We had the good fortune of connecting with Kierstie Payge Porr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kierstie Payge, what role has risk played in your life or career?
We all know that nothing grows from our comfort zones. This has been something that has resonated with me my entire life. The path less traveled is often the one that encourages a leap of faith, and a willingness to step outside of what feels safe. The pursuit of our dreams and the rollercoaster ride that comes along with that journey requires grit and resilience to see it through. Adversity breeds growth. Struggle is what makes our story one worth telling! I always knew I was the kind of person who wanted to do purposeful things, I needed meaning and I wanted my life to be a representation of that. When I neglected this part of myself I found myself doing all of the things I could to “look” successful on the outside, never slowing down for a moment to ask, what I really wanted out of my work. Everything changed, once I started asking that question and being open to the answer. Serendipity will always find its way into your life when your listening to it, and the next steps won’t be presented until you take the first one. That first one is always risky, but it’s always worth it. Not because of where you end up, but because of the lessons learned along the way. To risk it is to put your trust in your ability to see the wisdom in the whole process, not just the beginning or the end.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business incorporates a lot of things surrounding the world of teaching yoga and meditation. Sure, I teach studio classes but my main focus lately has been on building a wellness-based, like-minded community through the channels listed below.

Retreats have been a huge source of inspiration for me. I mixed my love for travel with Yoga to curate luxurious, exceptional, adventurous, healing wellness retreats. Traveling with intention surrounded by. humans on the same wavelength is a life-changing experience, everyone should do a yoga retreat at least once in their lifetime if not once every year to reset and recharge!

I offer Mentorship to current yoga instructors who are looking to expand the business and marketing aspects of their teachings. We work on anything from sequencing, to online programs, to Website Design and branding, as yoga instructors we so often just want to share love and forget that it’s a business too, we have to have the right tools to excel financially and to reach the right students.

Seniors and Disability Community Yoga. The most empowering work I have been doing lately has been with the Senior community in Escondido where I teach mindfulness and chair yoga at memory and hospice centers. From early onset dementia in young adults to 93 year old cancer survivors, everyone can benefit from yoga!

Virtual and Privates. I work 1:1 with a range of students in person and online and have a youtube channel. Soon I will be offering more online programs and classes through my website.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First I would take them to grab a healthy breakfast at Cafe Gratitude in Little Italy, followed by a walk around the Farmers Market. After that a yoga class at LifeTime in La Jolla followed by a nice steam and smoothy at their cafe, then we would drive up the coast and hike Torrey Pines, maybe take a dip in the ocean, then drive up the 101 to Cardiff by the sea and catch a sunset cocktail at The Waverly.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I have to thank my husband, Peter who encouraged me from day one to follow my dreams. He has been my biggest supporter and is always there to have those hard conversations with me. He is an incredibly hard worker and hilarious human who always puts a smile on my face. Peter is an important part of my literal success because he helps me execute all of my ideas and reminds me of my value. I am so grateful for our partnership in business and love!

I also have the best support group, my family and friends never second-guessed my decisions or made me feel crazy for leaving a corporate job to become a yoga instructor. Although they had every right to worry, they trusted in me and supported me in every way. They have even become my students, I couldn’t do it without them.

I have had a few mentors and teachers that have guided my Yoga Teaching journey, the most recent being Brittany Bamrick who brought me into the Retreat world and changed my outlook on teaching yoga greatly. Not only has she become one of my best friends, but she is a ray of sunshine and a serious badass in the studio. Brittany’s love for life and yoga, inspired me from the moment I met her.

I also have to shout out Lisa Mello, the owner of Mello Yoga in Poway, who has been an important part of my path being one of the first studios I ever taught at and who continuously encourages me in so many ways. Lisa worked incredibly hard to keep offering yoga to the community during covid. She also has put her trust in me to collaborate on so many epic healing offerings, including retreats, trainings, workshops, and more!

There have been so many books and podcasts that have influenced my life but the two that stand out the most are The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope and The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. Both books on living your dharma, and learning to work with the mind in a way that is optimistic instead of fearbased.

Also, to all of my students, who continue to show up. I learn from you every day. Thank you.

Website: www.yogakp.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kierstie_payge/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/kierstie-dolezal-

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/YogabyKierstiePayge

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