Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Pires.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It is hard to say exactly when my story begins, as there are so many chapters of it. I feel that I can organize my journeys into four categories: my food journey, business journey, and my Acro Yoga and yoga journeys, although they all intertwine with one another.
It is almost hard to remember a time before yoga became apart of my life, as it’s principles now guide most aspects of my life, and not purely in the physical sense. I first found yoga in 2009 and laughed when the instructor said, “Find your place of pleasant tension.” I considered it such a contradicting statement, as the tension I was feeling was in no way pleasant. A few years later, I finally understood what he meant– reach your edge without crossing it– a philosophy I use frequently.
I put yoga aside for the rest of my college days and fell into quite an unhealthy lifestyle. I was always quite overweight, but I had made friends with depression, disordered eating, and excessive drinking, and it wasn’t until I was 21 that I decided to put health first. After seeing the documentary, “Food, Inc.” my whole view of food changed. I began to focus on what I was putting in my body, and educate myself on the food industry and its sourcing. Over the next two years gained a new respect for my body, and my 5’1 frame lost over 55 pounds solely from eating organic, whole foods.
It was this exploration through food and health that brought me to yoga again. At that time, I felt that I was searching for something that would bring me joy in moving my body, as I previously had no urge to. In 2015, my friend and I decided to encourage each other on our yoga paths, and we began going to free weekly Discovery Green yoga classes. One day across the field, we noticed people holding others on their hands and feet. This acrobatic sport was so foreign to me. A friendly guy with dreadlocks, who would later become my roommate and dear friend, asked if I wanted to try something, and promptly put me on his feet as if I was sitting in a chair. After only five minutes, I was hooked. My friend said she had never seen me so happy.
Acro Yoga soon became my new passion. The practice of Acro blends the wisdom of Yoga, the dynamic power of acrobatics, and the kind touch of healing arts through Thai Massage. What I loved about this partner practice was that it required both strength and connection, yet it felt like play. It doesn’t discriminate to age, gender or ability. It is all-inclusive. Over the next two years, I continued to strengthen and grow in the practice, attending trainings, festivals, and classes. I had been intermittently taking yoga classes by this point, as I realized that as my Acro practice strengthened, so did my yoga practice, and visa versa. They were beautiful compliments to each other. I saw them as a yin and yang of each other–how a personal yoga practice allows one to look inward, while a partner practice uses one’s insights and communication to calibrate with others. I decided I wanted to teach Acro, but I realized I need to be a yoga teacher first. So, begins that journey.
I earned my 200hr-RYT certification through Larry Thraen’s Yoga Teacher Training program, Bodhin Yoga: The Yoga of You and had a handful of mentors along the way. Up until this point, I had consistency been working unfulfilling corporate jobs that essentially just supported my yoga and acro habits. Two months after I graduated from the program, and after I went to Jamaica for the first International Acro Yoga Festival, I left the corporate world to pursue yoga teaching full-time.
I had some injuries along the way that allowed me to explore more about myself, and seek other means of growth. After a shoulder injury kept me from being very active in Acro, I completed my Prenatal Training with Amy Bidrman through Yogiños: Yoga for Youth. I’ve continued my education with various advanced studies, including completing my second 200hr-RYT with Kim Taurins at Four Dragons Institute, 2 Yin trainings with Rhia Robinson and Kristina Keller, Leslie Kaminoff’s Yoga Anatomy course in Austin, Anna Forrest’s on Healing Injuries, and Postpartum training with Stacey Ramsower. I am currently teaching regular public classes as Four Dragons Yoga, Yogaleena Studio, O Athletik, The Hines Center, as well as privates.
In my classes, I offer students a safe space to feel empowered with their bodies and embrace their journey, reassuring that where they are today is exactly where they need to be. Having experienced various injuries in my body, I have a high interest in yoga’s role in injury rehabilitation and prevention. I keep in line with this realm of thought, inviting students to create their own practice by moving and listening to their bodies with the intention of longevity and self-care. My teaching style focuses on using a well-rounded practice to release blockages in the body for energy to flow freely, regardless if there is an arm balance or not. All poses can be made active. My goal is to offer students an experience to help them achieve a state of peace, clarity, and ease that they didn’t have when they walked in.
For me, yoga is a metaphor for life and how we react to it–a medium for learning one’s deepest truths and dealing with emotions that arise. It is a practice that can have profound effects on all parts of the self: the mind, body, and spirit. I see yoga as a balancing act– a pendulum of energy that goes from creating tension to actively releasing. It is a practice of finding ease in things that are not always easy. In yoga, we can always get out of a pose when it gets too difficult or uncomfortable, but we do not always have that luxury off the mat. When we are able to sit in our discomfort and learn to handle what comes up, we can truly cultivate growth and peace. That realization is what transformed my yoga practice from physical to spiritual.
The last endeavor I recently pursued was creating my own business, Au Naturals, my line of natural face and body care products. Made locally, Au Naturals brings clarity and peace of mind to skin and body care. After years of using products with mysterious ingredients, I began creating my own recipes made with specific, organic ingredients. I wanted others to experience how freeing “au” natural ingredients are for the skin and body, with the idea that “less is more.” Thus, Au Naturals was born, using only fresh, organic ingredients and essential oils.
This line of products comes in dry form for maximum storage and skin effectiveness, offering a longer shelf life without wet ingredients. Use according to skin type by simply adding water, coconut oil or honey–then mix and apply. The best part is knowing what is in your products. Each item comes with an ingredients list so you know exactly what you’re putting on your skin, without the mystery ingredients. I feel that skin care doesn’t have to be complicated. I say, keep it simple, keep it natural.
My products are currently on sale at Four Dragons Institute, Hol Balance, and on my Instagram or website.
Has it been a smooth road?
I feel that no growth comes from a smooth road. Growth happens when you’re uncomfortable. I found the study of Daoism when I started teaching at Four Dragons Institute, and that practice has greatly helped me through many transitions. Teaching yoga full-time is a hustle, and it can be challenging on the mind. During the past couple of years, I have undergone the closing of three studios where I worked, thus losing income. Each time, though, allowed me to handle the situation with more grace and ease. There were also times where I was overworking myself and began to feel burnt out. It took a lot of introspection to bring myself back to my standards,
I would say for women starting their journey, don’t lose sight of why you began in the first place. Stay inspired, but don’t compare yourself to others. It can be easy to get discouraged, but without the hustle, there can be no gain.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc.
I am a full-time yoga teacher and creator of Au Naturals face and body products.
The styles of yoga I specialize in are Vinyasa, Restorative, Prenatal, Yin, and Gentle.
My pride comes from being able to serve others as my job, both in teaching and creating. I am so grateful and honored to offer people the space to better understand themselves and learn about their bodies through movement.
Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
There are many women who have inspired me, but here are a few that come to mind:
My mom was the first to inspire me with how hard she worked to offer her kids a good life. I admire her for her sacrifice and I know what kind of mother I want to be because of her.
My grandmother has been a woman of inspiration for my health. Because of her, I want to be sure my body stays healthy and operational for many years to come, and her struggles and inspired my life is so many positive ways. I admire her strength greatly.
In my yoga career and practice as a student, there have been so many who’ve inspired along the way.
Susie Edebor was the first teacher I had, both in Acro and yoga. She encouraged me to pursue full-time teaching and would be the voice of reason when I would doubt my abilities.
Kim Taurins was another major role model for me, in more ways than words can express. I first encountered her as a student coping with injuries, and later became my mentor through my teaching career. She has helped me to understand the depth that exists in yoga beyond the physical. She has been the kick in the ass when I need it, as well as a woman of compassion who listens and comforts without judgment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brittanypires.com
- Phone: 8327885992
- Email: brittany.a.pires@gmail.com
- Instagram: @brittanypiresyoga
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brittany.pires
- Other: Instagram: @au.naturals
Image Credit:
Arexpressions Photography, Katie Lenhart Photography
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