Today we’d like to introduce you to Miranda Jo Davis.
Miranda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
After 20+ years in the industry as a master trainer in yoga traveling globally to teach and certifying individuals, I decided to narrow my niche clientele by becoming a Christian studio. My journey in Christianity and discovering yoga collided at the same time in 1999. I have found over the years, some of the traditional yoga beliefs seemed contradictory to my Biblical views, so I decided to create an environment where Christians could come and practice the craft and stay true to their Christian roots.
It truly has been a win-win for me and for the students who practice with me. As a result, I have written a best selling book, “Christian Girl in the Yoga World,” and been featured as an expert on the topic in numerous media outlets including TV, Radio, podcasts, and print.
In January 2021, I plan to take this platform globally by introducing my online Christian yoga teacher training, PerfectFit, which will certify traditionally trained yoga instructors in my Christian style. This is a new approach and concept in the industry because as of now, any traditionally trained yoga instructor who wants to get certified has to completely retrain with a Christian school, making it costly both financially and timewise. With PerfectFit CYTT, you can maintain the roots of your traditional training in yoga (which pertains to the poses and the physical practice), and I will certify you in how to add the spiritual component, which is rooted in Christiainity.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This has not been a smooth road at times because I was doing something new and unheard of. There are no Christian yoga studios in the Dallas/Fort Worth (that I am aware of) and there were not back in 2009 when I began PerfectFit. So the obstacles I have faced have been rooted in doubt, fear, or uncertainty. I would often think, “Will my students like this style of yoga?” Thankfully, my faith was greater and I stepped out in courage and confidence to believe in this calling on my life.
I have also been called out in the traditional yoga community as not “real” yoga because I have strayed from the traditional teachings. Ideally, I would hope for inclusivity as the practice rooted in Buddhism and Hinduism is not a fit for all practitioners. We can honor the physical and mental benefits of the origin of yoga but we should be able to adapt, change, and grow, especially when the yoga community embraces a “no judgment’ mentality.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
It’s my hope in my business that I can love, honor, and celebrate all individuals, just as Jesus does. My business has a core value of excellence so I truly strive to do that whether I am teaching a class, coaching a client, or writing. My business is very much a representation of who I am drawing from my personality. I like being engaging, having fun, working hard and I love people. My business is really a community I have built so people can focus on mind, body, spirit health.
What sets you apart?
I feel my style of teaching, coaching, writing is unique to me and that is what keeps my clients coming back. There is nothing cookie cutter or run of the mill about the way I utilize my creativity. I have a background in dance and choreography so I feel my classes are a carefully crafted experience for all to enjoy! I celebrate being set apart and unique, not mainstream. I think that is one wonderful area about my business is that I attract like-minded people. People who think outside the box or hope to!
What are you most proud of?
I love seeing people succeed and feel good about themselves, so encouragement is one of my gifts. I am really proud of that. Everyone feels welcome and made to feel special. There have been so many beautiful moments in the day to day of my line of work that makes what I do such a joy. You never know when someone will have a profound moment on the mat. Perhaps a breakthrough of some sort physically, mentally, emotionally. I feel it is a privilege to be a witness to such personal moments on the mat with my students.
What were you like growing up?
From a very young age, I had always said I would be a teacher. I had no idea at the time just what type, but it has been a part of my personality to be a leader from as long as I remember. Some might say I was bossy growing up (like my brother) but I would say I was direct. I was definitely a visionary, even at an early age.
I loved using my imagination. From the age of five, I was in dance classes, which was a great move on my parent’s part. Dancing gave me the freedom to be an entirely different personality on stage, larger than life, carefree. It also gave me confidence when being in front of others.
Dancing paid off because my first career (prior to yoga) was a choreographer. As a child, I was making up dance routines and performing them in the neighborhood regularly. Dancing definitely brought out my perfectionistic tendencies because I wanted to excel. Honestly, I was a good dancer, not the best and that would drive me nuts, even as a kid.
Yoga is a much better fit for me because it showed me love and acceptance of who I am. My awareness of my thoughts and actions became so much clearer. I realized to celebrate my progress in my practice and to not expect perfection. Yoga taught me how to relax, something very foreign to me in the world of dance.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mirandajodavis.com
- Phone: 8173605301
- Email: miranda@mirandajodavis.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mirandajodavis
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christiangirlintheyogaworld; https://www.facebook.com/groups/647622382797962
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Miranda-Jo-Davis/e/B087NGPMNN
Image Credit:
Brian Hutson Photography
Roland Moriarty
Marnie Lubratt
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