Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimi Ghandour.
Hi Mimi, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Paris and grew up in Saudi Arabia. I studied interior design in college and worked in that field for a little bit before becoming a mother of two beautiful kids. After the birth of my second child, we realized that she was suffering from a developmental disability. It was my commitment to getting her the best medical care that made me relocate my family from Saudi Arabia to Miami, Florida eight years ago, where I now live.
During this difficult transition of moving to the United States and handling my daughter’s medical treatments, I became engrossed in yoga and the peace and clarity it provided me. I then became a certified yoga instructor and started teaching at studios all over Miami and building a community on Instagram. Once the pandemic began in 2020, I decided to make the leap from teaching in-person to expanding my yoga community by launching my online platform MimiYoga.com that now has members from all over the world.
Since launching Mimi Yoga, we have expanded to offer Yoga Teacher Training and yoga retreats as well. Currently, we are in the process of opening a physical Mimi Yoga studio in Wynwood, which is expected to open in 2022.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Starting a small business is always risky and nerve racking so it has not always been a smooth road. For a while, I let self-doubt and fear hold me back from starting Mimi Yoga sooner. I had an idea of expanding my yoga teaching to online students in the back of my head for a long time before I believed in myself enough to take the leap of faith necessary to begin. Launching Mimi Yoga has made me realize the importance of everyone, but particularly women, believing in themselves and their abilities because we can do SO much together!
I found one of my greatest resources has been leaning on the amazing talents of the individuals in my yoga community when I encountered aspects of my business that I was unfamiliar with. I’ve been able to overcome many of the bumps in the road by building a great team and leveraging the talents of generous members of the Mimi Yoga community who have offered guidance along this journey. WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT COMMUNITY!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Mimi Yoga?
What sets Mimi Yoga apart from other yoga studios is our COMMUNITY. I am a firm believer that we are NOTHING without a strong community behind us. I am so proud that Mimi Yoga has students from all over the globe, including Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Costa Rica, Kuwait, France and that we have been able to connect people who would have most likely never met one another. The pandemic has really highlighted to me how essential community is in alleviating stress, providing emotional support and creating joy in each of our own daily lives. Yoga is a great tool to use to build community because yoga is a safe place where you can be your most authentic self and open your heart up to those around you.
The Mimi Yoga community has grown through our Mimi Yoga Teacher Training where we teach individuals from all over the world to become certified yoga instructors. More than just a yoga training, our training teaches is a total mind, body and spirit transformation. Teacher Training students graduate with more than just yoga knowledge—they leave with a new group of like-minded friends, more confidence with public speaking and ready to build their personal yoga brand.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The question I hear most often from people is “how do I start yoga?” My response is simple – START WHERE YOU ARE. You have the choice every single day to make the effort and step on your mat, no matter if you are a beginner or advanced. Remember how lucky you are to have the power to CHOOSE to take time for yourself each day and move your body.
Follow me on Instagram at MimiYoga_Official & enjoy on-demand and live yoga classes with me at Mimiyoga.com!
Contact Info:
- Email: support@mimiyoga.com
- Website: Mimiyoga.com
- Instagram: Mimiyoga_Official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/join.mimiyoga
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MimiYoga_
