Meet Cheryl Johnson of OmBalance in Oak Cliff

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Johnson.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Cheryl. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
A FRIEND INTRODUCED ME TO YOGA: I’ve been practicing yoga for years. A good friend introduced me to the practice while I was in art school in south Texas. I moved back to Dallas and continued to practice. This same friend moved to Dallas, started a family AND that is when the prenatal yoga practice began. We practiced together. She had babies and I was in the delivery room alongside of her husband and hired doulas.

ONE OF MY STUDENTS ASKED ME TO BE HER DOULA: I started teaching prenatal yoga; one of my yoga students asked me to be her doula; that client paid for my doula training. While working projects (art department in TV / Film), I taught yoga & attended a few births. During this time, I also began to build a prenatal yoga teacher training.

DOULA CLIENT SUGGESTED HYPNOBIRTHING: A doula client asked me to read HypnoBirthing, the Mongan Method book for her delivery. It was an amazing book and an amazing birth! I immediately searched for a training program and became certified. I still teach HypnoBirthing as childbirth education today. This hypnosis for birth is very ‘yoga’ for me and I teach it very much that way. I also offer a variety of other educational classes. And then one awesome training leads to another…

AYURVEDA: I went to India to study traditional Ayurvedic care for women – fertility/birth / postpartum/newborn to 6 months. I have been weaving pieces of my studies into my practice since then. From the application of warm oil for mama & bebe to the ceremonial postpartum care of mama.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m not sure if I would say it’s been a smooth road. Being self-employed has its highs and lows. While I was still working film jobs, the birth life was very part-time. Yoga was a daily practice and I found time to teach a couple of classes a week.

I guess I would say the struggles manifest as loads of work – juggling clients, hoping to meet everyone’s expectations. And then the times when work is slow – the lows. Always taking advantage of loving my time off when I get it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about OmBalance – what should we know?
OmBalance is a collection of services that help the student/client to find a balance using a variety of techniques: yoga, mindfulness, hypnosis, movement, water fitness and Ayurveda. Though I’ve worked with all generations, my specialty is with those growing families.

Proud moment/s: I’m proud that I have trained some of the most amazing women to teach prenatal yoga. To share this awesome practice of yoga and to help continue creating community. And to keep sharing the idea that ‘it takes a village’ is still relevant today.

What sets me apart? In a metroplex of many… yoga teachers, doulas, studios, agencies, I still practice in an old school way. I’m a solo practitioner. I have wonderful relationships with others in my community that I call on to help when needed. I mentor new yoga teachers & doulas.

I’ve had the pleasure and honor to meet so many wonderful women. It is so much fun for me to meet new students in a classroom. And then to see the repeat mamas come back for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th & more times to practice yoga & prepare for birth.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Steady. Steadfast. Calm, Cool. Confident.

Contact Info:

• Address: 2803 Burlington Blvd Dallas TX 75211
• Website: www.ombalance.com
• Phone: 214-402-8065
• Email: cheryl@ombalance.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OmBalance/

Image Credit:
Rae Portraits, Mark Rutledge, Brad Eakin

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.