PDX Small Business Network

Being forthcoming about the struggles we go through in our personal lives might be hard at first, but as the journey continues, we can find just how much sharing a story can help others cope with their own demons. Regardless of what you believe, and how you feel, helping people discover that they can be more than whatever has happened to them is a pretty big step in the right direction, and that’s exactly what our guest this week is here to talk about.

Cinda Stevens Lonsway is an author from the Portland area, and she’s seen her fair share of struggles, trials, and tribulations. In this episode, Cinda regales us with what she’s been through, how it affected her personal life, and how she helped herself—and others—by finding what she believes was her true calling. (Before we start, allow me to mention the inclusion of triggering themes that Cinda discusses, including violence, PTSD, and potential rape.)

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

When it all started for Cinda, she was starting her life in retail. However, through her life, she worked up through volunteer work and becoming a mother. As she advanced, however, she realized that she began to realize that she was experiencing rage in a way that she wasn’t familiar with, or that she understood, and it scared her. Through some internal work and deep thinking, it occurred to her that she was reliving an experience that happened when she was 19 years old, which (at the time she didn’t understand) was PTSD.

From there, Cinda tells us her story—at age 19, while she was renting a house in the Portland area with her friend, a stranger broke into the house and attacked her. For 3 hours, she fended him off, preventing him from committing awful acts of violence, and possibly ending her life. After that night, this man spent 2 - 3 months stalking her to the point where—when she had an opportunity to leave—she took it immediately. This man has yet to be caught, Cinda explains, and she never received any traditional closure.

Through this, Cinda tells us what she went through as she aged into motherhood, falling into the feeling of pure panic at not being able to protect herself, and her children, from a possible attack. This fear and anger turned into the rage due to the feeling of being out of control against her personal demons, and she tried to control everyone and everything around her. The rage (which she categorizes as a lot of yelling) and these feelings after 5 years drove her to her lowest point, where she explains that she was ready for these demons to take over.

Cinda explains that it was here where her spiritual journey started—when she was feeling this low, a voice called out to her in the middle of the night, saying “Cinda—learn to love your enemy, and there you will find your peace”. Through this, she claims to have called the spirit of her attacker into her room and expressed a love for him. Not a human type of love, but a divine love. Through this, she felt like her journey towards healing had finally begun.

Moving forward to near present day, Cinda tells us about what happened that inspired her to write her book based on these events and her process: I Know Now: A Woman’s Healing, Violence to Victory, Trauma to Truth. A three-part saga, Cinda tells her story of what happened, how her rage turned her to that low point, and the spiritual journey that she went on in order to heal from her emotional wounds. In her words, Cinda believes that there’s a spiritual awakening happening across the planet, and there’s always a moment where we decide if we’re going to awaken to a new way of living, or if we’re going to resign ourselves to what we’ve got.

Cinda also explains that, while she was growing up, she wasn’t a particularly spiritual child. Being raised Episcopalian, she had an attitude towards things that were deemed “traditional”. However, as she came into her own,

We’ve talked about this topic before, but the importance of what it holds never gets old. In this day and age, we have to make sure that our mental health and our relationships are affecting our lives in a positive way. And, when things seem like they’re on the decline, having a place to go that’s free of judgment and free of criticism to talk things out makes tackling life’s harder conversations a little bit easier.

Couples and Sex Therapy:

That’s where Maegan Megginson comes in. The owner and clinical director of The Center for Couples and Sex Therapy, Maegan is a certified psychologist, as well as a sex therapist, and she uses her degrees and passion for understanding the human mind to help those who’re finding themselves in difficult situations—whether it be in personal relationships, or a journey of their own sexuality. This week, Maegan and I talk about what got her started in this field of study, how her clinic works, and what people can expect when they book a visit. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

What Maegan does at her clinic! Located in Northeast Portland, the clinic is a small group practice that contains 6 therapists. While each therapist has their own unique specialization that makes them perfect candidates for a litany of people, all of them specialize in working with relationships and sexual issues in the psychotherapy setting.

Maegan explains the kind of people the clinic might work with, explaining that they see both individuals and couples, and polyamorous (more than 2 partners) couples as well. Together, they deal with things like not understanding how to create healthy relationships with people, not feeling emotionally connected to people around them, having a lot of conflicts with your primary partner (or yourself), sex therapy concerns (personal sexual desire, you and your partner being on different levels of sexual desire), and severe medical concerns that might affect your sexual desire or sex drive (such as medical treatments that come with being diagnosed with cancer). If it falls under the umbrella of relationships and sexual health, it’s something they work on at the center.

Maegan does expand on the fact that if your primary concern is that you’re struggling with something like depression, they’ll refer you to a therapist or provider that specializes in that area. However, if your primary concern is how your depression is impacting your marriage or relationships, the center will work with you as a couple to make sure your relationship is safe and protected (while also referring you out to someone else who can help with the other pieces you’re struggling with). Collaboration is a big part of their process!

Maegen discusses with us the various treatment options at the center, stating that they focus on business models that are really tuned in on the way people attach to each other. They look at the science behind how human beings connect with other people in their marriages, friendships, and so forth, and dive into each individual makeup as to how people understand emotion, and how people connect with other people, in order for their clients to develop healthier relationships in their lives. By focusing on what’s called “emotionally focused couples therapy”, they can spend time looking into mindfulness theories, neurobiology, and understanding how the chemicals in the brain interact and influence the way we act in our relationships.

On the side of sex therapy, Maegan explains that they have a deep understanding of how the body responds to different contexts, and how sexual problems might be manifesting in the body. By understanding how our society shapes the way we view and understand sexuality, they can bring all of these theories and techniques into the room with clients to understand what each specific client needs in order to get to where they want to be in their relationships,

Wine is a staple of the West Coast. From vineyards along the California coast, all the way to the rolling hills in Oregon, dozens of farmers cultivate their own vineyards and produce ample amounts of wine to share with the public. Being passionate about the work they do only add to the flavor that these wines hold, and our guest this week on the PDX Small Business Podcast knows exactly what we’re talking about.

Cramoisi Vineyard Wines in Portland:

Sofia McKay, owner, and operator of the Cramoisi Vineyard is an excellent example of local winemakers doing what they love for a living! This week, Sofia tells us all about how this business got started, how her family works to maintain the vineyard, and the variety of wines they’re serving to the public. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

How Sofia McKay started this business with her husband, Brian. After meeting in San Francisco, Sofia and Brian discovered their mutual interest in food and wine. With Brian’s passion from his previous job, they both craved more knowledge about wines, and how they’re created. And, since Brian wanted to be a farmer, their dream only expanded into what they have today!

Sofia also tells us how they settled on the land they have. They’d been researching about where the best wines from Oregon originate from, and easily they settled in the Dundee Hills of the Willamette Valley. After moving to the states from Canada in 2011, they found a clean plot of land to start planting on in 2012. Six years later, they’ve found success, and have 6 acres of pinot noir planted, as well as 1 acre of Chardonnay.

Sofia explains to us the process of planting, and farming the land. Usually, it takes about 3 - 4 years before you have your first real harvest! That’s right—you have to wait until you get quality produce. Then, once you’ve produced this harvest, the grapes are sent to the winery. Once the wine is made, it must be kept in the barrel for an additional 12 - 18 months! For the pinot noir they produce, it takes 5 - 6 years. Additionally, once it’s in the bottle, you have to wait another 6 months before opening it. With this process, Sofia wants people to understand the history and the experience that goes into making a single bottle of wine.

Sofia tells us that, 3 years ago, they planted their 1 acre of Chardonnay. With their 5 acres of pinot noir, however, that’s where they mainly focus their efforts. This year, they’ve produced 25 cases of Chardonnay, and—additionally—this year was the first time they’ve released a rosé!

Sofia explains that they started this business purely for the passion they have for wine. You don’t make revenue right away in this industry, anyways—it takes about 10 - 12 years before you start seeing revenue. Sofia explains that what she does, and what their vineyard is about, is based on a foundation of passion and love for what they do. Neither Sofia or Brian come from families that previously owned a vineyard, nor do they have experience in this field. They started this business with their own money from previous (and current) jobs in the software field, and continue to pursue their vineyard based on the passion for what they’re creating. In Sofia’s words, they’re taking it little by little—their wines are mostly available on the vineyard, as well as a few local restaurants, and Red Hills Market. The goal is to make phenomenal wines they can drink, and share.

Lastly, Sofia explains the important process of designing a label for the bottles! It took them 2 - 3 years to pick out the perfect name for their winery—making sure that no one else is using what you’ve created worldwide can take some time—and once they got their name trademarked, finding the perfect person to collaborate with w...

Authentic Mexican food is one of the best finds you can get in a local area, and Portland is no exception! Just thinking about a mouth-watering quesadilla, or enchilada is enough to make us take to Google in a search for what’s good in the area, and where we can get the best food for the best prices.

Santa Fe Taqueria is absolutely one of those places. A family-owned Mexican restaurant, Santa Fe Taqueria has been in the business for over 30 years! Maya Cardoso—the current owner and operator of Santa Fe Taqueria—is proud of the work her uncle started in 1990, and together, we talk all about what Santa Fe Taqueria has to offer, the kind of foods they’re selling, and the overall atmosphere of their restaurant. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

All about where Santa Fe Taqueria started. In 1990, Maya’s uncle started the business, and she explains that it was one of the first taqueria’s to open up in the area! Collectively, they own 3 locations in Portland, and all of them run with the same style of menu, service, and atmosphere. Together, she’s kept all 3 locations in business for over 30 years!

Maya explains to us what a taqueria is, telling us that it’s more about the style in which you get your food. Similar to an assembly line, the food is made to order right in front of you as you’re waiting, and everything is plated in front of them to their exact specifications. The ways in which people can customize their food are truly limitless, and the quick order based system means very short waits!

Maya also goes over their menu with us, explaining that there’s plenty of authentic Mexican meat choices that are plated in a Tex Mex sort of style. With over 8 different kinds of meat offered—from a house special chicken in chocolate-based sauce to a more classic ground beef or carnitas—you can rest assured that there’s something for everyone. On top of that, Maya also assures that there’s plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, like rice and beans with some fresh salsa!

Maya proudly tells us that everything is made in-house. Cooks arrive as early as 7 AM to prep for the day—all the salsas for simmering are made fresh, all of the cold salsas are made fresh (like pico de gallo), and all meats are prepared fresh multiple times a day.  The staff is prepping and preparing all day long to ensure that the food you’re being served is as fresh as possible.

Maya then talks to us about the atmosphere of the restaurant, stating that they’ve been in the same location for 27 years! While the neighborhood has gone through all sorts of changes around them, Maya was more focused on observing the kind of people that visited their restaurant. And, through that, she found that they have a very diverse and unique audience that comes to visit them during the week! With events scattered throughout—a kid’s musician on Wednesday’s, salsa dancing on Thursday’s, and happy hour every day—they’ve garnered people from all walks of life, and they’re very happy with it.

Maya also tells us about La Cantina next door to the restaurant! It’s traditional, she says, where you have a dining space on one side, and a Cantina on the other. It’s open every day, and is stocked with a full bar, a complete drink list, and several specialty house margaritas, including one named after the restaurant itself! With plenty of TVs for watching sports, as well as an open patio, the Cantina is a fun place for people to drink and be social with each other.

Lastly, Maya talks to us about how they accommodate for parties, explaining that they love hosting events for anyone who’s interested! Any tables can be moved around to sit a large party comfortably, and people are even encouraged to bring their own music playlist, or even a DJ, for hosting events!

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Santa Fe Taqueria

America Works Here

It’s about that time of year… The weather’s getting warmer, the sun is… well, it’s shining just about as much as it does usually, but summertime means Oaks Park is open for business! That’s right—today on the podcast, I am talking to Emily Mackay from the Oaks Park team about this incredible Portland staple!

For those of you who don’t know, Oaks Park is this incredible amusement park and attraction here in Portland. It’s been open since 1905 and boasts that they have been open every single season since they’ve opened. Emily calls herself the “party person” at Oaks Park, meaning she takes care of parties, events, and advertising of all kinds. No better person to talk to about Oaks Park!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

The history of Oaks Park. Like I said, it was opened in 1905, but Emily goes on to explain that it was created by the Oregon Power Water Commission to get rich residents of the swanky nearby Oregon City to come into Portland.

How Oaks Park is run. It was bought by a family called the Ballingers, who owned it until 1985. However, they wanted to make sure Portland would have the park forever, so they turned it into a nonprofit historic site run by a board of directors.

A variety of the attractions and offerings Oaks Park has. It has one of the largest and best-skating rinks in the country, a variety of amusement park rides, an enormous and busy picnic area, and so much more. Emily and I can barely cover it all!

Their newest ride, an extreme roller coaster that will be of interest to you thrill seekers out there. As of recording this, the coaster had not been built, but I’m happy to say that Adrenaline Peak is HERE! Emily shares a bit about how it was constructed and brought to Portland in this episode.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Oaks Park

Zoom Info

Amusement Parks News

Portland Family

Instagram

Google Plus

Twitter

There’s so much Emily and I touch on that I just can’t fit into the show notes, so make sure you listen to the full episode to find out more about this famous Portland attraction!

With Portland being a notorious tourist attraction, it can be hard to find just the right thing on your checklist. Breweries and coffee shops are a must, of course, but what about light-hearted fun at night? While some people might suggest a night on the town at a club, or a high-end restaurant, we’ve got something a little more nostalgic in mind—ping pong!

Pips and Bounce in Portland:

That’s right, Portland has its very own ping pong bar! Pips and Bounce, owned and operated by Jung brothers Michael and Eugene, encourage you to come down for the night and play to your heart's content. Together, Michael and I talk about where Pips and Bounce started from, as well as all the amazing things they offer. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

All about what Pips and Bounce is! Michael Jung describes it as a place to relive your childhood nostalgia. With several large ping pong tables, an in-house bar, and kitchen ready to whips up party snacks, it’s the perfect destination for a fun night on the town for anyone. For now, this is the only location they have, but they’re definitely looking to expand!

Michael talks with me about what they’re sort of advertising with this theme, the first being the concept of “time travel”. Now, of course, we know this doesn’t mean he’s trying to talk science with us, but instead, he’s trying to bring everyone back in time, when playing ping pong in your basement was an average Friday night! He also enjoys giving people the opportunity to unplug from technology, and social media, and offer people a place to hang out and interact face to face with one another. The authenticity of these interactions is what makes Pips and Bounce so special.

Located in the Central Eastside of Portland, Pips and Bounce accepts walks in from anyone! Michael says there’s always one table ready for people who wander in and want to know more. Reservations are available—and recommended—for people who have larger parties, and want to ensure they get the space they need to enjoy their night out. They’re also open for booking large events, for up to 200 people!

Michael gives us a rundown of what Pips and Bounce looks like, stating that most people don’t expect what they see when they walk in. In his words, it’s like they took ping pong out of your basement, and put it onto the main street. With a large open space, double story windows, modern and bright airy lighting, Pips, and Bounce mixes the old, with the new. Fake oak wood paneling lines the bar, an old-fashioned garage door is punched into the wall near the event room, and fun 80’s memorabilia lines the walls to give it a retro, nostalgic vibe!

Michael also explains that, because ping pong tends to make people work up a sweat, they also offer in-house bar service, as well as food from the kitchen! Their menu, he states, is mostly around snack food that won’t interfere with the play of the game (like pizza, or nachos.) On top of that, there’s also a resident in-house “pro”, who’s available for lessons, for anyone who wants to get a competitive edge up on the game!

Inside, Michael explains that they’ve got enough space for a number of party sizes—they can easily accommodate parties as small as two people, or they can book the whole club for 200 people. There are also sections for smaller groups as well, divided by how many tables are in each. On top of that, if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Friday, or Saturday night? Pips and Bounce has Cosmic Pong, ready to go! It’s the same game, of course, but under the black lights, and with fun, dance music to accommodate the fun atmosphere!

Michael talks about how this idea came to life, stating that he and his brother took what little they knew about ping pong as a business and tried to make it work based on their own enjoyment and memories of the game from their childhood.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m savvy when it comes to web design. Though I’m an online marketer now, I got my start in web design and still offer web design services to this day! That’s why when I say Vortices Design is the real deal, you know I mean it!

David Maria, the owner of this awesome business, joins me on the PDX Small Business Network Podcast this week to talk all about Vortices Design and what he can do for you and your business!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

His role in the company and what the company culture is like. David is primarily a programmer, and another employee, Brian, is the design savant. The company is small, so they work remote but do everything they can to personalize the entire experience for their clients.

How they design their sites. Though they are completely capable of working in WordPress, they’ll only do it if that’s what the client wants. They’ve done a lot of E-commerce, and they are able to do something completely custom for your site or take a WordPress theme you like and implement it on your behalf

His perfect client. They’re someone who isn’t concerned about cost, knows what they want (or is willing to invest in the discovery process, and is willing to let David’s firm run with their creativity for the project (with client input, of course!).

All areas of their graphic design. David sings the praises of Brian, the graphic design expert of the company, and how he is extremely skilled in terms of computer skills and also naturally intuitive when it comes to design. Vortices Design can design anything you need, from displays for conventions to logo design to business cards and other fliers.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Vortices Design

Gorge Technology Alliance

Go Yachats

LinkedIn

Facebook

Though Vortices Design operates remotely, they also have offices in Oregon and Idaho and are committed to making their clients happy, no matter what it takes. As David says, “If you’re not happy, we’re not happy.” This is an awesome firm that will work with you every step of the way to make sure you love your website 100%!

Vortices Design in Pictures:

Being at home with ourselves and our bodies is incredibly important for mental health and progress in our everyday lives. However, we don’t always think about what’s best for us when the stress of the day seeps into our bloodstream. Then, what we’re left with is a feeling of unfulfillment and disappointment. How do we turn things around, and make ourselves feel as good as we deserve to?

Certified Sex Coach:

Kristine D’Angelo has the answers. Kristine is a sex coach—meaning, she works with people who are willing to take the first step in exploring or empowering their sexual energy. Today, she’s here to talk to us about her business, what she does, and the kind of people she can help. She also gives us sage advice on how to feel better, and what we—especially women—can do to feel empowered with ourselves. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Who Kristine is, and all about her business. Her specialties lie in coaching women and couples through their own exploration of their sexuality, body image concerns, and the like. Specifically, her passion lies in coaching women—because women are never taught about their bodies, about how to identify a healthy relationship and what it means to be in a bad one, how to get out of a bad one, or sexual pleasure, it’s rewarding to be able to create a space for those conversations to happen.

Kristine explains how she works with couples, stating that it’s common for a couple to lose their sexual spark after being together for a certain amount of time. Sometimes, there’s an imbalance in the levels of arousal both parties are feeling, and Kristine works to bridge that gap and have them meet on common ground in the middle. She enjoys giving them a chance to learn how to communicate their needs in a healthy and positive way.

Kristine explains to us the difference between what she does—sex coaching—and sex therapy, stating that she’ll often refer people to a therapist if they come in with issues that stretch into the emotional and personal depths of their lives, and their relationship. What she aims to do is pick up on couples who have a strong, loving foundation and help them find a way to communicate their sexual needs.

Kristine explains her process when engaging with an individual client, stating that she looks at them from all angles—mental, body, emotional, energy, and spirit. She looks for blockages in any of those areas that may be impeding their process into developing the sexual lifestyle they’re looking for and works to fix them with her client at their own pace.

In terms of her sessions, Kristine explains to us that they’re meant to be short term, and are results driven. This means she tends to roll up her sleeves and get to work as soon as possible by identifying what the concerns are, building up to goals each week, and starting them off slowly in an attempt to normalize the conversation around sex and their bodies, so the overall idea becomes more comfortable for them.

Kristine explains to us that, more often than not, she’ll see women who experience low or no sexual desire, which is something that’s common overall. She then goes onto explain the difference between men and women and their overall arousal, stating that it takes men a lot less time to settle into that place of comfort than it does for women. These are the conversations she has with male clients, too—explaining to them the pressures that women are under helps them understand their state of mind and Kristine enjoys educating these men on such topics.

From there, Kristine talks to us about her sessions, stating that she prefers one on one sessions held in her office. Sessions for couples are structured a bit differently than those for individuals, however—they’ll start together for the first sessions, then break off for individual sessions so Kristine can get a sense of what their sexual experiences are like on ...

Nothing feels quite as satisfying as growing and cultivating the land you own. Being able to produce whatever suits your needs—whether it be food, or flowers—gives a sense of purpose, and success upon completion. Becky and Andrew Grossman of Davy Crockett Tree Farms know these feelings all too well! Together, they work at their farmstead in southern Portland, known mainly for their Christmas tree population.

However, they’ve added a recent development into the mix—they also grow and produce wasabi! This week, they’re here to tell us how they got started in the wasabi business, what wasabi can actually do to improve your health, and where they plan to take their wasabi sales in the future. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

All about who Andrew and Becky Grossman are. A mother and son duo, they work together at their farm, cultivating a small, family-owned business that’s been on the scene for over 80 years! Talk about success!

Andrew goes on to tell us about the origins of wasabi, explaining that it comes from the mountains of Japan, where it’s originally grown. Andrew also explains the different parts of the plant, explaining that the leaves themselves can eat, as well as the roots. The bottom of the plant, called the ryesome, is what most people tend to eat, as it’s generally grounded into a paste and ready for serving.

Becky explains to us how they got started on the wasabi train, saying that her career was based as an environmental manager for private companies. She was tasked to do research for crops that would grow in California, and found that wasabi fit the bill—and the climate—perfectly! For extra protection, however, she does store them in a greenhouse, to provide safety from wind and excessive heat.

They explain the layout of their land, stating that they have four greenhouses right now, taking up about 5,000 square feet each. They also got lucky in the sense that, 14 months after they planted their wasabi, it was ready for marketing and selling. It usually takes 18 - 24 months for something like that to happen!

Out of the four farms that grow wasabi on the West Coast, their farm is the largest wasabi growers in the country! They sell their products through a company called Pacific Coast Wasabi, which allows them to sell their wasabi to people within the United States. However, they soon hope to start distributing out of their own website!

Though each part of the plant has its own importance, Becky and Andrew talk to us about the recent discovery that lies within the leaves. The leaves of the wasabi plant promote hair growth, and can also be used in various skin products to retain elasticity and promote collagen. Right now, there’s a lot of people looking into this opportunity, and Becky and Andrew are no exception! They hope to venture into that sort of realm in the future, while the research is still being finalized.

Andrew talks to us about their exciting partnership with New Seasons, stating that, by November 1st of this year, they want to have their products available in all 20 New Seasons stores! Their plans include selling the ryesome itself, as well as manufacturing a grinder, so people can grind the stem from their own house!

Becky leaves us with the confidence that they’re still going to maintain their Christmas tree business, as well as push the wasabi business forward. Becky states that they may expand into other areas and are thinking about other crops they want to grow in the area that match the same climate as wasabi, but for now, this is where they’re staying.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pacific Coast Wasabi

Davy Crockett Tree Farms

LinkedIn

Did Andrew and Becky not have time to answer a burning question you’ve got on your mind? No problem! Six hours south of Portland,

Taking care of your body shouldn’t be an afterthought, and though physical stability is just as important as anything else, your mental well being—as well as your emotional state—deserve the very same treatment. With so many ways to go about achieving what you think is your best mental peace, though, how do you find the right fit for you?

Yoga Therapist in Portland:

Give Kimi Marin a try. Kimi has a variety of yoga programs and workshops through her company and her studios, including group classes, as well as one on one settings for people who need a little more attention to detail. This week, I talk with Kimi about what it is she does, and how she puts her own unique spin on her yoga classes. Let’s get started!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Who Kimi Marin is, and the kind of classes she offers. With 8 years of experience with teaching yoga, Kimi explains that she offers the chance for people to relax through a variety of different avenues—including group settings, workshops, and one on one meetings. Her overall goal, however, remains the same across the board, as she hopes to generate a place where people can connect, and gain better self-awareness within a group of peers.

Kimi explains how her group classes work, stating that they’re more about having people in a group setting connect with their breath in order to understand what’s going on with their lives. She encourages them to take a momentary break from being cluttered with the outside world, explaining that people are too busy nowadays, and what we’re really looking for is within us.

Kimi also explains her one on one classes, and how they differ from group settings. She uses the tools of yoga (breathwork, mindfulness, physical postures) to aid people into a more helpful balance in the body through a one on one connection, whether that be by meeting people in their homes, or scheduling private studio time.

Kimi discusses the way her schedules work, stating that group classes tend to draw the same crowd of people. They’re set classes that happen in various locations around Portland, and though people come in, it tends to be full of regulars, giving the classes a community and atmosphere where everyone gets to know each other and create a certain comfort level.

Kimi tells us the benefits of group classes over her one on one classes, and vice versa, stating that one on one classes tend to give someone more attention if they’re having specific problems, wherein a group setting, it wouldn’t exactly be brought up. One on one settings also gives people a chance to learn what is going on on an emotional level and not just the physical level.

Kimi talks about what one can do to really feel the benefits of yoga every day, explaining that the physical exercise and poses aren’t always necessary. In fact, doing something as easy as taking deep breaths from your diaphragm will help lower your stress levels and give your body a more relaxed state overall.

Kimi talks with us about how eating and a healthy diet can affect your overall well being in conjunction with yoga, stating that deep breath and connect with your mind (and your nervous system) can help aid in digestion problems, giving people a better quality of life overall.

Lastly, Kimi talks with us about her retreats, stating that she likes to plan them around various goddesses and elements from mythology. With a masters degree in literature, Kimi uses her passion to really inspire people by connecting what these goddesses and elements did into what’s happening in our lives, giving people a chance to explore something new in the process of doing their exercises.

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Kimi Marin

Thrive Yoga OC

Imagine Yoga Studio

Clean Eating

The Peoples Yoga

Workshops and Events

Facebook

Twitter