We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie Belle Pérez Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marie Belle, do you have a budget? How do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
Do you have a budget? How do you think about your personal finances and how do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?

I do not have a fixed budget. Rather, I have a target annual income that I increase by $50,000 every year. Finances are a fascinating and necessary part of business and empowerment we all get to work with. Some, more consciously than others.

I started my financial education as a graduate student at Virginia Tech. I had a full scholarship for 5 years and a full course and teaching load. I spent so much time working on campus and on my computer, that I barely had time for television, cable, and entertainment. I realized through this full schedule that I was able to naturally eliminate superfluous monthly expenses, specifically in the entertainment category: cable TV, restaurants, clothes shopping, alcohol, movies, etc. I shifted my budget away from entertainment and reallocated it to higher ROI opportunities such as education (ie: long term travel, workshops, teacher training, coaching certifications, etc.).

This produced not just a financial shift, but also a full on lifestyle change. Little did I know then that my entire life was shifting towards mindful minimalist living.

I was very lucky to live on one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen. When I did have free time, I would choose activities that didn’t cost any money: hiking, biking, university football games, etc. I felt healthier, more mindful, and spacious. I didn’t have the same anxieties and worries that my friends who were hooked on entertainment did. I slept better, ate better, and felt better all together.

Around the same time, I started practicing yoga and knew I wanted to teach. I asked my teacher how one would go about getting a job at a yoga studio where no one knew me, he said to me: “you tell them to watch you practice. Your practice is its own currency.” I knew this meant that I have a responsibility to invest in myself, my education, practice, and self development. These are the absolute best investments I can possibly make. In order to pay for these experiences, I would apply for scholarships and/or apprenticeships and receive some sort of financial support.

Last, when I think of finances, I think of currency. Currency has its roots in the word “current”; keep it flowing, support those who are doing what you love and what you want to be doing. Learn from them, not just what they’re teaching, but how they made it happen. There’s so much gold in every single intentional interaction.

You can do what you love and get paid for it. Just step into the current and watch it unfold.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m an anthropologist of movement, faculty at the university, entrepreneur, small business owner, artist, teacher and practitioner of yoga, mindfulness and critical thinking throughout the United States, Caribbean, Latin America, Spain, and Bali.

I teach and practice Yoga, Handstands, Mobility, Nondualism, Human Development, Functional Medicine, Astrology, and Breathwork- not because they’re trending, but because each has radically transformed my life.

I use social media as a photo and written journal to acknowledge and give form to the transformations and insights I experience from my daily practices of yoga, mindfulness, handbalancing, contortion, dance, and travel.

I love embodiment practices and I relish in hours and hours of self practice. I remember when I first found out about the 10,000 hour rule from Malcolm Gladwell:
On average, in order to reach a level of proficiency that rivals that of a professional, 10,000 hours of work is where it’s at.

At the time, I was dabbling with Ashtanga Yoga, all the while Instagram was starting to take off in our community. I decided to use social media as a way to document how my practice, mood, and thoughts were evolving and changing.

I had just finished my Ph.D. at Virginia Tech and was used to working for hours on end immersed in study, pattern recognition, and critical thinking.

I knew I was talented.
I know I have an unparalleled work ethic that borders on obsession.

At the time, I wasn’t happy with my corporate job so I made myself a promise: I would stay for a year max and save money so I could move to Cali, pay 6 months rent, and figure out my life.

Until then, I found a yoga studio that opened at 6am. I was there every single morning until 8:30am, went to work 9-7, and was back at the studio 7:30-10pm. I did this 5 days a week. I would also practice double headers on the weekends.

I knew what I was doing.
Numbers work for me.
Training and documenting patterns is my jam.

I didn’t know where these hours would take me, but I knew I lived for these 31+ hours/ week (6.5 year mastery timeline).

These extended practices were significantly shifting my internal environment and my ability to acknowledge visceral feelings, establish homeostasis, rid myself of toxic relationships, and actualize my potential.

I was starting to know myself on a whole nother level.

I know my limits, when to push, and when to step back.
I realize how malleable, porous, and resilient I am.
I have deepened along an intuitive path that is not linear.

I am happy to offer yoga classes, transformational retreats, workshops, yoga teacher trainings, and intensives in the United States, Bali, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Mexico, India, Europe, and the Caribbean.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
DC:

1- Practice Mysore with me at Flow Yoga Center- Monday – Friday 6:30-9am
2- Walk the waterfront (Georgetown)
3- Post up/ work and eat at: Tatte Bakery or Eaton DC
4- Stand up Paddle Board in Georgetown
5- Bike ride the C & O Canal

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I know I couldn’t have done any of this by myself, without the resources and education I purposefully sought out and received. I think the deepest reason for my personal transformation is I get to sit in circle and truly listen to each person‘s journey, each person’s process and share and excavate tools of empowerment with one another, specifically the DC Yoga Community, @FlowYogaCenter, @Jarrick.the.Floating.Yogi, @ElEstudioLaCiudadela, @fitqueenirene, @omstars, @FernandoSamalot, @SpencerBentley_Creates, @CarsonClayCalhoun

Website: https://mariebellepr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariebellepr/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbperezrivera/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mariebellepr

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFTHK4c_xNZPNYXRi9kgzlg

Image Credits
Spencer Bentley Waterfalls: Fernando Samalot

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