Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Ferrante.
Hi Lauren, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
When I was a little girl, I never thought “When I grow up, I want to move to the Keys and become a yoga teacher.” I was guided here by forces bigger than me, situations, and events that led me to exactly where I am right now. I suffered the sudden, and profound loss of someone that I loved deeply. My world as I knew it was forever changed all in one moment.
My grief deepened my practice, and my practice became the medicine. From the darkness, I began to heal. From death, I had no choice but to be re-birthed. Over time, I was moved to share this practice so that I could show people that they, too, could be their guru, teacher, and healer….and Island Flow Yoga was born.
Am I overwhelmingly thankful for what led me to where I am now? Hell no! Am I deeply grateful for the life that I created as a way to survive and thrive through this experience? That I get to do what I love to do every day and in so many ways? You bet!
So here I am in the Keys and traveling the world doing what I never imagined I would be doing and loving every minute of it. I have learned that even when all has gone wrong, you can be taken to a destination unplanned yet wonderful. The things you think you can’t survive you can somehow divinely make it through. For this, I am so grateful.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t believe that anything worth doing in life is going to be a smooth road. This is the stuff that keeps life interesting. Like so many of us, I have been afraid of failure, of not being good enough, of the unknown.
I will never forget the day I signed the contract to buy out a property in Tuscany for a week to host my first retreat. I was so inspired and connected to my vision of this amazing experience that I was going to curate and share with my guests. I went to bed so excited as one of my dreams was about to come to fruition. Just a couple of hours later, I sprung awake in the middle of the night with the thought that no one would sign up!
As it turned out, that first retreat sold out in 3 days with a waitlist a mile long. I have since hosted multiple sold-out retreats in places all over the world. And yes, I still wake up in the middle of the night at times with that same original fear!
As you know, we’re big fans of Island Flow Yoga. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Island Flow Yoga is a business that has been born from my heart and soul. It continues to grow and evolve as I grow and evolve. I specialize in yoga classes in stunning locations in Islamorada, and retreats in stunning destinations all over the world.
I am also a certified Life Coach working with clients virtually from anywhere they are, and a Registered Yoga School, leading yoga teacher training and mentorships one-on-one and in small groups.
My purpose is to hold space for people to connect more deeply with themselves so that they can authentically shine their light and give others in their presence permission to do the same. It pays itself forward organically.
I am inspired by bringing incredible people together for the retreats I curate and facilitate in different regions of Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Mexico to name a few. It’s an experience that is hard to articulate in words…people from all walks of life come together and connect in the most beautiful ways while having experiences of a lifetime. My retreats embody all of the elements of the culture that we are in, and we get to smell, taste, touch, hear, and feel all of the amazingness of where we are.
This year I have sold out my retreats to the Amalfi Coast, Croatia, and Sardinia. I just launched my final and most intimate retreat of 2024: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico! As of the day of this interview, there are only two rooms left!
Please visit my website to learn more about all of my offerings: https://www.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am a forever student. I am awed by the human condition and super curious, thus everything is on the table for me to learn about so that I can continue to show up for myself, my loved ones, and my clients in the best ways possible.
You can find me reading and listening to books on any given day…most currently How to Not Die Alone by Logan Ury on Audible (yes, I am single, LOL). I love to dive into travel blogs as I am dreaming up and learning about destinations for my retreats.
I listen to podcasts daily. Shout out to Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett, The Mark Groves, Podcast, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, Huberman Lab, and The School of Greatness with Lewis Howes to name a few. The list is extensive and always growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.
islandflow.yoga - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/islandflowyoga/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/laurennferrante - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/in/lauren- ferrante-9a546922b/
