Exploring Life & Business with Grace Schupp of Become Yoga

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Schupp.  

Hi Grace, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a 9+ year yoga practitioner turned 200 RYT yoga teacher with certifications in Yin Yoga, Yoga for Digestive Stress, and Children’s & Teens’ Yoga. My yoga journey first began in 2014 when I began having chronic vomiting that lead to severe back spasms. I started having all the symptoms of IBS, SIBO, abdominal migraines, and gastroparesis. Notice I said symptoms- no matter how many tests the doctors did, they could not confirm a single diagnosis. I prayed for an abnormal test result simply so I could get some answers. My doctors eventually gave up on me not knowing what to do. A friend of mine who knew my struggle with back spasms recommended that I try yoga. Having never done a yoga class before, I was up for trying anything at this point. I will admit that while my first class was fun, I struggled to really be able to really relax into the poses due to the condition of my back, but I did not give up. I began exploring classes both in person and online, and I started experiencing fewer and fewer spasms. Thus began my yoga journey! The more I practiced, the more I feel in love with yoga. In addition to the regular yoga practice, I began experimenting with my diet and discovering what foods my body could handle. I stopped focusing on being sick and started to focus on what my body was telling me it needed. 

I discovered that so many of my health issues related back to stress. Not just day-to-day stress but past stress that I had mentally processed but physically held onto. I spent time digging into my mindset and becoming mindful of my body and the stress stored within it. Changes started happening. My episodes grew fewer. My system regulated. My back spasms ended. I was able to keep myself nourished and begin to live life again. 

Out of my own transformation, my passion for showing others how to relieve their stress through yoga was born. I became determined to meet people right where they are in their wellness journey. Whether they are just getting started or have been practicing for a while and want to take their health journey deeper like I did. 

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?
Oh believe me, there have been challenges both in business and when I first started out with yoga! I remember when I attended my first yoga class, it was a lot of fun, but I could not really relax into the poses because of the pain in my back, but I did not let that deter me! 

As a business, it has been challenging getting started. You see, I received my yoga teacher training during the pandemic when all studios were shut down, no one was looking for fitness classes, and I didn’t know the first thing about teaching online. Since then, I have learned how to teach online both to live Zoom students as well as just me and the camera. Now people are beginning to explore fitness classes again, both in the studio and in-home. But it is due to this challenge that I have decided to keep my focus on meeting people where they are instead of owning a studio myself. 

We’ve been impressed with Become Yoga, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I give women the tools they need to overcome the power that stress can have on their health, mind, and happiness by teaching them how to access the ability to relax that is already inside them through the practice of yoga, mindfulness techniques, and breathing practices. 

Some of my friends like to joke and say that I am the traveling yoga teacher. While they laugh, I see it as the best compliment! You see, my passion is for meeting people where they are. Many times, in the fitness industry, people are intimidated to come to a gym or seek out a fitness professional, thinking that they have to be at a certain “level” before attending a class. I am determined to break that intimidation factor. Since I do not have my own studio, I find creative locations and ways to bring yoga to people. I have taught goat yoga, had yoga at a donut shop, and even taught a class at a local park so that moms could enjoy class while kids played. I want to alleviate the stress and barriers people might experience when they are considering taking that next step in their health journey. The creative class locations have also allowed me to form some fantastic relationships with fellow business owners and support them. 

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Everything in life truly is a journey and a process, which is why we have to choose to give ourselves grace along the way. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.becomeyoga.life
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomeyoga.life/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/becomeyoga.life
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/CreativeYogi/ 

Image Credits
Kristin Guynn
Jessica Laird
Air Christie
Hannah Heil-Brandon