations manager after 1 year, This position has taught me so much about leadership, how to run a successful company, but also how to show up in life threatening situations. I became more aware of my fight or flight reactions, and how i show up in certain situations. Also, building report with so many different people that have all lived different journeys and build connections. Being a manager at the gym we house a lot of athletes, and after getting to know these people I became aware of the lack of stretching and mobility that they have. I was able to then use and open up my profession to help an even larger community of people
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?
Coming to my yoga class. Booking stretch therapy sessions. Booking me for modeling and fashion gigs. Buying a candle. Referring any birthing parents to the birthwork community to help assist with health and safe birthing and postpartum care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bodyxsol.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jada_elease?igsh=NG80NXNiZW9wZWgy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodyxsol
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@bodyxsol?si=FhSBD4XfhrW3wqhR
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/bodyxsol?igsh=MWk1Nm4wYjl2ajQ5dA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
