Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikela Gates.
Hi Nikela, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
Growing up, I was a dancer in my community and on my school drill teams in Jackson, MS. I have always been into working out and fitness. I attended Jackson State University (Jackson, MS), and I was a Prancing J-Sette all four years. As a freshman, my weight was a challenge considering I needed to trim a few pounds for multiple reasons. Not only did I trim pounds, but I remember the feeling of being lighter on my feet and seeing the results I wanted. I felt amazing! I went from not being able to run a mile without walking to leading the pack and running 2 miles within 18 minutes as the captain! After college, I moved to Fort Worth, Texas. I started running marathons and teaching group fitness classes to fill the void of dance. I found fitness to be the most important part of my day. Working out was my stress reliever, my sanctuary, and my happy place. I was devastated to learn I injured my foot in 2015. At that time, I was dancing and running almost every day. My foot injury impacted my workouts because I needed to wear a boot and stay off my foot to allow time for healing. I literally cried. One thing I despise is someone telling me what I cannot do, and not working out is not an option.
After my pity party, I started looking for workouts to create the same feeling while breaking a sweat, and nothing was really working. A friend invited me to hot yoga. I recall saying I never wanted to do hot yoga because I thought it would smell like sweaty people and sweaty feet. I’m laughing at the thought of my initial attitude and the things we will do when we feel we’re out of options. I had no other option for creating a sweat. So, I agreed to try hot yoga. I was immediately drawn to the practice and the environment. I was allowed to practice with my recovery boot on my foot without judgment or weird stares. I learned how to modify poses and accommodate my body while challenging myself with basic movement. The hot and humid atmosphere gave me the perfect sweaty feeling mimicking my other workouts, and the studio felt as if I left the city for a secluded experience. I knew I loved the practice because I was humbled (and remain humbled) by the strength it took to hold the poses. I thought I was strong, and yoga showed me areas for improvement while teaching me grace and respect for my injury. Because yoga was my special place, it took me years to attend yoga training. I wanted to be in a space of vulnerability and willingness to share more than simply calling out poses. In 2019, I started my certification process, and I was so happy I waited until I was ready. It felt like daily counseling sessions (our discussions) with therapeutic movement (our yoga sessions). It was all I could ask for and more. I completed my certification the week before the USA shut down in 2020. I was prepared to teach in a studio and live my best life! Little did I know, the studio I called “home away from home” would shut its doors, and I would become a virtual yoga student.
The best part is I never stopped flowing and practicing yoga. The hard part was not having the hot studio and surrounding energy in class. Yet, I couldn’t give up on my desire to teach. I decided I would offer free yoga sessions via Zoom for anyone interested in attending. I had absolutely no clients and no social media presence for Connective Souls. Yet, I knew I had to start somewhere, and people usually support free events. I also knew teaching would give me the experience to find myself within my teaching versus being a student. I started teaching virtual yoga sessions, and Connective Souls has been alive and growing since that life-altering decision.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. I wish I had a different response…Ha! It’s an amazing life lesson, and I know it’s meant for a reason. I’m far more grateful for where I am and where I’m headed. As I mentioned in my prior response, I started teaching virtual sessions without a social media presence in the midst of a pandemic. No one knew me or my capabilities. Marketing has been a constant challenge for me. Word of mouth is a huge help. Posting videos and pictures on social media help, but some Clients trust hearing the personal experience of others far more, and I completely understand. The virtual sessions are a challenge because some Yogis, especially the newbies, want me to look at them and assist with specific verbal cues for them throughout the session. This is great and the concept I use when teaching in person. It’s hard to look and assist when I’m teaching online with multiple Clients. I’m typically going through the poses as I teach to provide a visual for everyone. Although it’s a challenge, it has helped my teaching tremendously. I have learned to explain the poses more in-depth while using terms for all levels of experience. As you can see, I love to find the good in the struggles to avoid defeat.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a certified Yoga Instructor, and I teach weekly Vinyasa and Restorative yoga sessions. My Saturday morning (10:30 am central) Vinyasa sessions are 60 minutes of various yoga poses that complement each other as we transition from one pose to another. My Tuesday evening (7:00 pm central) Restorative sessions are 45 minutes of relaxing poses that we hold for extended periods of time. This session is a great way to unwind and ease into your night. I also teach private and specialized group yoga sessions, including but not limited to birthday parties, male/female gatherings, youth groups, expecting mom sessions, private sessions to begin and/or enhance your yoga journey, corporate health and wellness sessions, sorority/fraternity sessions, and much more! I will host virtual sessions, or I will come to your designated location. I am most proud of my ability to flow from the heart and cater to my clients. I really enjoy understanding their likes, dislikes, fears, joys, etc., about yoga. From there, I flow with a sequence while encouraging each person to make the practice fit their needs at that time. If I call five poses in a sequence, but you need to stay in Child’s Pose for 10 minutes, I expect you to stay in Child’s Pose for 10 minutes. I will continue to flow with the class and welcome you back into our flow with a friendly smile when you’re ready.
It is always my belief that I set myself apart the same as anyone sets themselves apart…by being Nikela and staying true to my own creativity. When we try to be others and copy their style, that’s when we lose our “IT Factor.” I was provided an amazing foundation in my yoga certification, but it’s up to me to determine the poses, the sequence of those poses, the music, my voice, my cadence, and everything else that creates the Connective Souls experience. Being the most authentic Nikela, I can set myself apart with my quest to connect with the Yogis no matter their level of yoga experience and educate them about how yoga can serve their overall health and wellness needs.
What matters most to you?
Being authentic in my teaching is the most important to me. When I show up as my truest self, I teach and flow so much better. I often teach without a specific outline. It’s hard sticking to a script because my perfectionism kicks in, and I have to get it just right. At that point, I am selfish and making the class all about my ego. Reading my class and understanding the needs of the Yogis creates an authentic script. It is all about how we feel when we flow. I constantly remind myself and all Yogis to flow according to how they feel at that particular moment in time. That was the most freeing advice I received in my yoga training, and I Love catering to my body and my feelings during yoga. To share that experience and level of self-grace with other Yogis is the best experience. On another note, I want Black people to understand yoga is for us too. You would be surprised how many Black people stay away from yoga because they don’t see their skin tones, their bodies, their personalities, their hairstyles, etc. represented. Yoga is all-inclusive, and we belong wherever we want to be. We have to have the confidence to enter the space, even if that means we represent who we wished we saw ahead of us. Every time I encourage a Black Sister/Brother, regardless of their age, to try yoga…my heart smiles!
Pricing:
- Single session – $8
- 4 sessions per month – $25
- 8 sessions per month – $45
- Private Sessions – visit www.connectivesouls.com with details to receive a quote
- Group Sessions – visit www.connectivesouls.com with details to receive a quote
Contact Info:
- Website: www.connectivesouls.com
- Instagram: @connectivesouls
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSOXTa-BzthjAas8QGlMKIw
Image Credits
Coriss Watson Photography
