Meet Ngone Mbaye | Yoga instructor & Fashionista

I was practicing yoga for several weeks and recently completed a 200 hour vinyasa yoga teacher training. I was eager to teach what I had learned so I wanted to take classes from different teachers. Being the only person of color in class was happening a lot and I became aware of it really fast with the looks, smile or questions I was getting from people. I was very uncomfortable. One day while in class I noticed the teacher wasn’t making any effort to come near me or adjust me. It became time for savasana, the last pose of the class. The teacher was going to everyone and rubbing some essential oils on her hands and giving a quick neck massage allowing students to smell the oils. I could really tell since the lights were not too dimmed. I intentionally kept my eyes open to see what she would do when my turn came and sure enough she went from my neighbor on my left, passed me, and continued to my right neighbor. I was devastated. The pain from being ignored and disrespected inspired me to open my own  studio so I could serve everybody no matter their difference. In November 2017 Greene Moments Studio was born.

Greene Moments is an inclusive wellness studio that serves as a supportive space for yogis from all walks of life and all ages. I love fashion. I love helping people. The studio is a perfect combination of both worlds. I make sure that after class you leave with a “piece of peace” plus a fashionable piece from my boutique for your friends, family or your home.

The boutique is an arts and cultural shopping experience. I carry unique colorful clothing, jewelry and home decor from different parts of the world. Most of my items are inspired from countries in West Africa including my home country Senegal.

Greene Moments creates and sponsors yoga, meditation and wellness retreats throughout the world.  I am excited about all the destinations for future wellness retreats. So far we have held retreats in Costa Rica, Mexico, Senegal and Ghana.

No business is easy, especially the first few years. Yet perseverance, working hard, being authentic and doing what I absolutely love to do helped me get past all of the obstacles that come alongside running a business.

Few lessons I have learned:  Anyone who spends time in our studio must leave feeling better. Customers are always right. Don’t take the occasional lack of support personally since I can’t please everyone.

What the world should know about me is that I was 19 when I decided to leave my family in France and move to the U.S. I had no plans, whatsoever. I just knew that I wanted to be here. I came to New York on vacation in 1998 and I knew automatically that this is where I belong. I felt free to express who I was. I love big hair, colorful clothing, make-up and this wasn’t flying in the neighborhood I was living in France. So, I risked it all and bought my one way ticket to freedom. It’s been a wonderful 22 year journey with a lot of ups and too many downs but I love everything about it. It molded me to who I am now.

Well after an amazing yoga class at the I would definitely head to one of my favorite places to eat on Carmine street, Berber Street Food, it’s an excellent pan-African cuisine restaurant. I love my bubble tea which I get from Cloud 9 Crepes in Bedford-Stuyvesant. There is an amazing vegetarian take out spot, the Broccoli Bar in Fort Greene. Of course I would take my friends shopping in Soho…lol.

Shoutout to my sister, Berouck, who always pushed me to follow my dreams. In her eyes there was nothing I could not achieve. She gave me all the confidence, attitude and words I needed anytime I doubted myself. I know from heaven she is still cheering for me and I make sure she continues to be proud of all my accomplishments. Shoutout to my husband, Augustine. He brings brightness and joy and intensity to my life. He supports me through it all.