Nashville's International Day of Yoga 2021
I am thrilled that Nashville's Yoga Community is gathering the evening of Monday June 21, 2021 to celebrate International Day of Yoga. It's a dream we could only hope for this time last year!
2020's Pandemic has taught us just how important togetherness and community are. Mental health has been put in the spotlight. There's no better activity than yoga to ease the mind and engage the body! I'm obviously a yoga fan, even becomming a yoga teacher myself in March 2020....just in time for the Pandemic and virtual yoga to become a thing. Online is great, but in-person is way more magical and meaningful to me!
Picture over 1,000 people bringing all their GOOD VIBES and best intentions for health and happiness. That's what's about to happen on June 21 in Nashville, Tennessee on the banks of the Cumberland River, facing Nashville's skyline.
Nashville International Day of Yoga 2019 - Pic by: Sam Carbine Photography
Meet Gilbert Valenzuela!
Gilbert is one of the four yoga instructors teaching at Nashville’s International Day of Yoga 2021. I’ve known Gilbert for several years now. He is one of the yoga teachers that inspired me to get my Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Gilbert’s yoga classes are always unique- never the name sequence, which I love. I always get a good workout and feel so revived after each class. Gilbert was kind enough the let me interview him for my blog.
Q: How long have you been practicing and teaching yoga?
A: My first yoga class was at the downtown YMCA in Grand Rapids, Michigan 2009, but I didn't start a consistent practice until 2015. I started teaching in Nashville in 2017.
Q: What inspired you to be a yoga teacher?
A: I have been a people pleaser to a fault, often struggling to set boundaries because I'd put other people's needs before mine. I didn't believe I could do things for myself, because I thought it was selfish or understand what I was feeling in my body. Through the physical practice I was able to tune in and approach these sensations differently, even though postures are still challenging, I can handle the challenge better. I've been able to apply that practice to my life off the mat and it's made a world of difference. It's helped me better to myself, which helps me be better for others. As a teacher I aim to create and hold space for people to do whatever they need to for themselves, there are no judgements or expectations or failures, just opportunities to understand and be a little better to ourselves as we continue to grow into ourselves.
Q: What advice would you give someone who’s new to or never tried yoga?
A: A lot of people say they aren't good at things they've never done or not flexible enough and I'd say we can't get better at something if we don't try or get more flexible if you don't move and stretch. You don't have to be good at it or flexible to start, I'd say just show up and show yourself some grace and love, do whatever you can when you can, and if you keep doing that, you'll notice the improvements and be surprised of what you're capable of doing with your body.
Q: What are you most excited about in teaching for International Day of Yoga this year?
A: I'm excited to share the practice with everyone who is willing to show up, whether it's their first class or their 1000th, I'm glad we get to share a practice where everyone is doing what they need to for themselves, if that means extra breaths in child's pose or throwing in an extra chaturanga, we get to be there for one another as we practice being better to ourselves, and I love that.
Join Nashville’s International Day of Yoga 2021!
Monday , June 21, 2021, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM CDT
Every year, Small World Yoga hosts a donation-based evening of yoga to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21. International Day of Yoga 2021 will be held in-person, outside at beautiful Cumberland Park in downtown Nashville. Doors will open at 5:30pm. Yoga will be from 6pm to 7pm.
Nashville’s International Day of Yoga is FREE, Family-Friendly, and suitable for all levels of yoga! Never tried yoga? No worries, go with the flow and do your best. Our community is a no-judgment environment! Be sure to register in advance and follow CDC guidelines for a safe and happy time.
IDY 2021 Yoga Instructors: Priya Anand, Sarah Ellis, Gilbert Valenzuela, and Danny Williams
Learn more about International Day of Yoga.
