Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebony “The Ghetto Guru” Smith.
Ebony “The Ghetto Guru”, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Namaste Beautiful People!
I am “The Ghetto Guru” certified Trauma Informed Yoga Instructor and Wellness Coach.
Born and raised in the inner cities of Dallas, Texas! I grew up with a secret eating away at my soul. And we all know…secrets are the perfect recipe for a very turbulent childhood.
I was molested by a woman in the neighborhood at a young age, I grew up in silences. Unable to express how I felt, lacking self-regulation skills. In turn, is the “the bad”.
I became very disenchanted with school. My cry for help showed up in the form of misbehaving and being disruptive, it created the attention I longed for.
I spent most of my time suspended or in my regular seat in what they call ISS (In House Suspension), “kid jail”.
I became very rebellious, lacking the skills to make choices that would serve my life in positive manner. These poor decision making skills tainted my life well into adulthood. I became an alcoholic, downing my sorrows in vodka.
At the age of 29, after being married to a man I didn’t even know, looking for love in all the wrong places. I found out I was pregnant with my 1st child Zoe. Wanting to have a natural child birth, my Douala advised me to start practicing Yoga.
My soul was awakened the 1st time I stepped on the mat; my heart began the healing process. For the 1st time I was discovering who I was and who I could be. I grow in this knowing every day.
My life changing experience with the practice of Yoga compelled me to create Yoga N Da Hood 501(c) 3 nonprofit, wellness outreach organization that teaches people in under-served communities the art of self-healing, self-talk and self-love through the practice of Yoga and Mindfulness. We offer free Yoga and Meditation classes in a hood near you. Our mission is to equip individuals with the tools to empower their own life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Yoga doesn’t look like me in any shape, way, or form. This made yoga very uncomfortable. In media and most studios, yoga is betrayed as something only for the rich and the white. I would go into studios and hear things like mama this is a yoga studio….No shit, I came to buy donuts. There are little to no yoga studios in the southern sector of Dallas and if they are they cost and arm and a leg. But yet and still I practice on.
Yoga N Da Hood – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Yoga N Da Hood is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to making Wellness accessible to everyone. By using yoga as tool to develop compassionate, healthy, and mindful; individuals, families, organizations, and communities. We host free yoga classes weekly, we host Mindful Movement After School Programs in underserved communities, we make wellness accessible to those who need it the most. I am most proud of the work we do in schools developing children socially and emotionally as well offering them self-regulation skills to get throw life’s ups and downs
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
When I change the way the education system develops our children socially, emotionally, physically, and mentally.
Pricing:
- Free Yoga Weekly
- Corporate Yoga Staring at $100.00
- Mindfulness Workshops Staring at $ 150.00
- Themed Yoga Classes Starting at $10.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 3228 E Perryton Dr
- Website: www.yogandahood.org
- Phone: 214-951-6002
- Email: yogandahood@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogandahood/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yogandahood/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/YogaNDaHood
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.
