Meet Ivory Howard | Yoga and Pilates Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivory Howard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivory, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Recently one of my students shared the reason she traveled from Alexandria, VA to Washington, DC for a class with me was because she didn’t think she, as a person of color, fit in at yoga studios in her area.

It breaks my heart to hear this because yoga is practiced by many different people with different body types and that diversity should be welcomed, visible and celebrated so that everyone feels welcome in this community.

This lack of diversity in the wellness industry (plus limited access to classes and expensive activewear and class passes) can gatekeep people from enjoying yoga and decides who experiences health through yoga. These unintentional acts are harmful and have far-reaching consequences.

Now, as a yoga teacher, I have an opportunity to provide, in a safe and welcoming space, what wasn’t available to me when I started practicing yoga and to help others who have ever been intimidated in “traditional” yoga classes with women who didn’t look like them.

How do we ensure that yoga studios are welcoming and safe spaces for all? As a studio owner, do you recognize the need for inclusive spaces? If so, are you just checking the box of inclusion, for example, by adding inclusive images to your website and promos? Or are you actually doing the work to be inclusive?

These may be uncomfortable questions to ask but they are important so that you can determine if your studio has thought about how bias shows up in your work, how to be truly inclusive and not just check the box, and how to show up for BIPOC students in the same way that you show up for other students.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a yoga and Pilates instructor. My program helps busy, professional women struggling to workout consistently. Inside the program, I walk you through my proprietary program so that you can establish a consistent practice and reclaim your health with ease in 90 days.

I’m on a mission to make sure that more women know that exercise and a plant-based diet can prevent many chronic lifestyle diseases and leading causes of death in the United States. I want to continue to make it easier for women to be active to help them avoid preventable chronic diseases like stroke, diabetes and cancer. And if you have a chronic disease, I want you to know that it’s not hopeless. You can live a long, healthy and active life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m based in Washington, DC. When an out-of-town friend visits, I like to do touristy things and see my city like new through their eyes. If they came for the weekend, here’s what we’d do.

I like to stay active so we’d start the first day with a hike with my dog through Rock Creek Park. After the hike, I’d take them to Unconventional Diner for brunch. Their brunch menu is available everyday and they have great vegetarian and vegan options.

On another day, we would take it easy with a little less activity and visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

On the final day, we’d treat ourselves to a day pass at local luxury hotel, get a great workout in their fitness center, and then sit by the pool all day and sip cocktails.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Although your friends and family love and support you, they may not be able to support you in the way that you need in your business. It’s important to build a network of supportive entrepreneurs in your corner who are rooting for you to succeed, referring clients to you, and open to collaborating with you. I did not always have that until I joined an inclusive community of entrepreneurs. This is the community that I was searching for early in my entrepreneurial endeavors but it did not yet exist. It makes the entrepreneurial pursuit much easier with this kind of support. Be sure to develop and nurture your network of other entrepreneurs.

Website: http://www.ivoryhoward.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flatbellypilates

Twitter: https://twitter.com/flatbelly

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatbellypilates

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@flatbellypilates

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@flatbellypilates https://www.threads.net/@flatbellypilates

Image Credits
RaShun of Focused Minded Photo (https://www.focusmindedphoto.com)