Today we’d like to introduce you to Tierra Briscoe.
Hi Tierra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Wow! Well, let me introduce myself. My name is Tierra aka YogiTB and I originate from PG County, MD. Currently residing in Downtown Miami!! It’ll be two years for me in October! I am a yogi, healer, coach, and Ph.D. Student, and a vibe all around.
Ok, I started practicing yoga in 2008, my freshman year of college at Penn State University. When I first began practicing yoga, the only other person who looked like me doing it was my uncle. So I was in class uncomfortable and going through the unknown. Fast forward 14 years later, I am living in my purpose. I am 200hr, prison yoga, sports yoga, and trauma-focused yoga certified. I am also a certified law enforcement fitness coordinator.
But, let me backtrack a little bit. My background initially is in law enforcement, many people do not know that about me. I was a federal officer, Sergeant, and Agent from 2014 – 2018. My experience in law enforcement was interesting, yet life-changing.
Yoga was the practice that saved my life on numerous occasions. During my lows and highs. I practiced Bikram yoga and many other styles. In 2016/2017, I started to share my yoga practice via social media which was an extremely vulnerable moment for me. With the encouragement of friends and other followers, I decided to obtain my 200-hour yoga teacher training certificate in 2017. This is when things popped off!
I got the opportunity to start teaching in different places. I started working with athletes, at professional, college, and high school levels. In 2018, I made the decision to leave the government to teach yoga full-time, and what a time! Entrepreneurship is not easy and I learned that fast!!!
I spoke about this in another blog, but there were moments where I barely had enough gas to get from point A to B, but I was so in a hustle/grind mode that things were not aligning for real. I wasn’t getting paid my worth and I was jumping at any opportunity to teach. What I realized is that my worth wasn’t being acknowledged and I was BURNT out. I fell out of love with the practice that once brought me so much joy.
Things began to change for me in 2019. I started teaching again. I began doing huge events in the DC area and building my audience. When COVID hit in 2020, I stepped it up more!! With the onset of the BLM movement, I began using my platform to speak up about discrimination experienced in the wellness space.
I have always vowed to advocate for instructors of color at all times. This opened me up to a number of opportunities that I am forever grateful for to this day! Fast forward to now, I am living my dreams. Manifesting every day. Leading retreats, connecting people with others, working with amazing clients, and teaching on my own terms.
I am extremely blessed and it’s only UP from here!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Def a roller coaster.
Days when I am unsure I made the right decision. As mentioned before, there was one point where I barely had enough gas money to get from point A to point B. I had to make the decision to move back with my mother. Whewwww Chile! I have not lived with her since I graduated college.
So there have been so many bumps that had me questioning this purpose that was placed over me. When I first left the government, my relationship with my father and his siblings went to hell. It’s been one hell of a journey but worth it, you know. I’ve had thoughts: “How will I pay my rent? How will I show up, if I am tired!?”
You name it! but all of these experiences have made me who I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Yogi, Healer, Life Changer, and a vibe!
I teach yoga to all audiences, mostly beginners and those who have experienced some type of trauma. I specialize in sports yoga, prison yoga, and trauma-focused yoga. I used to teach at a prison in Baltimore, MD. I am also blessed to have clients who are professional athletes, and amazing college and HS athletes as well!
I lead dope ass (can I cuss? oops lol) yoga retreats and events. If you ever practiced under me, you already know the vibes!
I am proud of just taking the risk. I remember my cousin told me, “What’s a risk, with no obligation?” and that has stuck with me for years. I am really living out my old journal entries on a day-to-day basis. I wake up to the ocean and the sun daily, how could I complain?? I live life, on my terms.
I do believe truly that no instructors teach the same and that’s what makes us all unique… But, What sets me apart is that I am rare. I am a different type of instructor. I always say I am not average, I bring a different type of energy and intimacy to my classes.
I also bodybuild. My wellness journey has really transformed and changed my life. It’s a lifestyle.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can follow me on the gram! @Yogi.TB
Visit my website sol-full.co
Email me: tierra@sol-full.co
Attend my retreats, take an on-demand class, all the ABOVE!! I take private clients as well!!
Upcoming retreats: Urbanxsol @ River Mountain July 7-10, Casa Om, Puerto Morelos Mexico August 14-21, The Vibe & The Flow, Joshua Tree, CA Sept 19 – 23.
More to come!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sol-full.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogi.tb/
Image Credits
Lindsay Hayes, Studio Hayes, Shaughn Cooper, Huddle Sports, @stevensmithstudios, and @barbaradphotography
