We recently had the chance to connect with Kiara Smothers and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Kiara, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
To go into my business full-time!
It’s a pull that will not let up and I know in due time, it will happen!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kiara Smothers. I was born and raised in Longview, TX residing in Tyler. I am happily married with two beautiful children and a pet mom to one dog and cat!
My career path started out and is still shining in the education world, going on 15 years! I have always had a passion for working with kids! I have worked in childcare, nonprofits, a middle school math teacher and currently as a Success Coach for a virtual school!
I became a yoga student in 2018, which was actually my husband’s idea! At the time, we just moved from Longview to Tyler and I didn’t have a job yet after completing my masters.
Once I became a student, I grew into a love of doing yoga!
It wasn’t just working out for me. It was healing and helped me control the anxious thoughts that flooded my mind and most of all, it helped me release trauma from abandonment. Now, at the time, Trauma-Informed yoga wasn’t really popular or known but I was already doing just that; Trauma-Informed Yoga.
My goal was to start the certification program in 2020 but COVID happened and my rainbow baby decided to make an appearance! In 2022, I decided to go for it!
I started out getting my meditation certification first, then I started my 200 Yoga Teacher Training October 2022 and completed it in January 2023. June 2023, I was hired at the first Trauma-Informed Yoga Studio in East Texas, Freedom Yoga, Inc. by Toni Dussex. She encouraged me to open and create my own practice! And I did!
It took me from July 2023 to January 2024 to plan and implement how I could run my practice; I chose to be mobile, I chose to create it as a healing space for others and would later remix and introduce Mapuka into my practice! Finally, for Black History Month of 2024, I launched and introduced TRAP Yoga, the first Black owned, Trauma-Informed, Yoga business in East Texas!
TRAP is a period-less acronym for Trauma, Release and Peace. It is a business created to be a safe space for all, with an emphasis in the Black community!
Since creating TRAP, I have partnered with The Evie Effect, Sonya’s Dollhouse, EmpowerNet at the Black Wellness Expo, NetHealth, D&B Integrated Wellness, Color Wheel Therapy, PLLC, Body Wisdom Yoga Studio, The Gathering Cup and L. Wilcott Networking Events!
I have had plenty of interviews and have been on the news twice!
My biggest goal is to be one of Rihanna’s Savage Sportswear models! I don’t think she has a yoga instructor posing in her line!
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I thought I was going to be the next Beyonce!!!! I have always loved to sing and still do but not like Beyonce!
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I learned it is okay to heal outloud! I didn’t care who it hurt or who it bothered! It’s my story and others need to hear it and learn how to heal too!
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to helping people heal and honor their true self outside of the pain they didn’t cause!
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My kindness! No matter how cruel this world has been to me and others, I still choose to be kind!
Image Credits
Carlie Hazard Photography
