What does your business do?

The first of its kind in the area, LivLoveYoga is a newly established community wellness center located in the underserved community of Batesville, MS. At LivLoveYoga we are dedicated to promoting healthy living. Our vision is to create and maintain a safe, welcoming space where individuals can come to heal their minds, bodies, and hearts.

"We work to create peace in our world, communities, and families by first creating peace within ourselves."

LivLoveYoga offers yoga, meditation, fitness classes, massage therapy, holistic medicines, and other health-related services such as educational programs and classes. (We hope to extend the invitation regularly to local healthcare professionals to offer services, classes, etc. pertaining to their specialty as a way to keep the community engaged.)

How would you use the grant money?

All funds will go towards the maintaining and expansion of the center. To have sustainable yoga classes and workshops, props (such as mats, blocks, straps, blankets, folding chairs, etc.) are necessary. Other operational expenses include but are not limited to: utilities, insurance, telephone/Internet, website hosting, yoga studio software, office & cleaning supplies, maintenance & customization, and miscellaneous items.

What would the grant enable you to do that you can't now?

Every bit of funding for LivLoveYoga thus far has come out of pocket or through gracious donations from friends, family, and other supporters. Receiving this grant would enable me to focus less on finances and more on the things that matter, like being able to connect with community and it's needs.

If Idea Cafe's Grant helps your biz reach greater success, how will you "pay it forward" to help others in some way?

In 2014 I quit the last job I will ever work. I decided that I would no longer do something every day unless it was something that I absolutely loved to do and that brought me fulfillment in other ways than physical and/or monetary. Not long after making that life-changing decision, I began to practice yoga. Less than a year after establishing my personal yoga practice, I chose to invest in myself by attending yoga teacher training. Through learning the teachings of this beautiful ancient practice, I truly learned to love and care for myself which in turn helped me to learn to love and care for others. I decided to become certified in teaching so that I could share these same teachings with as many people as I possibly could.

The fact that I grew up in Batesville plays a major role in my decision to create and open a wellness center. I love having the opportunity to be able to give back, daily, to the community where my roots are. Yoga is the gift that keeps on giving. It's teachings are endless and it's benefits are countless. Health is wealth and I plan to contribute as much health promotion as I can in my community.