Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Howell.
Mary Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After I experienced time in the real estate market, raising a family and working at a gym I felt like something was missing. Then, I found the power of yoga. It is healing power allowed me to connect to myself and to others in a more meaningful way. It has broken down barriers both locally and internationally. It sent me to Africa and the most violent neighborhood in Chicago.
Going to Kenya to work with Africa Yoga Project gave me a vision a purpose, a mission, a home. I began to open my mind and my heart to a new way of being a new way of seeing. This work gave me the skills to help others to believe in themselves and reconnect with the world.
Life is challenging, and the tools of yoga are life-changing. I can impact a group of people through an hour yoga session. The ripple effect is how they then go out and together change the world. The words stand for something bigger than yourself kept ringing in my head from Baptiste Yoga and my introduction to Paige Ellison founder of The Africa Yoga Project. Atlanta Yoga Project began on the flight home from Kenya!
Now, in 2017, the Atlanta Yoga Project reached over 2oo people a month at homeless shelters and parks in low-income communities. 2oo times we reminded people of their belonging to the community and a simple reminder to find their true self. We are on our way to double that number in 2018. Over the past years, I have had multiple participants come to me and share how these yoga sessions have impacted their life.
Here is one of our participant’s story. She is still at the shelter, comes to yoga weekly and just got a full-time job this week!
What makes Atlanta Yoga project different? The difference is that we do not see our work as “serving” others but instead equals, side by side in yoga. July 3rd, 2017, I became homeless upon losing my job as an Accounting Manager for a manufacturing company here in Atlanta after reporting ongoing, sexual harassment and subsequent workplace retaliation. As a result of this emotionally debilitating experience, I became severely depressed because not only did I lose an income with which to support myself, but I also lost my place of residence because I could no longer afford it. The day I came to Atlanta Mission Women’s Shelter, I received a bed to begin my journey of emotional recovery from the overwhelming trauma of losing my job because I blew the whistle on my employer for sexual harassment by a coworker. A few months into living at my sister’s house, I noticed on the calendar that a yoga class was going to be held every Thursday at 1:3 and I was elated! I had begun practicing yoga a few years prior while living and working in Chicago but gave it up after getting overwhelmed by the day-to-day work demands of corporate America in a big city. Ever since taking yoga classes with Mary Beth, I have rediscovered my passion for yoga. Mary Beth’s class has been greatly and immensely beneficial and complementary to the counseling I receive through the shelter to assist me with my healing process. I recognize and appreciate Mary Beth’s passion and sincere love for yoga. Miss Mary Beth is truly – no exaggeration – an angel sent to heal women hurting and traumatized by life circumstances. Atlanta Yoga Project is the Truth!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Struggles:
– Establishing a working Board
– Marketing
– Fundraising
– Educating Public to what yoga is and is not.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Atlanta Yoga Project story. Tell us more about the business.
What we do: Atlanta Yoga Project provides access to community-based yoga and well-being programs for all people. We teach and practice yoga and believe it creates change in each of us from the inside out. Empower the individual to create change in their community.
We want to give EVERYONE access to yoga and the ability to change the world.
We specialize in providing tools for people from any situation and background; the tools to realize their strength and worth as powerful people.We bring yoga to the people and their community.
What I am most proud of also sets us apart. What makes us different. That’s just it, we are not different from the people we work with. We are all one. All humans being.We all have trauma, issues, difficulties and so much more. We all have purpose and love to share. We are all worthy. We accept each other where we are without judgment and work together to lift one another up and empower each other.
I look forward to visiting and being with our outreach programs. They empower me to be more and love more! Together we can be the change!
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Divine grace is my luck. Each day God places people situations and opportunities in my life that have lead Atlanta Yoga Project to where it is today.
A board member and I were driving around and found Grove Park. People ask why Grove Park?Grove Park chose AYP. We started outside in the park and as the weather became an issue the community suggested The Rec center. We were welcomed and encouraged to work with Community Center. Community Yoga classes free. All ages all people welcome.
I was invited to tour Atlanta Mission and within the first 10 minutes at Shepherds Inn. Pastor Mike was this is where we could do yoga. That began our partnership with Atlanta Mission.We now provide wellness classes at My Sisters House and The Atlanta Mission Day Shelter also.
The experience of working in Africa with the team in Nairobi exposed me to the model they use at Africa Yoga Project. This opportunity showed me yoga can be done anywhere by anyone. The concept of outreaches comes from Africa for us. Our outreaches consist of homeless, inner city kids and our hood! The possibility to reach veterans, seniors, caretakers, recovery, special needs, service (police, fireman, etc.)
I met people in Africa doing the work (I grow Chicago) that provide me encouragement and support and an example of how we can change our attitude to that of gratitude!
Contact Info:
- Address: 925 B Peachtree Street NE Unit 820 Atlanta, GA
- Website: atlantayogaproject.org
- Phone: 404-839-5850
- Email: atlantayogaproject@gmail..com
- Instagram: @atlantayogaproject
- Facebook: atlantayogaproject
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
