In the sun-kissed coastal haven of Imperial Beach, San Diego, a beacon of holistic wellness shines brightly, drawing seekers from all walks of life. At the heart of this vibrant community stands Shawna Schenk, a visionary pioneer in the realm of holistic health and the founder of Yoga With Shawna. But her influence doesn’t end there. Shawna’s indomitable spirit has birthed not just a yoga studio but an entire ecosystem of healing, education, and empowerment. With unwavering dedication, Shawna has nurtured not one but three transformative endeavors. Alongside Yoga With Shawna, she’s the driving force behind the Holistic Health Institute of San Diego, a pioneering institution offering a myriad of certification programs spanning the realms of yoga, breathwork, energy work, aromatherapy, sound healing, and beyond. Shawna’s impact is immeasurable. She has touched the lives of thousands through her teachings, her books, her manuals, and her infectious passion for holistic living. Her journey is not just one of personal success but of collective transformation—a journey that continues to inspire and empower all who cross her path. Join Mystic Mag and read more.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your journey through Yoga, Reiki, Sound Healing, Breathwork, Aromatherapy, and Meditation? How did it shape your approach to these practices?
In the first place, prior to becoming a teacher and dedicating my life to this, before establishing a yoga studio, hosting yoga festivals, launching an essential oil line, and conducting all these teacher trainings, I was in my early 20s and extremely anxious. I was prescribed medication for my anxiety and diagnosed depression, a common experience for many young people. As I spoke with a therapist, they listened to my concerns briefly before prescribing the medication. At the time, it was necessary for my well-being because I was overwhelmed, experiencing panic attacks, and unable to function properly. I lacked the necessary tools to manage my emotions and the chemistry of my brain was affected by improper eating habits and self-care practices, factors contributing to my mental health issues.
I am grateful for the availability of medication in our country and world, both Western and Eastern medicine, which helped me during that period of my life. However, as I started to feel better after a few months of medication, I sensed a need for something more. I turned to Google and discovered acupuncture. Despite feeling sick and nervous on the morning of my appointment, I pushed myself to go, and it proved to be beneficial. The acupuncturist suggested I try yoga, which I reluctantly did at first, feeling insecure and inadequate. Yet, over time, I found solace in yoga and meditation, gradually feeling stronger and more connected to myself.
After a few months of practicing meditation and attending yoga classes, I had an epiphany that I needed to make significant changes in my life. This realization led me to move across the country, aligning my actions with my true self. The ripple effect of this decision has been profound, guiding me towards my destiny and purpose in life. I believe the pivotal moment was when I became a student again, learning to love myself, prioritize self-care, and make decisions that resonate with my authentic self.
Now, I feel like my purpose on Earth is to help others. Although I was previously a writing professor, I knew deep down that there was more for me to do. I am grateful every day for the opportunity to fulfill this calling, as it brings me joy, keeps me healthy, and allows me to be true to myself. Opening a yoga studio and exploring various holistic practices such as Reiki, aromatherapy, and breathwork happened organically, and I continue to discover new aspects of the holistic world and myself each day. It’s an exciting journey and a true blessing.
How do you perceive the relationship between physical yoga practice and the more subtle aspects of energy work and meditation?
I believe that all aspects of yoga are necessary. Even when we look back at yoga’s history and philosophy, it began with meditation, chanting, breathing, and the spiritual component. Later, approximately 2000 years ago, we began seeing writings about poses. Now, yoga has become heavily focused on poses, but like all things in life, it evolves and adapts to the changing needs of people.
Our society today requires movement more than ever. We lead sedentary lives, leading to inflammation and various health issues. Yoga teaches us the importance of movement and transformation. The physical aspect of yoga is crucial as it allows us to connect with the subtle energies within us. Through movement, we become more attuned to these energies, enhancing our ability to receive the teachings of meditation.
All elements of yoga—poses, meditation, and breathwork—are interconnected. Whether we engage in a pose or focus on meditation, the effects are felt physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Each aspect contributes to our overall well-being and understanding of ourselves.
What type of services do you offer?
I offer a variety of services. Firstly, I own a yoga studio where we provide a range of offerings. Within the studio, we also have a retail shop stocked with clothes designed to make you feel beautiful. Additionally, I have an essential oil line featuring various products. These oils are sourced directly from farms or distilled by myself, ensuring high quality and organic standards. Prior to this, I was involved in the process of hand pouring or wild crafting them.
We boast over 60 different oils, and I take the essential oil aspect of my career very seriously. It played a significant role, alongside other practices, in helping me transition off antidepressants and maintain a peaceful mental state. Sharing this pivotal experience with others is important to me. Our shop also offers crystals, yoga mats, teas, and other related items.
In Imperial Beach, I operate a yoga studio where we offer classes in yoga, breathwork, sound healing, Reiki, and meditation. We recently introduced Neuro Aerobics, a brain exercise program that includes activities such as writing with the non-dominant hand and stretching the mind and body in various ways.
Furthermore, I run the Holistic Health Institute of San Diego, where I’ve developed over 12 training programs and authored 14 books. These programs certify individuals in aromatherapy, Reiki, and yoga teacher training at different levels. Additionally, my partner and I opened a yoga retreat center on five acres in Joshua Street last year, accommodating up to 30 people for retreats.
Our website, desertdimension.com, provides information about our offerings, while my yoga studio’s website, yoga with shawna.com, offers details on classes and memberships. We recently acquired property in the Yosemite area and will be opening another yoga studio there. I also offer online classes through a $10 monthly membership.
I’m passionate about serving and creating opportunities to help others. In the past, I organized the San Diego Yoga Festival, a large beach yoga event attracting teachers from around the world and thousands of attendees. While we’re taking a break from this event, stay tuned for future updates.
In what ways do you think sound healing complements or enhances the effects of yoga and meditation?
In fact, there is a significant body of research and scientific evidence indicating that sound healing is one of the quickest and most effective ways to heal and balance a person. I have encountered numerous remarkable success stories where individuals have attended my sound healing classes and subsequently undergone blood work, only to find that their results are perfect. The impact is truly remarkable. It’s incredible to witness how sound healing is being recognized by doctors and supported by research.
In modern medicine, vibrational healing is incorporated in various ways. While doctors may not directly use sound bowls, they utilize frequencies and vibrations that are transformative. I believe that practicing yoga, meditation, and sound healing individually offers profound benefits. Each practice has its own unique medicinal qualities.
However, when these practices are combined, their effects are amplified and synergized. They complement each other beautifully, balancing and enhancing one another. The combination of yoga, meditation, and sound healing creates a powerful and essential synergy in achieving holistic well-being.
How do you approach the challenge of making these holistic practices accessible to individuals with varying levels of experience or physical abilities?
I pride myself on being inclusive. I don’t consider myself very athletic, so being able to serve whoever, whenever is really important to me. That’s why we offer classes for all levels and encourage everyone to come here. We strive to create a safe space where people can feel comfortable doing what they want or trying new things. Our prices are affordable, and we are here to support people.
Additionally, we provide various online resources, sometimes for free, in addition to what we offer in the studio. My dream is for this type of service to be covered by insurance one day, making it accessible to everyone.
