Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda Carreras.
Hi Wanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! I’m Wanda. I am a first-generation Cuban American and founder of TODO Yoga. I’m teaching, living, and creating in my hometown Miami, FL (traditional homeland of the Tequesta, Calusa, Miccosukee, and Seminole).
I’ve been an artist and designer for most of my life while also being heavily attracted to spiritual pursuits. I attended New World School of the Arts for high school and later earned my BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. With this foundation, I redefine creativity, communication, and beauty.
Growing up was a tug-and-pull of experiencing chaos and trying to find that calm after a storm.
Yoga found me at 15 years old in that pursuit for calm. Many years later, I attend college and then graduate. At this point, I feel inspired and accomplished, but also burnt out, stressed, and disconnected (with a deep, deep need for rest). I knew I had to reflect on where my life was going next. I graduated college during the pandemic and quickly after pursued my yoga teacher certification. Ever since I made the decision to go deeper on this path, things have just continued to click.
TODO Yoga is a culmination of a dream I’ve building upon for years. Currently, I’m a 500-hr certified yoga teacher with trauma-informed training and lots of heart and resources to share. I’m focused on impacting community in an inclusive and compassionate way. I guide people into their healing while also finding my own healing through the practice of self-expression, visibility, and truth.
My commitment as a yoga teacher, a student, and a friend is to continue to learn, grow, and share from an honest and heart-based space.
I have many teachers, mentors, and leaders to thank but to name a few, these beings have been most impactful and supportive: my Cuban family, my beloved New World teachers, Kwonyin, Yumi Sakugawa, Susanna Barkataki (and all the mentors and teachers in her 300 YTT), and all medicinal plants that have contributed a lot to my healing and growth.
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?
Most of the struggle has been simply getting out of my own way. Doubts and insecurities inevitably come to the surface when you start putting yourself out into the world. I’m the kind of person who likes to confront things at the root, even if it might be a hard journey. Whether it’s an emotional wall, healing visibility shame, or simply opening myself up to learn from mentors, I keep showing up and continue to listen.
So, there are challenges. Overcoming them is how you stretch your potential. And then there’s also lots of rest. It’s not always about the hustle. Being mindful of how my energy is spent and shared allows me to show up the best way I can.
This is what yoga has been for me, actually. Establishing a nervous system that feels safe to be relaxed, at rest, or comfortable. This has been a practice for me. As someone with a nervous system that’s used to getting activated, triggered, or feel threatened – conscious rest has been the most healing.
Letting go of perfectionism has been the most freeing practice too. It’s a lot about decolonizing our thinking, really. If something feels restrictive rather than expansive – whether it be a thought, an interaction, or an idea – I pause and listen.
Building this stronger connection with my intuition has helped me reconnect with my heart and move from that place of truth.
We’ve been impressed with TODO 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?
TODO Yoga is a wellness community establishing spaces for healing centered on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our name is based on the Spanish word “todo” meaning “everything”. Everything and everyone is welcomed. We really mean it when we say come as you are. I also find it important to include my culture & my mother tongue through the name “todo” while also representing the diversity that is Miami’s community.
Another big part of bringing everything to the table is also honoring this practice and its original teachings with as much integrity and humility as possible. Yoga also looks different for all of us! When yoga is shown as only one thing or one way to practice it, we might cause harm by appropriating the practice or leaving people out.
Yoga is not only the physical practice of asana. It’s also meditation, philosophy, and a way of living, thinking, and being. For me, yoga creates space within us in all the ways – whether it’s a deeper breath, flexibility of the mind, or feeling better in your body.
At the heart of it, TODO Yoga’s intention is to create a community where people can enjoy moving and exploring their body, minds, and breath while feeling safe and supported in the process.
What makes you happy?
Being here makes me happy. Exploring, learning, and being a witness of this life makes me happy.
It’s not always like that and I have had and still have my dance with anxiety, depression, trauma (and just dealing with life’s challenges!) But, my relationship to it has changed a lot.
Somatic-practices like yoga, dancing, and rollerskating have transformed my relationship with these internal feelings and experiences that might feel heavy or challenging.
Anything that allows me to move my body, experience my inner world, and connect to expression is how I access freedom and joy.
When I connect deeper with this vessel and with what surrounds me, I feel like I’m celebrating, amplifying, and honoring life.
Sometimes that deeper connection is rest. Sometimes it’s movement. Sometimes it’s a warm shower, cleaning my space, or cooking and eating a good meal. Sometimes connecting with another could be the most grounding and most human thing.
Pricing:
- We offer a 3 or 6 Class Pack for our weekly Thursday classes at Up to Something Studios.
- Drop-in rates are currently $15 – $25 sliding scale.
- First class is free.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@todoyogastudio.com
- Website: https://www.todoyogastudio.com
- Instagram: @todoyogamiami
- Other: @wandixxie
Image Credits
@yourfriend.photographs
@flowwithfab
