We recently gave our website a face lift. Hopefully you noticed and, more importantly, you liked it! The changes were a reflection of our growing and ever-changing business.
Although our vision of bringing Hiking Yoga to more people around the world remains unchanged, our lives have evolved in many surprising and unexpected ways. In the past three years, Eric and I got married, we moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Kansas City, MO (where we now call home), and of course, the highlight of it all, we welcomed two amazing additions to the family–each of whom came with their own set of surprises, challenges and blessings just 20 months apart!
We are grateful to be living an incredibly intensive, demanding and beautiful stage of life! Although we often feel like we are juggling a lot of balls in the air and that we are constantly falling behind the ball, we are grateful for life’s many blessings. As lifestyle entrepreneurs, we adapt our business model to our reality and move forward looking to do the best we can.
We are extremely fortunate and grateful to have come across (or maybe the word is attracted), amazingly talented and generous people that have become a part of our greater Hiking Yoga family.
Through the Faces of Hiking Yoga blog series, we wanted to introduce you to our greater Hiking Yoga Family and, more importantly, we wanted to say thank you! We chose to introduce Natalie first because she has brought amazing energy and passion to our family and community. She has a most generous heart, a giving smile and an easy laugh. She has taken over the Dallas location and our Social Media. I think you will love her. Meet Natalie Cummings!
Share with us when Hiking Yoga made its way into your heart?
When I had a vision for my Cardio Yoga Fusion offering, I was looking to teach yoga in an inclusive and non-intimidating way. I also wanted to showcase how yoga could be fun! So as I ventured out on my first yoga hike, I was amazed that this offering was approachable and I was fascinated how everyone came together to be social and have great time! I absolutely loved the cohesiveness of what I was looking to bring to my community and what Hiking Yoga had established nationwide! The timing was just right as there was a need for a Hiking Yoga teacher. From the start, leading yoga hikes felt like coming home and I am ecstatic to have become a part of the Hiking Yoga family.
How has becoming a part of the Hiking Yoga teaching family impacted your yoga career?
Hiking Yoga has launched my yoga career! I have gained profound knowledge as an entrepreneur from becoming a part of the Hiking Yoga Training Network. I had the vision, and the drive, I just needed structure and guidance. I, like many yoga teachers, wanted to turn my offering into a lucrative career, but was lost on exactly “HOW” to do this! Once in the HYT small group training, the answers became clear. I was able to ignite my unique Cardio Yoga Fusion offering and now can proudly call Hiking Yoga in the Dallas area my own.
This impact has affected my confidence as an entrepreneur, as I am a part of the established Hiking Yoga brand that is loved and respected in the greater yoga community. I have aligned this brand identity with my ‘up and coming’ Cardio Yoga Fusion offering!
The business end of the Hiking Yoga Training inspired my online outreach to yoga entrepreneurs struggling with Social Media. I was able to create a unique, hands-on training for yogis through my Yoga Business Empowerment Workshops. I also teach ‘Sincere Networking’ which aligns yoga principles with business aspirations making a deeper impact in our communities in an organic way.
It has been an honor and joy to become the Social Media Marketing Specialist for Hiking Yoga. I now bring my social media marketing talents to enhance Hiking Yoga Training and am a Co-presenter with Eric Kipp at the Yoga Journal Events in San Francisco. These accomplishments have already made many of my dreams a reality, and I am just beginning.
So launched indeed, that is the impact Hiking Yoga has had on my career!
What can we expect to experience when participating in one of your classes?
Personality! Energy and spunk. I feel that we can experience all that wellness has to offer together, so expect an adventure. The kind of an adventure that brings you to a place of excitement, empowerment and finally into the calm that is so hard for many of us find. My teachings are fun yet grounding. We will utilize our time together to improve perspective and cultivate joy.
I created Cardio Yoga Fusion for those of us with not enough time in the day. This revolutionary fusion of balance, strength, flexibility and heart health is the all one yoga practice that we all have been waiting for! I take my non-intimidating style of yoga and incorporate unique yoga inspired cardio intervals that boost the metabolism! This experience leaves students in a cleansed and totally relaxed state of mind/body bliss! I also feature Hiking Yoga, again a fusion of cardio and yoga, practiced in nature…enough said!
Where do you share your offering?
The entire Dallas area! I lead Hiking Yoga on the Dallas Katy Trail. I am partnered with Athleta in Dallas offering no-cost Cardio Yoga Fusion classes. I am also partnered with Yoga Rocks the Park for a Hiking Yoga Kids Camp, teaching yoga to little ones to inspire a life-time of wellness. I am excited to bring Hiking Yoga to friends with like minded aspirations through the DFW Free Day of Yoga.
I volunteer my yoga teaching and business services to many non-profit organizations in my community and beyond. I am proud to be involved with the Elisa Project, Winning The Fight (WTF), Yoga Bridge and Embody Love Movement.
I found my start at the Coppell Family YMCA, soon expanding to Cross Timbers YMCA, I love being a part of the YMCA’s because of the diversity of students. I am always offering modifications so every student feels comfortable and included. I also teach yoga for active recovery at CrossFit Coppell Central.
I love my yoga studio home, Blue Anjou Yoga and Meditation Center, I offer a variety of workshops here. I teach a fun Vinyasa Flow on Sunday mornings and I guide a meditation by donation for all to enjoy in my community.
It is a privilege to teach entrepreneurs with my Hiking Yoga Family as a featured presenter for the social media marketing in the Hiking Yoga Training, and to present my Yoga Business Connection Workshops in my community.
Goals are the essence of success. Share with us some personal and professional goals for 2014 (and beyond)
I have always been a trailblazer, I love teaching others how to find their way through life without having to follow a specific path. My vision is to bring Cardio Yoga Fusion featuring Hiking Yoga to the world, so everyone can experience yoga in an attainable and fun way. My goal is to empower others to find personal and professional success through giving of themselves in a sincere way and making a positive impact in their communities.
It is a dream of mine to foster a celebration showcasing the healing aspects of yoga and the people who are teaching the benefits of yoga to special populations. There is so much more to yoga that our nation cannot see because we are usually represented through the physical practice that many are rightfully intimidated by!
Share your vision for your yoga career.
My vision is to offer yoga without limitations! For many years there were financial or physical or emotional barriers that stood between myself and my practice. I am bringing yoga to my community in a unique way, breaking down these barriers so anyone who is drawn to yoga can enjoy the benefits. From Dallas and beyond, Cardio Yoga Fusion featuring Hiking Yoga will be a practice that everyone can come to, to find complete acceptance, peace in nature and a whole lot of fun!
Do you have any particular service organizations or non-profit affiliations you care to share with us?
I have found a more fulfilled life since I started giving back, in small ways and most recently in a big way! I shaved my head in support of Kids Cancer through One Mission.
I have worked with The Down Syndrome Guild
I have taught recovery yoga for – The Elisa Project & NEDA and for Winning The Fight (WTF!)
I have volunteered my business talents for Yoga Bridge for Cancer Recovery & Pose 4 A Purpose.
My heart belongs to empowering women to let go of fictional standards of health and beauty and I am living this by representing yoga in a realistic light. Flexibility and being thin are not prerequisites to practicing yoga. Yoga is for all, I teach this every hour of every day and I am in love with empowering others to find confidence in themselves and their yoga practice.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
My support system, my husband and children, they are the reason I have found my strength and make for a fantastically fun family life, they keep me smiling every day!
My fellow yoga teachers who are breaking down barriers and teaching from a place of ease and acceptance.
My students, as they find that place where they completely let go of the pressure of day to day life. It is the most fulfilling experience to help others find peace within their hearts.
My Hiking Yoga family, I have gained much confidence and knowledge from each and every one of them. Learning from their example how to have a great time along with being goal driven.
What quote(s) inspire you?
Share something fun or silly about yourself that your community might not be aware of?
I am a huge Project Runway fan! I love watching the creative process unfold and think that the talent of clothing designers is an art form that is an exciting and a unique gift.
Our readers may want to find out more or stay in touch. Please share your website with us (if applicable)
http://cardioyogafusion.com
Join the Hiking Yoga Community
After that, it was off to the Yoga Journal LIVE event at Estes Park where we offered, for the first time in that awe inspiring location, an all day intensive and several 2 hour Hiking Yoga classes. We were thrilled to have Karen, my sister in law join us for the conference and we could not have done it all without her. The kids had a blast! Well, Joaquin I think felt the effects of the altitude but Quincy had an especially good time, participating in crafts, swimming at the pool and going on her first pony ride atop “Strawberry.” Now that we are back home, imagine my joy in knowing that I have so much to look forward to in the coming weeks…
cifically rallying around Joaquin, Eric and Carina’s youngest son. They will be Down Syndrome Guild of greater “Walkin’ with Joaquin” at the same time in their home city of Kansas City.
Hiking Yoga 