Today we’d like to introduce you to Markesha Thomas.
Hi Markesha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I made it to this point in my life by first making a choice over fifteen years ago that I would be in control of my body, and it would not control me. Multiple factors contributed to this decision, including the declining health of loved ones, seeing flexible older women who looked like me, and the death of my paternal grandmother when I was only ten years of age. At age 11, I stumbled across my mom’s Jane Fonda yoga VHS and a plain purple yoga mat – I didn’t know what I was actually doing, but I knew this: 1. it didn’t bring me pain 2. I felt accomplished throughout the sequence, and my favorite 3. I didn’t get in trouble for doing it! The experience was challenging yet fun and relaxing until one evening, while outside playing basketball, I left my yoga mat on the top of a car. I never saw it again – so I continued with volleyball, basketball, and track in junior high, high school and even played one year of collegiate volleyball.
The past 10 years have allowed me the privilege to observe, question, reflect, and experiment with human connections, the human body, and various wellness modalities that allow us to move through life as our best selves. I became a self-taught yogi and started my Kinesiology studies in 2013, where I would spend anywhere from 5 minutes to 3 hours practicing yoga daily. Eager to learn more about yoga, I was introduced to Pilates. Like many, I thought they were the same and QUICKLY discovered each can proudly stand alone, but they are a force when they’re together! In 2016, I obtained my Balanced Body Pilates Mat Certificate from Synergy Total Holistic Health and Wellness. In 2017 I studied Afrocentric culture more and discovered Kemetic Yoga. In awe, as I researched further, a random computer search brought me to a 200-hour yoga teacher training taking place in Egypt (Ancient Kemet). My mind was blown at the opportunity to get my yoga certification for only $300 more than I would have to pay if I took the training stateside. I had never been out of the country, and this was the opportunity of a lifetime to me, so I LEAPED! I began saving, studying, attending weekly Kemetic Yoga classes at Yoga House Houston, and visualized myself in the Motherland practicing yoga. I even researched what Ancient Kemet smelled like to help my visualizations and started writing out what I would need to end the upcoming year as a certified yoga instructor.
In 2018, I bounced back from a traumatic life experience. In the same year, a long-term codependency-ship ended, I left school, and my mother had a major surgery. In spite of the twists and turns, so many goals were accomplished – mainly my yoga certification! I was able to enjoy so many first-time experiences: a new country, new cuisines, the ancient stories, arts, and lifestyles passed down, all with 18 strangers turned “Fam-a-leee.” I took my lessons in Pilates and passion for yoga and introduced PiYo to Fit Factory Houston, where I held my first #PiYoKSeries. In October of 2020, I taught outdoor PiYo w/ Keesh classes at State of Mind HTX, released my first visual poetry ebook, “Ah-See-KraM” in November, and ended the 2020 pandemic leading She Creates HTX’s Girl Boss Brunch Self-care Sunday Virtual PiYo Class.
In 2021, I hosted my first wellness market, “Stretch, Sip, & Shop Health and Wellness Market,” at State of Mind HTX, which allowed individuals to build live connections that encourage willingness to achieve and boost self-esteem through various mind, body, and spiritual practices (my mission statement) on a larger scale. Especially with the 2020 pandemic and the unfortunate impact it has had on people’s wellness —stagnation, limited mobility fueled by the increasing WFH environment, home delivery convenience—and mental health as a whole. I continued hosting classes in The Heights at the Self Care Store until a death, robbery, and job loss in 2021 forced me to sit, be still, and evaluate my goals, dreams, and aspirations. I took the transformational energy given and made concrete changes in 2022 that have confirmed I am on the right path for me – and it feels amazing that this is just the beginning!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
With anything new in life, one will face challenges; it’s a test of “How will you prove you want it?” or “What’s going to stop you?” You decide. A few obstacles I’ve faced over the past 10 years are negativity bias, inconsistency, and imposter syndrome. I use Pilates and Yoga on my journey to help overcome these three difficulties – I reflect with more facts than feelings without negating how I may have actually felt. I’ve adopted a no-excuses attitude because people do what they want at the end of the day, and I study myself heavily to learn more about my first home – I want to feel and look good TO ME first; another benefiting from it is just an added bonus.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about PiYoKeesh?
Pi (Pilates) + Yo (Yoga) + Keesh (Markesha) – PiYoKeesh has evolved over the past 6 years from promoting group classes to accepting private clients and collaborating and partnering with other businesses to teach at retreats and events that promote overall wellness. Pilates is a mind-body fitness practice that focuses on the muscles in the center of the body, where ALL our movements begin. Yoga is nature’s teacher of the self; also a mind-body practice, it encourages free range of motion within the body, which also works and benefits the flexibility of the mind. Each of these practices benefit your interior as well as your exterior! Those who are willing and ready for wellness are encouraged to book their consultation or Pop-up Wellness session today! https://piyokeesh.glossgenius.com/
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance, PERIOD; NOW GO!
Pricing:
- Consultations $25 – 15 minute conversation about you, what you want, and our game plan
- New Clients ONLY Trial Wellness Package $160 (consultation + FIVE 30-minute sessions)
- Serendipity Wellness Package $260 (Meet 1-2 times per week)
- Dedicated Wellness Package $350 (Serendity +2 additional meeting times)
- Transformational Wellness $550 (Dedicated +3 additional meeting times)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://piyokeesh.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piyo.keesh/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiYoKeesha?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Image Credits
QGreen Photography
Boogseye Photography
Rashad Quinnz
Erica “ET” Taylor
