Story & Lesson Highlights with Dominique Arnel DaCosta of DeKalb County

We recently had the chance to connect with Dominique Arnel DaCosta and have shared our conversation below.

Dominique Arnel, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I feel like I am being called to teach not just the physical aspect of yoga but the mental, spiritual, transformational and informational parts of wellness. In my personal practice, I have healed in so many ways, that it would be a disservice to my community to keep that to myself. In the past, I was afraid of speaking my heart and mind in totality, now it’s hard to get me to shut up! I love guiding others on their journeys to self-healing and discovery.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dominique Arnel DaCosta, and I am a wellness entrepreneur, with a focus on teaching yoga, and community building. It’s been about one year since I moved to Atlanta from New York (shout out to the Bronx!) I took the time to settle in, but now, I’m ready to share my work with the community. I’ve been practicing wellness for over 15 years, and have seen how the many different practices heal not just myself, but others as well, and I am excited to share that with my Atlanta girlies.

A few months ago, one of my TikTok videos did some numbers when I offered free yoga in the park, and that moment showed me the girls want it and need it! They are excited to meet new friends and build community in these spaces where they know healing is involved. My hope is that when people come to my events, they feel the love, passion, and good energy from not just myself but everyone around them.

I will be hosting sound bath sessions at The Starling Hotel in Midtown, Atlanta on October 4th and October 19th if you’d like to indulge in some wellness!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Growing up, there were many instances in my life where I was silenced or did not have the courage to speak up for myself. That led to trauma, boundaries being crossed, and a lot of undoing to get to where I am at now. Now, I consider myself someone who sets firm boundaries, and speaks loud and proud. People may even consider me “strict”, but that came from years of not standing up for myself. In yoga terms, my throat chakra was blocked, and now it is very much open.

The part of me that has served its purpose and now needs to be released is not using this voice to vocalize my worth, and God’s timing is always right, because I feel like Atlanta is the perfect place that teaches you to know your worth. Knowing when to say, “I don’t deserve that, I deserve something better.” Especially as a Black woman.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are confident, you are seen, and you are heard.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
I feel like the public version of me is the real me with a lot of self-control! If you’re into astrology, I’m a Gemini Sun, Libra Rising, and Capricorn Moon. Iykyk. A little Kanye with some sense. I don’t talk my ish enough though. Haha, but on a serious note… I follow the spiritual meaning of humility, acknowledging that I am not self-sufficient and rely on God. I may want to act a certain way or even say what’s on my mind but then I talk to God like “Is this aligned with You?” and sometimes the answer is no, and I’m okay with that.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I only had 10 years in this business, I would stop hosting classes and just do workshops and retreats. I want my clients to have the full wellness experience and it’s hard to get that in a 45-minute movement session. If I only had 10 years in life, I would stop underestimating myself, the power of healing, manifesting, and the mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dominiquearnelwellness.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dominiquearnel/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominique-dacosta-2019
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dominiquearnel
• Other: TikTok: @dominiquearnel