Meet Chuck Raffoni of Relax and Recharge With Chuck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chuck Raffoni.

Chuck, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I began my personal yoga practice in the late 90’s after being diagnosed with Epstein Barr/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Traditional doctors were unable to help me so I pursued a holistic approach that included natural remedies, Thai-Chi and Yoga.

Through this combination, I was able to restore my immune system and overcome the challenges I was facing. After many years of sharing my passion for holistic medicine and Yoga with family and friends on a personal level, I decided to pursue it on a professional level in hopes of sharing my experience and helping others. Over the years, my favorite Yoga teachers have brought levity to their classes making them fun and welcoming to students of all levels while retaining the spiritual traditions of Yoga’s long history.

With that inspiration, I combined my favorite elements from those classes along with my own perspectives to create two signature classes “Relax” and “Recharge”. Relax incorporates a connection to the 5 major senses with carefully curated music, aromatherapy & chocolate. Recharge is a fun, high energy class known for a signature “dance break” and I also periodically offer that with a special Black Light Glow Format. I also offer a signature Chakra Balancing Workshop regularly regionally and hope to offer it nationally to those who may be interested.

I also trained with and work with Robert Sidoti the creator and co-founder of Broga® Yoga which is yoga/fitness based program geared for men that were created a decade ago. Together we offer a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. I also serve as a director for the brand supporting our licensed instructors around the world. I also teach Broga® classes as a licensed instructor myself. I partner with a local charity and brewery to offer bi-monthly Broga & Brew Class/Community Building Events.

My intention is to support people throughout their yoga journeys from potentially introducing them to the practice through fun events like Glow and Beer Yoga and hopefully leading them through deeper study of the yoga philosophy and lifestyle. I am excited to be offering my first retreat this Fall to beautiful Vermont on September 27-30th.

Has it been a smooth road?
When I decided to train to become a Yoga Teacher, I was in my 40’s and I initially felt I may be too old. I had lost my job in the recession. I was in a financially secure marriage at the time and this pursuit was encouraged.

Unfortunately, the marriage ended suddenly and I was very fearful that I would not be able to continue in the same capacity, but opportunities continue to open up and my business offerings are expanding as I learn more. I truly feel this is one of my purposes in life and that the universe is guiding and providing. I’ve also learned that helping others is another very valuable form of currency.

Just as my career as a yoga teacher was about to take off, I also broke my wrist. While it set me back and I did miss several professional opportunities, it provided me with great insight and empathy that I believe has made me a better teacher.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am proud that I have been given the freedom by the studios that I work for to offer yoga in a way that is authentic to me and how I want to share it. My classes combined together harness the holistic practice of yoga to empower quality life among those who let me lead them in practice.

Relaxation, strength building and just allowing yourself to let go, have fun and not take yourself too seriously all the time. There is no pretentiousness in my classes. I love the sense of community that people who come regularly feel with each other. I create opportunities to socialize with my glow yoga, brewery events and retreats for people to connect beyond the casual chit-chat before a class begins.

I am proud of how I provide good value for my service, affordable private mentoring sessions, reiki healing, Thai bodywork and health & wellness coaching. Ethical business decisions and looking out for others has served me well.

My brewery event, for example, supports 2 other local small businesses and a local charity while providing a fun and active night out for those who participate. It’s a win/win/win/win/win situation.

I was also honored to be suggested for and profiled as a member of the LGBT community working to make the world a better place by Pride Connections, a national podcast. With that inspiration, I will be offering day-long Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation Day Retreat for the community in December.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love where I live and offer my services. I appreciate the support and great word of mouth that I receive. Local press has been supportive of myself and my offerings.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.relaxandrechargewithchuck.com
• Phone: 978-807-3131
• Email: yogawithchuck@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yoga_with_chuck/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChuckRaffoniYogaReikiWellness/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/chuckraf

Image Credit:
Larisa Stinga, Adrien Bisson

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