We recently had the chance to connect with Grace Schupp and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Grace, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Over the years, I’ve become really intentional about creating a morning routine that feels nourishing instead of rushed. For a long time, my mornings started when my kids woke up—which honestly felt like being hit by a freight train. The day began in chaos, and I was already behind before I’d even brushed my teeth.
I decided to make a change by giving myself just a little bit of breathing room. At first, it was only five minutes earlier—enough time to get ready before the whirlwind began. Over time, I kept moving that alarm back and adding in small things that helped me feel grounded and prepared.
Now, my mornings begin at 5:30. I start with the basics—brushing my teeth, fixing my hair, getting dressed—and then I roll out my mat for a short somatic yoga practice that wakes up my body gently. After that, I grab my favorite blanket and pillow and settle in to journal for about 20 to 30 minutes. During that time, I focus on offering myself kindness and noticing what’s good—what I can celebrate or look forward to that day.
I usually finish with a devotional and some quiet reading in my Bible. By the time I go to wake up my kids, I’ve already cared for myself first. That small shift has changed everything—it allows me to show up as the calm, centered version of myself instead of the overwhelmed one.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Grace Schupp, the founder of Become Yoga — a space built on the belief that yoga doesn’t have to be intimidating, complicated, or reserved for the ultra-flexible. I teach pop-up yoga classes in unique and welcoming spaces across our community—think wineries, schools, and local businesses—so that yoga feels approachable and fun, not something that belongs only in a studio.
My background is in helping busy women and professionals who are juggling so much—careers, families, and the constant push to keep up—find practical ways to care for themselves. For many of us, slowing down can actually feel harder than staying busy. Through gentle movement, mindfulness, and accessible classes, I aim to show people that yoga is simply a tool for coming home to yourself.
Right now, I’m focused on bringing more pop-up yoga events to the area and partnering with local businesses that want to help their teams or communities feel less stressed and more balanced. Whether it’s under the stars at a vineyard or in a school gym after hours, my hope is always the same: that everyone walks away feeling lighter, calmer, and a little more like themselves.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Becoming a mother really changed how I see the world. It opened my eyes to the constant pressure so many of us—especially women—feel to do “all the things.” Somewhere along the way, stress became our default mode, and I started to notice that almost everyone around me was living in that same constant state of tension.
I realized that this way of operating isn’t sustainable. So I started learning more about what stress does to our bodies and how we were never meant to be “on” all the time. That curiosity became the seed of what would eventually grow into Become Yoga.
I began experimenting with small ways to bring moments of joy, pause, and ease into my days—things that didn’t require big chunks of time or elaborate routines. Sometimes that looked like taking a few deep breaths before diving into the next task. Over time, I saw how those small pauses created big shifts in how I felt and how I showed up for others. That understanding continues to guide my work today: helping people rediscover calm and presence in a world that constantly pulls us to rush.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
For much of my life, my biggest fear was “not enough.” Not knowing enough, not doing enough, not being enough. As a recovering perfectionist, that fear drove me to push harder and hold myself to impossible standards. I thought striving would make me grow, but in reality, it left me exhausted—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
It wasn’t until I began listening to my body that I realized how unsustainable that way of living was. I started practicing something radically different: self-kindness. Learning to pause, to offer myself grace instead of criticism, changed everything.
That’s why kindness and compassion are woven into every class I teach. I always close practice by inviting students to think of a word or phrase that will support them when life feels heavy—a simple reminder to treat themselves with care. It’s not just a feel-good exercise; science backs it up. Kindness actually helps lower stress, improve well-being, and create more connection—both within ourselves and with others.
Those lessons started with changing how I speak to myself each morning. My routine of journaling, reflection, and gentle movement is really about that: beginning the day with nourishment instead of pressure. When we treat ourselves with kindness, everything else in life starts to flow a little easier.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to the lifelong practice of showing up as the best version of myself—because I believe true joy and well-being are contagious. When we take care of ourselves, that energy naturally spills into every part of our lives. Our relationships strengthen, we’re more present with our families, and we begin to see more good around us.
I’ve seen firsthand how the way we think and move shapes our experience of the world. When you train your mind to notice what’s working, what’s beautiful, or what’s worth celebrating, your brain starts to look for more of it. That’s the same philosophy I bring into my yoga classes and daily life: we can’t always control our circumstances, but we can cultivate a mindset that supports growth, gratitude, and calm.
It’s an ongoing project—one that will probably take a lifetime—but it’s worth every bit of effort. Because when we learn to live from a place of balance and joy, we don’t just change our own lives; we quietly give others permission to do the same.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
One thing I understand deeply that most people don’t is just how much small, intentional moments of care and presence shape our lives. So often we think that to make a difference—whether in our health, happiness, or relationships—we need big, dramatic changes. But the truth is, it’s the little things: pausing to breathe, moving your body in a way that feels good, noticing something you’re grateful for, or offering yourself a kind word.
These moments, when practiced consistently, build a foundation for well-being that sticks. That understanding is at the heart of Become Yoga. My goal is to help people see that yoga—and self-care in general—isn’t about perfection or extremes. It’s about creating tiny, meaningful rituals that slowly shift your energy, your mindset, and the way you show up in your own life.
Most people underestimate the ripple effect of these small choices. But over time, they transform everything—from your sense of calm and confidence to the quality of your relationships and even the way you experience the world around you. That’s why I keep teaching, experimenting, and creating spaces where people can practice showing up for themselves in simple, approachable ways.
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
(C)KristinGuynn-Photographer
