Meet Lonnie Webb | Yoga Instructor and Director in the Education Non-Profit Sector

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

Hi Lonnie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I will admit, that I used to be quite afraid of taking risks. I would overthink things because I felt like I had to be overly prepared to do something. Well, that not only became exhausting it also didn’t allow me to press the go button. Then I realized that life isn’t about getting it right always and that risks actually are key to sparking growth. When I started taking risks, I found myself being more at ease I challenged myself in my personal and professional life. One area I took a risk in was teaching virtual classes immediately after I became a certified yoga instructor. Was I nervous!? Yes, however, it was through trial and error that I gained the confidence to become more comfortable guiding others in yoga. Taking risks has taught me that I can say yes to myself, and no to holding myself back. If I didn’t take a risk, I would still be overthinking years later when and how should I become a yoga teacher. If there is something holding you back because you are afraid to fail, tap that inner critique and say not today, I will take a risk on myself because life is about experiencing things that push us out of comfort, and believe me the reward will be satisfying.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Yes, I love yoga, and I love people. Professionally, I serve as a Director within a non-profit. My role is to coach my team, oversee and develop processes, and also be a voice to ensure my team has the tools and resources needed to support our students. As a black female leader, the road has not been easy. It has been filled with doubt and push-backs that sometimes made me want to quit on myself. The pressure to be perfect also trickled in, as I used to feel that I needed to do more just for my work ethic to be seen. It wasn’t until I began my self-exploration and reflection that I started to affirm my abilities regardless of what others said or did not say. My mantra in my professional life is to keep it graceful and use my voice. Your voice is a powerful tool that, when not used, can be harmful. As a leader, I made it my goal to find ways to use my voice to advocate for my team, my students, and myself. Another lesson I have learned is to strive for what you want, and when a door closes, know that the right door will open in due time. Find a trusted mentor to help you get clear on your professional goals and push you to snatch what you want. Ask questions, seek clarity, and do not let your current obstacles hold you back. Also, as a very busy professional, it is so important to practice self-care and rest. Yoga has been the resource for me that helps me gain more clarity and calmness in moments especially in the moments when I feel overwhelmed.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a lover of food. Nothing is more pleasing in life than eating a great meal. I love seafood, combined with a nice view/atmosphere. My favorite spots tend to be surrounded by a body of water. Add in a delicious cocktail and I’m good to go!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout-out to all my friends, family members and students who took a risk with me. I was fresh out of my yoga training and started teaching and to be embraced with so much love was amazing. I am human and there were times I wanted to pause and your encouragement helped me to push forward. I love the community we are building through yoga, and the support we all provide each other through our healing journey. With sincere gratitude, thank you!

Website: www.iamrootedinjoy.com

Instagram: _rootedinjoy

Image Credits
https://www.instagram.com/savannah_wilde/